Ep 4. Mark of the Octopus

Mark of the Octopus is an action-packed episode of the classic television series Sea Hunt, which originally aired in 1958. The show follows the underwater adventures of Mike Nelson, a free-lance diver and former Navy frogman, as he takes on dangerous assignments and tackles the mysteries of the deep.

In this episode, Mike is hired by a wealthy businessman named John Fowler to locate a valuable piece of machinery that was lost in a shipwreck. The machine is a powerful device used for drilling underwater oil wells, and it is believed to be located in the wreckage of the steamship Dauntless, which sunk off the coast of Santa Marina Island.

Mike enlists the help of a local fisherman named Miguel to guide him to the wreck site, but soon discovers that the area is infested with deadly octopuses. Miguel warns Mike that the octopuses are highly territorial and will attack anything that enters their territory. Mike realizes that he will need to be extremely cautious if he hopes to locate the missing machinery.

As Mike and Miguel approach the wreck site, they encounter several of the giant octopuses. Mike fights off the creatures with his spear gun and manages to make it to the wreck, where he finds the missing machinery. However, as he tries to retrieve it, one of the octopuses attacks him and leaves a distinctive mark on his arm.

After returning to shore, Mike begins to experience strange symptoms, including dizziness and disorientation. He realizes that the mark left by the octopus was actually venom, and that he has been poisoned. He seeks medical attention, but there is no known antidote for the venom and he is given only a slim chance of survival.

Meanwhile, Fowler becomes impatient and hires another diver to retrieve the machinery. The new diver, named Paul, is reckless and arrogant, and ignores Mike's warnings about the octopuses. He is soon attacked by one of the creatures and meets a tragic end.

As Mike struggles to survive his poisoning, he realizes that he must return to the wreck site to retrieve the missing machinery before Fowler hires another reckless diver. Despite his weakened condition, he sets out on a dangerous mission to recover the valuable equipment.

With the help of Miguel, Mike makes it back to the wreck site and retrieves the machinery. He narrowly escapes another attack by the octopuses and makes it safely back to shore. He delivers the machinery to Fowler and collapses from exhaustion.

In the end, Mike recovers from the venom and survives his harrowing ordeal. He learns a valuable lesson about the dangers of the sea and the importance of respect for its inhabitants.