D. P. Cole's review and rating:
For those who say that season 3 lacks a fair amount of classic stories, add one more story to the list which says "Ha ha, I told you so." This story is chock full of memorable moments and lacks a lot of the campyness which season 3 had developed. It is pure refreshment in that aspect.
This story is another anti-American type. But instead of using a home-grown cliché as seen in ~timanov/ispy/episodes/e73.html""A Few Miles West of Nowhere", we have an individual who has cracked emotionally and wants to seek vengeance on United States government figures. This plot device was thought out rather nicely.
When we first hear from Gabe, the guys' boss, about the [Retired VIP going to see friend and go hunting together], we think nothing of it. That is, until Scott and Kelly get drawn into the trap intended for the government VIP, which is when it clicks in that Manion is out for vendetta.
The General himself is quite a cold person, as his cold-blooded murder of Tracy, a hired civilian used to surreptitiously introduce our heroes to the General, by pushing her off a cliff. She isn't even government but is "guilty by association" without a second thought. When he feels that it's safe to let Scott and Kelly know his feelings (and why not, Scott and Kelly are already dead men), the acting couldn't be any better on the parts of all involved. The general really is a frightening sort of guy. It's obvious that Scotty and Kelly are disgusted with this person's warped views, and Scotty in particular is more visibly angered than Kelly (who can't keep a straight poker-bluff face to save his life but wouldn't have worked even if he could keep one.).
Now, the only part of the story which is technically trite is the "Man hunting man since man is an equal match and therefore a more rewarding hunt" storyline. But in this story, the twist is that the general prefers this method of execution: attracting his prey to his lair and them slowly finishing them off rather than being outright and direct about it. Right there is a very strong reason for justifying this storyline. Most stories don't bother, they immediately zoom in on the "man vs man" plot thinking viewers will blindly drool anyway. It's amazing how "I Spy" can take trite or potentially-trite issues and revive them with uncanny zest.
How the guys escape the baddies and save themselves is no less than inspired. The finale is brilliantly timed, and if I describe it out, the tension would be gone if you get a chance to see it. But this is definitely worth acquiring and watching, over and over again.
Rating: 10/10
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