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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:40:23 GMT -5
SEASON ONE This is a shortened season as the A-TEAM did not premiere until January. However, it had a beautiful pilot which was well written by both SJC and Frank Lupo and directed incredibly by Rod Holcomb. This season, though small, had everything which would make the A-TEAM a thriving success. It set up the characters well, including tag-along Amy Allen; showed how you hire the A-Team a number of different ways; showed great chases between the A-Team and the military; etc. I think that as you read through the guide you will see what a great series was crafted. I hope you enjoy reading my commentaries and notes on each episode of the first season. Enjoy.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:45:53 GMT -5
CHILDREN OF JAMESTOWN First aired: 1/30/1983 Production Code: 103A A desperate father calls for the A-Team to rescue his daughter. They succeed, but get captured by the kidnappers, a fanatic religious community. They decide that the A-Team shall die in a chivvy, where the team is the prey. Writer: Stephen J. Cannell Director: Christian I. Nyby II Guest star: John Saxon (Martin James), Ron Hayes (Tim), Gerrit Graham (Brother Stephen), Carol Jones (Sheila Rodgers), Fred Learner (Brother John), Bill Watson (man in hardhat), Victoria Lucas (girl), Sherilyn Wolter (Carolyn), John Carter (IV) (Unknown), Dean Wein (Unknown) Commentary:Probably one of THE best episodes of the entire season...and the series. It had non-stop action and showed how the team worked together to overcome some of the obstacles put in their way. It also showed how they could rely on each other without knowing what the other was up too. Some great lines of encouragement and taunting came as the team tried to help Amy come to terms with the fact that she might die. It was a great second episode. Notes:- It premiered right after the Super Bowl and had non-stop action. It was originally planned as the fourth episode, but was moved up to capitalize on the high percentage of people slated to watch the Super Bowl.
- This episode was put on after the Super Bowl because it allowed the team to have immediate action. There was no hiring of the A-Team...they started the episode ON a case, one of the few episodes they were not directly hired during the hour.
- While working on the pilot, NBC had decided that Amy Allen and Murdock should be edged out as the series progressed. However, after viewers saw them, they loved having them there, so NBC relented. Unfortunately, this meant that episodes has to be reworked. In this episode, Murdock is working on trying to get back to the team with help the whole time and is really not interacting with them much until the final part of the episode.
- Amy took over another part. The girl the A-TEAM originally rescued was supposed to be brought back with them and subjected to the same punishment. However, in the rewrite, Amy took over that role and the girl they rescued was taken to safety by Murdock. This allowed them both to be written back in to some degree.
Goof: When Hannibal gets out of the van in the camp, his handcuffs are open. He closes them by himself.
Goof: As Face and the farmers daughter are walking by one of the burned out jeeps, you can clearly see the smoke bomb, lodged in the engine, stop smoking. Special guest stars:- John Saxon would play the twisted Reverend James in this episode and would later return to play Kalem in MOVING TARGETS.
- John Carter (IV) would star in this episode as the father of the girl who was rescued by the A-Team. He would appear twice more in the A-Team...once as Jacob Edwards in the fifth season FAMILY REUNION. The other time he impersonated Hannibal Smith in the third season episode SHOWDOWN!
- Fred Lerner played Brother John in this episode of the A-Team. Previously, he had worked with SJC on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. He played Mike in the episode DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM.
- Dean Wein guest starred as Reverend James's second in command at the camp. Before that, he had guest-starred in two roles on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. In OPERATION: SPOILSPORT, he was the sergeant at the computer in the bunker. In THIS IS THE ONE THE SUIT WAS MEANT FOR, he played Mitchell.
- Carol Jones played Sheila Rodgers in this episode, the young girl that the A-Team is out to save. Her role was trimmed down when they brought Melinda Culea back on board and needed a way to get her back into the episode. Most GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fans would recognize her as Sandra, the abducted waitress in HOG WILD. However, she also guest-starred in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO pilot as Susan, the babysitter of Kevin Hinkley.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:46:16 GMT -5
PROS AND CONS First aired: 2/8/1983 Production Code: 104A B.A.'s friend is held in a prison where the director arranges fight-to-the-death-boxing matches whose winner gets released, only to be hunted down and killed. So the A-Team lets themselves be arrested. Inside B.A. soon has to prepare to fight. Writer: Stephen J. Cannell Director: Ron Satloff Guest star: Meeno Peluce (Joey), William Smith (I) (Jose Tataro), Clifton James (Warden Beal), Paul Koslo (Sneed), Red West (Unknown), Ken Norton (Unknown), Hugh Gillin (Unknown), Michael Greene (Unknown), Elsa Raven (Unknown) Commentary:To me, this is only a four bullet episode. It had some of the necessary action and adventure in it. Plus, we get to know more about B.A.'s side activities and his friends. We also get to see a first attempt by Dirk to break Murdock out of the V.A...only if peripherally. We get to see them work on creating the scam that will help Face fulfill his part of the operation. Some of the great aspects of the episode are watching Hannibal play a hairdresser, B.A. play mute, and Murdock have an obsession with trash bags. The fight scenes and such at the end are only so-so to me. Notes:- Face pretends to be the author of a novel Dr. Dwight Pepper. The photo on the back of the book - supposedly the proper Dr. Dwight Pepper - is actually a photo of Stephen J. Cannell, the producer of the series...and writer of this episode.
