Sunday 12 January 2014

11: Earthquakes Happen (1.11)

1978; 50 minutes
Director of Photography John McPherson
Written by Jim Tisdale/Migda Varela; Produced by Chuck Bowman
Directed by Harvey Laidman

At a recently constructed nuclear facility the new gamma lab attracts David's attention and as an imposter he tricks his way into the building, presenting himself as an inspector (the real one has been delayed deliberately as part of the plan).  On his faux tour of the facility, the woman showing him around - Dr Diane Joseph - begins to suspect something and heads back to check his file.  David uses the opportunity to head down to the lab to attempt the gamma reversal process that he and Dr Elaina Marks were discussing before her death.  Before he can carry it through the now aware Dr Joseph manages to shut down the machinery, perplexed as to why anyone would put themselves through such dangerous exposure.  At that point there is an earthquake and Banner/Hulk is trapped down there with a small group of people.  Not only that but the nuclear reactor is now on the verge of meltdown.

One can only presume David's desperation outweighs his common sense at times, because his precarious aim right from the offset is only to most likely lead to failure.  Having said that, it does make for some exciting television as he goes about pulling off his doomed appearance as an imposter.  And the very reason that a group of people are trapped underground after the quake is because they had become aware that this inspector was not who he said he was, and were attempting to get him out, so there is an added air of tension when they are trying to make their way out of the place.

Hulk's darkly lit scenes are effective (thanks to the regular presence of cinematographer John McPherson) as he goes on a destructive spree to get himself out of the confined space, though surprisingly this time his presence is hardly witnessed at all aside from on some security monitors up in the control room.  This efficacious episode builds up well to the earthquake itself, an adroit natural alternative to the criminal activity that usually accentuates David's troubles.

Number of Fists: ****

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