The Incredible Hulk--
"The First" (Part Two)
The Frye-creature rages on, running through the forest, uprooting trees, attacking animals--feeding on years of pent-up anger now set free. After a time, the creature transforms back to a teary-eyed Dell Frye. David--still shocked by what he's witnessed--slowly tracks the Frye-creature, finally discovering the man...laughing.
Frye: "You see? The arthritis. It's gone. It worked!"
David: "Yes. You can't stay like this. You know that."
Frye: "Oh, I'm fine."
David: "I have enough of this substance to make serum for both of us...to cure both of us."
Frye: "No...thirty years I've waited for this. To feel strong! You cure yourself--I'm not going back!"
David: "Mr. Frye, you could be very dangerous to yourself and to other people."
Frye: (ignoring David) "Thirty years of feeling sick, and weak and hurting. I'm not going back, doctor! You're worried about what I did before, huh? Townsend and the kid. Well, I just want to live my life. I'm not looking for trouble."
David: "You might not have to."
Frye: "I'll take the risk...but you better not do anything against me. 'cause you know when I get mad what I can do! "
At the town general store/ watering hole, two locals--burly Brad & his obese pal Earl grumble about Sheriff Decker arresting Case & Willie (for attempted arson), feeling the Clive home should have been burned down. A confident Frye walks in, and its clear he is no friend of Brad; the loudmouth immediately harasses Frye, referring to him as a "cripple" and makes lewd comments about "helping" Frye out with pleasing Elizabeth if they ever marry and go on a honeymoon. Frye--now beaming with his secret confidence--tosses his beer in Brad's face. As Brad is a moment away from punching the elderly man, he is stopped by Sheriff Decker, who warns the hostile man that if necessary, he will run him in for the same mob violence perpetrated by Case and Willie. Brad threatens Decker may not be sheriff much longer...
At Elizabeth Collins' home--
David: "...if I could have thought of anything else, I wouldn't have come here. Dr. Clive told you that he had done something terrible."
Elizabeth: "Yes."
David: "Well, it was because of his experiments. Dell Frye was able to metamorphosize into a creature of incredible strength. And that same creature killed Frank Townsend."
Elizabeth: "I don't know anything about this. Jeffrey never gave me any details. If its true, Jeffrey cured this thing, I know he did. He told me."
David: "Yes, yes, he did cure it. But because of my...help, Dell was able to repeat the process. I tried to stop him, but it was too late."
Elizabeth: "I don't understand. What does this mean?"
David: "He's very dangerous. The creature that Dell becomes is guided by his personality. And Dell Frye is a murderer--that young boy that was killed a year ago."
Elizabeth: "Shouldn't you go to the police?"
David: "I have no proof. And it could be dangerous. I mean...if Dell were to metamorphose again, somebody could be killed. Now he must be cured. Now I have the chemicals to make the serum, that Dr. Clive developed for Dell, but I have to have time, and a safe place to work. Miss Collins, I know that I'm responsible, like Dr.Clive was responsible. I didn't want to get you involved in this. But he must be cred very soon. I have no one else to turn to."
In town, Jack McGee arrives and questions Sheriff Decker about the creature--
McGee: "It's been in your local papers--the two guys who saw the Hulk are in your jail. Don't tell me there isn't a story here."
Decker: (mocking, then serious) "The Hulk, huh? Well, is that like Bigfoot? Or Sasquatch? Miser McGee, whatever's going on here, it certainly doesn't need more publicity, especially from the Register. Now, I've got enough trouble on my hands as it is."
McGee: "Look, sheriff...this is not just a local story. This creature has been spotted all across this country."
Decker: "But I don't care about the rest of the country. Look, there were some kind of a creature here--thirty years ago. It tied in with Dr. Clive. It killed a man, then disappeared. Some people think that it's come back. But I don't. But I do have to make sure that no one else gets hurt. Leave this alone, Mr. McGee!"
McGee (incredulous): "Thirty years??"
Nearby, Dell meets Elizabeth in the park. He gives her a gift, hopeful that his altered self will open certain doors....
Elizabeth: "Your arthritis...its so much better."
Dell: "Yeah, I had treatment...good treatment. But Elizabeth, that's not all. I'm different, and things are gonna be different around here for me, too. You know how its been for me, Elizabeth. I've taken a lot from people in this town. Well, no more! People...they're gonna start respecting me! Also, uh...I want--I want to tell you that, uh...I never could before. I care for you. You know, a lot. "
Elizabeth: "Dell, I'm very flattered, but I never stopped caring for Jeffrey, even after all these years."
