The estranged son of Wilton Knight has escaped an African prison, steals the formula that makes KITT indestructible, and creates an invincible semi-truck called Goliath. Michael and KITT are in for a real fight on this one.
Tropes:
- Achilles' Heel: Two actually. The joint that connects the tractor and trailer of Goliath wasn’t coated with the Molecular Bonded Shell. A well placed laser shot knocks it out and separates the two. Also, KITT blasts the missile pod just as it fires, destroying the cab.
- At Least I Admit It / Cain and Abel: Rotten bastard as he is, Garthe has the self-awareness to admit he’s the evil twin. As for the latter, it’s an odd example. They both have the same face and last name, but aren’t blood related.
- Batman Gambit: Having figured out his evil twin wants to prove he’s better than him, Michael is able to embarrass him at the craps table at Caesar’s Palace. Garthe proceeds to chase him, not caring he can’t damage KITT. His brakes are micro-locked by KITT and he’s forced to drive into the Foundation semi where Devon holds a gun on him.
- Beard of Evil
- Berserk Button: Michael’s entire existence is this for Garthe. Putting aside the fact he’s a villain, it’s easy to see why.
- Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Elizabeth Knight. What the hell did Wilton Knight see in her?
- Classy Cane: One that doubles as a gun for Garthe. It was originally intended he have a limp so he would need the cane to walk, but the producers felt it better he be Michael’s physical equal.
- Crazy-Prepared:
- Ron Wilcox left tapes behind with just enough information to point Michael in the right direction.
- Wilton Knight wanted to preserve the MBS formula but didn’t wanna risk the entire formula. He divided it into three separate elements and split them among three men including Devon.
- Let’s call those elements A, B, and C. Let’s say Devon has A and B, the second man has A and C, and the third has B and C. Any two of those men could recreate the MBS.
- Evil Counterpart
- Eye Catch: The standard one from Seasons 2-4 had KITT speeding through the desert. Here, it’s KITT charging at Goliath.
- Freudian Excuse / Mama's Boy: Garthe is his mother’s son, and it shows in the worst ways.
- I Have No Son!: Wilton disowned Garthe for being a criminal. As if that’s a surprise.
- I Never Said It Was Poison: Devon confronts Elizabeth Knight at Caesar’s Palace, and he catches her saying the word ‘poison’. Elizabeth either legit slipped, or her ego is so big she just didn’t care.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Ron Wilcox not only gets spotted by Tsombe Kuna’s mooks, but Garthe as well.
- See the first and second wham line entry’s below.
- This is Devon’s reaction when he sees Garthe at Caesar’s Palace.
- Red Bluff is holding missiles. Between that, the MBS formula in the wrong hands, and a revolutionary from Africa working with Garthe, Michael quickly gets what their endgame is.
- Once a Season: More like once a season premiere.
- Every season premiere of Knight Rider was set in a different location. Here it’s Las Vegas. In the first it was Silicon Valley, the third was in San Francisco, and the fourth was Chicago.
- It’s the first of three times KITT gets wrecked at the start of a season. There was one other time…
- Pragmatic Villainy: Unlike his crazy mom, Garthe doesn’t just have Rita killed too quickly. He uses her to feed Michael misinformation and have him “chas[ing] his tail.”
- Revenge Before Reason: Garthe REALLY wants to stick it to Michael. He had the chance to kill him in the desert and didn’t take it. It was all one big flex before he either kills him or sends him to an African prison.
- Searching for the Lost Relative: This is what brings Michael to Las Vegas. Rita Wilcox’s brother is missing.
- Wham Line:
- Devon reveals that Wilton has a son.
Devon: Well, it boils down unfortunately to the fact that Garthe Knight, Wilton’s only son, has somehow been resurrected from three consecutive life sentences in Africa.Michael: His son!? Devon, the guy looks just like me! What did Wilton Knight do? Restructure my face, in Garthe’s image?- Right after that, April says that they know what Garthe and Elizabeth are after.
April: The formula for KITT’s Molecular Bonded Shell. - Wham Shot:
- When Ron Wilcox is cornered in the desert facility, a man who looks just like the shows hero steps out and kills him!
- At Red Bluff, KITT scans through the lead doors to see missiles.
- Soon after that, Michael and KITT see Goliath.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Rita Wilcox reacts this way when Michael has to stop searching for her missing brother.
- Michael learns he’s been wearing another man’s face and calls out the late Wilton for it.
- The Worf Effect: Oh boy. Imagine being a kid and seeing KITT get wasted. It served its purpose. This time you knew s*** had gotten real.