Special guest stars:- Clifton James played the evil warden in this episode...he would later play a corrupt sheriff in the episode THE WHITE BALLOT.
- William Smith (I) played Jase Tataro, B.A.'s friend. He would later reappear in the episode THE A-TEAM IS COMING, THE A-TEAM IS COMING as a Russian national Dimitri Shasta Kovich. He would hire the A-TEAM on the behalf of mother Russia.
- Hugh Gillin would guest star here as the sheriff, but to GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fans, he would be C.C. Smith from the second season episode WHO'S WOO IN AMERICA?
- Ken Norton guest starred as Jackhammer Jackson, one of the inmates sent to test out B.A. to see if he could fight or not. World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, 1978 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1992...and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1989.
- Elsa Raven would play the prison psychiatrist who almost caught Face and Amy lying about their identities and mission. She would later play Clara D*ckerson, a cleaning lady in the SHERIFFS OF RIVERTOWN.
- David A. Penhale would guest star as a maitre d' in this episode. He would return in the episode CUP A' JOE as Army Sergeant Burlow.
- Randal Patrick (I) would guest star twice on the A-TEAM: Once in this episode as Deputy Billy Robertson and once in the episode DEADLY MANEUVERS as the gate man. He also had a small part in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode THE SHOCK WILL KILL YOU as the rider of the horse that Bill and Pam commandeer.
- Duane Tucker played the first guard in this episode. In another performance, he would play a fireman. The episode was FIRE MAN in the series the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO.
- Nicholas Shields (I) would guest star in this episode as the second guard. He would later guest star on the A-Team as an unnamed character in the episode CHOPPING SPREE. He had previously appeared in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode TRAIN OF THOUGHT as a brakeman.
- Nick Dimitri, would guest star three times in unrelated roles. This episode and the episode BLOOD, SWEAT, AND CHEERS would have him as unnamed characters. However, in the episode RECIPE FOR HEAVY BREAD, Dimitri would play the character Solly.
- Paul Koslo would star as Deputy Sneed. He would return in a later episode as Tanen, one of the men who kidnap Murdock in order to try and snare the A-Team. He is also recognizable as Bad B from the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode HOG WILD.
- Red West rounds out this great collection of guest stars as Lt. Trask. He tries to arrest the A-TEAM, but gets calmed down by a fellow officer. He finally gets to arrest the A-Team after Hannibal drives his car through the police station wall. Red would star three more times on the A-TEAM: As Sinclair the storekeeper in SEMI-FRIENDLY PERSUASION; As Red in WAITING FOR INSANE WAYNE; and as Brooks in ALIVE AT FIVE.
Others will recognize him from his three guest appearances in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: As Cliff in HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID; As Bobo Blandin in IT'S ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE; and as Charley in DESPERADO.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:46:41 GMT -5
A SMALL AND DEADLY WAR First aired: 2/15/1983 Production Code: 105A A renegade S.W.A.T. unit can be hired to kill people. When another police officer learns about that, he hires the A-Team to uncover these techniques and protect his family. The A-Team has to fight hard against this well trained unit. Writer: Frank Lupo Director: Ron Satlof Guest star: Jack Ging (Stark) , Dean Stockwell (Collins), Norman Allen (Maloney), Al White (Meadows), Fil Formicola (Shaeffer), Carol Baxter (Unknown), Ismael 'East' Carlo (Unknown), Lew Palter (Unknown), Rhonda Shear (Unknown), David Morick (Mickey), Connie Downing (Waitress) Commentary:This is definitely a five bullet episode. Not only because of the great guest stars, but because the A-Team is hired to fight against the police. A police officer learns that others are crooked, but feels out of place hiring the A-TEAM, which is great. Plus, the cops are SWAT trained, so they know some of the moves that the A-TEAM might make. Amy even has a helpful role while trying to sabotage the police, both as a sewer for the microphone they want to hide and as bait for one of the cops. Notes:- Don't you think it's odd that the four cops were in just one cop car? Definitely not standard procedure.
- Murdock only wears one glove the entire episode.
- The comic book Murdock is shown reading is Fantastic Four #253, cover dated April 1983. Marvel comics released at this time were dated 4-6 months ahead of their actual printing, (insuring them longer shelf life for sell-through) which would place the production of this episode somewhere between November 1982 to January 1983.
Special guest stars:- Norman Alden guest starred as the client for the team. He would later reapper in the episode STEEL as Mickey Stern. He is probably well known to SJC fans as the father of Pamela Davidson. He guest-starred in THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode THE NEWLYWED GAME as her father, the first and last time he ever did so for the series...Bob Hastings played her father in the first season.
