10 years ago, I was setting in front of my TV. The time was nearly 2 AM, and our second channel, of the national Egyptian TV, used to surprise us with unannounced foreign drama at this time in specific. Through this very chance, I discovered before one of the 1980s gems (Spenser for Hire), a unique sitcom (Herman's Head), or strange sci-fi (VR_5). This time, I found myself in front of something different that despite its shortness blew my mind.
It's a show, but not like any other show. Initially, the elements capture your attention so smartly: cool spy with amnesia, a hero who chases his own fact and be chased in the same time, a nice sidekick, a gorgeous girl, powerful enemies, and thrilling truths yet to be revealed.
The atmosphere was so sharp and stylistic. It got what you can call rarely new elements, for little instance: the not common but magical zither music that made the ambiguity so appealing, the character of sarcastic "blind" computer expert (!), or the novelty of the title itself; the fifth corner which could refer to a certain way that this spy always finds to escape from a four-corners room. WAW!
(Alex McArthur) was unforgettable as the witty lively lead. (Kim Delaney) was a good reason not to leave the viewing for anything. (James Coburn) is the funniest evil man; one of the major disappointments is not seeing him in such a charming role a lot, bringing back the "Flint" glamour but as a bad guy. And who can forget (J. E. Freeman) as the taxi driver (Boone) who lives in the cab, reading comics, helping out the good guys, giving the show the cartonnish jest it needs.
It surely reminds me of an old show that I read about once named (Coronet Blue - 1967), starring (Frank Converse). Both of them got a character of a mysterious hunted man who got - guess what - amnesia, searching for himself, suspecting that he's a spy, and ironically the 2 shows had the same deplorable luck because they were cancelled too early, and the secrets were kept secret!!
Actually, that gives it a feel of deep frustration more than an attractive side. I sense the rage already when I read that there were remaining filmed episodes from (The Fifth Corner), but they were never shown. Though it came to my knowledge lately that there was a DVD somewhere that had, and get ready to this folks, the pilot (Trio), with 4, and I repeat 4 episodes: (Eva), (Home), (Woman At Her Toilette), and (The Sword of Damocles). To the IMDb's page of the episode's list: Eat This!
This time I really hope for a remake; though it would mess its original cast's flavor, but it's the only way to watch it, and experience its own good formula right. Anyhow, I'll always remember this show, it's maybe the most unfortunate potential one ever.
