194 replies to this topic

[Brian Flagg]

It's possible also that the while making the show in the first place, they realized that they'd need an extended runtime to tell the story. While expanding the story over two episodes maybe there was enough material for 90-95 minutes, but not 100. This is quite possible, as M:I is not a show known for much in the way of filler. Do the episodes play well?

I was thinking the same thing. How long can they stretch a boxing episode anyway? Maybe they cut some montage scenes, something the show raely employed. If it is cut, then it's the subtlest job I've seen, as nothing jars or leaves me scratching my head about strange dialogue or scenes coming out of nowhere. M:I suffered a great deal from cuts and I havd found no gaps in continuity.

[Brisco]

Sorry to self-promote, but I've got a contest up now to win Season 3 on the Double O Section. Anyone on this thread who doesn't yet have it should definitely enter!

Brisco
(aka Tanner)

[Brian Flagg]

RE: Season 3. I re-watched "The Interrogator" again and I have to say that it was well directed and edited (meaning artistically, not the bad kind) and Henry Silva was great as Norvan Krueger. Love those "foreign" names! For some reason, this episode is all the more effective when watching late at night with no distractions...you may find yourself getting interrogated!

[Blofeld's Cat]

RE: Season 3. I re-watched "The Interrogator" again and I have to say that it was well directed and edited (meaning artistically, not the bad kind) and Henry Silva was great as Norvan Krueger. Love those "foreign" names! For some reason, this episode is all the more effective when watching late at night with no distractions...you may find yourself getting interrogated!

Thanks for the tip, Brian.

About to start disc 3 of the set, so I've got aways to go. My 6yo loves the show - Willy (Peter Lupus) is his favourite IMF agent.

[Turn]

I began watching season 3 the other day and am enjoying it. Watched Heir Apparent and The Mercenaries so far. It got me thinking about a few things.

I hadn't seen any MI shows in years, just the Cruise movies and though I enjoy those a lot, those are such a far cry from these originals which were so dependent on teamwork more so than just pulling off a mask at every turn.

Another thing was I don't think you could have a show like MI these days with the way commercials punctuate things on network TV, at least. You need to watch everything and the payoffs come later on, which may not appeal to a lot of modern viewers. I guess Alias pulled that off to a degree, but it was as much about the agents' personal lives as their work lives. MI is all about the mission.

[Brian Flagg]

S4 (with Leonard Nimoy) due out May 13, 2008.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Cool!

And the box art can be seen here.

[Turn]

I know it was the start of the decline of the MI series, but I really look forward to seeing the Nimoy years just out of curiosity. He seems like a good fit for this series and I would like to see how the team operated without Cinnamon. I've got a long ways to go watching the other three seasons first, though.

[Brian Flagg]

Season FOUR now available for pre-order at Amazon.com

[Diabolik]

I know it was the start of the decline of the MI series, but I really look forward to seeing the Nimoy years just out of curiosity. He seems like a good fit for this series and I would like to see how the team operated without Cinnamon. I've got a long ways to go watching the other three seasons first, though.

I retrospect, I don't think M:I had hit it's decline yet. A while back I bought a bootleg DVD set of the entire series. Season 4 was amazingly good and Nimoy is a really good replacement for Landau. Lee Merriweather did a good job at being the female memeber, too.

High points include the 3-part episode "The Falcon," "Submarine," and "The Double Circle."

Even Season 5 was fairly good. The episode, "The Killer," with Robert Conrad is still one of the most intriguing episodes they ever made (they remade it as the TV pilot of the 1988 version of the TV series).

Season 6 and 7 are pretty unwatchable though (with the exception of a couple episodes like "The Puppet" with Roddy McDowell.

If you're really into M:I the TV series, I recommend the companion book "The Complete Mission: Impossible Dossier" by Patrick J. White. It covers every episode of both TV series and all of the behind-the-scenes drama.

[Brian Flagg]

*BUMP* Just a reminder that S4 is due out this Tuesday!

As for S5, that I'll skip, as I don't relish the idea of less screen time for Peter Lupus and the additions of Lesley Anne Warren and Sam Elliot (both of whom I like in other roles, just not here). Plus S5 has that wimped out version of the M:I theme. However, if someone enthusuastically raves about the show (as they have for the Robert Conrad episode, "The Killer.") Maybe I'll bite. S6 I am looking forward to, as I love Lynda Day George second only to Barbara Bain and I actually *like* the "Syndicate" episodes. S7 is a complete mystery to me.

[Turn]

*BUMP* Just a reminder that S4 is due out this Tuesday!

As for S5, that I'll skip, as I don't relish the idea of less screen time for Peter Lupus and the additions of Lesley Anne Warren and Sam Elliot (both of whom I like in other roles, just not here). Plus S5 has that wimped out version of the M:I theme. However, if someone enthusuastically raves about the show (as they have for the Robert Conrad episode, "The Killer.") Maybe I'll bite. S6 I am looking forward to, as I love Lynda Day George second only to Barbara Bain and I actually *like* the "Syndicate" episodes. S7 is a complete mystery to me.

