The entire episode sort of feels like a dream, with only two IMF agents seen in the field, and capitalized upon only one - Jim Phelps. It feels like the kind of dream where one subconsciously visualizes certain events that are identical to the real ones that occur in one's life, which, in Phelps' case, is leading a mission undercover to thwart a plan to cast a blow to his side. The only friend that you see in a dream makes sudden appearances here and there to help you out or guide you through a difficult path, which comes in the form of Rollin Hand - the familiar face in Jim's dream.
Of course, this is not a dream episode but a mere analysis on my part.
Midway to the mission, for the first time in the show's duration, Phelps meets an attractive woman (Joan Collins) with whom he falls in love, who, after a series of mishaps, appears to help him as well as appeal to his romantic side when Phelps himself isn't at his fittest. That woman is a double agent. But, whose side is she on, remains undisclosed up until halfway into the third act.
The episode's narrative very much contributes to this bittersweet dream where themes such as fear of losing a loved one or doubting your ability to make it out of the woods (literally and metaphorically) play vital roles in the plot. Some visuals and beautiful scenery depict quite a night time that I found enchanting - It had this vintage look about it that films from the 1950s and early 1960s had, and I can't help but love those. Not to mention, Jim's state of mind really played out the episode as some sort of a hallucination.
As it goes, this was an unusual episode as stated by the other users, and topics that deal with matters as such as to making it personal for a protagonist in a show like this is a welcome change, as long as it is not overdone, unlike today's modern fiction where every entry is personal for the protagonist(s) the novelty of such unique subgenre is deteriorated. As good as it is to see the more human side to characters, these moments should be rare so one would savor it, not get bored by it. That is where this episode succeeds by playing the rarity in a rather usual straightforward spy series where things are often business as usual.
The outcome did feel predictable, but I was still on the edge of my seat, hoping that it wouldn't be so. You know the spy business. Someone usually dies.
It's a great episode if you're a romantic at heart.
Of course, this is not a dream episode but a mere analysis on my part.
Midway to the mission, for the first time in the show's duration, Phelps meets an attractive woman (Joan Collins) with whom he falls in love, who, after a series of mishaps, appears to help him as well as appeal to his romantic side when Phelps himself isn't at his fittest. That woman is a double agent. But, whose side is she on, remains undisclosed up until halfway into the third act.
The episode's narrative very much contributes to this bittersweet dream where themes such as fear of losing a loved one or doubting your ability to make it out of the woods (literally and metaphorically) play vital roles in the plot. Some visuals and beautiful scenery depict quite a night time that I found enchanting - It had this vintage look about it that films from the 1950s and early 1960s had, and I can't help but love those. Not to mention, Jim's state of mind really played out the episode as some sort of a hallucination.
As it goes, this was an unusual episode as stated by the other users, and topics that deal with matters as such as to making it personal for a protagonist in a show like this is a welcome change, as long as it is not overdone, unlike today's modern fiction where every entry is personal for the protagonist(s) the novelty of such unique subgenre is deteriorated. As good as it is to see the more human side to characters, these moments should be rare so one would savor it, not get bored by it. That is where this episode succeeds by playing the rarity in a rather usual straightforward spy series where things are often business as usual.
The outcome did feel predictable, but I was still on the edge of my seat, hoping that it wouldn't be so. You know the spy business. Someone usually dies.
It's a great episode if you're a romantic at heart.
