Ep 3. Operation Rogosh

The show Mission: Impossible follows the exploits of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a top-secret government agency tasked with carrying out dangerous and highly sensitive missions that require a level of stealth, guile, and expertise beyond the capabilities of any ordinary operative. In season 1 episode 3, entitled Operation Rogosh, the IMF is called upon to disrupt the nefarious activities of a rogue Soviet agent who is using a stolen missile to blackmail the US government.

The episode begins with the IMF receiving word that their arch-nemesis, Colonel Rogosh (played by Albert Paulsen), has acquired a nuclear missile and is planning to use it to threaten the US government into releasing several of his fellow Soviet spies from American custody. The IMF is tasked with infiltrating Rogosh's compound in Eastern Europe, where the missile is being kept, and neutralizing both the weapon and the agent himself.

The team is led by the IMF's resident master of disguise, Rollin Hand (played by Martin Landau), who assumes the guise of a Russian arms dealer in order to enter Rogosh's inner circle. His cover is quickly blown, however, and Rollin is taken prisoner before he can accomplish his objective. With Rollin's life in danger, the rest of the IMF must find a way to rescue him and complete the mission.

The team decides to use a two-pronged approach: Cinnamon Carter (played by Barbara Bain) will pose as a wealthy American socialite in order to gain access to Rogosh's mansion, while Barney Collier (played by Greg Morris) and Willy Armitage (played by Peter Lupus) will sneak into the compound and sabotage the missile. As always, the IMF's plans are complex and highly choreographed, involving a series of elaborate disguises, distractions, and feats of derring-do.

The heart of the episode lies in the tension between Rollin and Rogosh, who engage in a game of cat-and-mouse as the IMF race against time to stop the rogue agent's plans. Albert Paulsen is excellent as the ice-cold Colonel Rogosh, whose ruthless cunning matches Rollin's own. Landau, meanwhile, gives one of his best performances of the series as Rollin, who must use all his wits and guile to outwit Rogosh and escape from his clutches.

Of course, the IMF's plan doesn't go exactly as planned, and there are several nail-biting set-pieces that see the team improvising on the fly in order to stay one step ahead of their enemies. At one point, Barney must use his knowledge of electronics to rig a remote control for the missile, while Willy engages in a dangerous game of chicken with Rogosh's henchmen. Meanwhile, Cinnamon must use her feminine wiles to distract Rogosh long enough for Rollin to make his escape.

As always, the episode is filled with twists and turns, as the IMF struggle to stay ahead of their enemies and complete their mission before it's too late. There are also several moments of humor and charm, particularly in the bantering between the team members and the clever ways in which they use their particular skills to achieve their goals.

Overall, Operation Rogosh is a great example of what makes Mission: Impossible such a compelling series. It's suspenseful, action-packed, and filled with memorable characters and clever plot twists. Whether you're a fan of spy thrillers or just looking for some classic TV entertainment, this episode is one that shouldn't be missed.