The Man on the Beach

Tonight's episode takes place at a Club Med style tropical resort. An aerial shot at the commencement of the episode frames a swimming pool shaped like a foot.

This pool would later be seen in the episode entitled 'The Man With The Foot'. Really? No, not really. But water does play an important role in this installment of Secret Agent... it's a convenient place to store dead bodies.

Peter Yates (director of Steve McQueen in 'Bullitt') returns to direct his third installment of the series. His trademark method of slowly building tension can be felt from beginning to end.

There are several Secret Agent motifs that are well played in this issue; John Drake plays one of his best undercover persona's here; a low-life. He also shows off his uncanny ability to launch people through the air when disposing of them in a fight... always fun to watch.

And there is some great chemistry between Drake and the leading femme fatale; Cleo (as in Cleopatra). The hauntingly beautiful Barbara Steele operates Cleo wonderfully; she doesn't walk... she slinks to her destination. She doesn't exactly dance.. she jiggles around a bit... slowly. She's forward when a woman would normally be coy. She's coy when affirmation is requested. And McGoohan syncs up to her mood very well. There is a covert power struggle between the two. You'll see who wins. And, you'll find out who utters the lines that titles this review.

By the way, another reviewer was commenting that this episode is hard to follow. It took me a couple of viewings to catch on myself. It is a very cohesive production but you have to pay attention to all dialog. I can also give you a tip that would have helped me, if you'll trust me not to give away too much...

You find out almost immediately that this episode is about identifying a double agent. That is Drake's assignment. There are not that many characters playing agents in the locale John is visiting, so just keep your eye on them. One character is seen both with and without spectacles. He looks very different without out glasses, so much so that I thought it was two different characters. That's what threw me off. Hope that helps you enjoy what is a pretty darn good installment of this awesome series.

Be seeing you...

Without giving any real spoilers, this is a good episode with lots of Patrick McGoohan in casual-wear, tons of tobacco and alcohol, some paid-for information, and some real danger near the end.

Of note, Drake gains the attention of a young woman who thinks he is "beautiful". He humors her, but he knows better than to get too involved. Modern audiences must find his behavior odd. Personally, I am a woman who thinks women slow down plots, so I welcome the coldness Drake usually gives to them!

But seriously, McGoohan does a good job in this one, especially in the last 1/4 or so. And the ladies out there can decide for themselves if he was indeed "beautiful".

By the way, you may want to open a window while watching this one if you don't want to become victim to second-hand smoke!