CONTROL is preparing to host a conference for some of the luminaries of the day, but KAOS is planning to hit them with a regression gun, turning their minds to those of children. Can Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) and 99 (Barbara Feldon) save the day?

Written by Hal Goldman and Al Gordon this episode was first broadcast on 30 October, 1965.

Barbara Bain (just before Mission: Impossibile) guest stars as Alma, one of the scientists working in the lab that has designed the regression gun. It’s supposedly safe in CONTROL’s secure labs, but there may be a mole in the agency. And who is the mole?

And the poor Chief (Edward Platt). He gets hit with the regression gun and has the mind of an eight-year-old.

How are our favourite agents going to save the day? And how long will the regression last? And what does Captain Kangaroo have to do with it all?

The Cone of Silence makes another appearance. There’s also the Magic Ear that our heroes use to hunt for electronic bugs, but it may be a little too sensitive. And it’s fun to see that we’ve got a real female villain in this episode. Too bad her plan is foiled.

This one is a little simple, and I honestly think the Cone could be used a little better, especially if it’s going to be as iconic as nostalgia seems to suggest. But it’s damn fun. And funny. And despite a female baddie, this one may be the weakest of the season so far.

The Day Smart Turned Chicken aired on 6 November, 1965 and was written by Pat McCormick and Ron Friedman.

This ends up being a bit of a courtroom story, at least eventually, it arrives there via a ‘costume’ party and a chicken outfit. It seems Smart has to testify in a case. But KAOS has a plan, make him look crazy, and thereby discredit his testimony! But can Smart get the truth out?

It all gets underway when a dying cowboy (Simon Oakland) stumbles into Smart’s apartment. But is this the beginning of KAOS plan? Even the Chief thinks Max may be a little out of sorts. The Cowboy keeps showing up and then disappearing, the doctor (Howard Caine) who checks on the Cowboy doesn’t seem to exist.

It sees the introduction of the iconic line, “sorry about that Chief” as well as ‘missed it by that much’ and he also gets a first name, Thaddeus, though he will always be known as Chief.

If KAOS can destroy Smart’s reputation he’ll be done. Can CONTROL’s best secret agent prove he’s sane, and that KAOS is as evil as he testifies.And will he reveal the true villain? You know he will! It’s Simon Oakland’s Cowboy!

Sadly 99 does not make an appearance in this one, other than a painting in Max’s bedroom – interesting because they haven’t even started a real romance yet.

This one was a hoot, and feels stronger than the previous episode, though 99 is sorely missed.

Satan Place was penned by Stan Burns and Mike Marmer. It debuted on 13 November, 1965.

The Chief is off for the weekend, but gets kidnapped by Harvey Satan (Joseph Sirola) and held for a $200,000 ransom! But he also is scheduled for mind control surgery!

Can Smart find out where the Chief is being held and get him out? To do it, he’s going to need more than his shoe phone, and an undercover role as the Chief’s doctor. I sure hope he doesn’t have to operate…

Smart and 99 are able to to track down the sanatorium that is housing the Chief, Satan Place (a play on Peyton Place) and from there the pair go into high gear to save their boss. Especially since they didn’t raise enough money to pay the ransom.

And speaking of a shoe phone, there’s are wallet, tie, belt and handkerchief phones as well! And that’s just the beginning.

There are lots of gadgets, tons of physical humor, and the laughs (even if it’s stock) keep coming.

We’re nine episodes into the series and it is definitely entertaining me. I like the pacing, I love the gags – there could be a few more sight gags, and I am greatly enjoying Adams portrayal of Smart. He’s playing it straight and delivering his lines in such a great way.

It’s no wonder the show endured and entertained for so long. I can’t wait to see where CONTROL and its agents take me next week!