CHARLIE'S ANGELS: Jaclyn Smith's Finest Episode

[Please read] Stretching her wings to meet a demanding script, actress Jaclyn Smith takes off on a dramatic power flight.

For those of you who criticize the TV series CHARLIE'S ANGELS (1976-1981) for being formulaic or for telling the same story over and over again—think twice. In Season Four, the episode "Avenging Angel" is hardly just another storyboard moon orbiting the show's conceptual planet. It is the planet itself at perihelion, yielding a masterpiece aglow and ablaze with high-impact drama.

Conflict is the essence of drama. Generally speaking, with important values at stake: the greater the difficulties encountered and overcome by heroes/heroines, the greater the drama. Until "Avenging Angel"—and discounting Season One's "To Kill an Angel" in which she was shot and hospitalized—never before had one of the girls been as shockingly handicapped and life-imperiled as Kelly Garrett (Jaclyn Smith). Shot up with heroin without her knowledge by vindictive drug user Frank Desmond (Cameron Mitchell), recently released from prison, who blames Kelly for his hellish experiences there, she is desperately caught between a Scylla—enforced face-to-face confrontation with Desmond—and Charybdis—abduction and threatened assault by men who think she is a user in cahoots with Desmond and knows where two kilos of profitable heroin is located. Drugged, how will she cope with the one or escape the other? Is resourcefulness still possible? Life is at stake; sanity is questionable; so is justice. Will vengeance succeed or will compassion/goodwill tip the scale and save lives? This is standout drama and rarified CHARLIE'S ANGELS.

Cameron Mitchell [formerly a regular on the TV series THE HIGH CHAPARRAL, he also--ironically--appeared in one of the worst CHARLIE'S ANGELS episodes of all time--Season Five's "To See an Angel Die"] "lives" the role of Frank Desmond: he is devastatingly convincing, and I like to think his affecting performance helped inspire Jaclyn to greatness of her own. Also appearing and acting with force are Stephen McNally [featured with James Stewart in "Winchester '73" (1950)] and Steve Kanaly [best known for his Ray Krebbs contributions to the prime-time TV soap DALLAS (1978-1991)]. But it is Jaclyn Smith's superlative and—uncharacteristically for poised Kelly Garrett—heart-wrenching performance that will move the viewer most. Although hers was an outstanding dramatic achievement, she was neither nominated for an Emmy nor any other comparable award. She is being recognized and rewarded here.

"Avenging Angel"—the highest-caliber dramatic episode in CHARLIE'S ANGELS history—is finally headed for DVD. Three years after releasing the complete third season of CHARLIE'S ANGELS, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases Season Four (1979-80) to DVD on July 21, 2009. In addition to honoring Jaclyn Smith, this YouTube video has been uploaded specifically to help promote public interest in this release. Like what you see in this video? If so, then consider ordering your copy today!

Sincere thanks.

IMPORTANT: Questions or comments are sincerely welcome—but only if they are nice, clean, and comprehendible. If you are a professional and prefer that I delete this video, please contact me and it will promptly be done.

FOR JACLYN—WHAT A MARVEL YOU ARE. Also dedicated to her every individual admirer, particularly YouTube viewer "Amenda1234" whose comments—on the first version of this video—I liked best.

[This is a revised version of my June 2008 video, which accumulated over 21,600 views.]

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[Ahmedabdelreheem]

what's the title of the episode where Jaclyn Smith was injured, and her friends were doing nothing but remembering all of her past in flashbacks from other, older, episodes ??

[northbreed1]

"Let Our Angel Live"--the final episode of the series, Season Five.

[Dasein1122]

Season 1's "Bemish" episode is Jaclyn Smith's finest moment. Bemish, Bemish, Bemish.

[northbreed1]

Let's call "Bemish" her creepiest moment instead, eh?

[richard61763]

3:38 to 4:10 the best part

[AwesomeBeatles]

One of the most beautiful woman in the world. I was a teenage boy when she was on TV. I studied more pictures of her than any other woman. She is still beautiful.

[shellymines69]

@stevevideos2010 you talking about cherle ladd that was farrah's replacement.

[MrDeerEyes]

WHILE IT WAS ONE OF JACLYNS BEST ACTING ON THE SERIES.., IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST FOR POOR SHELLEY HACK... THANKS GOD SHE GOT BETTER AT HER ACTING BY MID TO END OF THE SEASON.. THAT I WAS SAD TO SEE HER GO AT THE END., BUT THE FIRST ONES FOR SHELLEY.. ESPECIALLY WITH HER SAYING WHAT THE DEVIL IS GOING ON OVER THERE ? AND SHE HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN.. WHERE DO WE START ? ARE THE WORST!

[Zecalran]

@1simaddict1 someone prolly envied her face! :D

[angelvetto19]

beautiful woman and great actress joined to the great Cameron Mitchell "El tio Buck"

[whatsup119]

The most stunning angel.

[koln1996]

Wow!!!

The same exact episode came into my mind even before seeing the one you had posted!!!

[kduideo]

still hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stevevideos2010]

i always like her better,because she was sexy looking like Farah but she was also inteligent looking too,she was more like the women we have today !