First, let me say sorry for the mistake. My previous comment concerned the next episode HUNTED and not this one, of course. There was a little jam on my disc menu. Sorry for the inconvenience folks.
So, back to this one THE AMATEUR, the only thing I must say is that the Tony Zerbe character is so interesting, especially with his girlfriend totally in love with him. That's a very unusual evil character in the series. Although there a other ones too, in the line of those we find in other episodes. And you have here no gadget, no complicated scheme of framing up. And I don't remember seeing the usual tape scene.
Yes, the fifth season is more than unexpected.
4 Reviews
Brst of yhe Warren Year
aramis-112-80488021 September 2022
Repeat guest star Anthony Zerbe is just great as an "amateur" spy who might just be intrusive enough to mess up a slick mission in the unfree world.
I usually hate any episodes where team members portray cabaret performers, but this one's so good it's the exception to the rule.
Anthony Zerbe was a really good actor but never a leading-man type. Why? Well, back in the day my father used to call him "ol' crazy eyes." Nevertheless, he probably enjoyed playing crazies.
His strong performance (and he tends to show up in some of the best M:I episodes) carries this episode. Even Warren can't ruin this one. Though the cycing tends to be dull.
But to say more would be to give too much away. Enjoy!
I usually hate any episodes where team members portray cabaret performers, but this one's so good it's the exception to the rule.
Anthony Zerbe was a really good actor but never a leading-man type. Why? Well, back in the day my father used to call him "ol' crazy eyes." Nevertheless, he probably enjoyed playing crazies.
His strong performance (and he tends to show up in some of the best M:I episodes) carries this episode. Even Warren can't ruin this one. Though the cycing tends to be dull.
But to say more would be to give too much away. Enjoy!
One more unusual episode
searchanddestroy-110 May 2018
As I have already said about this terrific TV show, the basic schemes, details, frame, which the audiences are so easily used to, are also such easily twisted, distorted, crooked. You can easily find some exceptions in those basic elements. Especially in this seven seasons TV series. For instance, here, unlike the other fifth season episodes, the story begins with the tape scene, and the opening credits ONLY begin after a couple of minutes. I won't even insist on Barney's character performance, as here a sort of lead one..
I LOVE such twisted elements, compared to the rest of the show. I LOVE unusual things, surprising.
For instance, I would like to watch the MI team face another SIMILAR team, or only a MAN alone, instead of an organization. But maybe I have missed some of this kind of schemes.
Classic MI episode; spy action behind the Iron Curtain
shakspryn19 January 2018
This is a good one! Our team is on a dangerous mission behind the Iron Curtain, in some Communist-ruled country such as East Germany or Hungary or Czech-land, though of course it's never specified. We get a good feel for what a tough game espionage can be, with life and death stakes. To me, MI was at its best when they were overseas, and I especially like the episodes set In Europe. The other big overseas setting they loved on MI was "south of the border," perhaps because it was much easier to portray than Asia or Africa!
Good acting in this episode from all. Lesley Ann in particular shines in this one.
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