Ep 3. Saturday Night on Sunset Blvd

The Greatest American Hero Season 1 Episode 3 - Saturday Night on Sunset Blvd.

In this episode of The Greatest American Hero, viewers are taken on a wild ride through the streets of Los Angeles as bookish teacher Ralph Hinkley (played by William Katt) and his FBI partner Bill Maxwell (played by Robert Culp) attempt to track down a gang of robbers who have stolen a top-secret weapon from a military base.

The episode begins with Ralph and Bill attending a swanky Hollywood party on Sunset Blvd. They've been invited by a glamorous movie star who hopes to use Bill's FBI connections to help her get out of her current legal troubles. While at the party, Ralph and Bill begin to suspect that the star's self-absorbed manager, Tony, may have something to do with the robbery. However, Tony is a slippery character, and Ralph and Bill have a hard time pinning him down.

Meanwhile, Ralph continues to struggle with his superpowers. He can fly, he's invulnerable to harm, and he has super strength, but he can't seem to control his abilities. In one scene, we see him accidentally crashing through the ceiling of a bathroom stall while trying to land gracefully. It's clear that he has a lot to learn about how to use his powers effectively.

As the night wears on, Ralph and Bill find themselves in a high-speed car chase through the streets of LA, trying to catch up with the robbers who have the stolen weapon. The chase is full of tense moments, as the robbers themselves are heavily armed and not afraid to use force to get away. Ralph heroically uses his powers to try to stop the getaway car, but it's not enough to bring the robbers to a halt.

In the end, Ralph and Bill manage to track down the robbers and retrieve the stolen weapon, thanks to some clever detective work and a bit of luck. However, they're left with the knowledge that there are dangerous criminals out there who are willing to go to great lengths to get their hands on advanced technology.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to some lovely shots of the LA skyline at night, as well as some fun nods to Hollywood culture (such as a scene where Ralph and Bill drive past a theater showing a double feature of Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind). The chemistry between William Katt and Robert Culp is also on full display, as the two actors play off each other's strengths to create a fun and engaging dynamic.

Overall, Saturday Night on Sunset Blvd. is a strong episode of The Greatest American Hero that combines action, humor, and a bit of social commentary (as when Ralph laments how difficult it is to be a teacher in an overcrowded, underfunded school system). Fans of the show will enjoy seeing Ralph and Bill's partnership continue to develop, and newcomers to the series will find plenty to enjoy as well.