- Al White (I) guest starred as Meadows, one of the corrupt SWAT officers. He had guest-starred twice in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: Once as a gas station attendant in RESEDA ROSE; once as Captain Reilly in OPERATION: SPOILSPORT.
- This episode marks the first of two unrelated appearances by Carol Baxter. In this episode, she appears as a nurse. Later, she will be seen as Nurse Beth Billings in Steel.
- This would mark the first of four unrelated appearances for Ismael 'East' Carlo. He played the shopkeeper that Hannibal impersonates to prove that the SWAT team would commit murder. This is also the only episode where Carlo is not a bad guy. He would later appear as Salvador in THE ONLY CHUCH IN TOWN; as Cordoba in THE SHERIFFS OF RIVERTOWN; and as Alavarez in LEASE WITH AN OPTION TO DIE.
- Dean Stockwell, of QUANTUM LEAP fame, would make his one and only appearance on the A-TEAM as Collins, a member of the corrupt SWAT team...and the one who Amy seduces away from the others to get information from him.
- Last, but not least is Jack Ging. He played the SWAT Captain, Stark. This would be his first of two unrelated appearances where he is a bad guy. The other one would be BAD TIME ON THE BORDER where he plays Border Patrol Lt. Taggart.
He would eventually come back in the fourth season as General Bull Fulbright, the man assigned to capture the A-Team...and would become a regular guest-star. He is also recognizeable as Captain Tracy Winslow from the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:47:16 GMT -5
BLACK DAY AT BAD ROCK First aired: 2/22/1983 Production Code: 106A While treating a seriously wounded B.A., a suspicious small town doctor notifies the sheriff, who fears that B.A. may be part of a biker gang returning to free its jailed leader. Hannibal and Face get arrested, but manage to escape only to join up with the local sheriff to protect the town. Writer: Patrick Hasburgh Director: Christian I. Nyby II Guest star: William Frankfather (Neil Sullivan), Ed Lauter (Sheriff Thompson), Tricia O'Neil (Doctor Maggie Sullivan), John Dennis Johnston (Snake), Sid Haig (Jenko), Ted Gehring (Deputy Harms) Commentary:I only give this one four bullets because it is very similar to the GAH episode HOG WILD. Plus, it is one of the episodes that were originally written without Murdock and Amy. Most of the episode has the two of them catching up to the rest of the team, which can make those scenes boring and forced. I do love the interaction between Face and Hannibal as Hannibal is telling Face not to worry about B.A. beating him up. Notes:- This is the only episode in which Hannibal, Amy, Face, and Murdock all drive the A-Team van since B.A. is injured.
- B.A. and Murdock have AB Negative blood.
- Murdock is rhyming all of his sentences...and B.A. later does this too and is convinced that Murdock's blood has made him crazy.
- The first of two episodes where B.A. is injured. This injury occurs off-screen.
Special guest stars:- Ed Lauter would guest star as the Sheriff of Black Rock and arrest the A-Team. He would later join forces with them and work to rid the town of the rebel biker gang. He would guest star in the second season episode DEADLY MANEUVERS as Major Douglas Kyle, the man in charge of a squad that is out to eliminate the A-TEAM.
- This would be the first of two related appearances for Tricia O'Neil. She played Dr. Maggie Sullivan and helped to transfuse blood from Murdock to B.A. She would also be Hannibal's romantic interest and work to get them arrested. She would appear in the second season episode DEADLY MANEUVERS as Dr. Sullivan too and help Hannibal and the team recover from spiked milk.
- John Dennis Johnston would play Snake, the leader of the biker gang. He would later play Archer on the episode WASTE 'EM.
- Ted Gehring played Deputy Jack Harmson in this episode. He had previously played Lutz in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode HEAVEN IS IN YOUR GENES and a counterman in THERE'S JUST NO ACCOUNTING.
- This episode marks the first of two unrelated appearances by William Frankfather. In this episode, he appears as Neil Sullivan. Later, he will be seen as the man at the water pumping station in WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE. Most SJC fans will recognize him from his guest appearance on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO in the episode THE BEST DESK SCENARIO as Chet Kanaby.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:47:42 GMT -5
THE RABBIT WHO ATE LAS VEGAS First aired: 3/1/1983 Production Code: 107A The A-Team gets involved in a mob power play when two girls ask them to find their college professor who went to Las Vegas with a perfect gambling system and never came back. In Las Vegas they manage to free the professor, but the casino owner and kidnapper has been murdered. The A-Team has to escape and prove their innocence. Writer: Frank Lupo Director: Bruce Kessler Guest star: Charles Cioffi (Gianni Christian), Richard Romanus (Martell), Tracy Scoggins (Elly Payne), Terence McGovern (Warfel), Luke Andrews (Jilly) Commentary:Definitely a five bullet episode. This one has pretty girls, the hiring of the A-Team, great action by all of the main characters, a portion of the plan backfiring, etc. This one is great for all of the interaction between the leads, including Face and Amy when they pretend to be newlyweds. Notes:- When the team first enters the Elvis Presley suite, there's a (supposedly) marble statue to the left of the doorway. When the door swings open, the slight impact is enough to make the whole statue wobble. Marble usually doesn't wobble.
