Fav season 1 episode

[RalphsJammies]

I would say the pilot, but that is almost in a class by itself. It is more feature length and probably got more more for effects and such. So if I choose from the other episodes, I vote for The Hit Car. I love the story, William, Robert and Connie are all working together like a well oiled machine, and this episode features Bill Maxwell at his absolute best.

[MelMac]

mom2jared said:

Unfortunately you didn't get to hear "Rocket Man" which was playing when Ralph and Pam were talking in her car. The music playing on the DVD was not in the original pilot. Sorry you had to miss out on that.

Ilana

That's funny, because when I watched the episode, I felt the music in that scene was out of place. I knew that some of the songs were replaced, but the choice for this scene really felt out of place. The lyrics in particular don't match the scene, which hurt its impact. I've rewatched the scene with with the "Rocket Man" lyrics in my head, and that music fits the scene a lot better. It's a shame they had to replace some of the cover songs, as the changes really do affect the impact of the stories.

[Maxwell - F.B.I.]

You know, Culp really got a chance to show off what a great actor he was in season one. I mean his strength in My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys and his strength "at weakness" (does that make sense?) in The Best Desk Scenario... just great stuff.

[TonyV]

I voted for the pilot, because it was just an incredible start to a great show.

Having to choose just one was tough though because Fire Man is one of my favorites and also Saturday Night On Sunset Boulevard.

[billswoman]

I thought this might be a good place for some observations about "Fire Man," since it's S1.

I was wondering: how come Ralph doesn't holograph on the handcuffs they find in the bushes, to find Tony? There's also another chance, later on, to holograph and he doesn't do it.

Also, did you notice that Ralph lands on his feet in this one?? Moody is about to blast Bill, and Ralph lands smack between them, and keeps to his feet. Maybe since Bill's life was in danger, he made an extra effort not to flop around and crash. At first I didn't think much of that, then remembered this was a very early episode, when Ralph, as far as I know, hadn't landed cleanly yet.

One thing I like about this, at the beginning, is how it's Bill vs. Pam and Ralph. They're having to remember that Bill, as a member of law enforcement, would HAVE to bring Tony in, so they have to hide Tony till they can talk to Bill.

The various gov't agents following them around all thru the ep is funny too, making it so blatantly obvious. I love when they're heckling Bill and Ralph when they get to Ralph's place.

Also, if there're so many agents there, why don't they catch Tony when he sneaks out before Bill goes to talk to him?

I like that one short agent, when they're standing around after Bill steals one of their burgers; if I heard him right, he said something about taking Maxwell for 30. I took this to mean that he thought Bill WOULD be able to shake them, and sure enough he does (notice at the end, when Bill goes to Moody's, their little entourage of followers aren't there... so he DOES shake them off.) After they subdue Moody, Bill's disappointed that the CIA isn't there for him to grandstand in front of, lol!

Bill's a pro, no doubt about it!

[GarbonzoBeans]

Gosh, it's tough. The pilot had a lot of good stuff in it but ..Heroes was just genuinely good. Best flight effects have got to be that first flight and the flight over the wall in the pilot.
The hit car was also a good one. I think I'd have to go with 'My heroes have always been cowboys' since I think I could watch it the most times.
Some shows don't have very good pilots but I feel the GAH pilot really set up the show nicely and the characters were very well established as though the actors had already been playing those parts for half a season already.

[MiltonMaxwell]

I am kind of surprised how highly MY HEROES is ranking. I did like it. It was like many of the 1st season episodes a great blend of pathos, humor, and drama, but when I look at episodes like BEST DESK SCENARIO, SATURDAY ON SUNSET BOULVEARD, HIT CAR, and the PILOT (many of which have not gotten a single vote) I am surprised that it is blowing those away. All of the above are A rated episodes in my book. On the other hand I loved Maxwell's dilema in HEROES and having RALPH trying to talk Bill into doing the deed (kinda flip side of the usual).

[HoudiniDerek]

I agree with RalphsJammies that the pilot was more feature-oriented, so with the bigger budget and longer playing time, it was bound to score well.
I like the HIT CAR because this is where we get the first taste of Bill whining (no burgers or cokes to the Counselor), get to see what Bill might be like flirting (with the Counselor), and we the start of Bill's dog biscuit fixation. All good stuff.
I like most of the season one episodes...although Reseda Rose and Fireman are down near the bottom. I liked Cyler better than Tony.

[billswoman]

Wow, I wrote all that stuff about "Fire Man" but I don't think I actually commented on which ep I voted on. I don't remember now!

Since I joined this board, though, I've seen all the S1 eps but Reseda Rose, so I'd have to say, and it's a tough choice, but "Heroes..." wins out. Yeah, the pilot's great, it started it all. I love the scene where they first encounter Bill. As fast as Tony was on the switchblade, did you notice how fast Bill had his gun in hand? And Ralph apologizing, and Bill's like, Whatever.. and Ralph says, What do you want, a trip to Europe?

But the pilot's not my second choice. That'd be "Best Desk Scenario," even though Ralph is Hanley (see the nameplate on his door at the end) by this one. I like Bill's little "go, geezer, go!" spiel, lol.

But "Heroes..." wow, that's a goodie. Culp does an awesome job (as usual). When Tracey is telling Bill his plan, and you KNOW Bill would NEVER turn sides! the expressions on Culp's face are priceless. Without saying a word, he conveys all the thoughts running through Bill's mind as he realizes his hero is going bad. The scene in Bill's apartment, too, is great, when Tracey dresses Bill down and Bill, who's obviously taller and bigger than this guy, takes it like a soldier being reamed by his CO. Another great acting scene, both with Culp and the guy playing Tracey (who I don't recall ever seeing anywhere else, but he's an awfully good actor too). I also love Ralph with the jammies' zipper down, lol, and Bill looks at him, and doesn't even bat an eye or change his expression. I love that!

So much else that's great about this episode, those are just little tidbits. It's a good one of the three getting to know one another better too. When Pam and Ralph are leaving, after Tracey chews Bill out, and Pam going, "I've never seen him like this!" is really good. Those two are already getting to know Bill really well by that point.

(Modification: OK, I had that wrong... RALPH says "I've never seen the guy like this!", not Pam. My b.)

[HoudiniDerek]

My favorite first season line I think comes in that episode of MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS. When Pam and Ralph go the next day to get Bill back on board,
Ralph: Guess what's in here, partner?

AND THIS IS ONE OF HIS BEST LINES AND I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I CAN USE IT--
Bill: Bunny rabbits. GREAT DELIVERY.