When a woman training to run in a marathon race (where the winner will receive five thousand dollars, and every participant who crosses the finish line will receive one thousand) gets kidnapped, and another one disappears, Kris and Kelly take their place and join (in a manner of speaking) the race to find out what is going on. One of the lightest, most colorful "Charlie's Angels" episodes, with all sorts of weird stuff going on: kidnappers with Halloween masks, rich Arabs, a hostile TV reporter, a lady with a pet snake, three women apparently hiding guns, two sisters that simply MUST take part in the race no matter what, a run through a Hollywood studio, and more. But don't worry, all these disparate elements come together by the end. "Marathon Angels" does perhaps have a tad too much running footage, but it also has one of the smartest lines of the entire series: "She's jogging her memory!". *** out of 4.
9 Reviews
Memorable episode with crazy plot that featured damsels in distress also.
blanbrn25 February 2021
This "Charlie's Angels" episode from season 3 called "Marathon Angels" from March of 1979 is one that was memorable and it had a wild card underbelly subplot that involved an international scheme. The story involves a marathon that features runners of pretty girls and things go haywire when two of the international runners are kidnapped by two masked men(highly memorable damsel in distress scenes of two attractive blonds being handcuffed and gagged in a van). Then the angels enter the race to investigate as things are clearly not what they seem as things involve money and a scheme of revenge. Pretty good entertainment that interest as the plot twist plus eye candy is given viewing the beautiful girls high memorable episode of the series.
I don't get the complaints!!
Milk_Tray_Guy24 February 2021
Charlie's Angels is often cited as THE example of 70s 'jiggle TV'. Well, this is possibly the 'jiggliest' episode ever! 80% of this is hot girls running in very tight T-shirts and very short shorts - and people act like it's a bad thing! I have only ONE complaint - the God-awful music that plays behind every running sequence. Other than that, this is great! 8/10 (God, I miss the 70s)
Slow Jog Angels
adamcshelby29 August 2021
This episode was patently ridiculous, some random thoughts on it;
A horrible soundtrack. The same awful few notes over and over.
Jaclyn Smith's bouncy running style is hilarious. Kris is in pigtails again after her pig-tailed appearance in Teen Angels.
The marathon is one of the most ridiculously staged things I've ever seen, although running through the Hollywood backlot was pretty interesting and added a little flavor.
The two kidnapped runners held in the van must have inspired a lot of kinky dreams, being gagged and bound the entire episode. It was hilarious every time the camera cut to them, the same bewildered look on their faces.
I've never heard of a race in which cars can tag along with the contestants. And none of these runners are grouped, they're all running separately in a single file line. I mean, even in a staggered start you'd have some runners passing others and some grouping together.
Why couldn't the kidnappers have tried to kidnap their actual target during the race instead of kidnapping two runners and replacing them with additional kidnappers? I mean think about how ridiculous that is. It literally makes no sense, like none, zero nada. It's something an 8-year-old writer would come up with.
Kate Jackson had a look on her face that said, "Get me the hell out of here."
Bosley points out that the Krall sisters were 'strategically placed, one in front of her (the intended kidnap victim) and one behind her'.
Well so what? Both sisters could have started the race either behind the kidnap victim or in front of her and then moved into the same position any time they wanted. The runners did not have to stay in their staggered positions, since the winner was supposed to receive $5,000, and there can only be a winner if they're keeping track of both starting time and end time. Which means one runner would be passing other runners along the way. I mean seriously it's just so dumb.
But what else to expect from Edward J Lasko? Awful writer.
The subplots are also profoundly stupid, which keeps with the overall lunacy. I suppose the only real plus for this one are Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd's tight jogger outfits.
A horrible soundtrack. The same awful few notes over and over.
Jaclyn Smith's bouncy running style is hilarious. Kris is in pigtails again after her pig-tailed appearance in Teen Angels.
The marathon is one of the most ridiculously staged things I've ever seen, although running through the Hollywood backlot was pretty interesting and added a little flavor.
The two kidnapped runners held in the van must have inspired a lot of kinky dreams, being gagged and bound the entire episode. It was hilarious every time the camera cut to them, the same bewildered look on their faces.
I've never heard of a race in which cars can tag along with the contestants. And none of these runners are grouped, they're all running separately in a single file line. I mean, even in a staggered start you'd have some runners passing others and some grouping together.
Why couldn't the kidnappers have tried to kidnap their actual target during the race instead of kidnapping two runners and replacing them with additional kidnappers? I mean think about how ridiculous that is. It literally makes no sense, like none, zero nada. It's something an 8-year-old writer would come up with.
Kate Jackson had a look on her face that said, "Get me the hell out of here."
Bosley points out that the Krall sisters were 'strategically placed, one in front of her (the intended kidnap victim) and one behind her'.