- This episode has the first on-screen death that we see in the A-TEAM. The bad guy is chucked out of a window and lands in a pool. It is later heard on the radio that he is dead. Then, later, Hannibal talks about how the other bad guy, Martel, was probably broken out of jail so he could be killed due to a note Hannibal left on the scene.
- Murdock is intent upon Woody Woodpecker but can casually discuss the mathematical system the professor they rescued came up with.
- We see that Hannibal has a pot of flowers when he arrives at the hotel. Yet, when they leave the front desk, no one is carrying them. But, the next scene shows B.A. carrying them into the suite.
- This is the first episode where the A-TEAM actually gets paid in advance and has money to work with for the operation.
- This is the first episode where we find out that they don't scam everything. Face talks about a bus rental receipt.
- During the chase scene after the murder of the Christian, you can see that the stunt driver is wearing a GREATEST AMERICAN HERO shirt. Kudos to the J-MAN on the THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO forum for noticing this: Reply #39. We see this same chase scene used again in A NICE PLACE TO VISIT. (Even though the image is gone from the forum, you can read his analysis of it).
- This is the second time we have heard Murdock allude to the fact that he has had or been threatened with electroshock therapy. The other was in the pilot.
- We see stock footage of the air tower control that was used several times in THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, especially the episode THE GOOD SAMARITAN when Ralph flies by the window at the end.
- We see another GAH connection: The A-TEAM is out to rescue Bruce Warfel. In the GAH episode CAPTAIN BELLYBUSTER AND THE SPEED FACTORY, the team has to stop newspaper reporter Bruce Warfel from publishing. {The man who played Warfel in the GAH episode would later guest star on the A-Team}.
Special guest stars:- Richard Romanus played Jack Martel, the ultimate bad guy who killed his boss and framed the A-Team. He would later appear in ALIVE AT FIVE as Joey Tedesco.
- Luke Andreas starred as Jilly, one of Christian's men. He would later guest star in STEEL as Jules. Before that he was seen on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM as Jilly Mitchell.
- Christopher Thomas (I) is uncredited in his A-TEAM apperance, but he was credited twice in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: Once for being the bombmaker in CLASSICAL GAS and the second time as Craig in SATURDAY ON SUNSET BOULEVARD.
- Tracy Scoggins would guest star as hooker Elly Payne this time. Her second appearance would be in THERE'S ALWAYS A CATCH where she is the client of the A-Team.
- James Dybas would play a simple doorman in this episode of the A-Team, which is quite a step down after having played a medical expert on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO in the episode PLAGUE.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:48:10 GMT -5
THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS First aired: 3/15/1983 Production Code: 108A The A-Team takes up the cause of New York shopkeepers against neighborhood protection racketeers. Everything seems to go easily, till the final big fight. Writer: Frank Lupo Director: Chuck Bowman Guest star: Yaphet Kotto (Charlie), Albert Popwell (Digger), Robert Tessier (Scully), Wendy Hoffman (Tracy), Billy Jayne (Nicky), Priscilla Pointer (Unknown), Jack Kruschen (Unknown), J. Jay Saunders (Unknown), Martin Garner (Unknown), Peter Iacangelo (Unknown), Joni Demarest (Rita), Howard Vann (Airport Guard) Commentary:This was a great episode in the fact that they went to New York and set up shop so to speak. Hannibal had a great character interaction and we get to see B.A. try to turn on the charm. Amy and Face started out in advance. The fight scene on the streets of New York was classic too. The only reason it didn't get five bullets was that some of the secondary acting by Amy and the guest stars was not really that involved and seemed forced. Great first season episode overall though. Notes:Goof:For being in New York City, it is great that there are palm trees in the background. Special guest stars:- Robert Tessier would play Scully in this episode, one of the bad guys in the episode. He would return in the third season finale INCIDENT AT CRYSTAL LAKE as the mute on the bad A-Team.
- Billy Jayne would guest star in this episode as Nicky, but he would later return in the episode THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY as Jeffery.
- Peter Iacangelo would guest star in this episode and the fifth season CRYSTAL SKULL, but he is not listed with any specific character in either episode.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:48:40 GMT -5
HOLIDAY IN THE HILLS First aired: 3/22/1983 Production Code: 109A B.A.'s fear of flying is justified when the A-Team's plane crashes in the backwoods. While searching the next village, they rescue a man who is burned on a stake. Soon the A-Team has to retreat and defend their place by the airplane. Writer: Babs Greyhosky Director: Arnold Laven Guest star: Edward Winter (Mitchell Barnes), Bill McKinney (Clint), Denise Galik-Furey (Louanne), Philip Sterling (Grant Eldridge), Mickey Jones (Unknown), James Beach (Unknown) Commentary:This episode was not bad because any chance to play on B.A's fear of flying is good. But there were too many inconsistencies in the plot and the way it was written that it became repetitive and not as exciting as other first season episodes were. I did like how Amy had an active role in trying to keep the military away from the A-Team, but that was mainly at the end. Otherwise, her bit was somewhat forced. Notes:- Melinda Culea does not have a dialogue with the rest of the regular cast in this episode.
