STARMAN: THE RETURN {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this fantasy/science-fiction television series based on the 1984 film of the same name, about an alien and his half-human child on the run from the United States government.
The story begins with photojournalist Paul Forrester in trouble with his wife, reporter Liz Baynes, over his irresponsibility and philandering ways. Meanwhile, a teenager named Scott Hayden Jr., living in an orphanage, has a nightmare about the death of his adopted parents. He possesses a small metal sphere; he has been told it was a gift from his real father, whom he never knew. The sphere glows while he sleeps and an alien, the eponymous "Starman," enters the earth's atmosphere and observes Scott. Paul photographs an erupting volcano in a helicopter, but it crashes and he is killed. The "Starman" transforms into Paul, taking his clothes and camera. He rescues the helicopter pilot just before the volcano erupts completely.
Paul finds Scott, who becomes interested once he realizes Paul knew his biological mother, Jenny Hayden. They agree to meet each other later that day. Paul returns to his hotel room to find Liz, shocked to see him; everyone believed Paul died at the volcano. Paul doesn't quite know how to react to Liz. Meanwhile, a government agent named George Fox attempts to convince a general to allow him to pursue a report mentioning Scott escaping unharmed from the car wreck that killed his adopted parents. He pursued Jenny Hayden and the "Starman" years ago before he lost track of Jenny and her child with the alien, and he is convinced Scott is that child. The general gives him permission to investigate further.
Liz finds photographs of the real Paul's dead body, making her suspicious of "Paul." Paul and Scott meet in the park, where they discuss Jenny and Paul reveals he has a similar sphere as Scott's. He reveals that he is Scott's father, but Scott doesn't believe him. Before Scott can leave, Paul causes both his and Scott's spheres to glow blue, noting that Scott called out to him with it. Liz watches their exchange from hiding. Scott runs away, dropping his sphere; Paul picks it up. Later, Liz finds Fox at Scott's orphanage, attempting to go through Scott's mail and monitor him. After reviewing old news articles, Liz realizes that Fox is searching for aliens. She takes Paul out to dinner, where, ignorant of the effects of alcohol, he gets himself drunk. Soon Liz comes to the realization that Paul is actually the alien Fox is searching for.
She shares her revelation with Fox, offering to hand over Paul in exchange for exclusive coverage of the story. She wants Fox to leave Scott alone, but he says he won't. Scott receives a cassette tape from the lady who runs the orphanage containing a message from Jenny, telling him the truth about his father. Paul recounts the events of his first visit to earth to Liz. If he does not leave this time, he may be stuck on earth permanently. He receives a call from Scott and they go to meet him, secretly followed by Fox's men. Jenny's message convinced Scott of Paul's identity and he wants to find her. Fox is alerted to Paul's abilities and realizes he is the alien. Paul is unsure if he can stay on earth and raise Scott.
Scott runs off but Paul and Liz find him later. Fox and his men chase after them. During the chase, Fox gets his hands on the cassette tape. Paul uses his sphere to unleash a mysterious power, allowing him to open and operate a monorail to escape Fox. Liz separates from them, leaving Paul some money and telling him to look her up in Chicago. They elude Fox while Liz confronts him; Paul has recorded over the cassette tape, so Fox cannot use it as evidence. The episode ends as Paul and Scott attempt to hitchhike, beginning their journey to find Jenny. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 19, 1986 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:09974
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1986-1987
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael Douglas … Executive Producer
- James Henerson … Executive Producer, Developed by, Writer
- James Hirsch … Executive Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Leon Tokatyan … Supervising Producer
- Mike Gray … Producer, Developed by
- John Mason … Producer, Developed by
- Deborah Ellis Leoni … Consulting Producer
- Joel Chernoff … Consulting Producer
- Charles S. Dubin … Director
- Bruce A. Evans … Based on characters created by
- Raynold Gideon … Based on characters created by
- Dana Kaproff … Music by
- Robert Hays … Cast, Starman/Paul Forrester
- C. B. Barnes (See also: Christopher Daniel Barnes) … Cast, Scott Hayden Jr.
- Michael Cavanaugh … Cast, George Fox
- Mimi Kuzyk … Cast, Liz Baynes
- Ruth Manning … Cast, Fay Tomarkin
- Jason Wingreen … Cast, General Wade
- Patrick Culliton … Cast, Wiley
- Lou Cutell … Cast, Clerk
- Mark Burke … Cast, Photo Technician
- Charles Davis … Cast, Waiter
- Lydie Denier … Cast, Darcy
- Christopher Kriesa … Cast, Kent Davis
- Julie Mannix … Cast, Eileen Davis
- Richard Molnar … Cast, Bellman
- John Orton … Cast, Aide
- Mavis Neal Palmer … Cast, Woman in Elevator
- Joseph Phelan … Cast, Wes
- Marcello Krakoff … Cast, Boy #1
- Ryan Bollman … Cast, Boy #2
- Brad Kesten … Cast, Boy #3