Dell: "I'm much stronger now In every way. I can take care of you. Please give me a chance to.....eh...you'll see."
Elizabeth: "It has nothing to do with you, Dell. You must understand that."
Dell: "You're just trying to be nice. You don't see. You're just like everybody else in this damn town!! "
Elizabeth: "Dell, I'm not like everyone else. You know that. I'm sorry if I hurt you."
Dell: "I'm right...you'll see. You'll change your mind."
Later, Elizabeth questions David about Dell, his condition, and the serum. David admits this has happened because he could not see past his own problems, going so far as to admit he has a "medical" problem. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and as expected, its McGee. David hides in another room, but forgets his tea cup in the living room. McGee jumps to questioning her about her relationship to Dr. Clive and the rumors about a Hulk-like creature. Elizabeth, as expected, does not appreciate the harassment--
Elizabeth: "Mr. McGee?"
McGee: "Mm-hmm."
Elizabeth: "I loved Jeffrey Clive. I will not help you exploit him. And most certainly not for The National Register."
McGee: "Miss Collins, I'm not interested in exploiting Dr. Clive."
Elizabeth: "I was having my tea. I would like to finish."
McGee notices the second tea cup--
McGee: "Tea for two. Company coming?"
Elizabeth: (irritated) "My habits are none of your business!"
McGee presses his interest in the creature/man, but Elizabeth is fed up, threatening to call the police if he does not leave her alone.
Back at the general store / watering hole, Brad is sullen, still obsessing on town problems and his sense of being unable to do anything about it. Frye walks in, and noticing the tension, stars in on the group. Taking Brad's beer, Frye pours it on Brad's shoe, and mocks his "tough guy" routine. Brad has had enough, punching the old man in the face, sending him into the counter. Frye rises, now facing Brad, Earl and two additional roughnecks, but continues to insult the increasingly angry lout, until Brad's next punch is so strong, it sends Frye crashing into the storeroom--exactly what he desired, as he begins to laugh...and transform into the creature.
In the store area, Earl worries that Brad might have hit Frye to hard; Brad counters that with Frye's prodding, anyone would have reacted the same. Suddenly, the group is frozen in their tracks when they hear an inhuman growl coming from the storeroom, followed by the doors ripped off by Frye's creature. The creature almost has a look of joy on his face as he tears the store apart, huring a counter at everyone else, but reserving his special attention for Brad. Picking the frightened man up, the Frye creature sends him crashing out of the store window, and into the street before running off.
Hours later, Sheriff Decker and his men continue their investigation...with Dell Frye back on the scene, bitterly complaining about being questioned. Decker calls out the not-so-coincidental timing of Frye falling into the same storeroom where the creature just so happened to be--and the same creature who murdered Brad--the man fighting Frye. Although Decker has no solid evidence on Frye, he believes Dell is involved in some way, and strongly suggests that his problems will go away if Dell goes away, as in leave town, or things could get ugly Initially, Dell is incensed that Decker would threaten him, but he's had enough, barking out--
Frye: "You can have this damn town! I got nothing here!!"
As if Decker's problems were not taxing enough, he catches McGee snooping around the storeroom--
Decker: "I told you to say away from this!"
McGee: "I know a lot about this creature. Maybe I can help."
Decker: "You mean the circulation of your paper! Go on--GET OUT OF HERE!!"
McGee: "Sheriff, I think you must know a little something about the laws in your county. The press has some rights."
Decker: "Mister McGee, if you're not gone in five seconds, I'm going to arrest you for interfering with this investigation! One...two...three...four!"
McGee sheepishly leaves the store, exchanging an odd glance with Earl, who chases after McGee, offering to help catch Brad's killer--and the man who shared that storeroom with it--Dell Frye.
At Elizabeth's home, David prepares two syringes--and it finally dawns on Elizabeth that David needs a cure, too. Wondering why David does not cure himself first, Banner reminds her that the serum incapacitates the patient for 48 hours, and he cannot risk the murderous Frye remaining on the loose even for another day. David believes the only way to catch him is through a trap, and sedation--long enough to get him to the lab. Elizabeth does not like the idea of trapping him, but understands there's no other choice.
