Season Two had some solid episodes, and some of the worst in the show's history. Here are short reviews of all 22 episodes ...
(1) Married
This two hour movie kicked off season two, and finds David traveling to Hawaii to seek out the professional help of Dr Carolyn Fields. He soon realizes that she needs him as much as he needs her. The two fall in love, get married, but tragedy would once again find David.
The "Hulk-Outs"
During hypnosis
Attacked by "swingers"
While Dreaming
My take
One of the best episodes in the history of the show. Mariette Hartley blows 'em away with her performance as Dr Fields. 5 stars.
(2) The Antowuk Horror
Shortly after The Hulk runs rampant on a small resort town, the residents of the community attempt to attract more attention by staging an appearance of a fake creature. Both the real and fake creatures attract the attention of a hunter.
The "Hulk-Outs"
After a propane tank fell on him
Attacked by fake creature
My take
Kind of lame. Actually, really lame. 2 stars because I'm feeling generous.
(3) Ricky
David takes a job assisting a race car driver and his mentally handicapped brother. Things get ugly when a rival team looks to sabotage the team.
The "Hulk-Outs"
In an attempt to save Ricky from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning
During the demolition derby
My take
This is a really good episode. Gerald McRaney makes his second appearance as the antagonist, and always did a great job on the show. Mickey Jones from Dukes of Hazzard and National Lampoon's Vacation played Ricky. Gordon Jump from WKRP in Cincinnati has a small role. The Hulk drinks a grape soda. 4 stars.
(4) Rainbow's End
While exploring the idea of using a native Indian's medicine to control his transformations, David becomes tangled up in a plot to kill a champion race horse.
The "Hulk-Outs"
During an arson attempt
Running through the crowd, trying to stop a gunman
My take
Not bad, but not too memorable. 3 stars.
(5) A Child in Need
While working at a public school, David discovers that a young student is being abused by his father.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While trying to find help for the young boy
Attacked by the young boy's father in the school gym
My take
On the occasions that The Incredible Hulk tackled sensitive subjects, they always delivered. For anyone who shies away from the show because it's too "cartoony", this is a good episode to start with. Great performances all around. Sally Kirkland guest stars. 5 stars.
(6) Another Path
David meets a Chinese philosopher who offers him a chance to cure his affliction using Chinese meditation techniques. David becomes inadvertently involved in a battle with one of the philosopher's rivals in the community.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Became frostbitten while locked in the back of a semi
While tied to a bed
My take
Very well done episode. 4 stars.
(7) Alice in Disco Land
David discovers that the daughter of a late friend is working as a dancer in a shady club, and she has a problem with alcohol.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While trying to save Julie from suicide attempt
Injuring himself while handcuffed
My take
I remember this episode well from my childhood. Another great stab at tackling a serious subject. 5 stars.
(8) Killer Instinct
David takes a job working for a professional football team, in an effort to learn more about the research a sports psychologist is doing while studying abnormal aggression in the players on the team.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While locked in a steam room
After being hit in the head with some sort of bowl
My take
You'd think I'd like this one, with all the Cleveland Browns footage, but this episode was poorly edited, and just felt corny. 2 stars.
(9) Stop the Presses
While working in a restaurant, David's picture is taken by the National Register, and he must break into their offices to retrieve it before Jack McGee sees it.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Attacked by National Register reporters
When hand gets stuck in the printing machine
My take
I really enjoyed this one. Art Metrano from the Police Academy movies plays one of the bad guys. Mary Frann (Newhart) and Julie Cobb (Mrs Pembroke from Charles in Charge) play the gals who own the restaurant. Pat Morita has a small role as a chef. I always enjoyed the notable guest appearances. 4 stars.
(10) Escape from Los Santos
While hitchhiking, David and a widow (Holly) are framed for her late husband's murder by a corrupt sheriff.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Pepper sprayed
While trying to save Holly from falling off a cliff
My take
It's ok. The gal from coach plays Holly. 3 stars.
(11) Wildfire
Shortly after taking a job on an oil rig, David realizes someone is trying to set it on fire.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While locked in a barrel of oil
Attacked at the oil rig
My take
Forgettable. They can't all be winners. 2 stars.
(12) A Solitary Place
David retreats to the wilderness of Baja Mexico to get away from the stresses that trigger his transformations, but the arrival of a fugitive doctor, a vengeful family and Jack McGee ruin his plan.
The "Hulk-Outs"
During a storm
Leg caught in a bear trap
My take
This could have been really good, but I think they dropped the ball on this one. What could have been a 4 or 5 star episode, I'm gonna give a 3, and I rounded up. Guy who played John Abbott guest stars.
(13) Like a Brother
While working at a carwash, David befriends a co-worker who is being exploited by a drug kingpin. David soon realizes the young man and is much younger brother are living alone.
The "Hulk-Outs"
After being thrown in the car wash
While locked in a room with a black panther
My take
The first of two episodes that takes on the subject of racism, and another episode I remember well from childhood. Tony Burton (Rocky) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters / Designing Women) guest star as the antagonists. 5 stars.
(14) The Haunted
David helps a woman move back into her childhood home, and soon learns that she had a twin sister who drowned. He starts to see strange things happen, which may bring about more death and mayhem.
The "Hulk-Outs"
After falling in the basement and nearly electrocuting himself
Falling into water of a boathouse
My take
Great writing, and well done. I think this episode scared me as a kid. 5 stars.
(15) Mystery Man (part 1)
David ends up in an automobile accident while hitchhiking, and after transforming into The Hulk, he's found face down near the car. He's taken to a local hospital, and treated for head injuries. Jack McGee arrives at the hospital to interview him, not knowing it's David, because his head is bandaged due to the cuts and bruises he suffered. Jack then charters a plane to have he and "John Doe" taken to see a memory specialist. The plane crashes, and McGee suffers a broken leg and "John Doe's" memory is jogged after several conversations with McGee about The Hulk.
The "Hulk-Out"
Shortly after the car accident
My take
Pretty clever way to feature an episode of mostly Banner and McGee together. The bandage looked kind of goofy, but still well done. The first episode to only feature one "Hulk-Out". 4 stars.
(16) Mystery Man (part 2)
"John Doe" and Jack tumble down a cliff, which leads to a transformation. Soon after, "John Doe" sees a reflection of himself in the water, and realizes he's David Banner and The Hulk. McGee shares with "John Doe" what his motivation is to find the creature, and discovers for the first time that a human being transforms into The Hulk.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Trying to save Jack from falling off a cliff
While saving Jack from a forest fire
My take
Again, very well done. That bandage, though. 4 stars.
(17) The Disciple
David returns to work on his cure with Li Sung, the Chinese philosopher, but Li Sung's health is failing, and his dynasty will fade away unless he can convince one of his students to take over for him.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While trapped in that Chinese hand contraption (don't know what it's referred to)
While trapped in a squad car
My take
This was supposed to lead to a pilot to a spinoff, but it never happened. Guest starring Rick Springfield, Fred Ward and Gerald McRaney makes his 3rd appearance, this time as a face.
(18) No Escape
After being arrested for vagrancy, David is locked in a police van with a man who believes he is the late Ernest Hemingway. A fight provokes David's transformation, and the mentally ill man escapes. David must help to find the man before he hurts himself or someone else.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Attacked by the crazy guy in the van
After poisonous bomb went off in the house
My take
This is maybe the worst episode ever. Just couldn't hold my attention. The Hulk swims. The only thing really worth noting is that Jack McGee prevents the cops from shooting The Hulk, now knowing that it's a man that transforms into The Hulk. 1 star.
(19) Kindred Spirits
David meets one of his old students while working on a Native American reservation, after evidence has been discovered of a previous Hulk-like creature.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While cave is crumbling down
While locked in an exhibit
My take
This is a unique episode in that I'm gonna give it 3 stars, but it could have been much better, and I could have given it a 2. Kim Cattrall guests as the student.
(20) The Confession
Jack McGee is saddled with a junior reporter, and she discovers a man who is claiming that he is the person who transforms into The Hulk. After she refutes the claim, it's up to David to keep the man from killing himself.
The "Hulk-Outs"
During failed experiment to research his transformations
Caused by ringing of a loud bell
My take
It had Markie Post, so I really wanted to love it. It's ok. The Hulk does bowl in this one. 3 stars.
(21) The Quiet Room
David takes a job at a hospital, and soon discovers a doctor is doing unethical experimentations on his patients. When David speaks up, he himself is locked up and labeled as insane.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While in a stray jacket
While calling police
My take
Not a very good episode. 2 stars.
(22) Vendetta Road
A young couple starts blowing up gas stations as an act of revenge when the corporation that owns the stations caused the death of the young man's father. David must share their story with the press before they get caught by the law.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Trying to save Cassie in the fire
After being handcuffed by the cops
My take
A decent episode, but I would have expected more from a season finale. 3 stars.
