by Ted Davis

Original Air Date: January 29, 1966

Directed by: Don Chaffey

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Tensions are high outside of Bir Azhad when globe-trotting secret M9 agent John Drake (Patrick McGoohan) contends with a group of unsanctioned Israeli vigilantes intent on killing the strange Dr. Garriga (Guy Deghy), who reveals a disturbing personal history when he responds to the charges against him.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Early in the episode, after Dr. Garriga has gone to pick up a book he ordered, he returns to his room and lifts a grey cat from a table, setting the kitty on the floor.

A tag dangles down from the book, which has a booby trap device hidden inside. The cat begins to play with the tag, pulling the book closer to the edge. The medical volume is titled Spezielle Pathologie und Therapie der Haustiere, which roughly translates to the “special pathology and therapy of pets.”

When Dr. Garriga steps out of the room to take a phone call, the cat manages to pull down the book, setting off the explosion. Remarkably the cat manages to leap through a small window (or is rather catapulted through the window) and although the resulting explosion damages the room, both the cat and Dr. Garriga escape harm.

It’s interesting to note that Don Chaffey previously directed Patrick McGoohan in The Three Lives of Thomasina as well as episodes of The Prisoner, both of which featured cats.

Final Mewsings: Cats don’t mind defenestration when it means avoiding an explosion.

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