As Frye packs, he's confronted by McGee--
McGee: "I'm looking for Dell Frye."
Frye: "That's me. What do you want?"
McGee: (puzzled) "I was expecting a younger man. Dark brown hair..."
Frye: "What is this??"
McGee: "It's over, Mr. Frye. Give it up."
Frye: "Who are you?? What do you want??"
McGee: "I'm Jack McGee--you know that! You know why I'm here! You're John Doe. You're the man who becomes the creature."
Frye: "I do know who you are, Mr. McGee. I've read your articles."
McGee: "I'm sure you have."
Frye: "You've made a mistake, but I can help you. I'm not this...Hulk thing, but I know the man who is. I worked with him. He's left town, but I can help you track him."
McGee: (not buying Frye's story) "It's all right, John. I know all about it. I know about your struggle, about the creature's sudden appearances...for once at least, I arrive before you get a chance to leave town. Now give it up."
Elizabeth calls, selling the idea that she's changed her mind about Frye. The excited Frye prepares to leave, but McGee draws his deadly curare dart gun--
McGee: "Now, your creature has committed murder. That's twice that I know of. I just can't let that pass."
Frye plays the threat angle--
Frye: "Mister McGee...this um...this thing...it's very strong, isn't it? Unpredictable. Dangerous. Aren't you afraid?"
McGee: "I don't want to use this. Now, believe me. It's over."
Frye: (playing McGee) "All right. This has--it has gone on for too long. I'll tell you everything. Just let me make a call and finish packing."
Frye spins around, hitting McGee with his suitcase, then breaking a vase over his head, knocking him out. Frye tosses McGee's gun out of the window, collects his things, then leaves. Soon, Frye is at Elizabeth's, believing she's ready to leave with him, and bragging about his power, and how no one will ever harm or trouble them again. From the kitchen, David waits for the right moment, then quickly injects Frye with the sedative. Frye attacks David--fueled by his altered system--and nearly bludgeons him, until Elizabeth knocks him out with a fire poker.
Elsewhere, the recovered McGee tries to convince Sheriff Decker that a man becomes the creature; Decker reminds him that even if Frye is charged as Brad's murderer (in the form of the creature), there's no way to prove his condition is real. Decker says he can arrest Frye if McGee presses assault charges against him. Eventually, Decker & McGee check Elizabeth's house (based on the call to Frye), discover the site of the fight...and some lab equipment. Considering Elizabeth's relationship with Clive, the men assume there must be other area being used with this equipment...
In the lab, Frye is strapped to the table, and injected with the serum, while the x-ray machine is activated; Frye comes to, angrily screaming "NO!" at David & Elizabeth. The moment Elizabeth flips the switch, Frye's rage explodes--and once again, he transforms into his creature. The Frye-creature easily snaps his restraints, and pushes David into a wall. David recovers, and asks Elizabeth to move toward him, an act setting off the creature, who throws Banner into another wall. The Frye-creature's uncontrolled hands are dangerously close to the container holding the rest of the serum--David's serum. Watching in horror, David yells at the beast--
David: "No......no...NNNOOOOOOOO!!"
--as he throws the syringe at a wall...destroying it. David slowly begins his transformation, his fingers touching the broken glass in total anguish. David cries uncontrollably at the loss of what might have been the end of his curse.
David: "No!!! ...noooo!! NNOOOOOO!"
Banner completes his transformation, but the Hulk's mind is as battered with sadness as David, with tears streaming down the Hulk's face. The Frye-creature--still operating from Dell's true nature (as Clive's notes warned), acts on hatred, pummeling and breaking lab machinery over the true Hulk...
...On the road, Decker & McGee race to the Clive lab...
Inside, Dell's creature continues to pound on the Hulk and destroy Clive's equipment, until the Hulk's sadness erupts into pure rage; Dell's creature instantly discovers his punches are ineffective against the Hulk, and finds himself repeatedly slammed into the exploding machinery, as Elizabeth moves toward the secret passage. The two creatures grab a corner of the X-ray table, ripping it apart; outside, Decker and McGee pull up, hear the destruction inside and run to the source. As Frye-creature lifts his end of the table to throw at the Hulk, Decker enters the lab, firing three shots into his chest. The creature falls. All attention--including the Hulk's--is captured by the sight of Frye's creature collapsing. Decker turns his gun to the Hulk, but Elizabeth bravely acts as his human shield--
Elizabeth: "Don't shoot him!"
