The IMF is a top-secret branch of the U.S. government that takes on missions deemed "impossible" by all other agencies. Each of the team members can be disavowed if necessary. Leading the team is first Daniel Briggs, and then Jim Phelps. Each week they recruit a team of specialists to accomplish the mission, whether it's break into an impenetrable safe, or bring a fugitive to justice, or simply deal with mobsters who are beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement.