So here is how the series ends ... for the most part, not a great season, but the stronger episodes are near the end of the abbreviated season.
(1) The Phenom
David befriends a rookie baseball player who gets mixed up with a shady sports agent.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Thrown down the stairs
Attacked in parking lot
My take
Just like the wrestling episode from season four, you'd think I'd really like this one, being baseball related and all. As you will see, for the most part, these season five episodes are pretty bad. This is easily the weakest season premiere in the history of the series. The Hulk swinging a bat is pretty comical. When The Hulk comes face to face with the Roosters mascot, I would have loved for Ferrigno to break the fourth wall, look at the camera and say, "Really??". Since that did not happen, 2 stars.
(2) Two Godmothers
David is forced to help three prisoners from a woman's institution escape, and one of them is nine months pregnant.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Hand crushed by falling rock
After being handcuffed
My take
It came as a shock to fans and the many people that worked on this episodes that the show was canceled, but looking back at these episodes, and the tail end of season four, the show was obviously in a decline. Many of the great episodes had me on the edge of my seat, and while watching this one, I was playing "Cat-opoly" with my daughter, and barely looked up at the TV. 2 stars.
(3) Veteran
David tries to stop a Vietnam veteran from assassinating a prominent politician.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While strapped to an electric chair
Punched and kicked during assassination attempt
My take
This is the best episode from season five, the flashbacks to 'nam are well done, the storytelling here was top notch. 4 stars.
(4) Sanctuary
In order to protect a wounded Mexican boy from deportation and possibly death, David poses as a clergyman to help hide the young man in a sanctuary.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While chained to a tree stump
Shot at during a car chase
My take
As a whole, these season five episodes are throwaways, and this one is no exception. It pains me to say this, but I can start to understand why the show got cancelled, and five years in, this is the best they could produce. The editing was really poor, and this story never really went anywhere. 1 star.
(5) Triangle
David has to compete with a powerful lumber baron for the attention of a beautiful local girl.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Attacked by lumber folk
While lumber folk attempt to drop logs on him
My take
Decent episode. Charles Napier is a solid guest star once again. 3 stars.
(6) Slaves
David is captured by an angry convict who forces him to work as a slave in a gold mine along with several other prisoners.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Blindsided by another slave
As cave came crashing down on him
My take
Faye Grant is hot. And I like the bickering between the two heels. 4 stars.
(7) A Minor Problem
David finds himself in a deserted town that has been contaminated with a deadly bacteria.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Thrown through glass window
After becoming contaminated
My take
I liked this one, because it was unique. While the seasons seemed to get weaker with each passing year, when I saw episodes like this, it reminded me of how great the show could be, and I still wonder how the series could have ended with a proper send off. 4 stars.
The Incredible Hulk Returns
It has been two years since David's last transformation, and he is now employed at the Joshua-Lambert Research Institute, where he and a team of scientists are putting together a Gamma Transponder, which he hopes to use to reverse the effects of gamma radiation on himself. David is then startled by the arrival of Dr Donald Blake, an old student of his, who claims that he now shares a bond with Thor, the God of Thunder of Norse mythology. Later on, a battle between Thor and The Hulk leaves David's lab severely damaged, and The Hulk's re-appearance forces David to go on the run again.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Electrocuted during battle with Thor
Attacked while entering Institute
Shot at with poisonous dart
Sucker-punched by Lambert
My take
You would think that having six years in between the last episode of the original series and this made for TV movie would have been enough time to come up with something epic. Perhaps it was the lack of Kenneth Johnson's involvement, but this movie was everything that Kenneth Johnson always tried to avoid when he was executive producer. They got all comic-hooky on us. I actually remember watching this when it originally premiered, and I'm still as disappointed as I was 26 years ago. This production lacks the heart and drama that made the series great. And no Hulk-Out music?? Not even another Charles Napier appearance can save this one. I will give this 2 stars, only because it is the last time we see Jack McGee (although it seemed like he was on autopilot), and the third Hulk-Out sequence was pretty cool. But, Goddamn, that synth music is brutal.
The Trial of The Incredible Hulk
David is at the end of his rope, and makes his way into a large city with hopes of renting a room and staying hidden from society. After attempting to save a young woman from an attack, he transforms into The Hulk, and shortly thereafter, David is arrested. While awaiting trial, a blind defense attorney is assigned to David's case. David has a nightmare about transforming on the witness stand, transforms, and breaks out of prison. The blind attorney tracks David down, and reveals to him that he is Daredevil, and needs David's help to take down the man controlling the town.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Attacked on the subway
A nightmare about taking the stand prompts a transformation
While Daredevil is being beaten up
fourth one
My take
Another return to the comic book feel that Kenneth Johnson wanted to stay away from, but the writing and overall story are much better here than the previous movie. The drama builds up nicely, and this was a great performance by Bixby. One thing I noticed about this movie is that they don't use slow motion during the Hulk sequences like they did in the original series, which almost makes it seem like they are being sped up. 4 stars.
The Death of The Incredible Hulk
David poses as a mentally-challenged janitor at a scientific research facility, in order to gain access to the lab of a doctor he believes can cure him. The doctor soon realizes that David is Dr David Banner, and they soon become friends. Trouble finds itself in their lab, David falls for a reluctant spy and the series ends in tragedy.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While being robbed
During experiment to bring out The Hulk
During experiment to cure The Hulk
While trapped in a truck by two bulldozers
While chasing the airplane
My take
Solid movie, although not the way the series was supposed to end. I still hope they do a re-launch to further the story. 4 stars.
I rated 16 of them as 5 stars (19%)
I rated 22 of them as 4 stars (26%)
I rated 27 of them as 3 stars (32%)
I rated 14 of them as 2 stars (16%)
I rated 6 of them as 1 star (7%)
45% were rated 4 or 5, and 77% were rated 3 or higher .... that's a pretty good percentage, in my book.
The average score for each season ...
Season 1 (3.67)
Season 2 (3.41)
Season 3 (3.35)
Season 4 (3.17)
Season 5 (2.86)
Movies (3.33)
This tells me the show was stronger in the early years, 75% of the shows that rated 4 or higher happened in Season 3 or earlier, and 70% of the shows that rated 2 or lower happened in Season 3 or later.
Here are my 5 star episodes ...
The Incredible Hulk (two hour pilot episode)
Death in the Family (two hour season one premiere)
747
Married (two hour season two premiere)
A Child in Need
Alice in Disco Land
Like a Brother
The Haunted
Brain Child
Homecoming
The Psychic
Deathmask
Dark Side
Bring Me the Head of the Hulk
The First, part 1
The First, part 2
Here are my 1 star episodes ...
No Escape
Jake
Babalao
Free Fall
Half Nelson
Sanctuary
I can't wait to watch them again! Most of them, anyway.
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