Dr. David Banner: physician, scientist; searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation interacts with his unique body chemistry.
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs....
The Creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
David: Mr. McGee... don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
An accidental explosion took the life of a fellow scientist and supposedly David Banner as well. The reporter thinks the Creature was responsible.
McGee: I gave a description to all the law enforcement agencies; they got a warrant for murder out on it.
A murder which David Banner can never prove he or the Creature didn't commit. So he must let the world go on thinking that he, too, is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him....
And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs....
The Creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
David: Mr. McGee... don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
An accidental explosion took the life of a fellow scientist and supposedly David Banner as well. The reporter thinks the Creature was responsible.
McGee: I gave a description to all the law enforcement agencies; they got a warrant for murder out on it.
A murder which David Banner can never prove he or the Creature didn't commit. So he must let the world go on thinking that he, too, is dead, until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him....
- The original Opening Narration, recapping the events of the previous episode.
On the run from both law enforcement and McGee, David finds himself in the town of Everett where he learns of a hospital that contains a special machine that can help rid him of his condition. Along the way, he rescues and eventually befriends a disabled young woman named Julie Griffith (Laurie Prange). Julie is the daughter of a deceased orange plantation owner and is cared for by her stepmother, Margaret (Dorothy Tristan). However, David begins to notice something strange about how Julie is being cared for and begins to suspect something foul is a foot...
Tropes pertaining to Death in the Family
- Ambiguous Ending: Unlike the series proper that followed, the ending leaves it vague as to whether or not the story wraps up, as David says "God only knows" if the radiation treatment worked, Julie directly states there's always a place for him at her house, and we're not shown what Michael tells McGee. This was likely done so the two pilot films could work as a standalone duo in case the series didn't get picked up while still allowing things to potentially continue (which of course it did, and the rest is history).
- Bears Are Bad News: David, Julie and Michael are attacked by a bear as they try to cross through a river. The bear ends up mostly trying to maul David, until the latter Hulks out and proceeds to fight off the bear. The fight ends with the Hulk lifting up the bear and throwing it far away from the group.
- Early Installment Character-Design Difference: The Hulk retains his larger eyebrows and slightly longer hair from the first pilot movie, with the first regular-season episode debuting his more subdued design.
- Foul First Drink: After fighting off Denny and his goons, the Hulk encounters Michael, a hobo at a campfire, eating discarded fried chicken. When Michael sits still, too flummoxed to do anything, the Hulk decides that the hobo is no threat and sits opposite him at the campfire. Michael offers Hulk a piece of chicken, which he sniffs warily, then eats it "bones 'n' all." Then the hobo offers the Hulk some of his whiskey. Hulk, after sniffing it, takes a swig but is stunned by the taste of alcohol. Hulk spits the stuff into the fire, causing it to flare up. This sends the Hulk roaring away from the site.
- The Load: Julie; for two-thirds of this episode, she's about as much use to David as a bag full of sand. Mainly because she's been thoroughly convinced through psychological torment that she's paraplegic and can't fend for herself because of it. She shows hints she's more capable than she thinks she is when Michael is bitten by a rattlesnake; when she realizes the Hulk can't help with the snakebite, she all but shoves him aside and works on treating Michael's wound herself.
- Ultimately subverted at the end. Julie finally breaks free of the psychological hold that Margaret and Dr. Bonifant had on her, and she is able to walk normally. She ends up saving the Hulk's life, and is able to warn him to stay hidden from the police until he can change back.
- Pilot Movie: It originally aired as one, alongside the first pilot.
- Wicked Stepmother: Margaret is secretly planning to slowly kill her stepdaughter so that she can receive the girl's father's inheritance.
