jamesvaughanantwerp
Joined May 2018
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jamesvaughanantwerp's rating
A creature so strange and alien that humans cannot survive just seeing it! That is a strong and true science-fiction premise. Also with obvious classic overtones. The story is very compelling. Also one of the more genuinely frightening (the Medusa of Greek mythology). The Thing in the box! What it really is, is left up to our imagination. Yet when Spock is inhabited by the alien's consciousness, he proves to be kind and gentle. Experiencing existence inside the fragile, isolated shell of a human body the Alien/ Spock gives one of the most eloquent speeches of the series "... to be so -alone!"
Fascinating! None of the other humans has mentioned how this episode involves events and conflicts which mirror those of real life super-power conflict in the history of your Earth.
Almost nine months before 'The Enterprise Incident' aired a US Navy 'spy-ship' ( the USS Pueblo) was seized off the coast of North Korea. Two of the crew were killed by enemy fire and the remaining 80 officers and seaman were held captive for almost a year. Some prisoners were tortured.
So the idea of 'ships' engaging in secret spy missions was still high on a lot of minds when Kirk and Spock launched their complex plot of subterfuge.
Of other interest in the episode is the rather silly way Romulans dress; as if their entire sense of fashion was based on knitting of grandmothers. Also; in spite of some rather rude jokes- Captain Kirk actually looks quite dashing with pointy ears and eyebrows!
It should be noted, sadly, that the Romulan Commanders fate, once returned to her side of the neutral Zone (given the seriousness of the cloaking device falling into Federation hands) could not have been pleasant!
Almost nine months before 'The Enterprise Incident' aired a US Navy 'spy-ship' ( the USS Pueblo) was seized off the coast of North Korea. Two of the crew were killed by enemy fire and the remaining 80 officers and seaman were held captive for almost a year. Some prisoners were tortured.
So the idea of 'ships' engaging in secret spy missions was still high on a lot of minds when Kirk and Spock launched their complex plot of subterfuge.
Of other interest in the episode is the rather silly way Romulans dress; as if their entire sense of fashion was based on knitting of grandmothers. Also; in spite of some rather rude jokes- Captain Kirk actually looks quite dashing with pointy ears and eyebrows!
It should be noted, sadly, that the Romulan Commanders fate, once returned to her side of the neutral Zone (given the seriousness of the cloaking device falling into Federation hands) could not have been pleasant!
When it comes to danger and intrigue - as well as cliches and the same set being used in fifteen different ways - you've got 'Dangerous Assignment!' This is really great early TV fun. Hats off to star Brian Donlevy who produced the series himself. It becomes obvious through occasional improvised lines and slip-ups that the star and cast are having as much fun as we are.
Sewers, caves, yachts, speeding trains there's no end to exotic cheap soundstage locations. Not to mention the same cafe and apartment hideout redecorated again and again. Government agent Steve Mitchell is really rather incompetent; as he never figures out his assignment and the true cause of the 'trouble' until he gets conked on the head several times and most of his co-stars are murdered. Mitchell gets knocked out so often it's a wonder he has any brain left at all. Not to mention all of those countless flesh wounds!
Brian Donlevy, with his stout build and frumpy clothes, makes an unlikely James Bond, but all the women find him irresistible and immediately fall for him. True to form; he is too busy saving the interests of the free world against an unspecified unfriendly power to allow much time for dilly-dally with the ladies. Brian Donlevy is so much fun if you know anything of his backstory. He was quite an adventurer and dashing character in real life and a central figure and witness to much of Hollywood's early history.
'Dangerous Assignment' is simply great in it's generous helpings of corny plots, contrived characters and (cough) riveting action. Watch it with friends as an assignment in early television history... and you'll all soon be rooting for Steve Mitchell- government agent!
* originally a radio show - all 91 episodes are available at 'Internet Archive'
Sewers, caves, yachts, speeding trains there's no end to exotic cheap soundstage locations. Not to mention the same cafe and apartment hideout redecorated again and again. Government agent Steve Mitchell is really rather incompetent; as he never figures out his assignment and the true cause of the 'trouble' until he gets conked on the head several times and most of his co-stars are murdered. Mitchell gets knocked out so often it's a wonder he has any brain left at all. Not to mention all of those countless flesh wounds!
Brian Donlevy, with his stout build and frumpy clothes, makes an unlikely James Bond, but all the women find him irresistible and immediately fall for him. True to form; he is too busy saving the interests of the free world against an unspecified unfriendly power to allow much time for dilly-dally with the ladies. Brian Donlevy is so much fun if you know anything of his backstory. He was quite an adventurer and dashing character in real life and a central figure and witness to much of Hollywood's early history.
'Dangerous Assignment' is simply great in it's generous helpings of corny plots, contrived characters and (cough) riveting action. Watch it with friends as an assignment in early television history... and you'll all soon be rooting for Steve Mitchell- government agent!
* originally a radio show - all 91 episodes are available at 'Internet Archive'