Comments from The I Spy Forum continued
The storyline, while not orginal was well-told: the wild card being Kelly's old flame Jean, making an appearance. Again, superb acting - Kelly's fading smile when he sees her- Scotty's quick sidelong glance to him - (as in Tatia) - anticipating (correctly), a world of future problems.
I have to comment on the music again, second to the Oriental episodes, I adored Mr. Hagen's lush backgrounds to the Mexico locales- one minute jazzy, one minute tender, or reminiscent of The Magnificent Seven- all themes perfectly outlining the moment.
Love has as many pitfalls as the jungle- one can see Kelly trying to pull away from his increasing feelings as Jack's paranoia increases.
The ONE person with little to do in this episode IS Jean: we never get any insight into her character- she wrings her hands, hugs the closest man, and remains non-committal - until the pivotal scene. Again to me there is no contest between Jack or Kelly (oops I'm trying to be objective!).
There are some great lines: 'Have you ever been in love, not for the week-end,' or 'No fighting on government time!" thunders Scotty. Scotty SAYS little in this episode but his body language says it all. Through this whole series he is usually the steadying influence on the mercurical Kelly - the calm objective loving presence, almost like the mom that Kelly lost so early. This is exemplified by the last scene as we think Kelly has given up spying.
7 1/2 out of 10
Top Five from the first season -
1- So Long Patrick Henry
2- A Cup of Kindness
3- Tatia
4- No Exchange on Damaged Merchandise
5 - Bet Me a Dollar
SAM
Author: Tatia Loring
Date: 11/27/01 4:51:48 PM
"1000 Fine" ... I didn`t dislike this episode, but it`s not one of my favorites
A few observations ...
... The background and "jungle/rainforest" setting had all the appearance of being "Philodendron Central" - the scenery was a bit tacky - it looked like they bought out every potted plant they could find in a 5 mile radius and plopped it down on the set somewhere ... (I swear if you look hard enough you can still see some of the pots ...) and the backdrop behind "the jungle" looks an awful lot like a blank studio wall ...
... I didn't care that much for Dane Clark in this episode (well, you weren't supposed to like Gannon) .... but it was more than that .... I much preferred his character and his portrayal of Mike Woods in "Spy Business" - that character had more dimension ....
... I was quite taken with the scene by their private little pool at the Las Brisas .... and Kelly`s reaction to Scotty - thinking that he`s been set up for this assignment because of his past relationship with Jean. It offered a different side to their relationship - part of their always growing trust and reliance on one another. But the series always played on the fact that both men were totally aware of the others loyalty to the "agency" (whichever one it was) ... as in the opening scene where Scotty "bugged" Kelly for audio when he was under surveillance and being filmed while meeting Sam MacLean in "Magic Mirror" ...
... The fight scene between Gannon and Kelly was pretty brutal and ruthless - Kelly was always the more emotional one of the team - Scotty the more rational, controlled one - but Kelly always maintained some constraint in situations, usually turning cold and hard and deadly serious .... but in this fight, he really let it all go and was very much into it ... and, of course, Scotty stops it all with his classic line - "not on the government`s time" - defusing the fight ... I agree, this episode did have some great lines ...
... and all 3 agents, Robinson, Scott, and especially senior agent Hamilton, weren`t too swift at the Paradiso sipping their flower decorated, "bug-spiked" drinks ... Hamilton was totally unaware that the waiter he apparently knew well was working for the "bad guys" ???
... Mr. Hagen`s music was perfect throughout - and set the mood for each scene, from sunny Acapulco, the fight scene, the building tension, Gannon`s last moments in the jungle - the music added to the entire episode and helped enhance the mood throughout ....
... But for me, "1000 Fine" will always, always be the TAG scene!! ... The 1st time I saw this episode, my delightful late night CBS station ended the program as Kelly walks off towards the plane .... done - finito - show`s over!!! I couldn`t believe it!! I knew this was the last episode of the 1st season ... and what??? ... Kelly really "quit" and went for the "good goods" growing crabgrass and working as a tennis pro in some country club in Akron!!! No, this couldn`t be ... (perhaps, I thought, it was some sort of cliff-hanger for next season, like killing off J.R.?? ... )
Well, I was new to the "Forum" in those days ... and wrote unbelieving of what I had just seen to Scotty and Kelly!!! --- who warmly reassured me that I didn`t see the "whole" ending - there was more ... Whew!!! .... :-)
... NICE kiss, Kelly Robinson! ... but Susan Oliver, well I found her just a bit on the annoying side in her role as Jean and rather vapid ... (I liked her Vena on "Star Trek" better) ... I just looked Susan Oliver up on IMDB. She passed away in 1990. It also said that she was quite a pilot and was named Pilot of the Year and won the Powder Puff Derby in 1970 ... and ... she attempted to become the first woman to fly a single engine plane solo from New York to Moscow, but was deterred in Denmark when the Soviet government denied her permission to enter their air space.
And as for Jean (who got dumped by Kelly twice) - and served 2 consecutive terms as President of N.O.K.E.L will attest, Kelly is not a great ex-boyfriend ... (for those of you new to the "Forum," N.O.K.E.L. is "The National Organization of Kelly`s Ex-Lovers") ... and is still seeking a large enough convention hall that will be able to hold our annual 2002 meeting ... all suggestions are welcome :-)
"1000 Fine" - a C++
As ever,
Tatia
Author: Zbu
Date: 11/27/01 1:44:07 AM
One Thousand Fine was one of the first episodes I ever watched and I quite enjoyed it. While I admit I`m not an old fan of the show (only saw it about three years ago from an old tape I found in a $2 barrel), I did enjoy the characterization and the basic drama. Sure, nothing happens physically, but it makes the second half of the episode more satisfying...especially when you want Kelly to pound that guy`s face in quite badly!
Plus, Scotty shines here as the voice of reason. His response to the `have you ever fallen in love` bit is quite humorous and shows the camariderie between Cosby and Culp that made the series. And the end...well, considering this was a season ender, it is quite shocking to see Kelly actually consider leaving....but of course he doesn`t, but it`s done in quite a funny/serious way that in my mind, is what "I Spy" is all about.
In short, it got me hooked. :)
--Zbu
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