The Return of the Incredible Hulk

This episode will always have a special place in my heart. I don't often get emotional over TV, especially nowadays but this episode gets me every time I see it. The performances by the main three people in this episode are wonderful. Bill Bixby is great. Laurie Prange who plays the crippled girl is perfect. Anytime I see her in anything else I remember her outstanding performance from this episode. She had such a sweet and gentle way about her. Finally John Mcliam as the old man who did not want to get involved until the end was fantastic. I have seen him in a lot of different TV shows over time and he's always great. The show as a whole always kind of makes me sad. David Banner always helps someone in need and then he has to leave in the end. The piano tune always plays at the end to keep the saddening mood. Still this is a very good show.

It's been a few weeks since David Banner escaped his former life and he's on the road hoping to find a cure for his illness which makes him change into the raging Hulk. On the way he encounters a would be heiress who's lost the use of her legs due to psychological trauma when her father died and she narrowly escaped. David also uncovers a devious plot involving the girl's stepmother.

The second TV movie leading up to the series. David transforms into the Hulk several times and has some memorable clashes, particularly the one with the grizzly bear. The film is well written by series creator Kenneth Johnson but it does feel a bit stretched. But no matter, it's still loads of fun for a fan. Bill Bixby is, as always, very appealing as Banner and equally good is Lou Ferrigno as the Green Giant.

As said, the film feels a bit stretched but it's always entertaining and probably gave a good promise for the series to come.

Second instalment of The Incredible Hulk has the good doctor roaming the California highways through orchard country. He comes across a young lady - an heiress - struggling to walk.

Turns out it's a murder plot and a pretty good one.

The episode really belongs to Laurie Prange as the supposedly crippled young lady. She's the emotional centre of the episode. Not only does she have her own journey, but she helps the local alcoholic - admirably played by John McLiam - find redemption, too.

A couple of other fine performances by TV veterans including William Daniels and Mills Watson. Both still alive as of this writing.

But I gotta mention the grizzly wrestling scene. OK, I realize it's a Hollywood grizzly. Maybe even the same one from Grizzly Adams. But by gawd any stuntman who gets into the swamp - either dressed as Bill Bixby or Green Lou Ferrigno - with a 500-pound killing machine - gets my respect. I mean, the stunt guys aren't just feeding the grizzly some berries, they're wrestling it.

Considering this is based on a comic book character, this is a surprisingly mature show that actually respects its audience.

David Banner continues on the run from Jack McGee and the authorities, with everyone believing that he was killed along with Elaina.

Still trying to find a cure, David 'Benton' accidentally finds himself in the middle of a plot to kill a young, crippled girl named Julie Griffith (Laurie Prange) so her greedy stepmother and physician (William Daniels) can inherit the fortune left behind by her late father.

A top notch TV film linked from two episodes featuring David Banner and his green alter-ego - loved the mystery/intrigue aspect regarding a heiress getting poisoned by her stepmother and the dear old doctor. Well-written and sharply turned out. Loved the swamp scenes, quite tense. Good action featuring the not-so-jolly green giant (Lou Ferigno) who wrecks a hut with abandonment. Bill Bixby is excellent as always as David Banner; he's perfect in the role.

The second episode and again full feature length of 95 minutes. Now that Dr Banner knows he's in trouble with is body as seen in episode one he wanders around searching for a hospital to find out what went wrong and to solve his disease. He can't use his real name and hitchhike across the country. When going into a field to pick a fresh orange he sees a girl falling, picks her up and takes her to a nearby mansion.

The girl getting medication, being a doctor, David notice that the drug being given never can be the colour it has. Something's wrong so he has to save the girl.

David of course get in trouble and changes a few times into the Hulk. Notorious is the scene with the grizzly bear. A must see for all fans. It's a bit slower than episode one but still it's watchable for the time it was made. Excellent performance by Bill Bixby.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0/5