"The Prince of Darkness Affair" was the first of a pair of two part episodes from this fourth season, raising the stakes nicely from the previous season. This globe trotting adventure kicks off in East Africa, a village devastated by an intense heat ray generated by a 'thermal prism' designed by noted Persian scientist Dr. Parviz Kharmusi (John Dehner), who tries to roast Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin without success. From there it's on to an island off the coast of Greece, where the mystic Third-Way cult resides in anticipation of their priest (John Carradine) finally speaking his first words in 20 years to signal their dominance over the earth. Felonious safecracker Luther Sebastian (Bradford Dillman), wanted in 22 different countries, has taken safe haven here but is recruited to infiltrate the carefully guarded Teheran estate of Dr. Kharmusi to break into his safe and recover the deadly laser. Complications include the meddlesome presence of Annie Justin (Carol Lynley), pretending to be Solo's wife, and Kharmusi's own spouse Azalea (Lola Albright), who also isn't what she appears to be. Boasting the highest budget of any series episode, its only fault being the fate of John Dehner's sly yet ultimately doomed character, leaving Luther Sebastian to carry on with Azalea in the concluding chapter, our two heroes and Annie set on a cliffhanging collision course with a torpedo (John Carradine's silent priest would also return).