- Continuous reference to South Carolina, but they never fly over it from Guatemala. Also, it would take days to ride a bus from South Carolina to California, yet they show up the same day when Amy is still being followed.
- The flying scene that Murdock has on the contraption they built was a reference to the movie THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX.
- The entire opening sequence (except for a brief shot of Frankie climbing onto the plane) would be recycled and used for the fifth season WITHOUT RESERVATIONS.
Goof: When Hannibal is trying to draw the hillbillies' attention away from the crash site, he jumps and hides in the water until they pass him. Then he runs back to the A-Team and his clothes are dry. Special guest stars:- This would be the first of two unrelated appearances by Edward Winter. He would play Reporter Mitchell Barnes in this episode, but would later return to play Racketeer Johnny Royce in the episode ROAD GAMES. Most GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fans would remember him as Charlie Wilde in the episode CLASSICAL GAS.
- Philip Sterling would make his second and final appearance as Amy's boss Grant Eldridge. His first appearance was in the pilot.
- Bill McKinney would make his first of two unrelated appearances in this episode. He played Clint, the leader of the hillbilly gang and father of Louanne. In his next appearance, he would play Royko in BOUNTY as one of the men who kidnap Murdock.
- Mickey Jones (I) would make his first of two appearances as well. He would guest star as one of the hillbilly mob here, but would later play DJ Cowboy Billy Bob in the episode BOUNTY.
- Gary Lee Davis would have no-named guest star parts in two episodes of the A-TEAM: This one and the episode CUP A' JOE. The GREATEST AMERICAN HERO utilized him to guest star in the episode HOG WILD as Ted.
- James Beach would make his second and final A-TEAM appearance as an unnamed character. His first appearance was in the pilot as an Aide. He is perhaps better known to SJC fans as guest-starring in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode SPACE RANGER as Oscar.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:49:04 GMT -5
WEST COAST TURNAROUND First aired: 4/5/1983 Production Code: 110A The A-Team delivers produce to the market for a farmer who is slowly being driven out of business by a land-hungry rancher. The A-Team has to fight against time, since their delivery starts to rot. Writer: Patrick Hasburgh, Stephen J. Cannell Director: Guy Magar Guest star: Stuart Whitman (Easterland), Devon Ericson (Ellen), Robert Sampson (Joe Penhall), Michael Alldredge (Whitaker), Tom McFadden (Unknown), Tim Russovich (Unknown), Caskey Swain (Unknown), Jim Boeke (Unknown), Dennis Haysbert (V.A. Doctor) Commentary:This is one of the best first season episodes in my mind. It has the whole team involved...big rigs crashing through stuff, which is great. It has great guest stars and lines...including Murdock's invisible dog, Billy. It even has a scene of Face trying to con Amy. This is priceless A-Team. Notes:Continuity error: After Hannibal throws the melon and breaks the pickup's windshield, we see it flip over and crash with the windshield intact. Goof:During the climactic chase, Hannibal drops a watermelon that smashes through the windshield of a pickup truck. The truck subsequently goes out of control and crashes, but during the crash the windshield is somehow completely in place. Goof:When Amy lends her new car to the team the Le Car that was on the side has disappeared. Crew or equipment visible: About three minutes into the episode, an eighteen-wheeler swerves to avoid two cars in the middle of the road, then flips on its side. As it is landing on its side, there is a stuntman visible behind the steering wheel, wearing a helmet. Goof:Variable weather (from rain to dusty sun in the blink of an eye) during Mr. Easterland's roadblock fiasco. Special guest stars:- This would be the first of four unrelated A-TEAM appearances for Michael Alldredge. He played Whitaker in this episode; he would play two different characters with the name "Don" in RECIPE FOR HEAVY BREAD and in STEEL; and he would play Colonel Twill in THE BELLS OF ST. MARY'S. GREATEST AMERICAN HERO fans would recognize him as Vern from DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM.
- Tim Rossovich would guest star in this episode as an unnamed character. However, he would return as Boyle in the episode STEEL.
- Stuart Whitman would guest star as Chuck Easterland in this episode. He would appear in the fourth season episode BLOOD, SWEAT, AND CHEERS as Jack Harmon, a relative of Hannibal.
