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Rating:  -
There are spoilers here.
It must be said that this 4th Season of The Incredible Hulk is a mixed bag. I consider myself a big fan and my anticipation for this season was huge, having already heard that double episodes like "Prometheus" and "The First" were among the best eps in the entire series. In short; The 4th Season includes some of the best episodes but also some of it's lamest.
It's true that "Prometheus" is one hell of an episode. It looks like a big budget movie with a fantastic music score and some very impressive production values. It's non stop action, well written and directed by series creator Kenneth Johnson and truly deserves the hype it gets from fans. But, as some others have pointed out, it seems like the whole 4th season budget was spent on that double episode. The others look cheaper and much more scaled down. But there are great highlights.
A light episode called "Freefall" is very enjoyable, "Dark Side" is very thrilling as we get to see a very nasty David Banner and a Hulk that's ready to kill, "Deep Shock" has some very nifty moments as David becomes a precog after suffering electric shock and then there's an episode called "King of the Beach" which features Lou Ferrigno in a speaking role and he comes off well. Then as the season progresses we're in for (possibly) the four -best of the rest- episodes; "The First", parts 1 and 2, "The Harder They Fall" and "Interview With The Hulk". "The Harder They Fall" is an especially involving episode where David becomes paralyzed after an accident and refuses to willingly transform into the Hulk despite believing that it might help him walk again.
The other episodes here; well, they're about average to lame. Bill Bixby stepped behind the camera for "Bring Me the Head of the Hulk" and if it wasn't for some very bad acting and subpar writing the episode would have been a winner. Jack Colvin directs two episodes here; "Goodbye, Eddie Cain" and "East Winds". Both of them have a different feel from the rest but they're not altogether successful and "East Winds" in particular suffers from some horrible acting from supporting actors (William Windom notwithstanding).
Episodes like "Fast Lane", "Wax Museum", "Half Nelson" and "Patterns" are prime examples of lazy writing and half hearted attempts at filling the quota.
Take the remaining three episodes of this shortened season. "Half Nelson", "Danny" and "Patterns" are at best easily forgotten episodes and they follow the spectacular episodes "The First", The Harder They Fall" and "Interview with the Hulk". Those four eps really should have preceeded an ultimate closure to the series. In many respects "The Incredible Hulk" overstayed it's welcome and while it in no way deserved to be axed without a conclusion it really should have laid the groundwork for a finale after those four eps.
David never got closer to finding a cure than in "The First" and he was so close that it literally brought him to tears to see his hopes thrashed once again. The hopelessness David goes through in "The Harder They Fall" displays well just how tired he is with being a fugitive and his relief to finally speak about his ordeal in "Interview with the Hulk" capped things off well. From there on the series should have gone into a double episode finale. Instead we get more of the same adventures with hoods, loan sharks and a midget dwarf (in an episode that seems like a rehash of the First Season's "Final Round).
Still, this is all very enjoyable for a fan of the series. I can't bring myself to rate the season with less than 4 stars as it contains some of the very best the series had to offer. As always Mr. Bixby brings his usual charm and the great Jack Colvin gets many moments here to shine. Lou Ferrigno does his usual great stuff as the Hulk and does very well in his speaking part episode.
Now 7 episodes remain from the very short Fifth Season in a series filled with so many highpoints and because of a decision by one man (serioulsy; ONE MAN) never got to have a proper conclusion. While that is indeed sad beyond words we can still enjoy many great moments from "The Incredible Hulk".
Rating: -
I have been purchasing all of the seasons of the Hulk. Some of the material (cars, special effects) seem rather dated, but the stories for the episodes are usually well thought out and hold up very well after all these years.
Check out some of the other ratings. Most of the people have been saying that the two part episode on season 4 is arguably the best of the best for the Hulk. Called "Promethus". I would probably agree. After watching the first four seasons, Premethus I & II could very well be the best of the best.
I remember first watching the episode "The First" (two parts) way back on the original air dates and being kind of scared of the other hulk like thing. Watching it now, I really think they could have picked a better actor for the part. I think this was Dick Durock or something. Pretty silly watching him now.
Anyway, if you liked the Hulk and have any of the other seasons, you do need to purchase this one as well!
Rating:  -
This was purchased as part of my 31 year old son's birthday - I found out he wanted it through my daughter-in-law. He also is a big Star Trek/William Shatner fan. Didn't get those genes from me...
Rating: -
I just bought this season just because Season 3 was out! I am glad I did because this one had some of my favorite episodes from that show. It still had much of the Kenneth Johnson formula but now, we see a little more sci-fi in this one plus we get an unintentional nod to the comic book with the Hulk facing off with the military in Prometheus!
Here are the episodes (not in order necessarily but they are on this set):
Prometheus, Pts. 1 & 2 - While in the woods in Utah, Dr. David Banner runs into a blind woman and helps her cope with her handicap. Meanwhile, a meteor crashes to earth that interferes with Banner's metamorphisis into the Hulk, leaving him between his human form and his monster form! He is captured by a military outfit called "Prometheus" and what we get is one great episode!
