The Controllers: Part 1

Could writer Lawrence Heath borrowed an idea or two from BATMAN? It's a good question, because if you followed both series, the outlandish plots --at times -- were similar. Case in point, poisoning America's water supply with a mind controlling drug. On the lighter side for Batman, yes, but fairly potent material here.

The producers made a wise choice by hiring David Sheiner, playing Dr. Turek, a diabolical scientist who has developed a chemical substance known as B230, capable of turning people into zombies? All he has to do is drop it in water supplies of varius countries, and he'll eventually control the world. Really outrageous, but an edge of your seat adventure, and broken into two parts, thus giving new member Parris (Leonard Nimoy) a more impressive role.

Only debit in Heath's script is the old ploy where the M. I. team's plan is to turn one villain against the other, in this case an equally unprincipled colonel, played by Alfred Ryder. Ryder, who returned to the series, plays another memorable bad guy. Nice to see veteran actress Dina Merrill (playing Meredyth) in a supporting role and Brooke Bundy, who we all watched grow up on tv, playing Katherine.

Let the games begin, and with some fine direction by Paul Krasny, who was also working on MANNIX. Both Krasny and Heath make a creative team and add a few surprises (Willy and Barney have undercover work to do), which made this show so much fun.

SEASON 4 EPISODE 3 remastered Paramount dvd box set. 7 dvds. Released 2008 and check out the artistic box cover, featuring Phelps and Parris.