David Banner now works as a mechanic/handyman at a racetrack in New Mexico who befriends a mentally challenged man named Ricky(played by Mickey Jones) whose brother is an ambitious driver named Buzz(played by James Dalton) who is loyal yet irritated by him. Trouble starts when two rival drivers(played by Eric Server & Gerald McRaney) plot to fool Ricky into thinking he's helping his brother, when really his hurting him, which threatens their lives in the climatic race when danger strikes... Fine episode with a good performance by Jones and a thoughtful, non-exploitive story. McRaney makes his second appearance, (First in "Death In The Family") though as a different character...
2 Reviews
Race Track
flarefan-819068 March 2017
I don't know about this one. The basic setup is good: David, working as a race car mechanic, meets up-and-coming race driver Buzz, his mechanic fiancé Irene, and his mentally retarded brother Ricky. The Hulk does a number on Buzz's car, and even though he did it to save Ricky's life, David feels guilty and offers to help them get the car in gear for an important race, getting to know the three of them (and Ricky in particular) in the process.
The acting is good, too. Mickey Jones is convincing as a retarded man, and plays the role with dignity. James Daughton earns extra credit for making his many moods - contented, angry, affectionate, fatherly, depressed - all come off as natural parts of the same man. Lou Ferrigno, who always does a perfect Hulk but usually isn't given material to make that stand out, is stunningly lifelike in the scene where Ricky teaches him how to open a soda can.
And yet, something about the approach bugs me. The lead plot (a rival driver and his mechanic brother are aiming to sabotage Buzz's car) works fine, but the sub-plot (Ricky and Buzz) doesn't quite come together. David takes Ricky to an art school for retarded people, realizing that he has an artistic gift, but we're not shown how David figures this out. Buzz is opposed to Ricky going to the school, but never gives a reason why. You get the sense we're supposed to simply feel that Buzz isn't quite the brother he should be, but that's hard to swallow. Sure, Buzz gets angry with Ricky a lot, but never without good reason.
All that said, this is a long way from a bad episode. The scene where Ricky fantasizes about being a race car driver is just beautiful, and most important, Buzz, Irene, and Ricky are all thoroughly likable characters. That carries the episode through any and all problems.
The acting is good, too. Mickey Jones is convincing as a retarded man, and plays the role with dignity. James Daughton earns extra credit for making his many moods - contented, angry, affectionate, fatherly, depressed - all come off as natural parts of the same man. Lou Ferrigno, who always does a perfect Hulk but usually isn't given material to make that stand out, is stunningly lifelike in the scene where Ricky teaches him how to open a soda can.
And yet, something about the approach bugs me. The lead plot (a rival driver and his mechanic brother are aiming to sabotage Buzz's car) works fine, but the sub-plot (Ricky and Buzz) doesn't quite come together. David takes Ricky to an art school for retarded people, realizing that he has an artistic gift, but we're not shown how David figures this out. Buzz is opposed to Ricky going to the school, but never gives a reason why. You get the sense we're supposed to simply feel that Buzz isn't quite the brother he should be, but that's hard to swallow. Sure, Buzz gets angry with Ricky a lot, but never without good reason.
All that said, this is a long way from a bad episode. The scene where Ricky fantasizes about being a race car driver is just beautiful, and most important, Buzz, Irene, and Ricky are all thoroughly likable characters. That carries the episode through any and all problems.
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