It's good to see Gail Fisher get an episode. She is an actress whose talent exceeds the demands of her character. Peggy is wounded at the start of the episode and ends up in the hospital, shot in the shoulder. She clearly doesn't have Joe's rapid recovery powers so is there for a few days. The patient (Hari Rhodes) across the hall is leader of an African country who needs surgery for a cancerous condition. Peggy falls in love (in a day). The relationship is cemented when Hari is nearly killed in a bombing attempt. The two confess their love for each other. (very quickly but it has to be, after all, an episode only lasts 48 minutes). The afternoon tea with the women in Peggy's life meeting the new man is a bit a contrived humor that doesn't fit in with the mood of the story. It is surprising the enhanced security around Hari would allow that. The tea would also place the women in danger if another assassination attempt was made. Hari collapses and the operation on him is begun immediately.
The bad guys don't stop after the bombing attempt. They want to give Hari bad blood. Mannix sees it coming and helps catch the hitmen. Why Mannix gets to interrogate them, I have no idea. One hitman sells out his boss and the head bad guy is caught.
Of course, we all knew the love story can only have one ending as Peggy is not leaving the show. It never ended well for the Cartwright men on Bonanza and it won't end well for Peggy. Hari's character is pretty much a saint and wants to let Peggy down easy but she figures out the truth and it is a touching scene as the two come to grips with reality.
Joe is a minor character so is not shot or beat up. He got paid for the original case at the beginning of the episode so that is something. All in all, a good change of pace episode. I wish Gail Fisher had gotten more chances to shine. And Peggy is woefully underpaid.
6 Reviews
A star vehicle for Gail Fisher
cpotato101011 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was a different episode for Gail Fisher (Peggy Fair). Here she is not using her secretarial or investigative skills, but simply as a woman, quickly attracted to the quietly charismatic Hari Rhodes (Minji Obuko). Sadly, just like all of the times Joe did not get the woman at the end of the show, Peggy did not get the man.
Of note, this is one of the few times they showed a bullet wound and blood. Usually the gunshot victim just clutches a body part after being shot. Also it was her right shoulder, not her left.
Once again, Joe injects himself into the action, taking part in the blood-bank sting, and then interrogating the suspect as the police just stand there. I wonder how that would work out in court, in real life.
This is the first of three Mannix roles for Maidie Norman. She was a prolific character actor, with 115 roles to her credit, mostly TV shows. With the vagaries of MeTV, she was also in the episode of Cannon Triangle of Terror (1974) that followed this episode of Mannix, with a bit larger role there.
Of note, this is one of the few times they showed a bullet wound and blood. Usually the gunshot victim just clutches a body part after being shot. Also it was her right shoulder, not her left.
Once again, Joe injects himself into the action, taking part in the blood-bank sting, and then interrogating the suspect as the police just stand there. I wonder how that would work out in court, in real life.
This is the first of three Mannix roles for Maidie Norman. She was a prolific character actor, with 115 roles to her credit, mostly TV shows. With the vagaries of MeTV, she was also in the episode of Cannon Triangle of Terror (1974) that followed this episode of Mannix, with a bit larger role there.
It's a Peggy episode.
planktonrules27 July 2014
This is a very unusual episode of "Mannix" because Mannix is actually not in the episode very much and the case is solved in the opening scene. Instead, Peggy is the star--imagine!
The show begins with Joe entering his office and informing Peggy that he's just solved a case--thanks to a picture he just obtained. However, some gunman then enters the office and tries to take the photo--and in the process Peggy is shot! Oddly, although the wound is in her left shoulder, she's kept in the hospital for several days. During this time, she meets a handsome man in the room across the hall---and the guy is the leader of a new African nation. Minji Obuko (Hari Rhodes) is also very charming and soon the pair fall in love. However, three huge glitches stand in their way--he's very ill, some assassin is trying to kill him AND the writers of the show would never have Peggy leave to live in Africa! So, you know that it's not going to end the way Peggy wants--the only weakness of the show. However, apart from that, the program is excellent because it's so original and because it gives Gail Fisher a lot more to do than usual.
