Deadly Maneuvers (Knight Rider episode)

"Deadly Maneuvers"
Knight Rider episode
Michael pulls over to help Robin.
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 2
Directed by	Paul Stanley
Written by	William Schmidt Bob Shayne
Production code	103
Original air date	October 1, 1982
Guest stars
Tom Gilleran Greg Norberg Peter Harrell James Lough Devon Ericson Allen Williams Alan Oppenheimer Ron Kuhlman Jeff Silverman Andre Harvey
Episode chronology
← Previous "Knight of the Phoenix" Next → "A Good Day at White Rock"
List of Knight Rider episodes

"Deadly Maneuvers" is the second episode of the first season of the television show Knight Rider, which features the arrival of Patricia McPherson as Bonnie Barstow. This episode also features veteran actor Alan Oppenheimer, Lou Grant's Allen Williams, and The Brady Brides' Ron Kuhlman. The episode is actually written by William Schmidt and Bob Shayne, and directed by Paul Stanley.

In this episode, Michael Knight uncovers a nuclear weapon theft operation at an American Army base.

Plot

The episode opens with Army Colonel Ernest Ladd (Tom Gilleran), on a routine patrol at the Englehart Weapons Center. Ladd observes two suspicious soldiers entering an ammunition depot and sneaks inside where he witnesses the men repainting nuclear warheads to the standard colors of non-nuclear ordinance. Ladd quickly leaves in shock, but he is spotted by the soldiers who give chase and eventually force him off the road where he is killed.

A few days later, Michael and KITT are on their way to meet Devon when they pass near the Weapons Center and spot an Army Lieutenant, named Robin Ladd (Devon Ericson), standing stranded next to her broken down car. Michael stops and offers Robin a ride to the base where she is to meet her father, Col. Ladd. Despite KITT's objections, Michael has him tow Robin's car behind him which eventually damages his "alpha circuit" and causes certain systems to malfunction.

Once Robin arrives on the base, she meets Major Sanderson (Allen Williams) and base commander General Frederick Duncton (Alan Oppenheimer). The two officers tell Robin the grim news of her father's "accidental" death, explaining he lost control of his Jeep and ran off the road. Robin is devastated especially when Sanderson explains the medical records indicate the Colonel was intoxicated, but Robin refuses to believe it saying her father didn't drink.

Devon and Bonnie later arrive at the base, and while Bonnie works on fixing KITT. Michael stayed to attend Col. Ladd's funeral.

Later, Michael helps Robin piece together the accident. At the scene, KITT finds rifle shells, but Robin thinks they are irrelevant since weapons are constantly fired in the area. With no evidence of foul play, Michael and Robin part ways. As Michael heads out, he and KITT come under attack by men in 4x4 truck. Michael manages to slip away and he returns to the base to find Robin. There, he tells that her father's death was surely no accident and believes he uncovered something going on and was killed for it. Michael decides to retrace her father's route.

Eventually, Michael sneaks inside the weapons bunker. He quickly finds the switched ordinance and heads back to inform Robin. Likewise, Robin has uncovered discrepancies in the ordinance paperwork as several nuclear warheads have become unaccounted for. Not knowing how far the weapon scandal goes, Michael warns her not to tell anyone until he is certain who they can trust. He goes further with his investigation by infiltrating his way into the headquarters building disguised as a lunch vendor, but he caught and questioned by guards. Michael is eventually released but he scams a file that may contain possible evidence of the scandal.

Meanwhile, Robin tries to tell Major Sanderson of the switched bombs. He responds by having her arrested for espionage. Sanderson calls a soldier named Perkins who takes the bewildered Robin away with orders to eliminate her. Michael soon learns Robin is in trouble when KITT's scanners locate Robin trapped in a tank that is being used for shelling practice.

Michael calls the Gen. Duncan to inform him of Sanderson's treachery and that he and KITT are driving out into the bombing range to save Robin. After Michael requests the bombing stopped, Duncan instead reveals his involvement in the theft by telling his men to target the black "drone car". KITT manages to narrowly escape from heavy fire. They find the tank and save Robin.

Michael returns where he confronts Duncan and with evidence that the General and Sanderson were involved in a plot to smuggle the nukes off the base and sell them to enemy agents, the two officers are promptly arrested by the MPs, as well as the other soldiers who were also involved. With the bad guys busted, Robin is gracious that her father's killers have been brought to justice.

Production

This episode is the first mention of KITT's "alpha circuit", a system which becomes a recurring problem for him in future episodes as it is appears prone to damage. This episode is also the only time KITT uses a set of flamethrowers - in this case, to ignite nearby brush in an attempt to divert a heat seeking shell that is fired at him on the gunnery range.

The band Steely Dan performs "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" for the soundtrack.

External links

• Deadly Maneuvers
• Knight Rider Online
• Knight Rider Archive