To get the valuable Moon Diamond for the National Museum, West travels to an eerie island supposedly haunted by a mad dog called "The Hound of Bleak Island". The island was the home of the diamond's owner, wealthy (and recently dead) businessman Joseph Bleak. Now those closest to Bleak have gathered on the island for the reading of his will, but they have to deal with various conflicts between them—as well as a sinister presence that's stalking them all. Fortunately, West is there to protect everyone—along with an old friend, Scotland Yard detective Sir Nigel Scott (John Williams).
Tropes present in this episode:
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: In his will, Bleak accuses his partner Ronald McAvity of stealing from him for years.
- Disney Villain Death: Sir Nigel falls off a cliff while fleeing the Hound of Bleak Island.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin: Except for the tag on the train, the entire episode takes place in one night on the island (and even the tag is set after dark).
- Faking the Dead: Sir Nigel claims that his deceased Arch-Enemy, Dr. Joseph Calendar, is still alive and lurking the island. Actually, Calendar is really dead and Sir Nigel is behind everything.
- Foreshadowing:
- Sir Nigel, who trained the Hound of Bleak Island to become a killer, says "I do believe that dog hates me." Sure enough, the Hound chases him to his doom at the climax.
- In the tag, Artemus Gordon sends a photo of himself to James to announce his imminent return to field duty (and the series). However, since the episodes were broadcast Out of Order, Artie had already been featured in the two previous adventures.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Sir Nigel trained the Hound to be a killer, and it pursues him to his death after the endless torment it took to get there.
- Infodump: The dialogue during The Teaser sets up much of the plot.
- It Was a Dark and Stormy Night: The tempest never lets up throughout Jim's entire time on the island.
- Lawman Gone Bad: After Dr. Calendar died, Sir Nigel came to miss the thrill of the hunt so much that he started committing crimes as well as solving them.
- The Mole: Detective Mole Sir Nigel Scott.
- Mystery Episode: When West must deduce which of the other people present is responsible for the murder.
- Old, Dark House: The Bleak mansion, where most of the episode is set.
- Recycled Soundtrack: When Jim fights Sir Nigel's men, music from the Hawaii Five-O pilot score is heard.
- Secret Passage: It leads from Joseph Bleak's "treasure room" to the winery.
- Spanner in the Works: Sir Nigel hides the Moon Diamond in the mansion's winery. He doesn't anticipate Mordecai Krone seeking refuge there and being found by West, which allows West to discover the diamond before Nigel can retrieve it.
- Starcrossed Lovers: Alicia Crane and Mark Chambers, who prevail despite Celia Rydell destroying their letters to each other, not to mention an attack by the Hound that West has to rescue them from.
- Ten Little Murder Victims: This episode being from the final season, only two people get killed - and one of them is the bad guy.
- Worthy Adversary: Sir Nigel refers to James as "a noble adversary" after trapping him in an old well.