- Jim Boeke would guest star four times in unnamed roles for the A-TEAM. Besides this one, he would be in LABOR PAINS, CUP A' JOE, and COWBOY GEORGE.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:49:29 GMT -5
ONE MORE TIME First aired: 4/12/1983 Production Code: 111A Colonel Lynch finally captures the A-Team, but higher authorities assign the A-Team to rescue an army general and his daughter from kidnappers in Borneo (Indonesia). Writer: Patrick Hasburgh, Frank Lupo Director: Arnold Laven Guest star: Nico Minardos (Rashaad), Warren Kemmerling (Gen. Ludlam), Amy Steel (Kathy Ludlam), Alan Fudge (Parry), Edward Grover (Unknown), Danny Wells (Unknown), Barbara Horan (Unknown), Dennis Haysbert (Unknown), Casey King (Unknown), Patrick Cameron (Guard), Rick Fitts (Burrows), Robert Madrid (Sergeant at Arms), Judd Omen (Guerrilla) Commentary:This story idea from Babs Greyhosky was well written by Frank Lupo and Patrick Hasburgh. Although the episode is well-written and acted, it was hard to give it more than three bullets. The main reason why is that Amy and Murdock are again playing "catch-up" to the rest of the squad, making it feel like this episode had to be rewritten after Murdock and Amy were kept by NBC. Plus, they got to do very little with the action and some of their scenes were forced or not well-explained. The episode is great overall because it has Colonel Lynch catching the A-Team and then losing them again because of the government interference, but it was just not great enough to warrant more bullets. Notes:- We learn that Hannibal does acting other than monster movies. In the opening moments he plays a homeless woman that gets terrorized by a different monster.
- We learn that Hannibal's acting alias in this episode is "Lynch."
- This is one of the few episodes where B.A. is driving something other than the van.
- This is William Lucking's last guest appearance in the first season. He won't be seen again until the season 3 episode SHOWDOWN!
- Murdock mentions that the phrase "Bail out over Borneo" would make a great song. There is no real song by this name.
Revealing mistakes: During the escape Hannibal jumps RaShaam. In this shot you can see the stuntdouble's face. This is pretty evident in every episode, but even more so hear because the stunt double continues to play Hannibal during the rest of the fight scene too.
Goof: When Hannibal and Face are on a motorcycle and being chased by Lynch it is obvious that during the jumps that there is a dummy on the back of the motorcycle. Special guest stars:- This would be the first of three unrelated A-TEAM appearances for Alan Fudge. He played Mr. Perry for the State Department in this episode. He would later play Frank Gaines in WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE. He would appear for the last time in the episode FIRE as Attorney Elliot Farnell. Before he guest-starred on the A-TEAM, he would guest star on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode LIVE AT ELEVEN as Chuck Cole.
- Nico Minardos, the man who played Rashaad in this episode, had previously guest starred on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO as King Abu al-Fahad in the third season episode WIZARDS AND WARLOCKS.
- Danny Wells (I) would guest star in this episode as the director that tries to keep Lynch from arresting Hannibal so he can finish shooting the scene. He would appear three more times in the A-TEAM. Once as Artie Simmons in the episode CURTAIN CALL. He would guest star as an unnamed character in the third season two-hour long episode THE BEND IN THE RIVER.
- Dean Santoro had an unnamed character in his one and only A-TEAM appearance, but fans of SJC works would recognize him as Jackson from the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode DIVORCE VENUSIAN STYLE.
- Before AllState was in good hands, Murdock was in them. Dennis Haybert, popular actor and celebrity figure for AllState, guest-starred as a member of Murdock's psych ward staff in this episode.
- Edward Grover would star in this episode as Major Briggs and help the A-Team get the supplies they needed to bail out over Borneo. Most SJC fans would recognize him from his bad guy performance in the second season GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode PLAGUE as Bunker.
- Judd Omen would guest star in this episode as one of the guerillas in Borneo. He would guest star two other times in unnamed character parts in THE ONLY CHURCH IN TOWN and WHEEL OF FORTUNE. He had previously starred in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode TRAIN OF THOUGHT as Mohammed.
- Rick Fitts (I) would guest star in this episode as Burrows, but his second A-TEAM appearance would be in the episode THE DUKE OF WHISPERING PINES as Jason Duke...the man who married B.A.'s former sweetheart.
- Robb Madrid would guest star as the Sergeant at Arms in this episode, but his second and final A-TEAM apperance would be in the episode HOT STYLES as Barris.
