Mission: Impossible - Season 7

The cast of Mission: Impossible remained intact between Season 6 and Season 7, which was only the second time that had ever occurred and the first since between Season 2 and Season 3, but this stability would not last long. Lynda Day George had announced at the end of Season 6 that she was expecting a child, her first (and only) with husband Christopher George, so something would have to be done. Since no one wanted her to leave permanently, it was decided she would go on maternity leave for part of Season 7, with her character Lisa Casey going on special assignment in Europe. This would be the first time a character's absence was ever addressed on the show, as all previous absences, whether they be temporary like Willy's in Season 5 or permanent like team leader Dan Briggs' after Season 1 were never explained. This newly found sense of continuity did lead to some confusion however, as episodes had previously been aired out of order, which was not a problem since each none of the episodes were actually connected, and episodes in Season 7 jumped back and forth between Casey being in the episode and off in Europe or vice versa. Due to the episode reshuffling, she was notably missing in the season (and what would be the series) finale. 
In Lynda Day George's absence, actress Barbara Anderson, late of Ironsides, was brought in as a substitute, playing ex-con Mimi Davis. She starred in seven episodes, while other actresses made one-off appearances similar to what happened in Season 4 until Lynda Day George returned. 
By Season 7, the show was struggling to stay fresh, shamelessly ripping off itself by tapping into older episodes. Episode 2 "Two Thousand" was essentially a remake of episode 3 of Season 1's "Operation Rogosh," and Episode 18 "The Fighter" was basically the same story as episode 10 of Season 6 "Blues," with Syndicate boxing promoters replacing Syndicate records executives. 
It was soon clear that the show was sinking, with little hope of rescue. Greg Morris had already announced that Season 7 would be his last no matter what since he was unhappy with where the show was going, and Paramount had went ahead and shot another pilot with writer/producer Laurence Heath and Peter Graves. Paramount finally told CBS they were pulling the plug, which was just as well since ratings had plunged for the first time since Season 4 to their lowest point ever. Syndication rights had been sold right after Season 1, so the show finally started paying off for Paramount. After several abortive attempts at reviving the show, either as a TV movie or feature, Paramount finally got a new series off the ground in 1988. Initially planned as a remake with new actors taking on the roles of Jim Phelps, Rollin Hand, Cinnamon Carter, Barney Collier and Willy Armitage, it turned into a continuation after Peter Graves joined the cast, with Jim Phelps leading a new team of IMF operatives. 
Peter Graves' new pilot was not picked up, but continued working steadily in film and television, even showing off his comedic chops for Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker playing Captain Clarence Oveur in the comedy classic Airplane!. He was the only member of the original cast to join the regular cast of the 1988 Mission: Impossible revival, and was offered a chance to return as Jim Phelps in the 1996 Mission: Impossible feature, but refused after reading the script. He passed away due to a heart attack just days from his 84th birthday in 2010.
Greg Morris stayed busy as well, guest starring in numerous television shows, sometimes even spoofing his image as the tech guy. He was a regular cast member on the Aaron Spelling series Vega$, and returned as Barney Collier in three episodes of the 1988 revival series, appearing alongside his son Phil, who starred in the series as Barney's son Grant. He was very vocal about his displeasure regarding the 1996 Mission: Impossible feature, but passed away due to cancer later that year at the age of 62.
Lynda Day George made regular appearances in film and television after the show ended, but slowly withdrew from acting shortly after her husband Christopher George dropped dead of a heart attack in 1983. Her final acting credit was returning as Lisa Casey in the first season of the 1988 revival series. 
Peter Lupus didn't make as many appearances in film and television after the show ended compared to his former cast members. He played Superman in the series of ads for the US Army until his spread in Playgirl magazine put an end to that campaign. He was the only Season 7 cast member not to appear in the 1988 revival series. Like Peter Graves, he showed off his comedic chops for Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker, playing the dim-witted Detective Norberg in the short-lived series Police Squad!. He continues to stay fit, still setting weight lifting records for his age group even into his seventies. 
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=Handguns=
==Smith & Wesson Model 10 (snub-nosed)==
Several characters use snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 10s throughout the season. 
==Astra 400==
The Astra 400 is a frequent handgun used by the IM Force and various characters.
==Walther PPK==
A Walther PPK is prominently featured throughout Season 7.
thumb|none|300px|Walther PPK - 9mm Kurz aka 9x17mm (.380 ACP)
==M1911A1==
The M1911A1 is another weapon seen in the series.
 
== Colt Official Police==
A Colt Official Police is a handgun used by law enforcement in Season 7.
==Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket==
Mimi Davis (Barbara Anderson) draws a nickel-plated Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket in "Cocaine" (S07E06).
== Colt Detective Special ==
The Colt Detective Special is a handgun frequently used in Season 7.
== Smith & Wesson Model 36 ==
Norman's Shields' (John Vernon) snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 10 turns into a Smith & Wesson Model 36 in an insert shot.
==FN Model 1905==
Dr. Jerome Cooper (Murray Hamilton) is armed with an FN Model 1905 in "Ultimatum" (S07E10). Eve Vayle (Laraine Stephens) pulls an FN Model 1905 in "Boomerang" (S07E15).
== Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless ==
Hannah O'Connel (Kim Hunter) uses a Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless with pearl grips in "Incarnate" (S7E14).
==Colt Trooper Mk III==
Willy is armed with what appears to be a Colt Trooper Mk III in "Speed" (S07E19).
==Mauser C96==
Matthew Royce (Barry Atwater) uses a suppressed Mauser C96 in "The Western" (S07E21). According to the dialogue, it is chambered in "9mm Mauser," "foreign," "heavy artillery," and can "put a slug through a four inch slab of green oak."
==Unidentifiable revolvers==
The following cannot be identified due to lack of detail.
=Submachine Guns=
==Madsen M50==
Madsen M50 submachine guns are often seen in the series.
==MP40==
Jim pulls an MP40 in "Cocaine" (S07E06).
=Shotguns=
==Coach Gun==
Coach Guns are seen throughout the season. 
== O/U shotgun==
An O/U shotgun is seen used by Leo Ostro (Roddy McDowall) in "The Puppet" (S7E13).
==Remington 870 Field Gun==
Paul Ostro (John Crawford) is seen hunting with a Remington 870 Field Gun in "The Puppet" (S07E13).
=Rifles/Carbines=
==M1 Carbine==
The M1 Carbine is another frequently used weapon by foreign guards and soldiers in the series. 
 
 
==M1 Garand==
The M1 Garand is a frequent weapon seen in the hands of guards and soldiers in the series. 
==M16/SP1==
The M16 is held by a guard in "Two Thousand" (S7E02).
 
==J&R Engineering M80 Carbine==
Joel Morgan (Donnelly Rhodes) uses a J&R Engineering M80 Carbine in "Ultimatum" (S07E10).
 
==Remington Model 700==
Nicholas Varsi (Gary Lockwood) assembles a Remington Model 700 in "The Question" (S07E16). Ed Stoner (Michael Ansara) hands Van Cleve (Ed Nelson) a Remington Model 700 in "The Western" (S07E21).
 
==Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine==
Ed Stoner (Michael Ansara) is armed with a Winchester Model 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine in "The Western" (S07E21).
 
==Unidentified rifle==
Ralph Davies (Michael Conrad) uses an unidentified bolt action rifle in "TOD-5" (S07E05).
==Unidentifiable rifle/musket==
In one of the staged photographs used in "The Fountain" (S07E17), Jim is seen posing with a rifle or musket. The photo is dated 1838 (which should've cast some suspicion right there.)
=Other=
==Browning M2==
A patrol boat is armed with twin Browning M2 machine guns in "The Deal" (S07E03).
 
==Webley & Scott No.1 Mk. V Signal Pistol==
A Webley & Scott No.1 Mk. V Signal Pistol is used to launch a smoke grenade in "Underground" (S07E07).
 
==Federal Gas Riot Gun==
Federal Gas Riot Gun are used to incapacitate the crew of an armored truck in the series finale "Imitation" (S07E22).
 
=Trivia=
==C3 Charges==
C3 charges are used to simulate an enemy bombing run in "Two Thousand" (S07E02). C3 was the predecessor to C4, which was less volatile, less toxic, and more malleable in low temperatures.
==Special bullets==
Barney unveils special .30 Carbine rounds in "The Deal" (S07E03) which combine a tranquilizer and a blood capsule in one. 
Willy shows off a few bullets tipped with fake blood in "The Pendulum" (S07E20).
Category:Television
Category:Espionage