Decker: "Move aside, Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth: "No!! He hasn't hurt anybody!"
Elizabeth guides the Hulk to secret passage. McGee is caught between seeing the Hulk escape yet again, and the transformation of the Frye creature back to the clearly dead Dell Frye. Elizabeth--even after learning Frye was a murderer (and tried to kill David in front of her) is still sympathetic enough to close the lids of Frye's eyes.
Later, Decker records Elizabeth's account of the Frye story as McGee observes--
Elizabeth: "The murder at the house last year--it was Dell. He--uh--he admitted it to...the other man. And it was Dell's creature that murdered Brad Wheeler. The other man was with me at the time."
Decker: "Is there anything else?"
Elizabeth: "Just that...I'd like Dell to be buried in a nice grave. I'll pay for it."
McGee: "Miss Collins, why are you so interested in protecting this other man?"
Elizabeth: "He's a very kind, very gentle man. This...creature that he becomes saved my life."
McGee: "Miss Collins, this man is very dangerous, and he needs help."
Elizabeth: "He wants to do it himself. You should leave him alone, Mr. McGee."
McGee: "I can't Miss Collins. No matter what you think, no matter how gentle this man may have seemed to you, the Hulk is a very real danger. And I will not leave him alone."
David makes his way down another road.
NOTES:
Cure related episode. One of the most significant of the entire series. One would imagine Banner would write or call Elizabeth, and ask her to send Clive's journals and the crystalline base for the serum, which Frye's creature did not destroy. Of course, that would mean the end of the series so....
Sherriff Decker represents the first time a member of law enforcement admitted to the existence of some kind of creature.
It was fascinating to see the plight of an elderly person believing he's been abused and disrespected turned on its ear with his lust for what he knew to be a deadly level of strength and the level of revenge fueling it. On that note, during TIH's run on CBS, many fans (familiar with the comics) had called for the Emil Blonsky / Abomination character to appear on the series--above all reasons, to see an evil man with the Hulk's power. While the Abomination never appeared, for the contrast of moral vs. immoral, it was certainly achieved here; while Frye's motives were different than Blonsky's, but the threat of a super-powered creature having no compunction about his hunger for revenge/killing was a good substitute.
McGee just walks in Elizabeth's home without being invited. Apparently, the important social graces missed being added to his training throughout life.
Once again, McGee's true behavior & motives are all laid out--from pushing his way into Elizabeth's home, his unqualified choice to use curare against any human being, to his refusal to leave Banner alone. All self interested (instead of being altruistic), so it should be quite clear why Decker & Elizabeth treated him in a similar manner.
While Joe Harnell's "First" score was effective (even in a softer cue during scenes with Frye longing), the episode left scenes without the score when it would carry more weight, such as the shooting / death of Frye's creature. Well done.
Bill Bixby's performance was--as always--engaging and powerful all at the right moments. For four years, audiences followed his David Banner's ruined life seeking cures, having the chance for love ripped away from him and being hunted, yet his breakdown at the loss of what he honestly believed was the cure was the emotional overload, or peak for the character, almost suggesting that he's had enough.
Superhero adaptations have often been criticized for casting actors with--frankly--meager skills, or simply being untalented across the board. Unfortunately, that judgement has been more true than not, from the days of the serials to today's TV and movie adaptations, but of the few--the very few--actors who ever soared in their roles, or lifted great material to be greater, a mature consideration would place Bixby in a top three of performers ever cast as leads in comic adaptations. Aside from Bixby's obviously superior talent, a list of this kind is easy to create, since (in all honesty) so many actors in comic/superhero productions are so bland, amateurish, or just plain bad.
Appropriately enough, the make-up for the Frye-creature (being "The First") took its influence from the original, more primitive Hulk make-up from the pilot.
GUEST CAST:
Edward Walsh (Brad Wheeler) made his first TIH appearance in an uncredited role in season one's "The Beast Within" (as a security guard). He is best known for the hulking servant Brudah from the two Count Yorga movies Count Yorga - Vampire (Erica Productions/AIP, 1970) and The Return of Count Yorga (AIP, 1971).
"The First" (Part Two)
The Frye-creature rages on, running through the forest, uprooting trees, attacking animals--feeding on years of pent-up anger now set free. After a time, the creature transforms back to a teary-eyed Dell Frye. David--still shocked by what he's witnessed--slowly tracks the Frye-creature, finally discovering the man...laughing.