- Patrick Cameron would star as a guard in this episode, but in the third season episode BREAKOUT!, he would play a deputy sheriff. In the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode NOW YOU SEE IT, he would play the character Smitty.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:49:58 GMT -5
TIL DEATH DO US PART First aired: 4/19/1983 Production Code: 112A The A-Team has to rescue a reluctant bride being forced to marry her late father's business partner, who is also the murderer of her father. The A-Team is a bit late, so one of the Team members have to walk to the altar. Writer: Babs Greyhosky Director: Guy Magar Guest star: Janice Heiden (Jackie Taylor), John Erickson (Calvin Cutter), Jim Antonio (Sheriff), Noble Willingham (Unknown), Billy Green Bush (Unknown), Tony Dale (Unknown), Lesley Woods (Unknown), Jenny Neumann (Unknown), Sy Kramer (Unknown), Kenneth White (Unknown), Jack Garner (Tekan), Tom Pletts (Justice of the Peace), Gordon Hurst (Gas Station Attendant), Terrance Bensor (Minister) Commentary:I know some A-TEAM fans will disagree, but I think this is a three bullet performance. In most minds, you either love or hate this episode, but I am pretty evenly split. You get to see the whole team interacting on a case, even Amy. We get to see Murdock play some crazy parts and B.A. jump out of a cake. Plus, there is the intrigue of the story itself. Most of the action is basic and boring, but the helicopter chase does have great moments such as Murdock stopping for gas when the gas tank was hit. Notes:Continuity: During the helicopter chase Face throws oil on the other helicopter. In the first shots it's used oil (black), then it's unused oil (brown) and then it's used oil again. Errors in geography: The episode purports to take place in Wilson County, Texas, and a sign shows that Wilson County is 60 miles from Dallas. In reality, Wilson County is on the southern border of Bexar County, where San Antonio is, and is around 250 miles south of Dallas. Also, the episodes features mountains, which do not exist in that area of Texas. Special guest stars:- Before Noble Willingham would go on to star opposite Chuck Norris, he had two small roles in the A-TEAM. His first one was as Pete the TV station manager in this episode. His second appearance would be as Zack, the client of the A-TEAM in the episode THE LITTLE TOWN WITH AN ACCENT.
- Lesley Woods (I) would star twice in the A-TEAM. She was Calvin Cutter's secretary in this episode. She would later guest star in the episode IN PLANE SIGHT as Carrie Hicks. A previous appearance had been on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO as an unnamed character in IT'S ONLY ROCK AND ROLL.
- Tom Pletts would only make one appearance in the A-TEAM as the Justice of the Peace that marries Face to Jackie. Prior to that he married Ralph and Pam in THE NEWLYWED GAME episode of the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. His other GREATEST AMERICAN HERO performance was in THE BEST DESK SCENARIO as Agent Genesta.
- Terrence Beasor would guest star on the A-TEAM too, also guest starring in this episode as the minister who was to marry Jackie and Cutter. He had previously guest-starred twice on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO: Once as Schneider in LIVE AT ELEVEN and as the County Sheriff in HOG WILD.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:50:26 GMT -5
THE BEAST FROM THE BELLY OF A BOEING First aired: 5/3/1983 Production Code: 113A The A-Team is called to rescue a hijacked 747 when the police shouldn't get involved. So the Team plans to go on board. When B.A. realises he sits in an airplane, he enters a state of paralytic comatose. When Hannibal and Face are captured, Murdock has to free them. But how to land this plane, when Murdock is blinded? Writer: Patrick Hasburgh Director: Ron Satloff Guest star: Andrew Robinson (Jackson), Alan Stock (Thomas), Jim McKrell (Hertzog), Michael Swan (Trigg), Jesse D. Goins (Phillips), Milt Kogan (Unknown), Xander Berkeley (Unknown), Scott Lincoln (Unknown), Mary Kate McGeehan (Unknown), Melvin F. Allen (Orderly), Tony Brubaker (Marty), Wayne Storm (Guard), Steve Chambers (Price) Commentary:Overall, this was a great episode. It had Murdock being released from the V.A. as sane. It had B.A. being catatonic and unable to help rescue Face and Hannibal. It had some great lines by the cast and a great action scene aboard the plane, including B.A. saving a hand-cuffed Hannibal from flying out of the plane. Even Amy helped by saving the team from dying by holding a gun to the head of people who could tell Hannibal how to safely land. The only bad things were that Murdock's blindness seemed too forced and that we never really get any closure about what happened to the bad guys. This really made it less than a five bullet episode, but not by much. Notes:The Scene Of The Jet Crashing Into The Terminal Is From The Comedy Movie "AirPlane." Goof:Watch carefully at the scene where the plane crashes through the terminal. A lady tosses her prop baby up in the air. Continuity: The hijacked plane starts out as a Boeing 747. When they land to refuel and exchange passengers, it becomes a Lockheed TriStar. It changes back to a 747 in subsequent shots. Factual errors: The lower level galley used by Murdock to gain access can only be found on either a DC-10 or Lockheed TriStar and not a Boeing 747. Goof:B.A. and Murdock are filling the plane with gas while Hannibal and Face board. Yet, the plane starts to take off, even though it is still attached to the gas truck. This should have caused a giant fireball, but seemed to be handled in a routine manner and no notice was taken by anyone. Special guest stars:- Andrew Robinson would guest star in this episode as Jackson, the bad guy. He would later star as Deputy Rance in THE WHITE BALLOT. He is probably best known to SJC fans for his role of Chris Stofford in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode THE RESURRECTION OF CARLINI.
- Jim McKrell would guest star in this episode as Airline Pilot Larry Hertzog and try to help Hannibal land the plane over the microphone. Previously he had guest starred as the second Biff Anderson in JUST ANOTHER THREE RING CIRCUS, a second season GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode.
