"The Seal" is one of those Mission:Impossible episodes that I remembered for years afterward. Why? Because of the outrageous story involving a cat named Rusty who helps to retrieve the national treasure (a jade seal) of an Asian country. An arrogant rich American industrialist, superbly played by Darren McGavin, purchased the treasure and won't return it even though he knows that it's been stolen. The treasure is locked up in his penthouse secured with an electrified door, pressure sensitive floor, and sonic detector. That's where Rusty the cat comes in. Never mind that there must be easier ways to steal the jade seal, you'll laugh as the cat has an encounter with a tank of fish that almost spoils the whole operation. Old computers using punch cards also figure in the plot. Martin Landau plays an Asian with supposedly supernatural powers - of course he doesn't look Asian (I'm glad they didn't use much makeup in an effort to do so), but does a decent job as usual.
Whom ever trained Rusty the cat deserves some kind of an award - he does make it look like he understands verbal commands from Barney (Rusty even wears an earpiece!)
Whom ever trained Rusty the cat deserves some kind of an award - he does make it look like he understands verbal commands from Barney (Rusty even wears an earpiece!)