Well so what? Both sisters could have started the race either behind the kidnap victim or in front of her and then moved into the same position any time they wanted. The runners did not have to stay in their staggered positions, since the winner was supposed to receive $5,000, and there can only be a winner if they're keeping track of both starting time and end time. Which means one runner would be passing other runners along the way. I mean seriously it's just so dumb.
But what else to expect from Edward J Lasko? Awful writer.
The subplots are also profoundly stupid, which keeps with the overall lunacy. I suppose the only real plus for this one are Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd's tight jogger outfits.
Reminds me of good old days
aramis-112-80488012 October 2023
The Angels enter a run for the money to see who is kidnapping contestants.
As a former runner (at sixty-two my knees have departed) I found this episode fascinating. Perhaps people don't like it who were too lazy to get off their couches and do anything sounding like exercise. When I was a runner I looked for any excuse to get out and hit the road; and if someone had offered me money to do it I'd have leapt at the chance.
Some of the runners are strange: such as the girl with a pet snake in her backpack. What's her ulterior motive. There's also a runner they simply call "The Iranian girl."
Though "Charlie's Angels" started when I was high high school I was a highbrow type riding a high horse. It was only decades later I found the fun if it and I enjoy these lighter episodes best.
And for anyone who is quick to criticize they threw in Sarah Purcell ("Real People") as a faux-reporter who's on about "exploitation." Well, there's always someone out there who's terrified other people may be having a fun time. They're spoilsports. Ignore them.
This episode is almost totally enjoyable, reminding me of the good old days when I'd get up early and do miles of road work myself. I sure miss it. And these young ladies in the episode, only a few years older than I, are probably in similar orthopedic positions.
Oh, for those people who hate the weird background music, I concur. It's annoying.
As a former runner (at sixty-two my knees have departed) I found this episode fascinating. Perhaps people don't like it who were too lazy to get off their couches and do anything sounding like exercise. When I was a runner I looked for any excuse to get out and hit the road; and if someone had offered me money to do it I'd have leapt at the chance.
Some of the runners are strange: such as the girl with a pet snake in her backpack. What's her ulterior motive. There's also a runner they simply call "The Iranian girl."
Though "Charlie's Angels" started when I was high high school I was a highbrow type riding a high horse. It was only decades later I found the fun if it and I enjoy these lighter episodes best.
And for anyone who is quick to criticize they threw in Sarah Purcell ("Real People") as a faux-reporter who's on about "exploitation." Well, there's always someone out there who's terrified other people may be having a fun time. They're spoilsports. Ignore them.
This episode is almost totally enjoyable, reminding me of the good old days when I'd get up early and do miles of road work myself. I sure miss it. And these young ladies in the episode, only a few years older than I, are probably in similar orthopedic positions.
Oh, for those people who hate the weird background music, I concur. It's annoying.
Entire production crew should have been fired. Worst episode ever.
jeffrsprague30 July 2018
Charlie's Angels is a fun show. My wife and I have been watching the first three seasons, and this is easily one of the most idiotic episodes of any TV show ever broadcast. 75% of the episode is simply video of girls running in a foot race with the stupidest, campiest, music you ever heard repeated over and over until your every nerve is on edge and you want to scream.
There's a small sub-plot about exploiting women - which is ironic since this entire episode is just one big example of exploitation because it has absolutely nothing to offer except watching women run.
There's a small sub-plot about exploiting women - which is ironic since this entire episode is just one big example of exploitation because it has absolutely nothing to offer except watching women run.
personally i like this episode
gorytus-2067211 June 2023
June 2023
So having watched all the episodes again, i was shocked to find this particular episode is the 2nd lowest rated out of the 110 on imdb.
There is definitely 2 lots of opinions about this one, either you are in my camp and find it a light entertaining and fun episode, or you the find running scenes tedious and boring and pointless i guess.
Personally i find this is one of the most fun and entertaining episodes which does have a serious side to it involving kidnapping.
Yes there is a lot of running but thats what the episode is about and they do play the same piece of music everytime we see running.
8 angels out of 10.
So having watched all the episodes again, i was shocked to find this particular episode is the 2nd lowest rated out of the 110 on imdb.
There is definitely 2 lots of opinions about this one, either you are in my camp and find it a light entertaining and fun episode, or you the find running scenes tedious and boring and pointless i guess.
Personally i find this is one of the most fun and entertaining episodes which does have a serious side to it involving kidnapping.
Yes there is a lot of running but thats what the episode is about and they do play the same piece of music everytime we see running.
8 angels out of 10.
So bad it's hilarious!!
bucs-2400124 February 2019
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because of the bevy of beauties in this episodes, but whoever wrote and directed this episode should be hung out to dry. 80% if the episodes is the girls "running" a marathon with the worst music in the world on repeat.
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