Comments about episode order in season four (and a primer)
If you are following along at home, I have a suggestion about the episode order of season four. As it stands, the airdate order at episodes.com jives with the order on the DVD sets. It would stand to reason that this would be the best way to watch them. However, there were several significant complications behind-the-scenes this season and they had to do last minute recasting, rewriting, and other fun things. In the end, I don't know why they didn't reorder the airdate for the final episodes as well. Bottom line is, the way they are ordered on the DVDs is insanely confusing to watch...
The season breaks down into three groups: Jim/Artie eps, Jim/Jeremy Pike eps, and Jim/Other Agent eps. As arranged on the DVDs, these groups are all jumbled together and significantly out of order regarding the story arc. I strongly suggest the following order* (in spite the significant inconvenience of disc-jumping):
All eps in DVD/airdate order up to The Night of Fire & Brimstone (4x09)
Then pull forward the remaining three before-the-heart-attack Artie eps:
The Night of the Avaricious Actuary (4x11)
The Night of the Spanish Curse (4x14)
The Night of the Pistoleros (4x19)
Then pull forward and reorder the Jeremy Pike eps:
The Night of Miguelito's Revenge (4x12) (clearly the first Pike episode and transition to Artie-less show)
The Night of the Camera (4x10)
The Night of the Pelican (4x13)
The Night of the Janus (4x18)
Then watch the Other Agent eps:
The Night of the Winged Terror pts. 1&2 (4x15 & 16)
The Night of the Sabatini Death (4x17)
The Night of the Bleak Island (4x21)
The Night of the Tycoons (4x23)
Then the three post-heart-attack Artie eps:
The Night of the Diva (4x20) (Artie returns)
The Night of the Cossacks (4x22)
The Night of the Plague (4x24)
*Note: I checked the companion book by Susan Kesler and she organizes the eps in shooting, not airing, order - Which matches my ordering suggestions (after Artie leaves) almost to the letter... That would support my hunch that I'm on to something with this.
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Regarding the quality, continuity, and my own personal feelings on the season as a whole, I warn newbies to be prepared to do some homework and feel strongly about tackling this season... I don't think I've *ever* seen a season/show so completely sabotaged/influenced by uncontrollable disasters/accidents, network changes, and real-world influences... You have to really know what's going on behind the scenes to appreciate any part of season four.
Homework - What you need to know (spoilery in a way...)
1) Conrad suffers a stunt accident at the end of season three and Martin is generally worn out - Both are put on severe stunt restrictions. This has an effect on the tone of the show slightly, but no biggie.
2) Martin breaks a leg in the first(?) filming block and *several* episodes have to be altered to allow for this (hiding the cast and minimizing Martin's activity.) This really doesn't impact the quality of the episodes in any way whatsoever and season four is really pretty good (other than some bad wardrobe and soundtrack choices) up until #3...
3) Martin heals from the leg but then suffers a major heart attack. The episodes for the season had already been written but a hasty plan was hatched - Replace Martin with a new actor, not rewriting the part. The new actor insists on changing the name of the character (Jeremy Pike) and tries to make it his own (involving a little rewriting.) These episodes are not entirely sucky, but aren't great either. Still, there's something to work with in fanfiction and I appreciate that the actor succeeded in making the part an OC and really tried to give us a quality experience, under the circumstances.
4) After the departure of that actor/character, various episodes are reworked to bring in a revolving-door of guest agents. These episodes suck so bad, I have no words. This is partly due to the guests, but also the shows have gone distinctly 70s in tone, and the stunt sequences are boring as fuck (see #5.)
5) While this is all progressing... Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy are killed. The government flips out and blames violence on tv - They clamp down on the networks. Severe (and ridiculous) restrictions are imposed on what is allowed in fight scenes and it basically strips the show of the tone/atmosphere that made it work for three seasons. Without Artie, Jim's only real strength is the tight, interesting fight sequences - Which have been decimated by the new rules and become boring as fuck. Jim is left standing around, with no one interesting to talk to, and without any women to snog. zzzzzz
6) The violence restrictions continue to increase and by the end of season four, the show is out-and-out canceled for being too violent. Perhaps with Martin's return they may have still made something out of this show in a fifth season, focusing on character development and clever stories, but I have my doubts. I consider it a mercy they threw up their hands and left the whole thing in the capable hands of the fangirls.
7) And then there were the all the petty issues and rumors... e.g. Actors being difficult, "artistic differences", people being generally stressed/worn out from the insane filming schedule, etc... It's a miracle season four made it through to 24 episodes AT All (although some would argue it would have been a blessing if it hadn't.)