The Greatest American Hero

From Mental Block

The Greatest American Hero was a 1981 - 1983 American comedy-adventure series that aired on the ABC television network. It starred William Katt as Ralph Hinkley, a schoolteacher who is given a superhero suit by aliens and instructed by them to serve as humanity's protector. Unfortunately, Ralph's efforts to be a superhero are hampered by the fact that he lost the suit's instruction booklet immediately after receiving it, leaving him clueless as to how the suit works and what powers it is capable of.

The series costarred Robert Culp as FBI agent (and Ralph's crimefighting partner) Bill Maxwell, and Connie Sellecca as Ralph's love interest Pam Davidson. The theme song for the series became an unexpected radio hit in the summer of 1981, rising to #2 in the Billboard top 100 pop charts.

The Beast in Black (Season 2, Episode 6)[edit | edit source]

Bill is possessed by a woman's spirit. Ralph tries to set things right, only to find himself transported to a dimension where his suit's powers don't work.

The Hand-Painted Thai (Season 2, Episode 11)[edit | edit source]

Ralph and Bill investigate when former prisoners of war are used as brainwashed saboteurs. A hypnotist leaves Bill with an active post-hypnotic suggestion (and a trigger phrase) of his own, forcing Ralph to save the day.

Live at Eleven (Season 3, Episode 7)[edit | edit source]

Ralph is exposed to plutonium, which boosts the suit's powers and allows him to control minds. Knowing that the aliens who gave him the suit have forbidden him to use it for selfish reasons, Ralph tries to resist the temptation to use his new power on Pam, Bill, and other people in his life.