- Milt Kogan would guest star in this episode as T.K. and dress up as a fake doctor. Two other times he would star as a real doctor on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO series: Once as Dr. Moran in DREAMS...and the second time as the doctor in TRAIN OF THOUGHT.
- Xander Berkeley would guest star as Baker in this episode. The next time we see him would be in the third season episode SHOWDOWN where he plays Lt. Wilson-Army Intelligence.
- Melvin Allen would have two unrelated performances on the A-TEAM. In this episode he played an orderly at the V.A. In his second appearance, he was a truck driver in WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE. Before his stint on the A-TEAM, he guest starred three times on the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. He was an unnmamed man in THE HIT CAR; Arnold Diggs in PLAGUE; and a security guard in LIVE AT ELEVEN.
- Tony Brubaker guest starred as Marty in this episode. He would return in the episode THE ONLY CHURCH IN TOWN as Bantu. Though he might be hard to spot, he was in a number of GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episodes doing stunts.
- Wayne Storm became somewhat typecast in his SJC roles. In this episode he plays a guard. In his GREATEST AMERICAN HERO performance, he was a police officer in DIVORCE VENUSIAN STYLE.
- Steven Chambers' only acting job on the A-TEAM was as Price in this episode. However, he (like Tony Brubaker) was a stuntman for THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO.
- Speaking of fame through THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, Jesse D. Goins played Cyler all three seasons of that series. He would guest-star in this episode as Phillips, one of the men who took over the airplane.
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Post by HoudiniDerek on Jan 27, 2008 23:50:49 GMT -5
A NICE PLACE TO VISIT First aired: 5/10/1983 Production Code: 114A When one of their former colleagues is murdered in a small town by a gang of murders, the A-Team prepares to hit back! Writer: Frank Lupo Director: Bernard McEveety Guest star: Joanna Kerns (Trish Brenner), Burton Gilliam (Sheriff), Don Stroud (Deke), Robert F. Lyons (Harold), Ted Markland (Logan), Kelbe Nugent (Lianne), Sandy Ward (Unknown), M.C. Gainey (Unknown), Georgie Paul (Unknown), Johnny Crear (Arnold), Tony Epper (Curly), William Dyer (Minister) Commentary:This is a five bullet episode in my opinion. We get to meet people that knew the A-Team personally and find out that he had stood by them during the trial. We also get a great performance from Joanna Kerns and good fighting back by Amy. The team also get beat up and left outside of town and have to hurry back to the scene, the first time we see something like this. The fight scene at the end is classic A-Team and a great way to end the first season. The only thing that keeps this from being the perfect episode are the flashbacks. Hannibal and B.A. had great recollections and Murdock's was decent. Only Face had a weak story to tell and that threw off the pace for a few minutes. Notes:- In the picture with Ray and the A-TEAM, you can see B.A. glaring at Murdock instead of looking at the camera.
- There is not a 21-gun salute at the funeral of Ray since there are only three members able to present arms.
- Notice that the station wagon and the HIT CAR from the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO are used here as junkyard fodder.
- Notice that the shirt Murdock is wearing in this episode is also the one he wears to start off the second season episode DIAMONDS 'N DUST.
Special guest stars:- Ted Markland would guest star in this episode as Logan Watkins. He would later guest star as Giddings in LABOR PAINS.
- Sandy Ward played Lianne's Father and the owner of the diner in this episode of the A-TEAM. Before he took on this role, he was Lt. Rafferty in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode FIRE MAN.
- Don Stroud would guest star as a bad guy twice on the A-TEAM...once in this episode as Deke Watkins...the second time as Tyler in the episode KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD.
- Georgie Paul would guest star as an unnamed character in this episode of the A-TEAM. Prior to this, she had guest starred in the third season episode THIRTY SECONDS OVER LITTLE TOKYO in the series THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO as the landlady.
- Johnny Crear would guest star in this episode of the A-TEAM as Arnold. A prior appearance in an SJC production was in THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO episode DREAMS as Matty.
- Tony Epper (I) guest starred twice in the A-TEAM. In this episode he played Curly Watkins. He would guest star a second time as Baker in the episode DIAMONDS 'N DUST. Before this, he had guest starred as a gunman in SATURDAY ON SUNSET BOULEVARD in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO.
- Bill Dyer (III) guest starred eight different times in the A-TEAM. He was the minister at the funeral in this episode; the train engineer Wesley in both parts of the episode WHEN YOU COMIN' BACK, RANGE RIDER?; an old villager in the episode THE ISLAND; as Claude the violinist in THE BIG SQUEEZE; as a wino in THE ROAD TO HOPE; as the reverend in WAITING FOR INSANE WAYNE; as Father Stellini in the episode FIRING LINE; and as Douglas in the episode THE SPY WHO MUGGED ME. Dyer is the only guest star to be in all five seasons of the A-TEAM.
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