Ep 3. The Quadripartite Affair

The Quadripartite Affair is the third episode of the classic TV show The Man From U.N.C.L.E. It originally aired on October 5, 1964. The episode introduces us to the character of Illya Kuryakin, played by David McCallum, who would quickly become a fan favorite and one of the series' most iconic characters.

The episode begins with Napoleon Solo, played by Robert Vaughn, in Berlin on a mission to retrieve a valuable piece of information. However, he is immediately accosted by a beautiful woman named Gervaise Ravel, played by Senta Berger, who claims to have important information for him. Ravel is being chased by a group of men, who we soon learn are from the THRUSH organization, a frequent antagonist throughout the series.

Solo and Ravel manage to evade the THRUSH agents and make their way to a safe house. There, Ravel reveals that she is a spy for East Germany and has information on an upcoming secret meeting between representatives from the four major powers of the time: the United States, Soviet Union, China, and an unnamed fourth nation. Ravel believes that THRUSH has infiltrated the meeting and plans to use it as an opportunity to further their nefarious plans for world domination.

Solo agrees to take Ravel to the meeting, where they meet up with the representatives from the other countries. They soon discover that THRUSH has indeed infiltrated the meeting, with each team member posing as a member of one of the four delegations. The rest of the episode consists of Solo and Ravel working together, along with the introduction of Kuryakin, to try and stop THRUSH from carrying out their diabolical plan.

The episode features the trademark blend of action, suspense, and humor that would become the hallmark of the show. The banter between Solo and Kuryakin is particularly entertaining, with Kuryakin's cool, sarcastic demeanor serving as the perfect foil for Solo's more brash, outgoing personality. The chemistry between the two actors is evident from the start, and it would only grow stronger as the series progressed.

The Quadripartite Affair also features some memorable set pieces, particularly a thrilling car chase through the streets of Berlin and a tense standoff in a deserted factory. The episode also makes good use of the show's international setting, with some scenes taking place in East Germany and others in the United States.

Overall, The Quadripartite Affair is a strong early episode of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. that features all the elements that would make the show a cult favorite for years to come. If you're a fan of classic spy dramas or just looking for some well-crafted, high-octane entertainment, this episode is definitely worth checking out.