The good parts are the extensive use of color, and Victor Buono. No, Buono is no Dunn and Manzeppi is no Loveless. But who is? Buono does well enough with what he's given, which is a hammy over-the-top villain who puts the two agents through their paces.
I also like Conrad in this episode, although he's very out-of-character despite previous and subsequent appearance. Jim West doesn't seem to take anything going on too seriously. Granted that makes his disgust with Deadeye and the latter's tendency to gun down unarmed men effective, given his previous jocularity.
The rest is so-so. The Eccentrics' plan doesn't make much sense. Manzeppi has anyone killed (Titan and Tony) who fail him even once. So how does he recruit members? It doesn't seem like working for him gives someone a very good life expectancy. And then Manzeppi goes to take a nap in the middle of an assassination, giving Jim the chance to bait Tony. Then Manzeppi returns and has Deadeye shoot Tony... when Jim's escape gambit didn't even work!
So Manzeppi recruits Jim to become a member on the eve of an important assassination. Huh? And why have Deadeye impersonate Juarez? Just come in through the hidden passageway, shoot Juarez dead when he arrives, and leave. Manzeppi's scheme seems overly-complicated, even with his attempts to make the U. S. appear to give it's blessing to Louis.
Basically the plot is there to give writer Charles Bennett a chance to show off Manzeppi. The opening, with Manzeppi introducing the Eccentrics and Markham being killed, is effective. But the set pieces go on too long. Why can't Jim and Artie just kick in the door. Later, Jim falls down into a cell, escapes with Miranda's help, and the two of them ride to the Wanderer... which is all part of Manzeppi's plan. Lots of screentime gets gobbled up, but to what end? If Manzeppi wants the train, just force Artie to help him..
Why does Artie have a sprained ankle? And Armstrong is a prat. The agents say Manzeppi escaped through a hidden passage, and Armstrong lectures them about taking a vacation so they're not overworked. Glad he never showed up again.
And Richard Pryor as Villar does... what? Other than the thrill of seeing Richard Pryor show up, there's no point to the character. Even the production crew couldn't have been too impressed with Pryor, so they didn't bring him back for Manzeppi's second appearance.
So overall, TNOT Eccentric is okay. But it seems to exist more to show off the show's jump to color and Buono, then any deep characterization or tricky plotting.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
I also like Conrad in this episode, although he's very out-of-character despite previous and subsequent appearance. Jim West doesn't seem to take anything going on too seriously. Granted that makes his disgust with Deadeye and the latter's tendency to gun down unarmed men effective, given his previous jocularity.
The rest is so-so. The Eccentrics' plan doesn't make much sense. Manzeppi has anyone killed (Titan and Tony) who fail him even once. So how does he recruit members? It doesn't seem like working for him gives someone a very good life expectancy. And then Manzeppi goes to take a nap in the middle of an assassination, giving Jim the chance to bait Tony. Then Manzeppi returns and has Deadeye shoot Tony... when Jim's escape gambit didn't even work!
So Manzeppi recruits Jim to become a member on the eve of an important assassination. Huh? And why have Deadeye impersonate Juarez? Just come in through the hidden passageway, shoot Juarez dead when he arrives, and leave. Manzeppi's scheme seems overly-complicated, even with his attempts to make the U. S. appear to give it's blessing to Louis.
Basically the plot is there to give writer Charles Bennett a chance to show off Manzeppi. The opening, with Manzeppi introducing the Eccentrics and Markham being killed, is effective. But the set pieces go on too long. Why can't Jim and Artie just kick in the door. Later, Jim falls down into a cell, escapes with Miranda's help, and the two of them ride to the Wanderer... which is all part of Manzeppi's plan. Lots of screentime gets gobbled up, but to what end? If Manzeppi wants the train, just force Artie to help him..
Why does Artie have a sprained ankle? And Armstrong is a prat. The agents say Manzeppi escaped through a hidden passage, and Armstrong lectures them about taking a vacation so they're not overworked. Glad he never showed up again.
And Richard Pryor as Villar does... what? Other than the thrill of seeing Richard Pryor show up, there's no point to the character. Even the production crew couldn't have been too impressed with Pryor, so they didn't bring him back for Manzeppi's second appearance.
So overall, TNOT Eccentric is okay. But it seems to exist more to show off the show's jump to color and Buono, then any deep characterization or tricky plotting.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?