I bought the Season One of KNIGHT RIDER simply because I remembered the very, very pretty blonde girl I had seen in the episode "White Bird" which had that little eponymous song in it. Catherine Hickland, what an innocently pretty, absolutely darling sweet little beauty... only, permit me to say Fairy Princess... and I worship you, baby!
I agree with the other reviewer who called this a "strong episode", disagree with the one that called it "simple"... it is one of the very few that delves deeper into what actually happened in the pilot episode, the Michael Long back story.
But I am not here to talk about the storyline. Catherine Hickland, wow. Wow. Me? Teary-eyed sigh. I think that sums it up.
Ever since having been recruited by screen goddess Susan George in DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY, I am The Number One Fan of the chase movie. The car chase with the smart sports car, the dashing hero, and the vivacious ultra-pretty smart-mouthed girl. Don't forget Sondra Locke in THE GAUNTLET and Barbara Bach in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.
So far KNIGHT RIDER had fallen short. Yeah, there were that episode with the journalist, the actress that had been in line for the Bonnie part, she had at least been in the car with Michael, but it just didn't have the feel to it. Make no mistake that this is nothing like the drive-in classic DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY but Catherine certainly was the right kind of lady. Too few scenes of her in the car.
And unforgivable that she was shot. Like Susan George in THE PERSUADERS! "The Gold Napoleon" also wounded. Scriptwriters don't really care about their heroines, huh? If I had this set-up as writer/director/creator, Mr. Larson, no, sorry, I don't have the nerve to be director... but if I could have done creative input for "White Bird"... shame, poor old unpublished author me... but promise ya, people, I'd have made optimum use of that beautiful, beautiful kid... but no bullet hitting, no hospital.
Delightful, ultimately wistful episode with great photography. Kudos to David and Catherine for their uncredited input in pitching the storyline.
Puffed with pride to have seen this again.