"The Six Million Dollar Man" The Pioneers (1974)

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

Christian I. Nyby II

Writers:

Bill Svanoe (teleplay) &
Kathy Barrett (story) ...

TV Series:

"The Six Million Dollar Man" (1974)

Original Air Date:

20 September 1974 (Season 2, Episode 2)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Two scientists, David Tate and Nicle Simmons are secretly send up in space as an O.S.I experiment to...

Plot Keywords:

Bionics | Spy | Cult TV | Cyborg | Number In Title

Cast

Lee Majors	...	Col. Steve Austin
Richard Anderson	...	Oscar Goldman
Mike Farrell	...	David Tate
Joan Darling	...	Nicole Simmons
Alan Oppenheimer	...	Dr. Rudy Wells
Robert F. Simon	...	The Sheriff
Vince Howard	...	Walker
Milt Kogan	...	Major, A.F.
Bill Sorrells	...	Chief Master Sgt, A.F.
Bob Bernard	...	1st Federal Agent
Justin Wilde	...	2nd Camper

Runtime:

USA:48 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Silverton Productions

Quotes:

Nicole Simmons: Is your arm generating the power to work the defroster?
Col. Steve Austin: [Steve nods] Yes.
Nicole Simmons: Then it has to be atomic powered.
Col. Steve Austin: That's right.
Nicole Simmons: You're arm's bionic!
Col. Steve Austin: Two years ago I was part of an experiment Oscar and Rudy... tried. So far it's worked.
Nicole Simmons: One of Oscar's experiments... called in to help another one of Oscar's experiments... kinda makes us family, doesn't it?
Col. Steve Austin: Sorta. Country cousins.

Steve Austin and the human experiments

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Another excellent and outstanding episode from the early second season.The plot is quite good not only because of full action but also for the message the writer wants to transmit.A new experiment is conducted by Rudy wells and Oscar Goldman (the first was the creation of a bionic man)with two scientists:David Tate and Nicole Simmons. They develop a cell regeneration serum that eliminates the problems encountered when a subject is resuscitated from cryogenic suspension.However the space capsule where they are conducting their experiment crashes and Dave is accidentally injected with an overdose of the serum which causes him to experience an incredible surge of power and violent seizures.I think this is the second time where a government department with no intentions because of an accident creates "superhumans"(episode "burning bright" from the first season, without considering Steve Austin that was a especial project). I couldn't see this episode the first time because I was too young but what I remember is just a segment(TV clip)and I got really impressed and scared seeing a capsule and someone shouting without seeing him hitting and opening the capsule hatch with super strength listening to and odd melody. Later on in the last eighties and early nineties I could appreciate it wholly.Even now,even though It is old I can not get tired of watching it in 2007.Full action in the whole episode and of course the final battle between Steve Austin and David Tate is something delightful.Steve doesn't want to harm Dave but hes willing to kill him so Steve has to defend himself.A real match: Steve"s bionics and a man affected with an overdose of a serum that increases his mental and physical skills 100% giving him super strength and other abilities but feeling insane.The music is good and we hear the bionics sound effect a few times during the battle(almost not used during the first and second season).The bionic sound also matches Dave"s super strength.At the end a good dialog is held between Oscar and Steve.Is Oscar Goldman and his department guilty of killing a man in the name of the human progress?-I think we can save and answer this question even today with people who sacrifice themselves to get something for our prosperity.That is the reason to be pioneers.