Evil Bulgarian diplomat Zoltan Gregory (Richard Lynch) is an enemy of the state who sidelines as a dealer in sinful smuggled goods i.e. fur coats made from endangered species attempts to force magicians Harris & Ross who employ fierce cats in their act to work for him.
One of the magicians looking to back out of the scheme is killed by his pet tiger but police consultant Professor Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale) suspects murder. He and his police liaison Detective Brooke Mckenzie (Melody Anderson) investigate the demented Bulgarian knowing that he likes to hide behind his diplomatic immunity status.
Chase can use his power to turn himself into various forms of wildlife to help fight crime. In this episode he becomes a hawk a couple of times and then a black panther near the end. Ultimately in a number of different instances it is apparent that Chase would be much more effective if he stayed human and just learned to use a gun.
But the premise is what it is in spite of the fact that various episodes appear to have been clumsily adapted teleplays from the scrap-pile of hit detective shows that don't really fit the situation and character here. In the case of this episode the script should have been left to line the bottom of a cat box.
The guest stars which include the great Richard Lynch and Christopher Stone go largely wasted in one-dimensional roles.
You'll notice Glynn Turman from the pilot episode was replaced by Michael D.Roberts as Tyrone Earl - Chase's buddy from Vietnam who helps him on cases. Not sure why Turman didn't go on to reprise his role after the pilot episode.
One of the magicians looking to back out of the scheme is killed by his pet tiger but police consultant Professor Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale) suspects murder. He and his police liaison Detective Brooke Mckenzie (Melody Anderson) investigate the demented Bulgarian knowing that he likes to hide behind his diplomatic immunity status.
Chase can use his power to turn himself into various forms of wildlife to help fight crime. In this episode he becomes a hawk a couple of times and then a black panther near the end. Ultimately in a number of different instances it is apparent that Chase would be much more effective if he stayed human and just learned to use a gun.
But the premise is what it is in spite of the fact that various episodes appear to have been clumsily adapted teleplays from the scrap-pile of hit detective shows that don't really fit the situation and character here. In the case of this episode the script should have been left to line the bottom of a cat box.
The guest stars which include the great Richard Lynch and Christopher Stone go largely wasted in one-dimensional roles.
You'll notice Glynn Turman from the pilot episode was replaced by Michael D.Roberts as Tyrone Earl - Chase's buddy from Vietnam who helps him on cases. Not sure why Turman didn't go on to reprise his role after the pilot episode.