Season three was the first to not feature a two hour premiere. Again, some great episodes, and a few forgettable ones. Here is everything you need to know about season three ...
(1) Metamorphosis
David rescues a suicidal rock star from a car crash, and she develops an emotional dependency on him. In order to make sure she remains safe, he takes a job on her road crew, but soon realizes the rock and roll lifestyle is not for him, or her.
The "Hulk-Outs"
After tripping on acid
Trampled on at concert
My take
I like this one, but certainly not as good as the 2-hour movies that kicked off seasons one and two. Mackenzie Phillips plays the troubled rock star. 4 stars.
(2) Blind Rage
An accident at a chemical warfare test site leaves David blinded and at the mercy of a corrupt military official.
The "Hulk-Outs"
As propane tank releases gas
Falls while blinded
My take
A great performance by Bixby, but the episode as a whole could have been better. 3 stars.
(3) Brain Child
David tries to reunite a gifted young girl who has run away from home with the mother abandoned her years ago.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While chained to a car
After being shot at by cops
My take
One of my favorites. Robin Dearden plays the young girl, and it's one of my favorite guest star performances in the history of the show. 5 stars.
(4) The Slam
Once again arrested for vagrancy, David is sent to a work camp, and soon discovers corruption in the prison system.
The "Hulk-Outs"
After being bitten by a snake
Beaten by other inmates
My take
Solid episode. Well written and a very unique storyline to the lineage of the show. 4 stars.
(5) My Favorite Magician
Trouble finds David when he takes a job as an assistant to a mysterious magician.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Locked in a torture chamber without the key
Locked in trunk of a car
My take
Fun to see Bixby and Ray Walston on camera again, but for the most part, a take it or leave it type of episode. 3 stars.
(6) Jake
While working at a rodeo, David learns that the star of the show has a dangerous health condition.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While cowboys on horseback are dragging him
Stomped on by a bull
My take
One of the worst episodes in the history of the show. Just goofy and unwatchable. 1 star.
(7) Behind the Wheel
David takes a job as a taxi driver, and is in a fight to save the owner of the cab company from a takeover by the mob.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Trying to buy bas after station closes (seriously)
While stuck in cement
My take
I like the scene were McGee takes David's cab, and David as to disguise himself quickly. Esther Rolle has a very good performance as the cab company owner. 3 stars.
(8) Homecoming
David returns to his childhood home when he learns that his father may lose his farm. David tries to patch up his relationship with his estranged father while he helps his sister combat a devastating plague and a swarmy developer.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While having a bad dream
While trying to prevent the plane his dad his on from taking off
My take
Fantastic episode, does a great job showing how lonely David is. Great performances across the board. 5 stars.
(9) The Snare
A multi-millionaire invites David to his remote island to play a game of chess, but David soon finds himself being hunted by the same man.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Bit by a scorpion
After being whipped several times
My take
Very entertaining episode. 4 stars.
(10) Babalao
During Mardi Gras, David helps a young doctor convince a superstitious community that a local doctor is a fraud.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Attacked by a man in a gorilla suit at a parade
While being taken away during a voodoo ritual
My take
Terrible. Definitely a throw away episode. 1 star.
(11) Captive Night
David takes a job at a department store, and is taken hostage when the store is robbed after hours.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Locked in an elevator
Locked in a vault
My take
Good performances all around, and a few nice twists. 4 stars.
(12) Broken Image
David meets a criminal who looks exactly like him, and things turn ugly when other criminals mistake David for the other man, and Jack McGee starts to wonder if Dr David Banner is still alive.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Beat up by three thugs
Buried in cement
My take
Very creative idea, and well executed. The scene where David is face to face with McGee creates great drama. 4 stars.
(13) Proof Positive
Jack McGee's new publisher insists that he drop the Hulk story, so he takes the matter into his own hands. Bill Bixby does not appear in this episode, and David is only portrayed briefly, by a stunt double.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Unsure - randomly seen running through power plant
Falls after being chased by reporters
My take
Although the chemistry between McGee and his boss is good, having no Bixby turns what could have been a 4 star episode into a 2 star episode.
(14) Sideshow
David takes a job as a stage hand for a carnival that is being plagued by disasters apparently caused by a mind reader.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Trapped in a fun house
Attacked by Benedict
My take
It must have been fun sitting in on writing sessions, coming up with unique occupations for David. 3 stars.
(15) Long Run Home
David takes a ride from a motorcyclist that takes him straight into the middle of a risky biker gang conflict.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Beat up by thugs in a bar fight
In a motorcycle accident
My take
As the kids say, meh. 2 stars.
(16) Falling Angels
David discovers that some of the young children at the orphanage he's working at are involved in a crime ring.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Locked in a dumpster
Locked in a room filled with poisonous gas
My take
Annette Charles with a memorable performance, but this could have been better. 3 stars.
(17) The Lottery
David wins the lottery, and wishes to use the money to buy equipment that could help him perform research needed to help him find a cure from his transformations. But he realizes that if he cashes in the winning ticket, his identity will be revealed. He asks a new friend to collect the money on his behalf, but the friend has other ideas that lead to trouble for David.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While trying to enter a hotel, a steam pipe bursts
Cuts hand on glass after being punched
My take
This could have been a 5 star episode, but the ending was just goofy. 3 stars.
(18) The Psychic
A psychic has the ability to see The Hulk in David, but she puts David in a bind when she predicts the death of Jack McGee. David believes The Hulk may have killed a young man, and the psychic arrives in time to save David from taking his own life, and David learns that The Hulk is not the killer.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Trying to save a man from fire
Shot at while trying to save McGee from being shot at
My take
A fantastic episode featuring Brenda Benet (Bixby's ex-wife) as the psychic. 5 stars.
(19) A Rock and a Hard Place
David is forced to cooperate with a gang of criminals planning a robbery, as well as the FBI agents that are after him. One side knows he transforms into The Hulk, and the other side knows that David Banner is alive.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Locked in a freezer
Thrown into a river while chained
My take
Another episode that could have been 4 or 5 stars, but the ending could have been better. 3 stars.
(20) Deathmask
David is implicated as the murderer of several young women, and is forced to contend with an angry mob while the real killer intends to kill the woman he has been seeing.
The "Hulk-Outs"
While trying to save Miriam from being assaulted
While attacked by angry protestors
My take
One of my all time favorite episodes. Great plot twist at the end. This is Gerald McRaney's fourth and final appearance on the show. 5 stars.
(21) Equinox
David finds himself at a masquerade ball with Jack McGee and a killer interested in ending the life of his boss. In this episode, McGee explains what his motives are for capturing The Hulk, and David explains why he wishes to be left alone.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Unsure - The Hulk is running away during opening credits
While trying to get away from McGee
Attacked by Diane's lackey
My take
Very unique storyline, I love the exchange between David and McGee in the costume room. 4 stars.
(22) Nine Hours
David has nine hours to outwit a group of mobsters and save the lives of a young boy and a reformed crime figure.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Falls into a well after being hit by a moving vehicle
While being shot at by mobsters in the hospital
My take
Marc Alaimo with a great performance. 3 stars.
(23) On the Line
David is accused of being an arsonist when forest fires start to ravage the area around him.
The "Hulk-Outs"
Tree falls on David during a forest fire
Fell from cliff while trying to prevent bomb from going off
My take
One thing I've noticed is that the season finales haven't been great through the first three seasons. Not bad, but not great. 3 stars.
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