The Galloping Major

Unless you have interest in 1960s African politics, this is a very weak episode. Drake's purpose in being there is rather vague, the plot is rather dull, the finale is a let-down. McGoohan looks nice in his military garb, but that is about all that makes this episode worth watching. OH, and NO the actor who plays the corrupt colonel is NOT the boss from "Death in Paradise". I had to check on that one!

Prime Minister Kamunga (William Marshall) has called in John Drake to provide him protection during his election. Kamunga claims that someone is out to kill him and thereby give the election to his rival, Dr. Manudu. So, Drake pokes around--keeping his eyes open and his mouth shut. Eventually, the trail seems to lead to a very ambitious military officer who appears to be ready to lead a coup.

This episode gets a plus because of its sense of humor. The old English landlady who owns the place where Drake stays is a hoot. Mrs. Mannington is DEFINITELY a relic of the colonial past and is pretty funny. Additionally, I liked how yet another pretty lady threw himself at Drake, yet Drake seemed impervious to her allure. He is definitely NOT like James Bond in this sense--but it also makes his character a lot more believable. Overall, a decent episode but one whose finale seemed a tiny bit anticlimactic to me. Still, it's well worth seeing just to watch William Marshall--a wonderful actor who too often is only remembered for the Blacula movies and not his amazing voice and talents.

We have an episode with two great, powerhouse actors guest starring, Brit Earl Cameron and American William Marshall. Drake catches the eye of an attractive woman and he could easily charm the pants off her but as we know, Patrick McGoohan was having none of that in his scripts.

After the Prime Minister of an African country is almost assassinated, Drake is sent to investigate.

The Galloping Major is a very good episode. The characters are well written; Nora Nicholson is great as a tipsy old lady, and Jill Medford is good as a rich woman throwing herself at Drake. The plot is a bit confusing (a big deal is made at the beginning of the assassination attempt, but it's never mentioned again), but it's entertaining overall.

The first run of Danger Man suffered due to its half-hour run time, which meant little if any meaningful character development, barebones plot and often a rushed final act.

No such problems now, what with a full hour to work with. Alas, this episode feels like a padded out holdover from the first season. The plot is still rudimentary, the characters are still mostly one-dimensional. Only now, instead of racing through scenes, the episode ladles on gratuitous dialogue, and scenes that go nowhere and take forever getting there.