Ep 14. Falling Angels

The third season of The Incredible Hulk has been one wild ride as Dr. David Bruce Banner continues to roam around the country trying to find a cure for his gamma-irradiated condition that turns him into a green monster every time he gets angry. In the fourteenth episode of this season, titled Falling Angels, we see our hero accidentally get dragged into a dangerous situation as he tries to help a troubled young woman named Laurie who has been running away from her past.

Laurie is a former drug addict who is trying to start a new life and make amends for the mistakes she made, but she's constantly haunted by her past and the traumatic experiences that come with it. When she sees Banner wandering around her town, she mistakes him for a fellow addict and asks for his help. Unaware of his true identity, she explains that she's been receiving threats from a mysterious man who claims to have proof of her past crimes and is demanding money in exchange for his silence. As Banner tries to comfort her and offer advice, they're suddenly attacked by a group of armed men who seem to be after Laurie.

As it turns out, Laurie's past is more complicated than she had let on. She used to work for a shady businessman named Nelson Kane who was dealing in illegal activities and drug cartels. When she realized how wrong it was, she tried to leave but was caught and threatened by Kane who had evidence of her involvement in his schemes. Laurie took off with whatever money she could grab and has been on the run ever since. Now, Kane has finally caught up with her and wants revenge.

What follows is a thrilling chase sequence that involves Banner, Laurie, and the bad guys running around the city rooftops and jumping from one building to another. The action is intense and genuinely exhilarating, and the special effects used to show the Hulk's transformation are as impressive as ever. As always, actor Bill Bixby delivers a solid performance, portraying Banner's fear and desperation brilliantly.

But Falling Angels isn't just an action-packed episode; it's also a poignant character study that delves into the psychology of trauma and guilt. Laurie's past is a dark one, and she's struggling to come to terms with what she did wrong and how she can make things right. The episode doesn't shy away from the uneasy realities of addiction and abuse, and we see Laurie break down multiple times as she spirals out of control.

Banner tries his best to help her and keep her safe, but he's also grappling with his own demons. As the Hulk, he's just as scared and lost as Laurie, and he knows that his condition is a direct result of his own misguided ambition. As he fights off the attackers and tries to save Laurie from Kane's clutches, he also has to confront the fact that he may never find a cure for his condition, and that he might be doomed to run and hide for the rest of his life.

Falling Angels is a standout episode in the third season of The Incredible Hulk, showcasing everything that makes this show great: thrilling action, complex characters, and poignant themes. It's a perfect example of how a superhero story can be both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it's a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic character.