Trek

Jack Cole (Dan O'Herlihy) is the lone surviving member of a gang who robbed the Aztec treasure from a small, poor democracy. The country needs this treasure and is facing bankruptcy without it. Fortunately, they've captured Cole. Unfortunately, the commandant of the prison is Colonel Luis Cordoza (Mark Lenard)--and he is a thoroughly evil man. Cordoza is pumping Cole to find out about the whereabouts of the treasure--but for himself and not his country. So, it's up to the IM Force to use Cole to find the treasure and expose Cordoza for the treasonous dog that he really is.

The inside man in this episode is Jim Phelps (Peter Graves). He approaches Cordoza with a plan. He'll become a prisoner and engineer an escape along with Cole--and Cordoza can follow them to the treasure. The problem with the plan is that both Cordoza and Cole are thoroughly despicable and each will eventually try to kill the others so that they can get the treasure for themselves. Can Jim and the rest of the team manage to come out of this alive? "Trek" is a very solid episode. I saw no plot inconsistencies nor major holes. And, as Peter Graves' first episode (the second aired but the fist filmed), it's a darn good start.

"Trek" is a very appropriate title for this episode as it contains many Star Trek references. The story is not very original, but it is a nice change of pace from all the Cold War and Syndicate episodes. The team's assignment is to find a cache of gold treasures looted by a man named Cole from a Latin American country. Much of the episode is shot on location in Southern California locales familiar in Westerns. Vasquez Rocks is visible in the background of the prison camp - the set of which I swear is recycled from the opening of the Star Trek episode "Arena" (which also prominently featured Vasquez Rocks). Also seemingly recycled from Star Trek are Gerald Fried's memorable musical motifs. And of course, Mark Lenard, who played both a Romulan and a Vulcan on Star Trek, appears as the commander of the prison here (his second appearance on M:I). Jack Donner, a guest team member (apparently a specialist in stunts) also played a Romulan! In a nutshell, Jim Phelps and Cole break out of prison and the team tricks Cole into revealing where he did the treasure. Mark Lenard's character, who also wants the treasure, comes along as a hostage. Rollin and Cinnamon play supporting roles as prospector types. Barney's main task is to fly a helicopter. Willy does not appear in this episode.

There are really no surprises in the plot, but it's still enjoyable and the cast members seem to be having fun too.

This is a very good and exciting outing with our MI team! One of the best things about this episode is that it's mostly set outdoors. So often in this series, we are down in a bunker (multiple times!) or in offices, etc. It's great to have so many interesting exteriors as we are given here.

Another big plus for this episode, is that we have three very good guest stars. Michael O'Herlihy gives a memorable performance as a bad guy! Mark Lenard is perhaps best known for having played Spock's father in the original Star Trek series. Michael Pate was an Australian actor who did many American shows before returning to Australia.

I watched this on the dvd release, and it looks as good as a movie. There is plenty to enjoy in this adventure.

I agree with the last reviewer there are some STAR TREK references to boot, including the curious title itself! Warch carefully. True, this could be an inside joke, or just cost cutting by Paramount tv.

That said, the MI team goes after a slick crook called Cole (played by Irish actor Dan O'Herlihy) who was the mastermind and sole survivor of a brazen robbery of Incan artifacts from a small European country. The case is two-fold as the team has to rescue Cole before he is killed by his sadistic prison captor, Colonel Cordoza (well played by Mark Lenard). The trick here is that Cordoza wants the treasure all for himself, and the heck with the country which will go bankrupt if the treasure is not returned. What a rat fink!

Lenard, prior to this episode, gained fame by playing Spock's father in the original STAR TREK series. Lenard is yet another by the book bad guy you love to hate, and you know he's going to get the MI special treatment. Lenard appeared on the series four times.

Nice on location work at the famous Vasquez Rocks Natural Park at Agua Dulce, located south of Lancaster, California, outside the high desert. The park is seen near the prison camp, and is perfect atmosphere. The scouting crew must have had lots of fun checking areas such as this for filming.

Written by Laurence Heath, who wrote a total of 23 classic episodes for the series. Heath later wrote for MURDER, SHE WROTE.

Recommended late night intrigue and torture!

SEASON 2 EPISODE 2 remastered Paramount dvd box set.