David McCloskey

And there is a little bit of consternation about Mendez having run this through the Canadians first, but seems to be forgiven because the plan is, if not a good one, as the film says, it's the best bad plan that the CIA has.

Now...

The Hollywood cover also could potentially solve more than just the house guest problem.

Because we talked about this in the last episode, the Pentagon is deep into planning a bigger rescue operation for the rest of the hostages who are being held at the embassy.

This will become known as Operation Eagle Claw.

The operation, the plans are not firmed up yet.

By the time we're in January of 1980, the operation won't take place until April.

And so the idea that there could be a pipeline of film scouts, a production company sending people to Iran, well, that could create some interesting possibilities to get more people throughout the spring into Tehran.

And further, there's thought that a film production might be welcomed by the Iranians.

because it could help promote tourism.

And President Carter has just frozen a bunch of Iranian assets, the Iranian regime is desperate for cash.

Maybe a film shoot would help in that regard.

So there's a thought that the Iranians might actually want to issue visas for film crews going in and out of Tehran.

Interesting though, Mendez says that even though bureaucratically it's starting, there's some traction.

The Canadians like the idea, the Near East Division likes the idea.

The Office of Technical Service, where he's working, they like the idea.

He's starting to wonder if this is maybe not such a good plan.

He's expecting some pushback.

He's not getting any.

Has he overlooked something?