Watching this episode for the first time was a strange experience. For years I have known that this one was basically remade into the Season 1 CHARLIE'S ANGELS episode "To Kill an Angel". I think I even remember the TV Guide summary word for word: "The autistic child Kelly's tending stumbles upon a gun left at a murder scene -- and accidentally shoots Kelly with it". Yup, that's it.
Seeing the original MOD SQUAD episode reminded me of when one of my Millennial co-workers would hear a song on the retro radio like "Venus" by Shocking Blue - and remark "I only know this song by Bananarama - I never knew it was a remake". It's weird seeing the original when you are only familiar with the later version.
Some of the plot points are identical in both episodes as well as the dialog and even the shots, so "To Kill an Angel" is a shameless rip-off with a couple new scenes added. No sleazy porn producer in this one since it wouldn't make sense for Pete and Linc to be asked to take off their clothes in the way Farrah and Kate were propositioned.
Filmed five years apart, the slight difference in styles is evident. ANGELS was slicker whereas MOD has a drive-in B movie quality to it. Plus, the early '70s fashions were very ugly, some of the worst of the latter 20th century.
The guest cast includes Lee Montgomery (BURNT OFFERINGS) as the boy, who's basically mute the entire episode, and Susan Howard (DALLAS) who comes across as very sympathetic in her two short scenes, even though she shouldn't.
Not one of the SQUAD's best, but interesting viewing for those only familiar with the ANGELS remake.
Seeing the original MOD SQUAD episode reminded me of when one of my Millennial co-workers would hear a song on the retro radio like "Venus" by Shocking Blue - and remark "I only know this song by Bananarama - I never knew it was a remake". It's weird seeing the original when you are only familiar with the later version.
Some of the plot points are identical in both episodes as well as the dialog and even the shots, so "To Kill an Angel" is a shameless rip-off with a couple new scenes added. No sleazy porn producer in this one since it wouldn't make sense for Pete and Linc to be asked to take off their clothes in the way Farrah and Kate were propositioned.
Filmed five years apart, the slight difference in styles is evident. ANGELS was slicker whereas MOD has a drive-in B movie quality to it. Plus, the early '70s fashions were very ugly, some of the worst of the latter 20th century.
The guest cast includes Lee Montgomery (BURNT OFFERINGS) as the boy, who's basically mute the entire episode, and Susan Howard (DALLAS) who comes across as very sympathetic in her two short scenes, even though she shouldn't.
Not one of the SQUAD's best, but interesting viewing for those only familiar with the ANGELS remake.