It is generally believed that this was the series pilot, despite being aired third. Fans point out that the masks the Hornet and Kato wear here have an angular style to them, while in the rest of the run they are molded to the actors' faces (Bruce Lee does wear this same mask in "Crime Wave" as well, leading to the theory that it was filmed first in the regular weekly run). The fact that "Programmed for Death" comes up first in the syndication package is also cited as supporting the pilot status.