5-0

as in Hawaii, 5-0. Another classic TV pilot (thanks Netflix!), first aired in 1968. The episode starts with the torture of a intelligence agent in a high tech sensory deprivation chamber--suspended motionless in a skin temperature water tank in a rubber suit with eyes, ears shut until the mind, starved for stimulus, snaps open. Very elaborate, very 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Now we just have Jack Bauer punch people in the kidneys. I guess TV shows had bigger set budgets.

Oh, then the Bad Guy doing the torturing was the Red Chinese. Now it is us.

Other things I learned watching Hawaii 5-0 (besides French): it is easy to spot a G-man. He's the square smoking a pipe. Also, if you are an Intelligence Agent, carry your Agency ID in your back pocket. They'll never look there.