episode #30 - Look Alike

episode #17 of 2nd season / Air Date: 2/23/75    written by Richard Carr    Directed by Jerry London

This one entered the realm of boxing, so naturally one of the most famous boxers of the time plays a role. The episode begins on a different note: Austin is being impersonated by a small-time crook who had plastic surgery to look just like Austin. The story suggested that this would be all about the fake Austin deceiving Oscar Goldman for much of the episode (much like a fake Goldman deceived Austin only a couple of episodes before). However, the faux Austin doesn't last very long. To find out more, such as who directed Austin's double, the real Austin turns the trick back on the bad guys, pretending that he's the double.
It's only after that plot turn that George Foreman's role kicks in. It's a rather brief, gimmicky role - there didn't seem to be a real need for it, in terms of story - just a way to publicize a possible best cyborg vs. best boxer confrontation. Foreman actually works for Goldman, though Austin and the audience don't know this until the final act. After Austin finally tracks down some negatives at the offices of a boxing arena, he gets trapped in the boxing ring by about half-a-dozen bad guys and Foreman's character runs in to lend a hand, er, fist. Though Austin only just met him, he opines at the end that Foreman's character is quite a man.    Well... maybe he was. A very average, dull episode, despite the whole Austin doppelganger plot. BoG's Score: 5.5 out of 10
Bionic Trivia: one of the unusual episodes which has no pre-credits teaser. Actor Jack Colvin has a small role as a fight manager; he soon got a regular gig on the Incredible Hulk TV series as the pursuing reporter.