100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Screen Capture from The Incredible Hulk Season 4, Episode 1: “Prometheus: Part I”
#36. The Incredible Hulk Season 4, Episode 1–2: “Prometheus”
Medium
Live-Action Television Series
Release Dates
November 7, 1980 (Prometheus: Part I)
November 14, 1980 (Promethus: Part II)
Credits
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Writer: Kenneth Johnson
Cast: Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner, Jack colvin as Jack McGee, Lou Ferrigno as The Incredible Hulk, Laurie Prange as Katie Maxwell, Roger Roginson as Capt. Welsh, John O’Connell as Col. Harry Appling, Monte Markham as Brad, Carol Baxter as Dr. Charlene McGowan, White Bissell as Dr. John Zeiderman, Arthur Rosenberg as Dr. Jason Spath
The Reason It’s Great
Playing almost like a full-fledged feature film, the Season 4 two-episode premiere of The Incredible Hulk is one of television’s greatest superhero moments. The visual effects, for the time, were top-notch. However, the real standouts were the exemplary script, pacing, directing, and acting—with Bill Bixby showing his impressive talent by playing David Banner as a mid-transformed Hulk.
David Banner rescues a blind woman, Katie, from drowning. After seeing to her safety and getting aquainted with her, Banner proceeds to continue on his journey. However, a large meteor emitting large quantities of gamma radiation crashes near them. When Banner investigates the meteor, he’s trapped in a mid-transformation between himself and the Hulk.
When a government entity, Prometheus, moves in to retrieve the meteor, Banner and Katie become caught up in the investigation. Engraged, Banner fully transforms into the Hulk. Both the Hulk and Kaite are apprehended and brought to the Prometheus facility. The Hulk eventually escapes with Katie, while doing significant damage to the facility.
“Prometheus” has the perfect blend of character-driven drama and thrilling action scenes. Though many of the visual effects are very much dated, the viewer cannot deny the quality storytelling. This is Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno at their finest.