The First, Pts. 1 & 2 - While investigating a scientist who he thinks may have the cure for his problem, Banner runs into his old assistant and learns that he used to be a creature similiar to The Hulk. Unlike Banner, however, this man wants to be the creature again no matter what and gets his wish with unintentional help from Dr. Banner! Now, the good doctor must risk his own chance to be cured to stop this evil Hulk!
Freefall - A corrupt politician tries to kill Banner while he's parachuting from 12,000 feet!
Deep Shock - After saving a man from electrocution (as The Hulk), Banner discovers that he has temporarily gained ESP.
The Harder They Fall - A car accident leaves Banner paralyzed from the chest down! Banner has to resist the temptation to become The Hulk on purpose in order to heal himself and stop a friend from making a big mistake.
Dark Side - In an attempt to try to control The Hulk's primal rages, Banner's experiment backfires and he becomes a remorsless character who wants The Hulk to wreak havoc! For the first time, The Hulk is capable of murder! Rather scary episode!
Bring Me The Head Of The Hulk - A mercenary wants to kill The Hulk for his own ends but the creature gets help from an unlikely source.
Half Nelson - A rather silly episode that has its comedic moments.
Goodbye Eddie Cain - Interesting episode which sees the Hulk through the eyes of a private eye named Eddie Cain.
King Of The Beach - Lou Ferrigno, in his first speaking role, plays a bodybuilder who decides to do a competition to raise money for his restaurant. Unfortunately, "King" (the long time champion) has other ideas and Banner (along with his alter ego) must stop it.
East Winds - A troubled cop tries to help a long time love as Banner is caught in a dispute over smuggled gold.
Interview With The Hulk - A fallen science reporter poses as Jack McGee and talks with Dr. Banner about his life as the Hulk. Looking for a story at first, he has a change of heart and tries to help Banner get away.
Overall, this is what The Incredible Hulk could've been. While its good to have him in the real world, a well done sci-fi eppy here and there (Prometheus/The First) didn't hurt either! This season gets high marks from me!
Rating: -
The 4th season is my favorite after season 2 as the show returns from a lethargic 3rd season to kick into high gear. The Hulk's best episodes were usually the two parters and the 3rd year was totally lacking in any epic episodes. The one episode which could have been an outstanding two fer, "Homecoming", was made as a one shot and is standout. But it needed to be bigger.
This season makes up for it in the first episode. "Prometheus" is my all-time favorite episode (with "Myster Man" of year 2 a very close second), as Banner deals with being stuck in mid-transformation. The cliffhanger is outstanding and this actually would have made a great season ender for year 3. But season ending cliffhangers were just getting started and not the Hulk's forte. The commentary by Kenny Johnson, as usual, has a wealth of fascinating information. Either he kept every scrap of info on his shows at hand or has the best memory of all time. Part 2 is something of a let down as it becomes a series or rampages, enlivened by one really great confrontation between the half-changed Banner and Jack McGee (really, Jack should be piecing this together by now).
Another classic and final two-part episode is "The First," which is a wonderful homage to the classic Universal monster movies of the 30's and 40's. Dr. Clive, Visaria, Del "Frye" are all names taken from those films. The final battle is disappointing since Dick Durock is no Lou Ferrigno (cmoe on, an old Hulk should have been played by no less than Jack LaLanne!), but the pacing is wonderful and the music score (as in "Prometheus") is outstanding. Not as much Banner and Hulk in this one, since it focuses on Frye and his creature, but it's interesting to see a murderous Hulk type creature and what he would do. Jack McGee, at this point, isn't just an obsessed reporter. He's become a crusader, out to save the people. It's an interesting change and it's because Bixby and Colvin wanted McGee to be a foil for Banner on par with the doctor. He's been decidedly less sleazy the last two years. :-)
"Free Fall" is a favorite for nostalia reasons, but it's a solid story. The sky diving shots and the music behind them are beautiful.
Other favorites for me include "Deep Shock" where Banner acquires temporary ESP and "The Harder The Fall" which is a great story about Banner being paralyzed in an accident, but realizes his healing factor will cure him. In desperation, he actually wants to become the Hulk. When it finally does happen, the creature doesn't understand why his legs won't work. This is, frankly, the last great episode of the series.
Other episodes work on a guilty pleasure level like "Dark Side" and "Bring Me The Head of The Hulk." But "Half Nelson" is just embarrassing (but with some laughs).
Even with the energy petering out toward the end, it's still a superior season, cut short by CBS. The final 5 episodes were aired the next year, but they were shot for season 4. However, these episodes are not on this set (which runs 18 episodes on 4 discs). I wish Universal would have just tacked on season 5, bringing it up to 23 episodes and 5 discs (season 3 has 5 discs). As much as I really love how they put out two seasons at once to capitalize on the new Hulk movie, they could have wrapped it up with the last 5 (I mean, is 5 episodes considerd a season for any show but The Sopranos?). With luck, the final set will come out when the Hulk movie hits DVD.
Aside from that, a worthy set which makes the series 98% complete now. te commentaries by Ken Johnson are always great and his tributes to the cast and crew no longer with us are truly touching. He really loved his people and it shows. He one again urges people to send him any questions or comments. Do so, he's a great guy to talk to.
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