I was pleasantly surprised to find M:I season 4 will be priced a lot less than previous seasons and I have a Best Buy gift card I am ready to part with to purchase it as I'm almost finished with Season 3 and am pretty much hooked on the series.

I've been looking forward to Season 4 to see how Nimoy interacts with the IMF. And especially to the 3-part episode The Falcon, with guest star Noel Harrison of The Girl From UNCLE.

I too was skeptical of season 5, but since reading the M:I book about the series, it makes me curious as they toyed with the format somewhat, showing the team screwing up and adding some danger whereas in most of the previous shows everything went almost like clockwork. From there I'll just have to see if I want to go on to collect the others as I still have seasons 1 and 2 to purchase.

[Turn]

Got my season 4 just a couple of hours ago and am set to check out Nimoy in action. I was actually amazed my small Best Buy had three copies of it in stock.

[Brian Flagg]

Got S4 yesterday and enjoyed "The Great Paris" all over again, some 23 years after I last saw the episode. Also watched the enjoyable "Numbers game", with Phelps' look at the end absolutely priceless...

All episodes appear uncut, average time of 50:32, with a one at 50:46. This includes the three-part "Falcon" episodes.

[Turn]

I watched The Code the night I got the set. I found it seemed a bit more character-based, focusing on Paris as a Castro/Che Guavara type and the plot seemed to really hinge on if he could pull it off and convince the Latin American baddies.

Phelps did very little physically, mostly staying behind the scenes with Willie, although he had a tough job to break the code of the title. Barney did his usual bit with an exotic gadget while stowing away in the stronghold.

I now have to decide if I want to press on with season 4 now or go back to finish the last two episodes of season 3. It's a nice little conundrum to have.

[Brian Flagg]

I now have to decide if I want to press on with season 4 now or go back to finish the last two episodes of season 3. It's a nice little conundrum to have.

Do *not* miss the last episode of S3, "The Interrogator" which has some great surreal imagery and an excellent Henry Silva performance. So I'd start there.

[Brian Flagg]

I get off work early today, so I'll spend my time off with a marathon of Mission: Impossible S4. This season originally aired in 1969-70, so it will be fun to see those ascots and muttonchops start to come around. In fact, Nimoy's already have! I'm convinced that 1969-72 was a Mini Decade of it's own and the best time for tatseless Mod stylings. I'm still waiting for those to come back in style...

[Brian Flagg]

My Season Four Top Ten:

10)The Falcon
9) The Double Circle
8) Mastermind
7) Gitano
6) Death Squad
5) Fool's Gold
4) The Brothers
3) Orpheus
2) The Code
1) Numbers Game

Barry Williams gave the performance of a lifetime in "Gitano."

"The Martyr", with it's hippi-dippie pandering is easily the worst of the season, with 37 year-old Nimoy playing a college-aged "lad." Still, of the first four seasons, "Nitro" is my least favorite...though I wouldn't call it "bad."

I enjoyed the season overrall, depsite the constant filming by the Paramount gate! Watching a few episodes in a row made me dizzy as if I were watching one long episode...

We almost had a "Amok Time" reunion with Leonard Nimoy and Arlene "T'Pring" Martel in "Terror." They don't share a scene together.

[Turn]

"The Martyr", with it's hippi-dippie pandering is easily the worst of the season, with 37 year-old Nimoy playing a college-aged "lad." Still, of the first four seasons, "Nitro" is my least favorite...though I wouldn't call it "bad."

I just watched "Nitro" the other night and really enjoyed it. It somehow seems just a little different than some of the other episodes. Cutting to the watches as Rollin is trying to take the nitro made for a nice change, as did the fact the battery dies. Most of the time things get pulled off with little distraction and this was a little different.

I may be off though, as the author of The Mission Impossible Dossier didn't feel it was one of the best either.

This is the hard part sometimes when watching a series on DVD, things kind of seem the same after a while. And I've only watched the third season and a couple from the fourth.

[Brian Flagg]

I also tend to burn myself out upon receiving a TV show on DVD. I get to watching several eps in a row, usually late at night, so my sleep suffers, too. Time to ramp up my reading, which is backlogged as it is. Plus, I still have Hawaii Five-O to watch AND Mannix when those two come out in the following weeks. Just too much great stuff all at once. I should consider myself lucky that that is my "biggest problem."

RE: M:I S4 MASTERMIND (I think...)

I had to laugh out loud when I saw Phelps "test" the heroin by dabbing a bit on his finger and touching it to the tip of his tongue. Haven't seen a TV/Movie character do that since Timothy Dalton's 007 did it in The Living Daylights.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Season 5 basic details & art here.

[Brian Flagg]

I'm up in the air about S5, but I'll end up getting it it, I'm sure. What I don't like about it is the cutting back on Peter Lupus and the mellower, non-classic rendition of the M:I theme.

