David Banner(Bill Bixby) agrees to experiment with Clive's equipment on Dell Frye(Harry Townes) who ends up transforming into his Hulk, which is a more violent creature not afraid to kill, as Dell later proves in a downtown bar with some bullies. This brings on the attentions of Mr. McGee(Jack Colvin) who arrives in town and confronts Frye thinking he is his elusive John Doe, not knowing that there are two Hulks. When Dell gets away, David tries to force a cure after synthesizing Clive's original, but Dell transforms and smashes the formula, forcing a final confrontation with a distraught David and Hulk... Excellent conclusion of this memorable two-parter has fine action and acting throughout, especially from Bixby, whose anguish of seeing the cure mindlessly destroyed in front of him is heartbreaking.
6 Reviews
Bitter End
flarefan-8190630 November 2017
I'm not one to cry at TV shows and movies. Though I haven't kept a tally, I doubt there are even 10 productions which made me cry. Heck, I watched Bambi as a kid without shedding a tear.
I give you this personal information because I think without it, it wouldn't be clear how significant it is that I cried during this episode when David's latest shot at curing himself of the Hulk is destroyed. Just a tear or two, but yes, I really cried. It seems illogical at first; of *course* David is going to lose the cure. That's not even a spoiler. It's a fact of serialized TV, and we've already seen it happen a dozen times in this series.
But this time is different, and not just because Bixby gives an exceptional performance even by his high standards. First, all of the previous potential cures were long shots. This time David genuinely comes close to a cure. In previous episodes, even if you forgot you were watching serialized TV, you'd never think David had a chance of being free of the Hulk. Second, the manner of the cure's loss is particularly tragic. It's not destroyed by contrivance, or failure, but by a wanton act of destruction by a creature who shouldn't even exist.
That creature is Dell Frye's Hulk. Frye is a perfect opposite number for the Hulk: Whereas Banner endlessly battles the destructive monster within himself and yearns to be rid of it, Frye embraces it and seeks to be infected with it again. In many ways, this episode parallels "Dark Side", but where evil Banner was a goofy cackling lunatic, Frye is genuinely menacing, purposeful, believable, and even sympathetic. I could do a five-page write-up on this episode, but rather than bore you with more of my comments I invite you to watch it yourself. It scores top marks in both superhero drama and human interest.
I give you this personal information because I think without it, it wouldn't be clear how significant it is that I cried during this episode when David's latest shot at curing himself of the Hulk is destroyed. Just a tear or two, but yes, I really cried. It seems illogical at first; of *course* David is going to lose the cure. That's not even a spoiler. It's a fact of serialized TV, and we've already seen it happen a dozen times in this series.
But this time is different, and not just because Bixby gives an exceptional performance even by his high standards. First, all of the previous potential cures were long shots. This time David genuinely comes close to a cure. In previous episodes, even if you forgot you were watching serialized TV, you'd never think David had a chance of being free of the Hulk. Second, the manner of the cure's loss is particularly tragic. It's not destroyed by contrivance, or failure, but by a wanton act of destruction by a creature who shouldn't even exist.
That creature is Dell Frye's Hulk. Frye is a perfect opposite number for the Hulk: Whereas Banner endlessly battles the destructive monster within himself and yearns to be rid of it, Frye embraces it and seeks to be infected with it again. In many ways, this episode parallels "Dark Side", but where evil Banner was a goofy cackling lunatic, Frye is genuinely menacing, purposeful, believable, and even sympathetic. I could do a five-page write-up on this episode, but rather than bore you with more of my comments I invite you to watch it yourself. It scores top marks in both superhero drama and human interest.
Toss Up of Personal Favorite Hulk Story
reaganblue7 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This and "Death In the Family" are coin flips, when it comes to my favorite episode; of this series. Fans remember Harry Townes later played Jayne Wyman's brother Jason, on "Falcon Crest". I remember when he came to my hometown of Panama City, FL. Producers filmed the mini-series "Condominium". But, I'm getting off track.
A perfect storyline of Old vs. Young, with you booing the older character. Dell Frye isn't just a "bitter old man"; he's a cold blooded murderer. His and David's Hulk are equal, but only to a point. Dell's Hulk tries to kill David's, while David's looks like he wants friendship. Once David's Hulk realizes the other is going to kill him, the gloves come off.
Dick Duroch was perfect, as Frye's Hulk. Yes, he's taller (possible standing on a box) and skinnier, than Lou Ferrigno. Yet, he's perfect as a pure evil incarnate creature. The fight scene was perfect, though short. How three bullets killed Frye's Hulk, isn't explained. (My theory is, David shooting him with the cure/surem slowed down Frye's healing metabolism). But, you feel the Sheriff shooting him, is the only way to stop the evil Hulk.
