Mannix (TV Series) End Game (1969) User Reviews

Intense, Gripping, Exciting

[samwa-27311 · 8/10 · 7 January 2020]

The entire episode is basically one scene, one large set, with only two actors. A few other actors, with very few lines.

You can see the Geller influence in this one, similar to an M:I episode, or a few Five O episodes, like the Bomber and Mrs. Maroney.

In the Mannix one here, there is almost no daylight shown, all inside the building, intricately wired with many explosives.

Tremendous role for Inhat, who appeared on two MI shows, including The Mind of Stefen Miklos. Inhat is superb here, and I think few others could have pulled it off.

Cheesy. But who do doesn't like cheese?

[Jelevision · 8/10 · 15 August 2022]

A few observations on this episode, all made with love: >> Mannix had the cheesiest sets. Hard to believe it wouldn't have been easier to use real streets and buildings. (Maybe ultra high def doesn't do these episodes any favors.) >> Mannix and the bad guy had way better walkie talkies than my brother and I had back then.

>> If you don't like this credulity-straining over-the-top episode, you just don't like Mannix.

One of the Best Episodes of the Series

[RogerMooreTheBestBond · 10/10 · 2 July 2017]

I would say this episode ranks near the top or maybe even is the best episode of the series. The suspense part of it surely ranks number one. I am writing this review because the other reviewer mis-represented the reason why Keller suddenly started to help Mannix find Art. The episode begins with Mannix being called to an abandoned building by the police. He is told his old war buddy and now cop friend is being held and he is the only one the kidnapper will let in. Mannix enters the building and pick up a walkie talkie that will keep him in communication with the kidnapper. Mannix is called to look an an old war photo of himself, Art and the other in his unit. The kidnapper is then identified in the photo as Keller. He was the rotten egg of the outfit and was court martial-ed after testimony given by the unit. Keller is out to kill Mannix and Art. They are the only two left that were not killed in the war or by Keller. Mannix then meets up with Keller. He escapes later on to continue to search for Art. Art is going to be killed by a bomb within the hour. Time is running out and he has a final run in with Keller. He throws him over the stairs and Keller is injured. He starts to help Mannix to find Art before the bomb goes off. Mannix is really close to finding Art when we see Keller able to move around and he hides in an old furnace. Mannix finds Art and can't find the bomb. He suddenly puts it together that the bomb is in the walkie talkie and that is the reason why Keller helped him to find Art. This way they would both be killed by the bomb. Mannix quickly puts the walkie talkie in the bottom of the furnace right below Keller. Keller yells as the bomb explodes and he is killed. Mannix and Art walk out of the building as the episode ends. I'm not sure how the other reviewer did not understand why Keller was helping Mannix. He had to get him to Art before the bomb in the walkie talkie exploded. Overall, this is a thrill ride of suspense from start to end.

Excellent Episode

[adjustablespace · 10/10 · 27 October 2019]

No, it's not the usual Mannix episode. The villain is insane and in his mind he has a reason to go after those he wants to kill. Mannix is one of these people and, for a while, he has no clue why. I've seen reviews where people don't understand this but it's classic tv story telling. The audience is on edge the entire episode. It's frustrating but it is designed that way. The absolute best part of the episode is the end. I won't spoil it but it is really, really good.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS ONE! INCREDIBLE.

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 19 May 2022]

This is the one all us kids were talking about back in the day, and even to this day. It's a treat!

Cliff Gould, who did a lot of work for STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, wrote this classic exercise in suspense. He may have generously borrowed from HAWAII FIVE-O as you have the textbook psycho on the loose, long a problem for Steve McGarrett.

END GAME I would nominate as one of the best episodes and most creative. It takes place in an abandoned building where Joe has to rescue Art Malcolm (Ward Wood) from a genuine nutcase. We also learn a few things about Malcolm, as he served with Joe in the same platoon in Korea, and that some of his other buddies were done in by this lunatic in grisly ways. This is as good as it gets.

Bizarro scene has Mannix confronting a dummy hanging upside down. Look out! The abandoned building was well fitted by the prop people at Paramount, who were very creative when it came to campy, creepy hideaways. Steve Ihnat, a veteran of many cop shows, takes top honors as the diabolical villain. He is the one to watch.

Gruff, scowling Arch Johnson makes a good police captain, a role he played for years.

This episode marked Ward Wood's first appearance as Malcolm. Wood worked years in bit parts and is credited for appearing in many classic movies, dating back to the 1940s. Mr. Gould did his job and kept all our high school teachers busy warning us NOT to watch this stuff. Remember?

SEASON 2 EPISODE 19 remastered CBS dvd box set.

Very believable

[dlfolkins · 10/10 · 27 March 2022]

It was a flashback from Mannix's Korean War experience - guy from that time is ..... well - bottom line - it all makes sense if you follow the whole thing and ignore the negative reviews - you'll be glad.

Some good moments but...

[Guad42 · 5/10 · 20 November 2020]

There are some taut moments and a surprise ending regarding the final explosive device but the premise is bit too credulous. Joe has to navigate a boobytrapped building to rescue Art Malcolm in his first appearance. A few episodes back Mannix ran into an old Korean War buddy and it did not end well. Steve Ihnat (Gus Keller) is yet another Korean War comrade on a criminal agenda. This setup reminds me of TV's Batman or James Bond. The bad guys catch our heroes and, instead of just killing them, they come up with some elaborate trap/torture and the good guys always escape. Why did Keller do this elaborate setup for these last two survivors when he makes it clear he killed the four other men in a straight forward fashion? Ihnat is always good to watch and continues the tradition of fine guests on this show. One mistake - Keller makes a big deal out of keeping his ID a secret from the police but he has Joe write a note about Joe and Sergeant Malcolm. The show's credits state Malcolm is a lieutenant so if the note was talking about Malcolm's army rank, that would be a clue as to the villain is. If it is a reference to his police rank, it is a mistake. When Mannix gets rid of the last explosive, he throws it into Keller's hiding place. What are the odds? At least Joe doesn't get shot. Not a total waste of time but there are better episodes.

A ridiculous plot, that's for sure...how can it have an IMDb score of 8.0?!

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 13 July 2013]

I am amazed that this episode currently has an overall score of 8.0, as it's a bad "Mannix" episode...really, really bad. It strains credibility WAY beyond any previous show in the series and the ending makes zero sense.

The show begins with the police sending for Mannix. It seems some nut has boobytrapped a building and is threatening to blow it up unless he sees Mannix ASAP. However, when Joe enters the place, soon it becomes apparent that all this was created in order to kill him! Why and who is behind it? It turns out that a crazy old Korean War 'friend', Gus Keller (Steve Ihnat), has been systematically killing off men who were in a POW camp during the Korean War--and Mannix is next on the hit list. What follows is pretty silly--with the killer baiting Mannix and tormenting him--sort of like a cat toying with a mouse before eventually killing it. After all, what does this have to do with the show "Mannix"? But what REALLY becomes stupid is when, FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHATSOEVER, Keller starts helping Mannix! Huh?! Inconsistent and silly. But, at least it ended pretty well. Overall, a show that strained credibility to new heights. A poor episode indeed.

By the way, you might recognize Ihnat. He played 'Lord Garth' in "Star Trek: Whom Gods Destroy".