BTW, I find it sad that the remakes of these shows get more attention on these boards than the originals. (Get Smart, e.g)

[Brian Flagg]

RE: M:I Fifth Season Box Art

I wonder why Sam Elliot didn't make the cover?

[Blofeld's Cat]

RE: M:I Fifth Season Box Art

I wonder why Sam Elliot didn't make the cover?

Yeah, I noticed that too. Because he only appreared in 13 episodes and in keeping with the various DVD box cover images of showing only 5 main characters I guess Elliot got left off.

[Brian Flagg]

Here's a bare-bones review of the fifth season DVD set. This is another set I have to wait on, due to budget restrictions.

[Turn]

Here's a bare-bones review of the fifth season DVD set. This is another set I have to wait on, due to budget restrictions.

I'm still working my way through the early episodes of the fourth season that I got way back in May. I've been so busy and watching other things I just haven't found the enthusiasm I had early on.

[Brian Flagg]

Sixth Season due April 28, 2009:

Mission: Impossible - Lynda Day George Joins the IMF for the Show's Penultimate 6th Season **UPDATE: BOX ART**
Late April release for the next-to-last year's worth of episodes
Posted by David Lambert (2/09/2009)



The classic espionage series Mission: Impossible™ returns for Season Six, digitally remastered onto six discs, on DVD for the very first time! With every episode an ingenious puzzle, the suspense begins when team leader Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) receives a pre-recorded message. Then, electronics wizard Barney Collier (Greg Morris), muscle man Willie Armitage (Peter Lupus), and the team's newest member, beautiful makeup artist Casey (Lynda Day George), all spring into action!

This season, Jim and his team focus mainly on targets outside the reach of conventional law enforcement agencies, as they successfully bring master criminals, corrupt politicians, and syndicate bosses to justice. Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to thrill to all 22 episodes of Mission Impossible™- The Sixth TV Season!



CBS DVD and Paramount Home Entertainment have announced this morning that April 28th will see the release of Mission: Impossible - The 6th Season on DVD. This next-to-last season of the legendary series will introduce Lynda Day George to the team as makeup specıalıst Lisa Casey. During this season you'll also see Phelps (Peter Graves) and the rest of the IMF joined over the course of 22 episodes by guest stars such as Tom Bosley, William Shatner, Gerald S. O'Loughlin, Billy Dee Williams, Demond Wilson, Steve Forrest, Tyne Daly, Daniel J. Travanti, James B. Sikking, Geoffrey Lewis, Paul Sorenson, Joe E. Tata and Bert Convy.

The 1120-minute long collection will be presented in full screen video, remastered for this release. Audio is retooled to be in English 5.1 Surround Sound, with a Spanish language option and subtitle options in English, Spanish and Portuguese. It's also closed captioned for the hearing imparied. Package art and other details aren't available so far, but stay tuned and we'll update you just as soon as our spies uncover anything further!


UPDATE: The studio has just provided the package art for this release, and we've got it for you now. Check it out:

Edited by Brian Flagg, 09 February 2009 - 06:30 PM.

[Brian Flagg]

I find it amusing that the original M:I doesn't receive anywhere near the attention on this board as the reviled movies made by the best-known Scientologist in the world. I guess another thing that keeps more people from being interested is the fact that an ex or future Bond actor never appeared on M:I...forgive an old man his grumpiness...

[Daddy Bond]

I find it amusing that the original M:I doesn't receive anywhere near the attention on this board as the reviled movies made by the best-known Scientologist in the world. I guess another thing that keeps more people from being interested is the fact that an ex or future Bond actor never appeared on M:I...forgive an old man his grumpiness...

Indeed, Mission Impossible is one of TV's greats. It used to be my favorite show before it was replaced by The Saint. But this show was WORLD'S better than the Cruise movies (and I really like Mission: Impossible 3). Although, by its 5th season, Mission Impossible, the TV show, really did start to decline, with the loss of Landau and Bain and others, and a decrease in budget. Still, there were some really good episodes in the remaining seasons.

[Brian Flagg]

Indeed, Mission Impossible is one of TV's greats. It used to be my favorite show before it was replaced by The Saint. But this show was WORLD'S better than the Cruise movies (and I really like Mission: Impossible 3). Although, by its 5th season, Mission Impossible, the TV show, really did start to decline, with the loss of Landau and Bain and others, and a decrease in budget. Still, there were some really good episodes in the remaining seasons.

I'm looking forward to this! Along with season three, the sixth season remains in my memory more than any of the others. Lynda Day George was one hot dish! I'm also looking forward to the continued fashion degradation as the IMF battles "the syndicate." This season just oozes early seventies "charm." The early 1970s remains a fascinating era and a period that time forgot, and probably wanted to! It's my job to bring it back!

I just hope they don't edit Barney's vocal of "(Sittin' On the) Dock of the Bay."