Frye: "You see? The arthritis. It's gone. It worked!"
David: "Yes. You can't stay like this. You know that."
Frye: "Oh, I'm fine."
David: "I have enough of this substance to make serum for both of us...to cure both of us."
Frye: "No...thirty years I've waited for this. To feel strong! You cure yourself--I'm not going back!"
David: "Mr. Frye, you could be very dangerous to yourself and to other people."
Frye: (ignoring David) "Thirty years of feeling sick, and weak and hurting. I'm not going back, doctor! You're worried about what I did before, huh? Townsend and the kid. Well, I just want to live my life. I'm not looking for trouble."
David: "You might not have to."
Frye: "I'll take the risk...but you better not do anything against me. 'cause you know when I get mad what I can do! "
At the town general store/ watering hole, two locals--burly Brad & his obese pal Earl grumble about Sheriff Decker arresting Case & Willie (for attempted arson), feeling the Clive home should have been burned down. A confident Frye walks in, and its clear he is no friend of Brad; the loudmouth immediately harasses Frye, referring to him as a "cripple" and makes lewd comments about "helping" Frye out with pleasing Elizabeth if they ever marry and go on a honeymoon. Frye--now beaming with his secret confidence--tosses his beer in Brad's face. As Brad is a moment away from punching the elderly man, he is stopped by Sheriff Decker, who warns the hostile man that if necessary, he will run him in for the same mob violence perpetrated by Case and Willie. Brad threatens Decker may not be sheriff much longer...
At Elizabeth Collins' home--
David: "...if I could have thought of anything else, I wouldn't have come here. Dr. Clive told you that he had done something terrible."
Elizabeth: "Yes."
David: "Well, it was because of his experiments. Dell Frye was able to metamorphosize into a creature of incredible strength. And that same creature killed Frank Townsend."
Elizabeth: "I don't know anything about this. Jeffrey never gave me any details. If its true, Jeffrey cured this thing, I know he did. He told me."
David: "Yes, yes, he did cure it. But because of my...help, Dell was able to repeat the process. I tried to stop him, but it was too late."
Elizabeth: "I don't understand. What does this mean?"
David: "He's very dangerous. The creature that Dell becomes is guided by his personality. And Dell Frye is a murderer--that young boy that was killed a year ago."
Elizabeth: "Shouldn't you go to the police?"
David: "I have no proof. And it could be dangerous. I mean...if Dell were to metamorphose again, somebody could be killed. Now he must be cured. Now I have the chemicals to make the serum, that Dr. Clive developed for Dell, but I have to have time, and a safe place to work. Miss Collins, I know that I'm responsible, like Dr.Clive was responsible. I didn't want to get you involved in this. But he must be cred very soon. I have no one else to turn to."
In town, Jack McGee arrives and questions Sheriff Decker about the creature--
McGee: "It's been in your local papers--the two guys who saw the Hulk are in your jail. Don't tell me there isn't a story here."
Decker: (mocking, then serious) "The Hulk, huh? Well, is that like Bigfoot? Or Sasquatch? Miser McGee, whatever's going on here, it certainly doesn't need more publicity, especially from the Register. Now, I've got enough trouble on my hands as it is."
McGee: "Look, sheriff...this is not just a local story. This creature has been spotted all across this country."
Decker: "But I don't care about the rest of the country. Look, there were some kind of a creature here--thirty years ago. It tied in with Dr. Clive. It killed a man, then disappeared. Some people think that it's come back. But I don't. But I do have to make sure that no one else gets hurt. Leave this alone, Mr. McGee!"
McGee (incredulous): "Thirty years??"
Nearby, Dell meets Elizabeth in the park. He gives her a gift, hopeful that his altered self will open certain doors....
Elizabeth: "Your arthritis...its so much better."
Dell: "Yeah, I had treatment...good treatment. But Elizabeth, that's not all. I'm different, and things are gonna be different around here for me, too. You know how its been for me, Elizabeth. I've taken a lot from people in this town. Well, no more! People...they're gonna start respecting me! Also, uh...I want--I want to tell you that, uh...I never could before. I care for you. You know, a lot. "
Elizabeth: "Dell, I'm very flattered, but I never stopped caring for Jeffrey, even after all these years."
Dell: "I'm much stronger now In every way. I can take care of you. Please give me a chance to.....eh...you'll see."
