Ep 25. How to Succeed in the Spy Business Without Really Trying

Maxwell Smart, also known as Agent 86, returns for another episode in season 2 of the hit 1960s TV show Get Smart. In this episode, titled "How to Succeed in the Spy Business Without Really Trying," Smart finds himself in a precarious situation as he tries to complete his mission.

The episode opens with Smart sitting in a waiting room, waiting to be called in for a job interview. He has been tasked with infiltrating a tech company that is rumored to be developing a new type of missile. Smart is posing as a new employee in order to get access to the company's secrets, but he has no idea what kind of work he will be doing. His "resume" includes skills such as "expert marksmanship" and "fluent in 14 languages," but in reality, Smart is a bumbling spy who frequently messes things up.

When Smart is called in for his interview, he is surprised to find that the company is run by a group of robot-like executives, who are completely focused on efficiency and productivity. They ask him a number of strange questions, such as whether he is able to type at a speed of 800 words per minute. Smart tries his best to answer the questions, but he quickly realizes that he doesn't have the necessary skills to work for the company.

Despite this, Smart is hired on the spot and given a job as a "productivity analyst." He is tasked with observing the work habits of his colleagues and coming up with ways to improve their efficiency. However, Smart quickly discovers that the company's real goal is to develop a missile that will be capable of destroying entire cities.

As he tries to gather information about the missile, Smart must also contend with his new boss, a stern woman named Mrs. Brand. She is constantly monitoring his every move and chastising him for not working fast enough. Meanwhile, Smart's partner Agent 99 is doing her best to help him from the outside, but she too is facing obstacles as she tries to get information about the company's plans.

As the episode progresses, Smart becomes more and more frustrated with his job and begins to wonder if he will ever be able to complete his mission. He tries to come up with creative ways to gather information, such as pretending to be a janitor in order to gain access to restricted areas. He also tries to win over his colleagues, who are suspicious of his lack of productivity. However, his antics often backfire, leading to hilarious moments of physical comedy.

Eventually, Smart is able to gather enough information to complete his mission, but not before he is caught in a dangerous situation. He is forced to use all of his spy skills to escape from the company's clutches and deliver the information to his superiors. In the end, Smart proves that he is capable of succeeding in the spy business, even if it means going outside of his comfort zone and taking on a fake job as a productivity analyst.

Overall, "How to Succeed in the Spy Business Without Really Trying" is a classic episode of Get Smart that showcases the humor and wit that made the show a hit in the 1960s. With its fast-paced action, clever writing, and memorable characters, this episode is sure to entertain both old fans and new viewers alike.