When a CONTROL agent is killed attempting to retrieve it, Max (Don Adms) and 99 (Barbara Feldon) head south of the border to retrieve the Tequila Mockingbird. Written by Chris Hayward and Arne Sultan, this episode debuted on 18 January, 1969.

It riffs on The Maltese Falcon, while the title skewer’s Harper’s classic novel.

The pair get dudded up in ‘Mexican’ attire, and seem to be having a grand ole time as they begin their hunt for the Mockingbird. 99 is a dancer, and Max poses as a doctor. Wackiness, of course, ensues, as the pair try to figure out what is going on.

There are clues, misdirections, and of course, the baddies know who they are. So that means trouble for the agents. Will they be able to get away with the bird, or does what happens in Mexico stay in Mexico?

And there’s a nice send up of a classic moment from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. There are close-ups on eyes, hands on pistols, and even a nod to the music. It all comes out okay in the end, however, thanks to some help from the Chief (Edward Platt).

This one blends all of its influences nicely, and it works entertainingly well.

I Shot 86 Today was written by Burt Nodella. It was first broadcast on 1 February, 1969.

Space centers are in danger from dastardly plans. And to get to the bottom of thee plan, MAx is going to have to hit the greens. Max grabs his clubs to find out what is going on, and of course, dresses the part.

There are dangerous golf balls out there, and people are being hurt. All this means that KAOS must be up to something. There is a planned missile launch this afternoon, there’s a space center next to a golf course. So, Max and 99 pair up with a golf pro, Upjohn (Irwin Charone).

Max is outfitted with a number of golf gadgets, which allow for a great round of golf. And all the time, they work on trying to figure out how to save the space center. It just so happens that Upjohn is also the baddie of the piece.

The episode is predominantly about Smart playing golf. It makes for a pretty dull episode, though the climactic golf cart chase is pretty fun. There’s a lot of location work in this one, and it’s cool to see the production out and about.

Absorb the Greek was written by Sultan and Hayward. It debuted on 8 February, 1969.

The Chief is dating a young and beautiful woman, Gina (Aliza Gur). 99 and Max are shocked at the discovery, especially since 99 feels the Chief would be better suited for her Mother (Jane Dulo).

And despite the romance that seems to be going on, it’s all a front. The Chief is determined to memorize the de-aging formula created by her husband. The romance is a cover, perpetrated by Gina and the Chief.

There’s a lot of ageism at work in this episode. There are problems with the May/December romance (whether it’s real or not) in that no one thinks it’s a good thing, and that people should stick to their own ages, and not concern themselves with anyone else. And the Chief can’t seem to do right by anyone in this case.

It is funny to see 99 trying to push her mother on the Chief.

KAOS gets involved, determined to get their hands on the formula and mistakes 99’s mother as Stanton’s wife. But are the KAOS agents going to want to keep her with how annoying she is?

The first episode this week was probably the strongest, and we’re slowly coming up on the end of season four!