In this episode of "Ironside": Tina Louise is Candy, who's revealed to be an accomplice in a robbery involving a poker game and she might have gotten away with it had she not met Mark Sanger (Don Mitchell) who's one of police chief Robert Ironside's (Raymond Burr) associates...Since this TV show was made during the late '60s when there was a limited amount of violence allowed during prime time hours (at least that's what I understand was going on during that time), there's not too much action or even suspense since one could predict what happens if one watches quite a bit of these shows. Still, it's entertaining enough concerning the characterizations of Candy and Mark and one can dig the now-dated fashions of the time during this fascinating hippie period...
2 Reviews
Mark and Candy
jarrodmcdonald-118 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This episode of 'Ironside' is not perfect but still it's quite entertaining. I'll start with what I liked and then cover a few of the story's problems. First, the interplay with Candy and Mark is nicely played by the two performers, and some of the scenes are very natural, especially the one in the café where she helps herself to coffee and serves them both. We get a sense right away that she's a highly unconventional gal, and that's what makes their blossoming friendship fun to watch. I also like how Mark (and the viewers) are reeled into her scheme. When she lies, the audience still wants to believe her, like Mark wants to believe her.
It should be noted most of the main cast really do not come into the story until the episode is half over. It's very centered on the adventure Mark is having on the road with Candy. In the second half, as Ironside and Ed fly off to rescue Mark, we still see a lot of Mark and Candy on the run.
A small problem is the casting of Tina Louise who is great but a little told for this part. The script seems to have been written with a much younger girl in mind, probably closer to Mark's age. Watching a woman Tina's age act so immature and materialistic seems somewhat far-fetched. Tina's natural acting ability and charm help smooth over the slight miscasting.
A big problem, however, comes with the episode's resolution. We have some great scenes where Ironside and Ed close in on the crooks, finding one of them dead in a barn. But then their search suddenly ends off-screen and they are waiting for Mark and Candy to show up at some secret hideout. It seems too rushed and out of the blue. Given how carefully constructed Candy's story was set up in the beginning, this type of ending seems like we've been gypped of a more satisfying conclusion, especially when Candy isn't even seen in the closing tag and we're told she will get off lightly for turning state's evidence. I'd rather it have ended with Mark watching her being carted off, knowing there was a serious consequence to all her harmless fun. We needed to see Candy come full circle.
It should be noted most of the main cast really do not come into the story until the episode is half over. It's very centered on the adventure Mark is having on the road with Candy. In the second half, as Ironside and Ed fly off to rescue Mark, we still see a lot of Mark and Candy on the run.
A small problem is the casting of Tina Louise who is great but a little told for this part. The script seems to have been written with a much younger girl in mind, probably closer to Mark's age. Watching a woman Tina's age act so immature and materialistic seems somewhat far-fetched. Tina's natural acting ability and charm help smooth over the slight miscasting.
A big problem, however, comes with the episode's resolution. We have some great scenes where Ironside and Ed close in on the crooks, finding one of them dead in a barn. But then their search suddenly ends off-screen and they are waiting for Mark and Candy to show up at some secret hideout. It seems too rushed and out of the blue. Given how carefully constructed Candy's story was set up in the beginning, this type of ending seems like we've been gypped of a more satisfying conclusion, especially when Candy isn't even seen in the closing tag and we're told she will get off lightly for turning state's evidence. I'd rather it have ended with Mark watching her being carted off, knowing there was a serious consequence to all her harmless fun. We needed to see Candy come full circle.
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