Ironically, George Foreman played Ferrigno's Hulk, on a 1994 Saturday Night Live episode. He just regained the World Heavyweight Boxing Title, at age 45. He became the oldest Heavyweight Champion ever. His story made you cheer for older people winning and succeeding. Yet, Del Frye's Hulk makes you cheer, for the younger David Banner Hulk instead.
On an end note, Bill Bixby should've been nominated for and won and Emmy, for this episode. His crying scene, was an Emmy winning performance.
A perfect storyline of Old vs. Young, with you booing the older character. Dell Frye isn't just a "bitter old man"; he's a cold blooded murderer. His and David's Hulk are equal, but only to a point. Dell's Hulk tries to kill David's, while David's looks like he wants friendship. Once David's Hulk realizes the other is going to kill him, the gloves come off.
Dick Duroch was perfect, as Frye's Hulk. Yes, he's taller (possible standing on a box) and skinnier, than Lou Ferrigno. Yet, he's perfect as a pure evil incarnate creature. The fight scene was perfect, though short. How three bullets killed Frye's Hulk, isn't explained. (My theory is, David shooting him with the cure/surem slowed down Frye's healing metabolism). But, you feel the Sheriff shooting him, is the only way to stop the evil Hulk.
Ironically, George Foreman played Ferrigno's Hulk, on a 1994 Saturday Night Live episode. He just regained the World Heavyweight Boxing Title, at age 45. He became the oldest Heavyweight Champion ever. His story made you cheer for older people winning and succeeding. Yet, Del Frye's Hulk makes you cheer, for the younger David Banner Hulk instead.
On an end note, Bill Bixby should've been nominated for and won and Emmy, for this episode. His crying scene, was an Emmy winning performance.
The First and the Best
mcgrewp26 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the outdated effects, clothing, and the show's lack of urgency to wrap up its grand narrative before it's cancellation, The Incredible Hulk deserves your time. The First is the best episode(s) of this series. I have seen it repeatedly and STILL I can't stand watching the moment when David Banner, cursed with a creature of his own making, loses his best chance to free himself from that curse. An homage to the Universal monster films of old, with high drama throughout, I defy you to easily find a better crafted episode of television. There is better tv out there, but it will be harder to find than you think.
THE FIRST PART 2
ziebartthomas4 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I thoroughly enjoyed this 2 part episode of The Incredible Hulk. But one thing bothers me, if Elizabeth Collins had been in
Viscaria or however it's spelled then how didn't she know about the creature (Dell Frye's)? She should have known about the creature since she's been there all her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this particular episode but I just don't understand how she never knew about the creature. I understand that David just arrived in town. And Mr. Magee was irritating as usual in this episode especially at the end when he told Elizabeth Collins that The Hulk was a real danger. And David told her his secret.
Brother from another mother
Chase_Witherspoon2 January 2012
David (Bixby) discovers a Hulk creature that pre-dates his own alter ego and more importantly, the man (Townes) who cured himself of the beast long ago. But when the original Hulk (Townes as the man, Dick Durock as the creature) is resurrected, David finds himself compelled to help reverse the metamorphosis with the assistance of Townes' long-suffering wife (Lola Albright).
The confrontation between the two Hulks, while much anticipated, is a mis-match, such is the obvious muscular superiority of Ferrigno's Hulk. While matched in height, and both green in clothes cut to ribbons, there's nothing else remotely similar about the two Hulks and the tussle is a very one-sided bout. Despite this, Townes' motivations for wanting to restore his inner Hulk earn sympathy, and Bixby's realisation that he isn't cured of the Hulk is another emotive setback for the lonely traveller on his journey to cure the rage.
Billy Green Bush is notable as the local sheriff whom Jack MacGee (Colvin) approaches to help capture the Hulk, and the always attractive Lola Albright lends a certain prestige in one of her last screen roles to date. It's a top ten Hulk double-episode.
The confrontation between the two Hulks, while much anticipated, is a mis-match, such is the obvious muscular superiority of Ferrigno's Hulk. While matched in height, and both green in clothes cut to ribbons, there's nothing else remotely similar about the two Hulks and the tussle is a very one-sided bout. Despite this, Townes' motivations for wanting to restore his inner Hulk earn sympathy, and Bixby's realisation that he isn't cured of the Hulk is another emotive setback for the lonely traveller on his journey to cure the rage.
Billy Green Bush is notable as the local sheriff whom Jack MacGee (Colvin) approaches to help capture the Hulk, and the always attractive Lola Albright lends a certain prestige in one of her last screen roles to date. It's a top ten Hulk double-episode.
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