User Reviews

Controversial, but charismatic New Age televangelist Vanna Smith (a marvelously magnetic portrayal by the stunning Dayle Haddon) abducts Max Headroom in order to ensure that old flame Edison Carter (a typically fine Matt Frewer) runs a favorable story about her church and its hollow promises of a computer-enhanced after life. Michael Casssutt's biting script delivers a right-on stinging and incisive central message about the hypnotic power of television to get people to do anything and organized religion being used as a means to make money. Director Thomas J. Wright relates the engrossing story at a steady pace. Moreover, there are sound guest contributions by Hank Garrett as treacherous top network executive Ashwell and Gregory Itzin as slippery PR man Gregory. This episode also offers an interesting exploration of journalistic ethics by having Edison's usually faultless objectivity compromised by his feelings for Vanna Smith. Paul Goldsmith's shadowy cinematography gives the show a funky future noir look. And Max's trademark irreverent humor serves as the sidesplitting sarcastic cherry on an already deliciously barbed cake.