46: Broken Image (3.12)

1979; 46 minutes
Written by Karen Harris & Jill Sherman; Produced by Robert Bennett Steinhauer & Jeff Freilich;
Directed by Jack McPherson

Having to pay off his outstanding rent bill by cleaning an apartment block, David is mistaken for a gangster known as Mike Cassidy by Teddy, one of Mike's henchmen.  Teddy realises his error but on informing the real Mike they decide that David can be used in their plans.  David is of course in deep trouble now as he is also being mis-dentified as Mike by adversaries, as well as Mike's mistreated girlfriend.

Nicely written episode with Bixby playing dual roles.  I thought this would be another opportunity for Bixby and Ferrigno to be onscreen at the same time but was wrong on that count.  A big surprise did however materialise when McGee shows up and knocks on David's apartment door.  I expected this to be another close shave (a la a similar moment in the Married episode) but on this occasion McGee and Banner come literally face to face, with the former recognising the latter.  The initial confrontation is brilliantly subverted as David, in his attempt to put McGee off the trail, quickly takes on the persona of Cassidy, the very man he has been attempting to persuade everyone else that he is not!  I am also quite taken with the cinematographic style of this episode (adopted by a handful of others across the series) whereby minimalistic lighting produces a starkly contrasting effect.

Number of Fists: ****½

45: Captive Night (3.11)

1979; 47 minutes
Written by Sam Egan; Produced by Robert Bennett Steinhauer & Jeff Freilich;
Directed by Frank Orsatti

A couple of crooks break into a department store at night with the intention of emptying the safe, unaware that there is a night shift operating on the premises - a security guard plus a couple of store assistants, one of whom is David Banner.  They also misjudge what's actually involved in cracking the safe and essentially keep the threesome held over night, hoping that the arrival of the manager in the morning will also get them into the safe.

Ultimately a bungled theft attempt, these pair of hopeless villains were never going to get too far.  They can't even keep David locked up for too long (natch).  An uneven episode, there are some strange ideas (very strange in one case) intermingled with nice ones.  The most bizarre sequence comes during Hulk's long stroll through the store, where he discovers some female mannequins, one of which is green and attracts his primordial attention!  This one does feature a great smash-out from an old lift shaft, and overall the pacing and intrigue makes for a moderatly entertaining story.

Number of Fists: ***

44: Babalao (3.10)

1979; 46 minutes
Written by Craig Buck; Produced by Robert Bennett Steinhauer & Jeff Freilich;
Directed by Richard Milton

A town is under the grip of perpetual belief in the power of Voodoo, on the one side driven by the malicious pair of ex-cons who masquerade as a mythical figure called Babalao - one with supposedly great command over the spirit world - and on the other side a legitimate doctor (whom David is assisting in a medical capacity) who has to operate under the pretense of being affiliated with Voodoo control in order to attract the trust of the locals.  The 'Babaloa' and his comrade are aware that support, and with it the financial benefits, is being drawn away from him and to the doctor and thus endeavour to re-orientate people's allegiance with the assistance of Voodoo spirits and magic...

An over-scored episode, the near constant carnival music is distracting, though this is in emphasis of the Mardi Gras backdrop.  Hulk's trousers were clearly covering up too much skin in previous episodes by the looks of this one (!) but his appearances here are destructive and consequently quite enjoyable.  The second arrival is particular is a good one, set inside the lavishly decorated, dimly lit abode of the Babaloa as a crowd of people are gathered to witness the man's apparent power.  David's dramatic attempts to bring a non-superstitious viewpoint to the people appear to be ultimately successful, however, it is ironic when one considers that the fact that they then witness the Hulk smashing the place following a Voodoo ceremony would more likely have embedded their belief in demonic forces than dispel it.

Number of Fists: ***

43: The Snare (3.09)

1979; 48 minutes

Director of Photography John McPherson 
Written by Thomas E Szollosi & Richard Christian Matheson

Produced by Robert Bennett Steinhauer
Directed by Frank Orsatti

Whilst awaiting a flight David meets a rich, retired game hunter who invites the traveller back to his island when the flight is cancelled.  Dropped in by private jet, which subsuquently departs, David soon finds himself drugged during a game of chess.  When he regains consciousness in the undergrowth outside he realises that he is the latest target in the hunter's ever increasingly obsessive bid to track and snare anything which might prove to be a challenge.  Of course, on this occasion he's really going to find that challenge! 

The irony in this fine episode, of course, is that David does actually become an animal that stimulates further excitement in the hunter.  The first act sets up a degree of intrigue that leads to a replay of the classic The Most Dangerous Game, this episode being unusual because there is only really one character other than David, as well the fact that the story leads to death.

It's a consistently interesting chase/battle of wits, although I could have done without the scene with Hulk delicately handling a couple of newly hatched birds.  Having said that I did like the way David, once returned to his normal self, returns the bird nest to a tree, effectively finishing something that Hulk started.  The conclusion is a particularly emphasised version of David's traditional isolated departure from the location. 

Number of Fists: ****

42: Homecoming (3.08)

1979; 48 minutes

Director of Photography John McPherson 
Written by Andrew Schneider; Produced by Robert Bennett Steinhauer;
Directed by John McPherson

David spots his sister, Dr Helen Banner, being interviewed on TV just prior to Thanksgiving.  With his heartstrings tugged he decides to head back home, probably unsure of what he's going to do when he gets there.  When they do meet he makes her promise not to reveal his presence to anyone, including the father with whom he'd shared significant conflict during younger years.  The Banner farm is also under threat from those ever-pesky corporate giants so David sticks around to help the family with some scientific work that could help them keep their treasured farm.

The first half or so is driven by soppy music as David reunites with his sister, but it does lead to a transformation that is momentarily exciting.  The other near saving grace is the drama that unfolds between David and his stubborn father, but the clumsily handled aeroplane finale is a let-down.

The weepy Hulk at the climax is also a bit hard to take although makes some sense in that the monster's emotions are linked to David and the creature is not just the embodiment of rage but rather anything really that can be associated with the primal base of a human.  Aside from filling in David's pre-accident back story to a certain degree, overall I felt somewhat unsatisfied with Homecoming.

Number of Fists: **