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I love TAGS. But this is not one of the better episodes. I am not too concerned about the morality of Barney being made to look foolish. This is a TV sitcom so there's no point in getting too worked up over something like that. The reason I don't like it? Simply because NO ONE, not even Barney, would be so easily duped into thinking that he's singing into a "solo" microphone and that he barely has to whisper in order for his voice to be heard loud and clear. Golly gee, I don't think even The Beaver would believe something like that. :)

Unless the real singer behind the curtain is in perfect synchronization with Barney it should be obvious to Barney that he is not hearing his voice. Not to mention that it doesn't sound anything like Barney's voice. This premise is just so unbelievable that it takes away from some of the funnier parts of the episode.

Also, there's another part of the plot that is a little shaky for me. If they already have this singer why is everyone so worked up about the original soloist not being able to perform? Just have this guy take his place. You would think that John Masters, the choir director, would know that this singer is already in the choir and just use him. They would not even get to the point of having to ask Barney to sing. They would not have to go through the trouble of trying to fool Barney. Or go through the trouble of moving the practice location and keeping it a secret from Barney. Just a bit too unbelievable for me.

I like any episode that takes them out of Stalag 13 and into a different setting and this is one of them. One thing I don't understand is that if Hogan can get to the General's house and office so easily, why can't he just take pictures of the plan himself? As long as he is with Hedy, the General's daughter, you'd think they would have access to the General's office at any time. (Which they did in the episode.) Simply wait until the General is not available (he is away, taking a nap, in the shower, etc.) Why go through the trouble of risking capture at a party and having his men climb up ropes to get to the office? Just go visit Hedy on a day when the General is not around and take your pictures.

I like this episode and its guest stars (Harold J. Stone and John Hoyt in a very limited role) and I like any episode that takes us out of the camp, but I do have one small beef. I don't like how panicky Hogan gets in the prison cell in Berlin, in the hotel room after the Gestapo man arrives, and again in the hotel lobby just before he "forgets" the briefcase. I understand that his life is in peril throughout most of the episode either because his Stalag 13 operation is most assuredly part of Decker's info to be turned over to the Gestapo or he can easily be identified as an impostor when posing as Decker.

But throughout the series Hogan and his heroes are always in peril and it is usually Hogan who always takes control and calms down everyone else when they get their backs to the wall. However here he is bordering on a panic attack and has to be calmed by Major Teppel. Just a little too much out of character for me, but still a fine episode.

One side note, I wonder what insults LeBeau was saying in French to Klink during the interrogation that made Major Teppel chuckle to himself. I'll bet it was something good!! :)