My only concern is just how many more awful things can happen to Peggy?! She's been kidnapped a couple times and shot in this show--and you'd THINK she'd find a better job!
The show begins with Joe entering his office and informing Peggy that he's just solved a case--thanks to a picture he just obtained. However, some gunman then enters the office and tries to take the photo--and in the process Peggy is shot! Oddly, although the wound is in her left shoulder, she's kept in the hospital for several days. During this time, she meets a handsome man in the room across the hall---and the guy is the leader of a new African nation. Minji Obuko (Hari Rhodes) is also very charming and soon the pair fall in love. However, three huge glitches stand in their way--he's very ill, some assassin is trying to kill him AND the writers of the show would never have Peggy leave to live in Africa! So, you know that it's not going to end the way Peggy wants--the only weakness of the show. However, apart from that, the program is excellent because it's so original and because it gives Gail Fisher a lot more to do than usual.
My only concern is just how many more awful things can happen to Peggy?! She's been kidnapped a couple times and shot in this show--and you'd THINK she'd find a better job!
WORKING FOR JOE MANNIX --NOT EZ.
tcchelsey11 April 2023
This was a rather daring story, well directed by Paul Krasny, who held a record of directing 28 series episodes. It's daring because this time around Peggy is shot and seriously injured by a stray bullet, landing her in the hospital. It was one of those choices where, realistically, it probably would have happened sooner or later.
Accordingly, there's a neat twist. While Peggy is recuperating she happens to meet another patient, named Minji Obuko (well played by Hari Rhodes) who is actually the leader of an African nation! The catch (always) -- he's targeted by assassins. Making matters even more complicated, if not poignant for a short time, he and and Peggy soon fall in love.
For all us kids back in the day, Peggy's son, Toby, also makes an appearance, and is starting to grow.
Series co-producer and head writer Ben Roberts wrote this story, who also created CHARLIE'S ANGELS. Roberts also holds the distinction of writing one of the most famous gangster movies, WHITE HEAT (1949), starring James Cagney who utters the most famous Hollywood line; "I'm on top of the world, ma!"
Two veteran actresses are proudly featured; singer and actress Virginia Capers and Lillian Randolph, who appeared for years in the GREAT GILDERSLEEVE movies and tv show, also AMOS AND ANDY.
Ford Rainey, this time around, plays Peggy's concerned doctor, a noticeable change for him as he generally played farmers or somebody's father or grandfather.
10 Stars. SEASON 4 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS dvd box set.
Accordingly, there's a neat twist. While Peggy is recuperating she happens to meet another patient, named Minji Obuko (well played by Hari Rhodes) who is actually the leader of an African nation! The catch (always) -- he's targeted by assassins. Making matters even more complicated, if not poignant for a short time, he and and Peggy soon fall in love.
For all us kids back in the day, Peggy's son, Toby, also makes an appearance, and is starting to grow.
Series co-producer and head writer Ben Roberts wrote this story, who also created CHARLIE'S ANGELS. Roberts also holds the distinction of writing one of the most famous gangster movies, WHITE HEAT (1949), starring James Cagney who utters the most famous Hollywood line; "I'm on top of the world, ma!"
Two veteran actresses are proudly featured; singer and actress Virginia Capers and Lillian Randolph, who appeared for years in the GREAT GILDERSLEEVE movies and tv show, also AMOS AND ANDY.
Ford Rainey, this time around, plays Peggy's concerned doctor, a noticeable change for him as he generally played farmers or somebody's father or grandfather.
10 Stars. SEASON 4 EPISODE 8 remastered CBS dvd box set.
VERY slow episode
glitterrose14 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I like "Mannix" but I can easily admit there's episodes that have you checking the clock and you can't believe the episode's almost over and then you have episodes like this that feel like it's been on for hours and it's only been on 20 minutes.