Elizabeth: "It has nothing to do with you, Dell. You must understand that."
Dell: "You're just trying to be nice. You don't see. You're just like everybody else in this damn town!! "
Elizabeth: "Dell, I'm not like everyone else. You know that. I'm sorry if I hurt you."
Dell: "I'm right...you'll see. You'll change your mind."
Later, Elizabeth questions David about Dell, his condition, and the serum. David admits this has happened because he could not see past his own problems, going so far as to admit he has a "medical" problem. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and as expected, its McGee. David hides in another room, but forgets his tea cup in the living room. McGee jumps to questioning her about her relationship to Dr. Clive and the rumors about a Hulk-like creature. Elizabeth, as expected, does not appreciate the harassment--
Elizabeth: "Mr. McGee?"
McGee: "Mm-hmm."
Elizabeth: "I loved Jeffrey Clive. I will not help you exploit him. And most certainly not for The National Register."
McGee: "Miss Collins, I'm not interested in exploiting Dr. Clive."
Elizabeth: "I was having my tea. I would like to finish."
McGee notices the second tea cup--
McGee: "Tea for two. Company coming?"
Elizabeth: (irritated) "My habits are none of your business!"
McGee presses his interest in the creature/man, but Elizabeth is fed up, threatening to call the police if he does not leave her alone.
Back at the general store / watering hole, Brad is sullen, still obsessing on town problems and his sense of being unable to do anything about it. Frye walks in, and noticing the tension, stars in on the group. Taking Brad's beer, Frye pours it on Brad's shoe, and mocks his "tough guy" routine. Brad has had enough, punching the old man in the face, sending him into the counter. Frye rises, now facing Brad, Earl and two additional roughnecks, but continues to insult the increasingly angry lout, until Brad's next punch is so strong, it sends Frye crashing into the storeroom--exactly what he desired, as he begins to laugh...and transform into the creature.
In the store area, Earl worries that Brad might have hit Frye to hard; Brad counters that with Frye's prodding, anyone would have reacted the same. Suddenly, the group is frozen in their tracks when they hear an inhuman growl coming from the storeroom, followed by the doors ripped off by Frye's creature. The creature almost has a look of joy on his face as he tears the store apart, huring a counter at everyone else, but reserving his special attention for Brad. Picking the frightened man up, the Frye creature sends him crashing out of the store window, and into the street before running off.
Hours later, Sheriff Decker and his men continue their investigation...with Dell Frye back on the scene, bitterly complaining about being questioned. Decker calls out the not-so-coincidental timing of Frye falling into the same storeroom where the creature just so happened to be--and the same creature who murdered Brad--the man fighting Frye. Although Decker has no solid evidence on Frye, he believes Dell is involved in some way, and strongly suggests that his problems will go away if Dell goes away, as in leave town, or things could get ugly Initially, Dell is incensed that Decker would threaten him, but he's had enough, barking out--
Frye: "You can have this damn town! I got nothing here!!"
As if Decker's problems were not taxing enough, he catches McGee snooping around the storeroom--
Decker: "I told you to say away from this!"
McGee: "I know a lot about this creature. Maybe I can help."
Decker: "You mean the circulation of your paper! Go on--GET OUT OF HERE!!"
McGee: "Sheriff, I think you must know a little something about the laws in your county. The press has some rights."
Decker: "Mister McGee, if you're not gone in five seconds, I'm going to arrest you for interfering with this investigation! One...two...three...four!"
McGee sheepishly leaves the store, exchanging an odd glance with Earl, who chases after McGee, offering to help catch Brad's killer--and the man who shared that storeroom with it--Dell Frye.
At Elizabeth's home, David prepares two syringes--and it finally dawns on Elizabeth that David needs a cure, too. Wondering why David does not cure himself first, Banner reminds her that the serum incapacitates the patient for 48 hours, and he cannot risk the murderous Frye remaining on the loose even for another day. David believes the only way to catch him is through a trap, and sedation--long enough to get him to the lab. Elizabeth does not like the idea of trapping him, but understands there's no other choice.
As Frye packs, he's confronted by McGee--
McGee: "I'm looking for Dell Frye."
Frye: "That's me. What do you want?"
McGee: (puzzled) "I was expecting a younger man. Dark brown hair..."
Frye: "What is this??"
McGee: "It's over, Mr. Frye. Give it up."
