Ep 9. Playing With Fire
- TV-14
- November 10, 1989
- 47 min
Neon Rider season 1 episode 9, titled "Playing With Fire", follows the story of a troubled youth named Billy who is on the verge of getting kicked out of high school due to his disruptive behavior. As a last resort, his father, a firefighter, reaches out to Michael Terry, the owner of the Neon Rider youth center, for help in turning his son's life around.
Michael takes Billy under his wing and assigns him to work in the center's woodshop, where he quickly realizes the value of hard work and the satisfaction of creating something with his own hands. However, Billy's tendency to act out and his attraction to trouble continue to put him and those around him in danger.
When a series of arsons breaks out in the city, Billy becomes the prime suspect due to his past behavior and his fascination with fire. Meanwhile, Michael races against the clock to not only clear Billy's name but to also help him see the consequences of his actions and the importance of taking responsibility for them.
"Playing With Fire" addresses issues such as juvenile delinquency, family dynamics, and the dangers of playing with fire. The emotional journey that Billy and Michael go through in this episode is a testament to the power of mentorship and the potential for positive change in troubled youth.