Episode 1 – The Six Million Dollar Man Pilot
April 20, 2018
Episode 3 – Knight Rider Pilot
May 4, 2018
On Episode two we dig into The Greatest American Hero pilot. Come join us!
William Katt reading for Star Wars with Kurt Russell!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79XY3d6-tiY
And just for fun, George’s phone message from Seinfeld.
The pilot episode of The Greatest American Hero premiered on March 18, 1981, introducing audiences to a mix of action, comedy, and superhero drama that quickly made it a memorable part of 1980s television. Created by Stephen J. Cannell, this unique take on the superhero genre featured an ordinary man given extraordinary powers, but with a crucial twist: he has no idea how to use them. The pilot serves as the foundation for Ralph Hinkley’s transformation into the titular hero and sets up key relationships and themes that shape the rest of the series.
Ralph Hinkley: The Unlikely Hero
At the center of the story is Ralph Hinkley, played by William Katt, an ordinary high school teacher who becomes the most reluctant superhero imaginable. His journey begins on a field trip with his special education students to a desert in Southern California. Unbeknownst to Ralph, this routine excursion is about to change his life forever. William Katt’s portrayal of Ralph combines a mix of everyman charm, confusion, and reluctance, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist. From the start, Ralph is not the confident, capable hero one might expect. Instead, he struggles with self-doubt and an overwhelming sense of responsibility thrust upon him by forces beyond his control.
The Encounter with the Unknown
During the field trip, Ralph’s bus mysteriously breaks down in the middle of nowhere, setting up the fateful encounter. That evening, while Ralph is attempting to walk back to the highway to get help, he comes across an alien spaceship. The spacecraft, glowing and ominous, makes its grand entrance, leaving Ralph stunned. This moment shifts the episode from the mundane world of a teacher struggling with everyday challenges to a surreal, otherworldly adventure.
Ralph is approached by a group of extraterrestrials who deliver a strange, red suit. They inform Ralph that this suit will grant him superhuman abilities, and that he is now responsible for saving the world from various threats. However, they leave him with one critical problem: Ralph loses the instruction manual for the suit almost immediately after receiving it. This loss becomes one of the defining characteristics of The Greatest American Hero, as Ralph spends much of the series learning how to use the suit’s powers through trial and error. His lack of control over the suit creates both comedic and dramatic tension, as his powers frequently malfunction or backfire.
Bill Maxwell: The Skeptical Ally
While Ralph is grappling with his new responsibilities, he encounters Bill Maxwell, played by Robert Culp, a hard-nosed FBI agent who witnessed the alien encounter. Bill is a straight-laced, no-nonsense lawman with a deep distrust of anything that disrupts his worldview. Initially skeptical of Ralph’s powers, Bill eventually becomes Ralph’s ally, though their relationship is far from smooth. The contrast between Ralph’s uncertainty and Bill’s staunch belief in traditional authority creates a dynamic tension throughout the pilot and the series as a whole.
One of the standout elements of the pilot episode is the interplay between Ralph and Bill. While Ralph is hesitant and overwhelmed by the suit, Bill is determined to use it as a weapon in his fight against crime. Their partnership forms the backbone of the series, as Bill pushes Ralph to act while Ralph struggles to balance his newfound responsibilities with his desire to remain a normal teacher. This dichotomy is a driving force in the show, and the pilot effectively establishes their conflicting motivations.
The Suit: A Source of Comedy and Conflict
The red suit given to Ralph by the aliens is the key to the show’s unique appeal. It grants him various superpowers, including flight, super strength, and invisibility, but without the instruction manual, Ralph is left to figure out how to use these powers on his own. His first attempt at flying, for example, results in a crash landing, and much of the humor in the pilot comes from Ralph’s clumsy attempts to control the suit.
This theme of a hero who is far from perfect was revolutionary for the time, as most superhero stories of the era featured characters who were fully capable and confident in their abilities. Ralph’s struggle with the suit makes him a more relatable and human character, as he faces the same challenges of learning and self-improvement that viewers can identify with. The suit also serves as a source of conflict between Ralph and Bill, as Bill wants to use its powers for the greater good, while Ralph is more focused on understanding his new role and avoiding danger.
The Villains: Corruption and Conspiracy
The pilot episode also introduces the first of many enemies Ralph will face as The Greatest American Hero. In this case, Ralph and Bill must work together to stop a dangerous political conspiracy involving a corrupt businessman and a plot to assassinate a high-profile politician. The stakes are high, and the episode’s tension builds as Ralph struggles to harness the suit’s powers to prevent a catastrophic event.
This plotline underscores one of the key themes of The Greatest American Hero: the intersection of ordinary life and extraordinary events. Ralph is not just fighting supervillains or cosmic threats—he’s also dealing with real-world issues like corruption, conspiracy, and political intrigue. This grounding in reality helps set the show apart from more fantastical superhero stories, giving it a relatable edge that appeals to a broader audience.
Ralph’s Role as a Teacher
An often-overlooked aspect of the pilot episode is Ralph’s role as a high school teacher. His students, who are considered “problematic” or “at-risk,” are an important part of his character development. Ralph’s genuine care for his students, despite their behavioral issues, shows his compassionate and responsible nature. It’s this dedication to helping others, both in and out of the classroom, that makes Ralph an ideal candidate for the role of superhero—even if he doesn’t feel ready for it himself.
The pilot does an excellent job of balancing Ralph’s dual identities as both a teacher and a hero. His students are present during his initial encounter with the aliens, and their reactions to the strange events unfolding around them add an extra layer of humor and realism to the story. Throughout the series, Ralph’s interactions with his students often serve as a grounding force, reminding him of the importance of his role as a mentor and protector.
Themes of Responsibility and Growth
At its core, the pilot episode of The Greatest American Hero explores themes of responsibility, personal growth, and the challenges of living up to one’s potential. Ralph Hinkley is not the typical superhero—he’s flawed, hesitant, and unsure of himself. But it’s precisely these qualities that make him such a compelling character. The aliens’ decision to give Ralph the suit reflects a belief in his inherent goodness and ability to rise to the occasion, even if he doesn’t believe in himself.
This theme of growth is further emphasized in Ralph’s interactions with Bill and his students. As Ralph learns to control the suit and embrace his new role, he also grows as a person, developing a greater sense of confidence and purpose. His journey is not just about saving the world—it’s about becoming the best version of himself, both as a teacher and a hero.
A New Kind of Superhero Story
The pilot episode of The Greatest American Hero sets the tone for a series that blends humor, action, and heartfelt moments into a unique take on the superhero genre. Ralph Hinkley is an everyman thrust into an extraordinary situation, and his struggles with the alien suit provide a fresh and often humorous perspective on what it means to be a hero. The show’s focus on personal growth, responsibility, and the challenges of balancing everyday life with extraordinary abilities resonates with viewers and helps make The Greatest American Hero a standout in the world of 1980s television.
As Ralph continues to learn the ropes of being a superhero, audiences are treated to a story that is as much about self-discovery as it is about stopping bad guys. The pilot episode lays the groundwork for a series that is both fun and thought-provoking, offering a new kind of hero for a new generation of viewers.
