West and Gordon are assigned to protect Emir El Emid (Robert Middleton), who has many expat enemies in the States. An assassination attempt is made almost immediately by Ecstasy LaJoie (Yvonne Craig), a dancer who belongs to the Society of Assassins; a series of further attempts follow, interspersed with kidnappings, escapes and a deadly ball at a luxurious mansion.
Disguises used by Artie: Hussein Ben Hokar, Grand Vizier of the Emir
(42:10)
Tropes present in this episode:
- Beware the Silly Ones: T. Wiggett Jones (Don Francks), or "T" for short, seems to be just a sarcastic society columnist, but don't be fooled by his effete exterior. He secretly heads the Society of Assassins—and he's capable of fighting when he has to.
- Discreet Drink Disposal: Given a drink which he realizes is drugged, Artie inconspicuously empties it into the fireplace behind him, then feigns enjoyment.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin: Unlike most episodes, it does indeed take place all in one night.
- Face Death with Dignity: "T" dies calmly in the Gas Chamber, making a shrugging gesture to Jim just before he collapses.
- Gas Chamber: "T" has one in his office. He locks Jim in it in an attempt to persuade him to join the Society of Assassins—or else. "T" later traps Ecstacy in the chamber when he realizes she's betrayed him by saving Jim. Jim frees her, the two men fight, and "T" winds up stumbling into the chamber himself.
- Improbable Weapon User: The tools of Ecstasy's trade include an explosive garter and a tambourine with a razor-sharp edge. She also knocks Christopher out with her shoe.
- A Lighter Shade of Black: Ecstasy isn't really an assassin; she's just using the Society to get close to the Emir, who she wants to kill (or so she claims) out of her loyalty to Dr. Bey. In the epilog, she admits that she's never actually assassinated anyone.
- Murder, Inc.: The Society of Assassins, a group of professional killers for hire. Apparently they have a world-wide organization.
- Starter Villain: Everything points to Dr. Bey being the main antagonist in the beginning when he helps Ecstasy flee the first botched assassination attempt and expresses a clear motive to kill the emir when he captures West. Then Christopher takes him out in the next ten minutes and he is only mentioned in passing for the rest of the episode.
- Trail of Bread Crumbs: Artie produces a special tape which adheres to carriage wheels and leaves a trail only visible through special lenses.
- Unwanted Rescue: In spite of the fact that everyone is expecting him to show up, Artie manages to infiltrate the Society's hideout without being detected - until El Emid, whom Artie and Jim are trying to rescue, betrays him. El Emid protests that he is enjoying himself and doesn't want to leave.