Frye: "Who are you?? What do you want??"
McGee: "I'm Jack McGee--you know that! You know why I'm here! You're John Doe. You're the man who becomes the creature."
Frye: "I do know who you are, Mr. McGee. I've read your articles."
McGee: "I'm sure you have."
Frye: "You've made a mistake, but I can help you. I'm not this...Hulk thing, but I know the man who is. I worked with him. He's left town, but I can help you track him."
McGee: (not buying Frye's story) "It's all right, John. I know all about it. I know about your struggle, about the creature's sudden appearances...for once at least, I arrive before you get a chance to leave town. Now give it up."
Elizabeth calls, selling the idea that she's changed her mind about Frye. The excited Frye prepares to leave, but McGee draws his deadly curare dart gun--
McGee: "Now, your creature has committed murder. That's twice that I know of. I just can't let that pass."
Frye plays the threat angle--
Frye: "Mister McGee...this um...this thing...it's very strong, isn't it? Unpredictable. Dangerous. Aren't you afraid?"
McGee: "I don't want to use this. Now, believe me. It's over."
Frye: (playing McGee) "All right. This has--it has gone on for too long. I'll tell you everything. Just let me make a call and finish packing."
Frye spins around, hitting McGee with his suitcase, then breaking a vase over his head, knocking him out. Frye tosses McGee's gun out of the window, collects his things, then leaves. Soon, Frye is at Elizabeth's, believing she's ready to leave with him, and bragging about his power, and how no one will ever harm or trouble them again. From the kitchen, David waits for the right moment, then quickly injects Frye with the sedative. Frye attacks David--fueled by his altered system--and nearly bludgeons him, until Elizabeth knocks him out with a fire poker.
Elsewhere, the recovered McGee tries to convince Sheriff Decker that a man becomes the creature; Decker reminds him that even if Frye is charged as Brad's murderer (in the form of the creature), there's no way to prove his condition is real. Decker says he can arrest Frye if McGee presses assault charges against him. Eventually, Decker & McGee check Elizabeth's house (based on the call to Frye), discover the site of the fight...and some lab equipment. Considering Elizabeth's relationship with Clive, the men assume there must be other area being used with this equipment...
In the lab, Frye is strapped to the table, and injected with the serum, while the x-ray machine is activated; Frye comes to, angrily screaming "NO!" at David & Elizabeth. The moment Elizabeth flips the switch, Frye's rage explodes--and once again, he transforms into his creature. The Frye-creature easily snaps his restraints, and pushes David into a wall. David recovers, and asks Elizabeth to move toward him, an act setting off the creature, who throws Banner into another wall. The Frye-creature's uncontrolled hands are dangerously close to the container holding the rest of the serum--David's serum. Watching in horror, David yells at the beast--
David: "No......no...NNNOOOOOOOO!!"
--as he throws the syringe at a wall...destroying it. David slowly begins his transformation, his fingers touching the broken glass in total anguish. David cries uncontrollably at the loss of what might have been the end of his curse.
David: "No!!! ...noooo!! NNOOOOOO!"
Banner completes his transformation, but the Hulk's mind is as battered with sadness as David, with tears streaming down the Hulk's face. The Frye-creature--still operating from Dell's true nature (as Clive's notes warned), acts on hatred, pummeling and breaking lab machinery over the true Hulk...
...On the road, Decker & McGee race to the Clive lab...
Inside, Dell's creature continues to pound on the Hulk and destroy Clive's equipment, until the Hulk's sadness erupts into pure rage; Dell's creature instantly discovers his punches are ineffective against the Hulk, and finds himself repeatedly slammed into the exploding machinery, as Elizabeth moves toward the secret passage. The two creatures grab a corner of the X-ray table, ripping it apart; outside, Decker and McGee pull up, hear the destruction inside and run to the source. As Frye-creature lifts his end of the table to throw at the Hulk, Decker enters the lab, firing three shots into his chest. The creature falls. All attention--including the Hulk's--is captured by the sight of Frye's creature collapsing. Decker turns his gun to the Hulk, but Elizabeth bravely acts as his human shield--
Elizabeth: "Don't shoot him!"
Decker: "Move aside, Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth: "No!! He hasn't hurt anybody!"
