A Minor Problem

I love post-apocalyptic science fiction. Among other things, there's something compelling about the idea of wandering through empty towns, going wherever you like and touching whatever you like, with the mingled blessing and curse of being forever alone. Though most often the protagonist isn't totally alone, and once he finds that out there's the poignant drama that results from the fact that every human being is that much more important for being one of the few around.

Post-apocalyptic science fiction wouldn't work on The Incredible Hulk, of course. It would be too drastic a revision of the status quo, even as the final episode. But this ep manages to incorporate most of the essential elements of post-apocalyptic science fiction without an actual near-extinction of humankind.

The opening act is quietly atmospheric, full of understated mystery and desolation, and given that this ended up being the final episode of the series, the fact that there is no dialogue for the first 7 minutes is a nice echo of the first pilot. It's altogether eerie and marvelous. And once the rest of the cast starts popping up, the plot moves along at a good pace, and a deadly disease keeps the stakes high and the clock ticking. It's good sci fi drama, something we rarely saw in this series despite its premise.

The one major problem with this ep is that the climactic action sequence is painfully drawn out, to the point where you can feel the director trying desperately to fill in the hour. A menacing final rampage for the Hulk only somewhat makes up for this. Even so, this tale of a handful of desperate people fighting each other in an uninhabited town makes for an undeniably strong closing episode for the series.

David Banner(Bill Bixby) arrives in a deserted town called Rock Springs looking for a job at a nearby laboratory when he discovers that it was evacuated due to a chlorine leak, but after meeting a female scientist named Patty Knowlton(played by Nancy Grahn) he finds out it was really because of an E-Coli outbreak, threatening all their lives, including a group of young looters who wont listen to them. It is a race against time as the survivors try to find a cure and an exit before it is too late... Final episode of the series is at least a good one, with a provocative story and surprising plot turns. Contrived of course, but at least it contains an apt final line by David("We're all going to make it.") Cue "The Lonely Man Theme"...