The Snare

Impressive instalment, elevated in status by the appearance of veteran character actor Bradford Dillman, here playing an eccentric millionaire who invites David (Bixby) to his private island ostensibly to play chess and enjoy his hospitality. But Dillman has other plans for the hapless Bixby, who's temporarily sedated, left in a marked grave with food and instructions, before Dillman re-appears to hunt him down. Yes, it's "The Most Dangerous Game" visits the Hulk and it works well with the green twist.

Dillman is especially good here; his twisted dereliction for competitive man-hunting is initially well disguised by his somewhat charming and 'normal' exterior, but there's a psychopath lurking within. He taunts Bixby with elaborate traps and red herrings, typically provoking Bixby's alter-ego to emerge, although Ferrigno's appearance - which usually warrants fear - only serves to further satiate Dillman's lust for a big green-headed trophy.

Compelling viewing for Hulk fans, but I watched this with a non-believer and they too found it entertaining, independent of the Hulk aspect. In my opinion, certainly one of the best Incredible Hulk episodes.

After accepting a ride on a private plane to an isolated island for a spot of chess,David 'Bennet' finds himself stranded on an island that is uninhabited with the exception of a psychotic, Michael Sutton (Bradford Dillman), who is a hunter of men, who greets his discovery of David's Hulk condition as a sign of an even more appealing challenge.

A trophy, crossbow loving loon hunting a man on isolated island fitted with traps, pits - sounds familiar? Yes, the Most Dangerous game. And, here, it's given the Hulk treatment. So the hunter, deliciously played by Bradford Dilman, is even more excited by the prospect of knowing that he has to take on the hulk. Though, to be fair, David Banner himself is really a clever and resourceful "prey". An exciting and tense entry that doesn't fail to get the heart pumping.

Now I have not read the novella by Richard Connell, but I HAVE seen the premise of it before. Seeing it in this "Hulk" episode is the third time I've seen it. The first time was with the Gilligan's Island third season episode "The Hunter," and the second time was with the re-worked vision for the 1959 horror movie "Bloodlust" starring Wilton Graff as the hunter and Robert Reed (TV's Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch) as one of the hunted.

With the Gilligan's Island episode it's very comical and with "Bloodlust" it's more or less horrific, but with "Hulk" it's a great dramatic piece that really excels. Bradford Dillman gives a great performance as the hunter. Just like Wilton Graff's performance in "Bloodlust," Bradford gives off an aura of being suave, sleek and very dangerous.

I highly recommend others to see this episode.

Definitely 10/10.

David Banner(Bill Bixby) is waiting for a delayed flight at an airport when he is approached by a millionaire named Michael Sutton(played by Bradford Dillman) to accept his invitation to play chess with him on his private island. David does accept, much to his later regret, as it turns out that Sutton is a crazed hunter who has decided that human beings make the best quarry, and expects an intelligent opponent like David will make the hunt interesting, and is delighted when he finds out about the Hulk... Excellent episode makes inspired use of its "The Most Dangerous Game" influence in exciting, surprising, and action-filled triumph with fine performances by the two leads. A highlight of the series.

I remember seeing this as a child and never forgetting it. I even incorporated aspects of this show into video games I wrote a decade later. I had been unfamiliar with the original story "The Most Dangerous Game", but loved the idea of trying to survive while being hunted like a game beast.

They could've taken the Hulk out of this episode entirely, and it could've worked even better, showing what a clever and resourceful character David Banner was. And help to explain why it is that he was never caught or found by the reporter and law enforcement pursuing him.

And that extra ending, the way it showed how smart both the hunter and Banner was, without having to 'explain' anything. Just as show us the final move of both. Absolutely brilliant.