Series co-creator and writer David Friedkin steps in front of the camera as Kelly's instructor who may be a traitor. This episode challenges the glib, devil-may-care Robinson and gives Scott a chance to show off some "MacGyver" ingenuity in constructing a makeshift bomb.
Episodes like "A Cup of Kindness" prove again how "I Spy" set itself apart from other espionage shows. The "secret technology," the mysterious component, is barely explained; but it doesn't need to be. It's just a MacGuffin. The REAL action is the Robinson/Conway relationship. Is it making Kelly blind to the truth? Or is he the only hope his old friend has? Other 1960s TV spies never grappled with the tasks they were assigned. It makes them less than Bond, but it also makes Kelly and Scotty more human as a result.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
One of their own has joined the adverse party, so Scott & Robinson are sent to Hong Kong after him.
Watch Online
-
Bill Cosby
Alexander Scott
-
Robert Culp
Kelly Robinson
-
David Friedkin
Russ Conley
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
Trivia
-
Help by adding trivia to this episode. Add trivia
-
-
Notes
ADD NOTES- The show filmed at Desilu Studios. At the end of the credits there is a special acknowledgement: "We wish to thank the National Broadcasting Comapny's Far Eastern News Staff for their cooperation." Edit
- Kelly's eyes are differently tinted durring the preview of coming scenes. In this episode, the colors are: orange-violet-red-blue. Edit
-
Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Russ:You must be leading a fat life to fall for a pair of shoes. Scott: You know Tricky Dick? Kelly: Know him? He almost flunked me in Advanced Blowing Up Suspension Bridges. Meet my instructor from Indoctrination School." Scott:(to Russ) In college, I studied languages. It turned out my professor of Sanskrit was a recruiter for [unintelligible]. What happened was: one day I got an assignment, which I thought was just something to translate for the following Tuesday, but it turned out to be a sales pitch to join the Department. And he made it sound beautiful too. Russ: I sold out to the other side. Scott: In the trade, it's called treason. Kelly: The safe is your baby, Russ. You still good at that? Russ: I soak my fingers in hot oil each night, after I brush my teeth. I could feel your pulse through concrete. Scott: A man of many talents. Edit
-
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS- Quote: You know Tricky Dick? This line is a reference to Richard Nixon, who picked up that nickname in the 1950 campaign for his Senate seat. Edit
- The title is a reference to the Celtic traditional song Auld Lang Syne: "We'll take a cup of kindness yet/for days of auld lang syne." It also is a nod to Russ and Kelly's friendship, from what must seem ages ago. "...Front for every Curtain there is: from Bamboo to Silk to Iron." That line references the three political Communist Asia 'curtains' during the time period: *Bamboo - North Korea *Silk - China *Iron - USSR Edit
Show Forums
Add a Topic
See All
Last Activity
Replies
-
Favorite Country Visited?
06/07/094
-
Season DVD sets coming back in April
02/06/082
-
Pinwheel
S 3 : Ep 26
Aired 4/15/68
-
Carmelita Is One of Us
S 3 : Ep 25
Aired 4/8/68
-
The Spy Business
S 3 : Ep 24
Aired 4/1/68
-
Suitable for Framing
S 3 : Ep 23
Aired 3/25/68
Related Shows
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 28
One Thousand Fine
Ep 27
It's All Done with Mirrors
Ep 26
There Was a Little Girl
Ep 25
My Mother, the Spy
Ep 24
Crusade to Limbo
Ep 23
A Day Called 4 Jaguar
Ep 22
The Conquest of Maude Murdock
Ep 21
Return to Glory
Ep 20
Bet Me a Dollar
Ep 19
Turkish Delight
Ep 18
Court of the Lion
Ep 17
Always Say Goodbye
Ep 16
The Barter
Ep 15
The Tiger
Ep 14
Affair in T'Sien Cha
Ep 13
Tigers of Heaven
Ep 12
Three Hours on a Sunday Night
Ep 11
The Weight of the World
Ep 11
Weight of the World
Ep 10
Tatia
Ep 9
No Exchange on Damaged Mer...
Ep 8
The Time of the Knife
Ep 7
Danny Was a Million Laughs
Ep 6
The Loser
Ep 5
Dragon's Teeth
Ep 4
Chrysanthemum
Ep 3
Carry Me Back to Old Tsing...
Ep 2
A Cup of Kindness
Ep 1
So Long, Patrick Henry
-
MultiMedea EDITOR
User Score: 275
-
jokipper
User Score: 242
-
shatterdaymorn
User Score: 107
-
JonJax
User Score: 94
-
VerityJackson
User Score: 49
-
jaynashvil
User Score: 46
-
char2renee
User Score: 19
-
sounddude
User Score: 14
-
rustle49
User Score: 13
-
jamoon2006
User Score: 13
More
Less
