Ep 18. The E.S.P. Spy
- March 2, 1975
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6.6 (141)
The Six Million Dollar Man is an iconic action science fiction TV show that aired from 1974 to 1978. The show follows the adventures of astronaut and intelligence agent Steve Austin, played by Lee Majors, who has been rebuilt with advanced bionic technology following a severe accident.
In season two episode 18, titled "The E.S.P. Spy," Steve Austin is tasked with tracking down a Soviet spy who is using extrasensory perception, or ESP, to carry out his missions. The spy's name is Alexi Kaslov, and he is played by actor Michael Ansara, who is known for his roles in Star Trek and Batman: The Animated Series.
The episode begins with Steve being briefed by his boss, Oscar Goldman, who informs him of Kaslov's activities. Kaslov has been using his ESP powers to steal important documents and escape undetected. Steve is tasked with catching Kaslov and preventing him from causing any more harm to national security.
Steve is initially skeptical of ESP and the idea of someone being able to use their mind as a weapon, but he soon discovers that Kaslov's abilities are very real. Kaslov is able to anticipate Steve's moves and stay one step ahead of him at all times. To make matters worse, Kaslov is also able to put Steve in a trance-like state that renders him helpless.
Despite these obstacles, Steve is determined to catch Kaslov and stop him from completing his mission. He enlists the help of a psychic named Daria, played by actress Barbara Luna, who agrees to assist him in tracking down Kaslov using her own ESP abilities.
Together, Steve and Daria track Kaslov to a remote location in the desert. They manage to capture him, but not before Kaslov puts up one final fight using his ESP powers. In the end, Steve is able to neutralize Kaslov's abilities and bring him to justice.
Overall, "The E.S.P. Spy" is an exciting and action-packed episode of The Six Million Dollar Man that explores the idea of psychic abilities being used as a tool for espionage. The episode is notable for featuring Michael Ansara in a villainous role and for exploring the relationship between Steve and Daria, who becomes a recurring character in the series.
