Ep 1. The Hit Car

The Hit Car is the thrilling inaugural episode of the classic 80s series, The Greatest American Hero. This action-packed episode introduces us to the extraordinary journey of Ralph Hinkley, an ordinary high school teacher who becomes an unsuspecting superhero overnight.

The episode sets off with Ralph joining his colleague and close friend, the charming but slightly aloof Bill Maxwell, for a quick drink after a seemingly uneventful school day. Suddenly, their night takes an unexpected turn when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. As fate would have it, an FBI-branded helicopter appears out of nowhere, landing nearby. From the chopper emerges a mysterious man donning dark shades, carrying a top-secret government project in his possession.

As the man approaches Ralph and Bill, he frantically explains that he has been shot and needs their help. In the midst of the chaos, he hands Ralph a red suit and a set of instructions before he collapses. Ralph, confused and skeptical, hesitates. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Bill takes charge and forces Ralph into the suit against his will, urging him to read the instructions. Within moments, Ralph discovers that this suit has unique powers and endows him with superhuman abilities.

Equipped with his newfound capabilities, Ralph becomes an inadvertent superhero. But there's a twist—he loses the instructions on how to use his suit. With no prior experience or guidance, Ralph must now navigate the world of crime-fighting, balancing his normal life as a teacher and his new superhero alter ego. Bill, a seasoned FBI agent, offers to assist Ralph in uncovering the secrets behind the suit's origin and discovering its full potential.

In their first mission as duo crimefighters, Ralph and Bill stumble upon a dangerous criminal organization led by the sinister Aldo. This organization specializes in stealing government weaponry and selling it to the highest bidder. Aldo and his gang are notorious for their ruthlessness and lack of regard for human life. When Ralph and Bill intercept a transaction, chaos ensues as they find themselves in a high-speed pursuit, desperately trying to thwart the criminals and recover the stolen weapons.

The Hit Car is filled with thrilling action sequences, intense chase scenes, and unexpected mishaps as Ralph clumsily tries to unleash the full potential of his suit. While Ralph possesses incredible abilities such as flight, enhanced strength, and invulnerability, he lacks the finesse and control that comes with experience. His initial attempts to save the day and subdue the criminals are delightfully amusing and peppered with comedic mishaps.

Throughout the episode, Ralph struggles to grasp the true responsibilities and implications of his newfound powers. The contrast between Ralph's ordinary life as a teacher and his extraordinary life as a superhero is humorously portrayed. He must grapple with the challenges of keeping his secret identity hidden from his students, colleagues, and girlfriend, Pam. Despite his bumbling ways, his heart is in the right place, and his intentions to do good are unwavering.

The Hit Car establishes the foundation for The Greatest American Hero's unique blend of action, comedy, and drama. It showcases Ralph Hinkley's journey from a reluctant hero to a symbol of hope and justice. Audiences are left eagerly wondering what adventures await Ralph and Bill as they continue their crime-fighting escapades in subsequent episodes.