This episode really brings back the feeling of the 1970s. Sure, there was the typical "look" of the way action shows were filmed back then, with the dry, Southern California locations and slightly grainy, washed-out film. But this also recalls the thinking and hot fads of the time.
We've got the "it can triple your MPG, but the oil companies will buy it out and bury it" paranoia, particularly strong in the mid-70s thanks to the destruction of trust caused by Nixon and his Watergate scandal. There's also the whole trucker backdrop popularized a year earlier by C.W. McCall's "Convoy" song, complete with CB banter. That fascination would continue for another few years, with B.J. and the Bear and finally going out with a whimper in the short-lived series, the Highwayman.
Outside of the '70s trappings, not much distinguishes this episode, except perhaps Alan Oppenheimer's casting as the turncoat scientist. Viewers initially trust the character thanks to his previous role from '73-'75 playing the ultra-trustworthy Rudy Wells in the Six Million Dollar Man. After all, who would ever suspect Rudy Wells of selling out?moreless
Episode Summary
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Sam is assigned to drive a truck transporting a secret fuel booster that can triple fuel economy in cars, along with the man who developed it. Not only is the additive dangerously unstable and explosive, the scientist has sold out to the oil industry and is now trying to eliminate Sam and all evidence of the chemical.
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GUEST STAR
Lawrence BameWorker
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GUEST STAR
Andrew PrineStark
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GUEST STAR
Alan OppenheimerArthur Hale
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Ben Murphy
Sam Casey
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William Sylvester
Leonard Driscoll
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Katherine Crawford
Dr. Abbey Lawrence
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (1)
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The four police officers at the end of the episode are all wearing CHP (California Highway Patrol) "shorty" helmets, made famous by the show CHiPs. Even though they were not motorcycle officers, many departments required their traffic officers to wear helmets for added safety during pursuits. This practice still takes place with some agencies today.
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QUOTES (0)
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NOTES (1)
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This is one of two episodes that were made into a TV movie called Riding With Death. Mystery Science Theater 3000 showed this movie in their eighth season.
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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Who watched this show?
05/22/123
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 11
Suspect Your Local Police
Ep 10
Return Of The Lion
Ep 9
8, 9, 10...You're Dead
Ep 8
Escape Hatch
Ep 7
Buffalo Bill Rides Again
Ep 6
Targets
Ep 5
Run, Sam, Run
Ep 4
Night Train To Dallas
Ep 3
Sam Casey, Sam Casey
Ep 2
Minotaur
Ep 1
Smithereens
Code Name: Minus One
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