Final Round

DVD, The Incredible Hulk S1 (Final Round)

Boxing and wrestling must have been very popular in the seventies as a lot of TV shows of the day have episodes about them. Well, this and 'Starsky & Hutch' to name but two, as I haven't seen that many other series' from that time, but even so, the air is of a mass-market sport with huge stadiums and throngs of audience members. I don't know when the film 'Rocky' came out, but I imagine it was not too long before this episode, as evidenced by Henry's taking of that name as he aspires to his great dream of becoming a contender. They probably wanted to cash in on the themes people were interested in at that time, just as a lot of TV does the same on vampires or zombies, but then boxing was the big thing.

Rocky's a really kind-hearted bloke that will stop by and help anyone in need, and though he may be a little shortsighted and oafish in his manner and voice, he's a good guy and the ideal person for David to fall in with. If only McGee hadn't tracked the Hulk so quickly (I notice he calls the green giant that as if it's a name now), he might have been able to stay longer, but if it's enter Jack then it's exit David (though this time we freeze frame on the ring rather than a desolate road), but even if the reporter hadn't caught up it would have soon been time to move on, as Rocky had given up his dream for his girl and had a new life to live. He shouldn't really have been satisfied with his attempt at beating the rival, as it wasn't fair that a green monster burst down from the ceiling to end it prematurely, or that his water had been spiked, so you would have forgiven him for thinking he should get another, fairer chance. But he was sensible and knew when to quit, his experience teaching him he didn't quite have what it took, so he cast it off without a second thought.

This is the first episode of the series if you discount the two pilots, and it worked better for me as a shorter episode, with much less of the meandering moments and slow scenes when time is tight and a story must be told. It's a good, moral story too, with Rocky having to decide between going to the police or having his shot in the ring. David's unhappy with his decision to postpone bringing in the police, but he sees the childish glee on his new friend's face and wants him to get his one wish in life, even if he doesn't have a good chance of winning. Once again Banner (using David Benson as his alias this time - he should watch out or that reporter will get suspicious of all these men with 'B' surnames who keep disappearing from places he arrives at!), uses his skills, this time as a medic and his knowledge of biology, as well as returning to the role of investigator when he becomes suspicious of his new boss. His natural friendliness and easygoing nature makes it easy for him to make new friends and win the trust of good people he meets, only making his curse of never settling all the sadder.

The episode begins with a trailer of the coming story showing various clips. I wasn't expecting the story to be revealed, but it was always going to follow a pattern of Banner arriving somewhere, helping someone, and Hulking-out. There was a little more of a credits sequence, though what theme there was was lost under the booms and crashes of Hulk's rampages. The green one looked like he'd been to the barbers since last episode as the hair has been smoothed down and neatened a bit. As that was the worst thing about this version of the character it was probably a good thing, and Ferrigno's befuddled stare from under the thick brow still gives Hulk a sympathetic, childlike attitude sometimes. They still haven't got a smooth transition between Banner and his alter ego, but it may have been too much for the technology of the time.

As in the last episode, I saw something which sparked off an idea in my mind, and then the Hulk did it, much to my satisfaction: it was the blast through the brick wall which looked tremendous! Since there was only time for two Hulk-outs with the shorter running time, they had to make them count, and they did. The second one, in which McGee comes face to face with the creature, was especially exciting and they captured a comic book feel with the shot of Hulk running off down a dark alley after having smashed through a window. The problem, albeit minor, with the first Hulk-out when he takes on the gang of bullies, was that you can see the brick wall wobble as Rocky's thrown against it. I enjoyed seeing Martin Kove as a good guy, and as a much simpler character after so many conflicted baddies he's played. He's a recognisable face I'd seen in such things as 'Starsky & Hutch,' 'First Blood, Part II' and of course, 'The Karate Kid' films.

One moment you think Banner's going to Hulk-out is right at the beginning when he's mugged, but they make you wait for it. There were also a couple of anomalies to make me wonder about: a good way of preventing a Hulk-out, as happened in this, is to knock Banner out cold before he had a chance to change. And also, is this the first time he brings about the transformation himself? When he's in the cage above the ring he gets so agitated, but it's not clear whether he meant to, in an effort to prevent Rocky's death, or was overcome by frustration. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the fight, especially seeing the reporter being so wearied by his neighbour, an avid boxing fan. I was half hoping he'd read the paper the whole time and miss the Hulk's appearance, but that would have been too much to expect. The series came out in 1978, so I don't know how long the wait was between the two pilots (out in 1977) and this, but I don't remember seeing Stan Lee credited as a consultant in the end credits before. As before, it ends happily for the people Banner helped, but it can't for him, and his wanderings continue…

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