episode #33 - The Bionic Woman, Part II

episode #20 of 2nd season / Air Date: 3/23/75    written by Kenneth Johnson    Directed by Richard Moder

The 2nd part of the famous Bionic Woman origin story concentrates on the possible problems with Jaime's bionics and her first mission, but the stronger elements of this episode are the sense of family and a focus on the inner circle of the Six Million Dollar Man's universe. Both of Austin's parents (well played by Martha Scott and Ford Rainey) have large roles in this one and add to this scope. There's an early scene when Austin's mom accidentally finds out that her son and Jaime are bionic and Austin has to fill her in. We don't hear Austin's actual words (writer Johnson copied a scene from Hitchcock's North By Northwest, where we just see a character's reactions) but the entire sequence is among the most effective of the entire series. And, it's Goldman's scene of announcing the 1st mission which is interesting, not the mission itself.

Jaime's 1st mission is rather simple and dull, mostly about getting into the villain's safe. The villain is over-played by Malachi Throne, overly dramatic and even campy in his white suit; he appeared briefly in the first part and had planned vengeance against Austin. So, we think he may be the instrument of Jaime's downfall, but the mission ends in a very anti-climactic fashion. No, the tragedy here has to do with Jaime's bionics - these are not to be taken for granted, according to this episode. It's easily the most tragic climax of the series - but I hear there are later episodes about a Bionic Woman's return...     BoG's Score: 7 out of 10
Bionic Trivia: Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers would return, of course, at the start of the 3rd season, in The Return of the Bionic Woman;

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