Broadcast no. 52 (Feb 5 1968), "The Devil and Peter Tork" has been acclaimed as the series' finest episode, its only weakness some obvious padding in the courtroom, earning director James Frawley a second Emmy nomination, winning last year for "Royal Flush." In depicting the story of 'Faust,' about a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune, we have Peter, the trusting innocent, signing a contract with Mr. Zero (Monty Landis) for the ability to play the harp. The Monkees are a sensation afterwards, and when Mr. Zero returns to claim Peter's soul, it's up to Michael Nesmith to prove the contract is null and void. By calling the devil to the stand (presenting him with a bible!), Papa Nez explains how Mr. Zero didn't give Peter anything in exchange for his soul, as what he wanted was neither fortune nor fame but just to play; that power comes from within, from love, if you love something you can play it ("nobody can give it to you, nobody can take it away"). This episode treads a fine line trying to integrate humor into a serious story, but with Tork and Nesmith, the two musicians who took the criticisms most to heart, it's wholly successful; Nesmith's eyes convey the deep regard he had for his music (exquisite harp renditions of "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "I Wanna Be Free" are heard on the soundtrack). It was a hard-fought victory, but because of the numerous references to 'Hell,' network censors kept it on the shelf for nine months (37th in production, filmed May 2-4 1967). Monty Landis was making his fourth straight appearance, superbly catching the right tone, often amusing yet never hammy. This was the second appearance for "No Time" (from HEADQUARTERS), and the only one for "Salesman," the opening track from PISCES, recorded June 14 1967, and composed by Craig Vincent Smith from The Penny Arkade, all friends of Nesmith from Texas (Nes plays electric guitar and shaker, Tork on acoustic guitar). Next in production- "I Was a 99-Pound Weakling."