I call BS on Peggy being in the hospital so long. I'm not trying to call her injury insignificant. I guess I'm just used to Joe Mannix getting shot, he gets his little wrist sling put on and he's good to go. I'm also a cynic when it concerns romance so the whole falling in love after a week (or however long this episode is supposed to take place) also seems ridiculous on so many levels. You're gonna uproot your whole life for a man you've known for a week? Really now?!
And take notice that this is another episode where Peggy's claws come out when she's calling Joe's office and the attractive temporary secretary picks up the phone.
I do see why episodes like this exist. I think back to season 1 when you have Joseph Campanella as part of the cast and at least he could believably share part of the screen and ease some stress off Mike Connors. Gail Fisher couldn't really do that the majority of the time. You'd be sitting here wondering why Peggy's doing so much when she's Joe's secretary. So at least episodes like this are around for Gail Fisher to get her time to shine and for Mike Connors to be able to take a break. Joe's barely in the episode and he didn't have that many lines. Just look at all the episodes where he had so many scenes and lines to do. Poor man must've been exhausted by the time Mannix ended.
One positive thing I can mention about this episode involves one of the nurse's at the hospital. It's Katherine MacGregor! How unusual to see her playing a nice character instead of her mean Mrs. Oleson character!
I call BS on Peggy being in the hospital so long. I'm not trying to call her injury insignificant. I guess I'm just used to Joe Mannix getting shot, he gets his little wrist sling put on and he's good to go. I'm also a cynic when it concerns romance so the whole falling in love after a week (or however long this episode is supposed to take place) also seems ridiculous on so many levels. You're gonna uproot your whole life for a man you've known for a week? Really now?!
And take notice that this is another episode where Peggy's claws come out when she's calling Joe's office and the attractive temporary secretary picks up the phone.
I do see why episodes like this exist. I think back to season 1 when you have Joseph Campanella as part of the cast and at least he could believably share part of the screen and ease some stress off Mike Connors. Gail Fisher couldn't really do that the majority of the time. You'd be sitting here wondering why Peggy's doing so much when she's Joe's secretary. So at least episodes like this are around for Gail Fisher to get her time to shine and for Mike Connors to be able to take a break. Joe's barely in the episode and he didn't have that many lines. Just look at all the episodes where he had so many scenes and lines to do. Poor man must've been exhausted by the time Mannix ended.
One positive thing I can mention about this episode involves one of the nurse's at the hospital. It's Katherine MacGregor! How unusual to see her playing a nice character instead of her mean Mrs. Oleson character!
I didn't know if I was watching Mannix or General Hospital
pkfloydmh25 July 2021
This one is about Peggy's relationship with a male patient at the hospital she's in due to a bullet wound.
Almost the entire episode takes place in the hospital and it's all about Peggy and her relationship with the fellow patient and is more like a soap opera than a Mannix episode. In fact, Joe is hardly even seen in this one. Maybe his doctor told him to take some time off to recuperate from all the blows to the head he's sustained over the last three years, because after all, in recent episodes he's been messing up his lines and forgetting people's names, so all those blows are definitely having an effect. It's also possible he's taking it easy because his head is still sore from that hellish blow he took two episodes ago in The Lost Art of Dying, because remember, his doctor did say in that episode that his head would be sore for a while. Whatever the case, Joe is pretty much out of the picture in this one, which means it can be ignored.
Almost the entire episode takes place in the hospital and it's all about Peggy and her relationship with the fellow patient and is more like a soap opera than a Mannix episode. In fact, Joe is hardly even seen in this one. Maybe his doctor told him to take some time off to recuperate from all the blows to the head he's sustained over the last three years, because after all, in recent episodes he's been messing up his lines and forgetting people's names, so all those blows are definitely having an effect. It's also possible he's taking it easy because his head is still sore from that hellish blow he took two episodes ago in The Lost Art of Dying, because remember, his doctor did say in that episode that his head would be sore for a while. Whatever the case, Joe is pretty much out of the picture in this one, which means it can be ignored.
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