Mission Impossible

Mission Impossible is an iconic American television series that was broadcast on CBS between 1966 to 1973, created by Bruce Geller. Revolving around the exciting world of espionage and under-the-radar government operations, it features a rotating ensemble cast, which includes celebrated actors like Steven Hill, Barbara Bain, Barbara Anderson, Greg Morris, Peter Lupus, Peter Graves, Martin Landau, Leonard Nimoy, Lesley Ann Warren, Sam Elliott, and Lynda Day George.

Set against a Cold War backdrop, Mission Impossible follows the thrilling exploits of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF), a small team of secret agents working for the government. The team is tasked with carrying out perilous covert missions, primarily aimed at combating evils such as international organized crime, rogue nations, despotic rulers, and wealthy industrialists. These missions are often politically sensitive, requiring covert actions unavailable to traditional government operatives.

The strength of the show is the missions' cleverly designed complexity, requiring intricate planning, stunning disguises, hi-tech equipment, and reliance on deceit and subterfuge rather than brute force. The IMF team members are portrayed as highly skilled and specialized individuals, each bringing unique skills, including electronics, disguise, language fluency and physical prowess. Extreme detail to planning, teamwork, and precise execution make each episode a gripping narrative as the team works to successfully complete their mission while avoiding detection.

Central to the show's concept is the iconic self-destructing audio message relayed to the team leader at the start of every episode setting the stage with the words, "Your mission, should you choose to accept it…". Each mission starts with the team leader examining a dossier of photographs to select a specialized team extending the intrigue and mystery of the show.

Throughout the show's seven seasons, the team leader role was initially played by Steven Hill as Dan Briggs in the first season, before being taken over by Peter Graves, who starred as Jim Phelps till the final season. Barbara Bain played Cinnamon Carter, a top fashion model and IMF agent, whose charisma and beauty were key elements in many of the team's operations. The versatile actor Martin Landau filled the role of Rollin Hand, a master of disguise and talented impersonator. Greg Morris played the tech-savvy Barney Collier, responsible for all the gadgetry and ingenious devices used during the missions. The addition of Leonard Nimoy as Paris, a magician and make-up artist, Lesley Ann Warren as Dana Lambert, a spy and secretary, and Peter Lupus as Willie Armitage, the muscle of the group among others, added new dimensions to the team and diversified the storylines.

Another notable feature of Mission Impossible is its unforgettable theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin, the pulsating rhythm of which echoes the high-stakes tension and drama of the show. The opening credit's visual montage of quick clips, showing snippets of the upcoming episode accompanied by this iconic theme, further heightened the intrigue and anticipation of the series.

While primarily action-based, the show also explored themes such as loyalty, courage, and moral ambiguity. Over the course of its run, the programme consistently showcased the psychology and chess-like strategy of espionage, rather than simplifying it into a battle of good versus evil.

What positioned Mission Impossible as a standout amongst its contemporaries was its innovative storytelling, its multi-faceted characters, varied, intelligent espionage plots and most importantly, its unpredictability. Each new mission presented a unique challenge, ensuring that audiences were left on the edge of their seats week after week.

Thus, Mission Impossible was a pioneering addition to the genre of spy fiction on television, leaving a lasting legacy. Its success led to later adaptations, both on television and in cinema, revisiting its timeless concept for newer generations. Its mix of tension, action and intelligent storytelling continue to captivate audiences even today.