The Champions "The Fanatics" #1.12 (1968) (TV)

Richard goes undercover as an assassin, 28 November 2015

In The Fanatics, a string of assassinations brings Nemesis in to investigate. Richard goes undercover as an assassin, hoping to gain entry into the secretive group behind the killings. Richard discovers the name of the group's next intended target - Tremayne. Can The Champions act quickly enough to save the head of Nemesis?

As my rating would indicate, while I enjoyed The Fanatics, I don't consider it one of the better episodes. It has too many problems that I can't overlook. Still, it's an enjoyable enough experience.

A couple of things I liked: 1. Gerald Harper's Croft makes a perfect leader of the assassins. He's smart enough not get his hands dirty. Unlike those who work for him, he's in it for the money. 2. Richard gets a real chance to shine in The Fanatics. Whether its opening a booby-trapped safe, absorbing extreme punishment, or outsmarting Croft, Richard is the star of this episode. 3. The final showdown with Tremayne's life on the line is exciting. I wasn't sure how it would turn out.

A couple of things I didn't like: 1. For a secretive group like The Fanatics, they're awfully easy to find and infiltrate. And they don't have much in the way of security. Sharron and Craig just walk in after Richard incapacitates the only two people in the building. 2. While the group is called The Fanatics and a big deal is made in the pre- credit sequence, the whole "Fanatic" thing is never explained and just kind of drops. They seem more like your garden variety assassins.

In the end, I'm rating The Fanatics a 6/10.

6/10