Elizabeth guides the Hulk to secret passage. McGee is caught between seeing the Hulk escape yet again, and the transformation of the Frye creature back to the clearly dead Dell Frye. Elizabeth--even after learning Frye was a murderer (and tried to kill David in front of her) is still sympathetic enough to close the lids of Frye's eyes.
Later, Decker records Elizabeth's account of the Frye story as McGee observes--
Elizabeth: "The murder at the house last year--it was Dell. He--uh--he admitted it to...the other man. And it was Dell's creature that murdered Brad Wheeler. The other man was with me at the time."
Decker: "Is there anything else?"
Elizabeth: "Just that...I'd like Dell to be buried in a nice grave. I'll pay for it."
McGee: "Miss Collins, why are you so interested in protecting this other man?"
Elizabeth: "He's a very kind, very gentle man. This...creature that he becomes saved my life."
McGee: "Miss Collins, this man is very dangerous, and he needs help."
Elizabeth: "He wants to do it himself. You should leave him alone, Mr. McGee."
McGee: "I can't Miss Collins. No matter what you think, no matter how gentle this man may have seemed to you, the Hulk is a very real danger. And I will not leave him alone."
David makes his way down another road.
NOTES:
Cure related episode. One of the most significant of the entire series. One would imagine Banner would write or call Elizabeth, and ask her to send Clive's journals and the crystalline base for the serum, which Frye's creature did not destroy. Of course, that would mean the end of the series so....
Sherriff Decker represents the first time a member of law enforcement admitted to the existence of some kind of creature.
It was fascinating to see the plight of an elderly person believing he's been abused and disrespected turned on its ear with his lust for what he knew to be a deadly level of strength and the level of revenge fueling it. On that note, during TIH's run on CBS, many fans (familiar with the comics) had called for the Emil Blonsky / Abomination character to appear on the series--above all reasons, to see an evil man with the Hulk's power. While the Abomination never appeared, for the contrast of moral vs. immoral, it was certainly achieved here; while Frye's motives were different than Blonsky's, but the threat of a super-powered creature having no compunction about his hunger for revenge/killing was a good substitute.
McGee just walks in Elizabeth's home without being invited. Apparently, the important social graces missed being added to his training throughout life.
Once again, McGee's true behavior & motives are all laid out--from pushing his way into Elizabeth's home, his unqualified choice to use curare against any human being, to his refusal to leave Banner alone. All self interested (instead of being altruistic), so it should be quite clear why Decker & Elizabeth treated him in a similar manner.
While Joe Harnell's "First" score was effective (even in a softer cue during scenes with Frye longing), the episode left scenes without the score when it would carry more weight, such as the shooting / death of Frye's creature. Well done.
Bill Bixby's performance was--as always--engaging and powerful all at the right moments. For four years, audiences followed his David Banner's ruined life seeking cures, having the chance for love ripped away from him and being hunted, yet his breakdown at the loss of what he honestly believed was the cure was the emotional overload, or peak for the character, almost suggesting that he's had enough.
Superhero adaptations have often been criticized for casting actors with--frankly--meager skills, or simply being untalented across the board. Unfortunately, that judgement has been more true than not, from the days of the serials to today's TV and movie adaptations, but of the few--the very few--actors who ever soared in their roles, or lifted great material to be greater, a mature consideration would place Bixby in a top three of performers ever cast as leads in comic adaptations. Aside from Bixby's obviously superior talent, a list of this kind is easy to create, since (in all honesty) so many actors in comic/superhero productions are so bland, amateurish, or just plain bad.
Appropriately enough, the make-up for the Frye-creature (being "The First") took its influence from the original, more primitive Hulk make-up from the pilot.
GUEST CAST:
Edward Walsh (Brad Wheeler) made his first TIH appearance in an uncredited role in season one's "The Beast Within" (as a security guard). He is best known for the hulking servant Brudah from the two Count Yorga movies Count Yorga - Vampire (Erica Productions/AIP, 1970) and The Return of Count Yorga (AIP, 1971).
- Hannah, Queen of the Vampires (Coast Industries, 1973) - AKA Crypt of the Living Dead
- The Bionic Woman (ABC, 1977) - "Iron Ships and Dead Men"
- The Amazing Spider-Man (CBS, 1979) - "Photo Finish"
- Bring 'Em Back Alive (CBS, 1982) - "The Best of Enemies"
But you've actually hit the nail on the head-- it sounds more like somebody imitating the Steely Dan sound than it sounds like the genuine article.
