One Nation Invisible delivers another bit of domestic trouble story for Maxwell Smart (Don Adams) and 99 (Barbara Feldon). Written by Lloyd Turner and Gordon Mitchell, this episode was first broadcast on 28 December, 1968.

Trouble arrives in the form of an invisible female doctor, Canyon (Lyn Peters). She arrives in Smart’s life as part of his latest assignment and he takes her to the Smart’s apartment, invisible, seeking help. And when the chemical finally wears off, and she’s visible, she’s beautiful, and 99 shows up at an unfortunate moment that is quickly misunderstood.

Writing that sentence made me feel like I was crossing Three’s Company and spycraft. Initially, 99 is on a mission, so at least she’s not trapped at home for this episode. But it’s only done for Smart to go on his own mission, and come across a beautiful woman to cause problems at home for the pair.

Smart uses the invisible spray to make himself vanish, so he can use it to steal some enemy files. But, of course, the spray wears off, and he finds himself in some trouble again.

Of course, he is able to accomplish the mission, and keep his marriage safe. It’s not quite as clever as some of the episodes we’ve seen, but they really don’t seem to know what to do with Smart and 99 now that they are married.

Hurry for Hollywood aired on 4 January, 1969. It was written by Chris Hayward and Arne Sultan.

In order to foil yet another KAOS plot, this one steeped in the theate, Smart and 99 have to go undercover as actors. This is another episode directed by Don Adams, and it’s fun, and I like all the stage stuff.

The pair gear up for a sage performance. They go through auditions, rehearsals and more all to find out how KAOS is pulling off their latest scheme. Which will involve a stressful opening night for everyone involved.

There’s a line change for Smart, and that’s how KAOS is getting their information out. And also gives KAOS a chance to kill Smart once and for all.

And honestly, it’s all about letting Adams and Feldon showing up and showing off on stage. And Adams seems to be having a great time.

It’s also a fairly small episode, seeming to take place all on one set. It’s cute, entertaining and shows that Adams understands his character and his craft.

The Day They Raided the Knights was written by Rick Mittleman and first aired on 11 January, 1969.

There’s more budget talk for CONTROL in this episode. I do like that this subject comes up now and then for them. The downside is, that means there are layoffs coming, and this time out, it’s 99. She gets laid off because she has less seniority.

So 99 goes to work at a department store only to find that it’s a KAOS front. And KAOS is aware that her husband is Smart, and will use her for information. They plan to listen in on their phonecalls.

When 99 discovers that the store is a KAOS munitions depot, she calls the Chief (Edward Platt) but is captured. So to help get things sorted, the Chief goes undercover, in drag.

When he’s captured as well, Max goes to pick up 99, and is able to foil the whole thing!

Rather an uninspired episode, and nowhere near as clever as it wants to be. And poor 99, she doesn’t even benefit from the story, but does get her position back.

I have to be honest, as much as I was looking forward to 99 and Smart tying the knot, this season feels like a bit of a letdown. They don’t do either character justice. And it doesn’t feel as clever as it once did.

Don’t get me wrong there are still some fantastic moments, but overall, the earlier seasons are stronger. Unless Siegfried (Bernie Kopell) is in an episode, and then it’s improved automatically.