Ep 1. Shadow of the Hawke

Airwolf is a classic 80s television show about a high-tech helicopter and its missions around the world. Its first season premiered in 1984 and the first episode, "Shadow of the Hawke," sets the stage for the rest of the series.

The episode begins with a group of mercenaries led by a man named Jaeger, who are attacking a remote mountain research station. They're after a high-powered laser weapon that the scientists have developed, and they're willing to kill anyone who stands in the way. The scientists only hope is a mysterious pilot with a high-tech helicopter known as Airwolf (which is why the show is named after the helicopter).

Cut to our hero, Stringfellow Hawke (played by Jan-Michael Vincent), who is introduced in a tense scene at a seedy bar. He's playing the cello and drinking whiskey when his former employer, a government agency known as the FIRM, shows up to ask for his help. Hawke's backstory is slowly revealed throughout the episode, but we learn that he used to work for the FIRM and that they have something he wants—information about his brother, who went MIA in Vietnam. In exchange for this information, Hawke agrees to find and retrieve Airwolf, which has been stolen by its creator, Dr. Moffett.

We then get a glimpse of Airwolf itself, as Moffett is testing it out in the desert. It's a sleek black helicopter with retractable missile launchers and advanced avionics. Moffett plans to sell it to foreign governments and terrorists, but he's interrupted by Hawke, who has tracked him down. In a tense standoff, Hawke demands that Moffett turn over Airwolf, but Moffett activates the self-destruct mechanism before he can be captured. Hawke manages to escape with Airwolf, but now he's a wanted man and must evade both the FIRM and Jaeger's mercenaries.

The rest of the episode is a cat-and-mouse game as Hawke and his sidekick Dominic (played by Ernest Borgnine) try to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. They fly Airwolf to a remote mountain cabin, where Hawke has stashed his weapons and supplies. There's a great scene where Hawke gets to show off Airwolf's capabilities, including its speed and firepower. He also reveals that Airwolf is equipped with stealth technology, making it virtually invisible to radar.

Meanwhile, the FIRM is tracking Hawke's movements and trying to get Airwolf back. A recurring character named Archangel (played by Alex Cord) is the go-between for the FIRM and Hawke, and he tries to convince Hawke to return Airwolf to its rightful owner. But Hawke is reluctant to do so, knowing that the FIRM will likely use it for their own nefarious purposes.

Eventually, Jaeger and his mercenaries catch up with Hawke and Dominic, leading to a climactic battle in the woods. Airwolf takes on Jaeger's helicopter, and the two engage in a thrilling over-the-trees chase. Hawke's skills as a pilot are put to the test as he tries to outmaneuver Jaeger and protect Airwolf from his missiles.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Hawke and Dominic narrowly escaping and Airwolf damaged in the fight. Hawke makes a deal with Archangel to exchange Airwolf for his brother's information, but the FIRM double-crosses him and tries to capture him instead. Hawke is left with no choice but to fly off into the sunset in Airwolf, setting up the rest of the season's adventures.

"Shadow of the Hawke" is a great introduction to the world of Airwolf, with plenty of action, suspense, and high-tech gadgets. Hawke is a likable and sympathetic hero, and Airwolf is a cool machine that's fun to watch in action. The episode sets up the series' ongoing conflicts between Hawke and the FIRM, as well as his personal quest to find out what happened to his brother. Overall, it's a fun and exciting start to an iconic TV show.