"The Secret Sceptre Affair": the complete 19th episode

- November 11, 2017

The Man From UNCLE

Episode 19

The Secret Scepter Affair

Writer: Anthony Spinner

Director: Marc Daniels

Guests: Gene Raymond (Colonel Morgan), Ziva Rodman (Zia), Lili Darvas (Madamme Karim)

Filmed: 08-14 December 1964

Premiere: 08 February 1965

Places: Somewhere in the Sahara, Marseille (France)

Acts titles:

1 - "Drop Zone: the Middle East"

2 - "A Boxful of Death"

3 - "The Bear-pit Polka"

4 - "The Scepter Secret"

The affair: Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin parachute to a fortress somewhere in the Sahara and are picked up by soldier Zia. They are just training. The group meet Colonel Morgan, to whom Solo served during the Korean War. Morgan comes to save the country's elected new premier Karim. Solo and Illya warns that he will act on their own (as a favor to Morgan) using only anesthetic arrows. Morgan plan is to steal the golden scepter symbolizing power in the country, taking the power to Karim. Illya, Napoleon and Morgan invade the palace through the ceiling and steal the scepter. Morgan prepares to flee the country with Solo and Kuryakin, but depart before his helicopter explodes. Captain

Ahmed (from the Secret Service) warns that Karim Morgan was killed in the explosion and the scepter disappeared. Behind the scenes, Madame Karim takes over and says Morgan is a liar. Captain Ahmed intercepts the three and want to know where is the golden scepter. They are brought to a bear pit to be devoured. Solo deceives everyone and the bear eats madame Karim. Napoleon finds out diamonds inside the scepter. Solo, Kuryakin and Zia take the bus and run away. In Marseille, Napoleon delivers the golden scepter to Colonel Morgan, who forged his own death and is just a crook wanting diamonds. Illya kills Morgan. Solo flirts with Zia.

FYI: The plot looks straight out a Tintin comic book. It is the second time that Solo and Kuryakin act on their own, without connection with UNCLE. (The first time was in episode 14, “The Terbufos Affair”). We learn in this episode that Napoleon Solo fought in the Korean War. The episode works on solidify the loyalty and partnership between Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin.

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