Ep 16. Half Nelson
- TV-PG
- April 17, 1981
- 47 min
-
6.1 (150)
It is the fourth season of the hugely popular TV series, The Incredible Hulk, and the sixteenth episode is titled 'Half Nelson.' As the title suggests, this episode revolves around the themes of control, manipulation, and betrayal. The episode features a guest appearance by Melinda Fee, who plays a character named Carla Nelson, who is in charge of a local gymnastics tournament.
The episode starts with an introduction to Carla Nelson, who is introduced as a successful and ambitious businesswoman. Carla is determined to make the gymnastics tournament a grand success and requests funding from the local council. The council members, however, refuse her request, citing budget constraints. This news doesn't sit well with Carla, and she decides to take matters into her own hands.
Meanwhile, we are shown Bruce Banner, the hero of the series, who is stranded in a small town. Bruce has kept a low profile, trying his best to control his anger and keep his emotions in check. However, he is repeatedly confronted by bullies at the local bar and forced to defend himself. Bruce's troubles are far from over as Carla Nelson enters the picture.
Carla knows about Bruce's secret and decides to use him to forward her own agenda. She offers Bruce a deal, giving him illegal drugs that suppress his anger and keep him calm. In exchange for the drugs, Carla wants Bruce to participate in the gymnastics tournament and ensure its success. Bruce tries to resist, knowing that the drugs could have serious consequences, but Carla holds all the cards. She threatens to reveal his identity if he doesn't comply.
In the meantime, Carla's husband, who is a former athlete, becomes suspicious of her intentions and starts looking into her activities. He discovers the illegal drugs and confronts Carla, but she manages to manipulate him and make him believe that her intentions are good. He backs down and supports her plan to make the tournament a grand success.
Bruce, on the other hand, participates in the tournament, but things don't go as planned. The drugs have an adverse effect on him, making him lose control of his emotions and turning him into the Hulk. The Hulk's appearance causes panic among the spectators, causing damage to the premises and putting people's lives in danger.
The rest of the episode follows Bruce's efforts to regain control of his emotions and prevent any further damage caused by the Hulk. He is aided in his efforts by Carla's husband, who has had a change of heart and realized his mistake. Together, they come up with a plan to stop Carla from manipulating and using others for her own benefit.
In the end, the episode delivers a powerful message about the importance of control and the dangers of manipulation. It also shows the human side of the Hulk, highlighting the internal struggles that the character faces. The episode is a well-crafted blend of action, drama, and emotion, and is sure to leave viewers engrossed till the end. With its intricate plot and impressive performances by the actors, 'Half Nelson' is a must-watch episode for fans of The Incredible Hulk.