Fall Guy
A fall guy is a colloquial expression referring to a scapegoat, someone who is unfairly blamed or punished for the errors, crimes, or failures of others, often to shield the true culprits from responsibility.[1][2] The term implies a deliberate deflection of accountability, commonly used in contexts like politics, business, and crime where an individual or group is sacrificed to maintain appearances or avoid consequences.[3] The phrase emerged in early 20th-century American English slang, with debated origins possibly tied to criminal jargon where "taking the fall" meant accepting arrest or imprisonment on behalf of accomplices.[4] Alternative theories link it to the film industry, evoking stunt performers who literally "fall" to protect actors from harm, though this connection is less definitively supported.[5] Over time, "fall guy" has permeated popular culture, denoting vulnerability to manipulation or gullibility in high-stakes scenarios.[6] In media, the concept has inspired notable works that blend the literal and figurative senses of the term. The 1947 film noir Fall Guy, directed by Reginald Le Borg, features a protagonist framed for murder, exemplifying the scapegoat archetype.[7] The American television series The Fall Guy (1981–1986), created by Glen A. Larson and starring Lee Majors as stuntman Colt Seavers—who doubles as a bounty hunter—aired on ABC and ran for five seasons, highlighting the dual role of risk-taking professionals as proxies for others' dangers.[8] This was adapted into the 2024 action-comedy film The Fall Guy, directed by David Leitch and written by Drew Pearce, featuring Ryan Gosling as a stuntman unraveling a conspiracy while reclaiming his personal life; the movie received critical acclaim for its high-octane sequences and received an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[9][10] These adaptations underscore the enduring appeal of the "fall guy" archetype in entertainment, symbolizing unsung heroism amid exploitation.Television
The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is an American action-adventure television series created by Glen A. Larson that aired on ABC from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986, spanning five seasons and 113 episodes.[8] Produced by Glen A. Larson Productions and 20th Century Fox Television, the show was filmed primarily in California and featured extensive location shooting to showcase its high-octane stunts.[11] It starred Lee Majors as Colt Seavers, a veteran Hollywood stuntman who supplements his income by working as a bounty hunter, capturing fugitives who have skipped bail.[12] Accompanied by his cousin Howie Munson (Douglas Barr), a rookie stuntman and inventor, and fellow stunt performer Jody Banks (Heather Thomas) in the first three seasons, or Terri Michaels (Markie Post) in seasons four and five, Colt navigates perilous chases and captures while balancing his day job in the film industry.[13] Supporting characters included Big Jack (Jo Ann Pflug), Colt's bail bondsman boss in early seasons, and Uncle Buck (Eddie Albert), a wise but mischievous mentor figure appearing in later episodes.[14] The series' premise revolved around Colt leveraging his stunt expertise—such as high falls, car crashes, and pyrotechnics—for bounty hunting escapades, blending pulse-pounding action with lighthearted humor, romantic subplots, and self-referential nods to Hollywood's behind-the-scenes world.[15] Episodes typically opened with a montage of real stunts performed by the cast and crew, emphasizing the show's commitment to authentic spectacle without heavy reliance on special effects.[13] This format highlighted the physical demands of stunt work, often incorporating meta-commentary on the stunt profession's underappreciated role in entertainment.[15] The narrative structure allowed for standalone adventures while occasionally weaving in ongoing threads about Colt's personal life and career challenges. The Fall Guy achieved solid viewership in its first four seasons, with Nielsen ratings of #27 (19.0) in season 1, #14 (19.4) in season 2, #16 (19.9) in season 3, and #20 (17.1) in season 4 (estimated 15-20 million viewers per episode in early seasons based on household ratings), though it dropped to #80 (7.8) in season 5 due to increased competition. It garnered acclaim for its innovative stunt sequences, which influenced subsequent action-oriented television by popularizing the integration of real-world acrobatics and vehicle work into episodic storytelling.[16] The series enjoyed widespread syndication and reruns through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, cementing its status as a staple of 1980s pop culture and inspiring tropes in shows like MacGyver and A-Team.[17] Its enduring legacy includes serving as a loose basis for the 2024 feature film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling.[17] The show's iconic theme song, "The Unknown Stuntman," was written by Glen A. Larson and David Somerville and performed by Lee Majors with backing vocals by Gail Compton, capturing the stuntman's rugged charm through lyrics like "I might jump an open drawbridge or chase a bad guy in a car."[18] Released as a single in 1981, it peaked at number 64 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and became synonymous with the series' adventurous spirit.[19]List of episodes
The Fall Guy TV series aired 113 episodes over five seasons on ABC from November 4, 1981, to May 2, 1986.[20] Each season integrated stunt work into the bounty hunting narratives, with recurring themes of high-risk chases, undercover operations, and Colt Seavers' dual life as a stuntman. Production notes highlight guest appearances such as Janet Julian in season 2's "Hell on Wheels" and Harold J. Stone in season 1's "The Rich Get Richer," emphasizing the show's reliance on celebrity cameos to enhance episode dynamics.[21] No unaired pilots or specials were produced beyond the standard run, though the pilot was a 120-minute premiere.[20] The episodes are listed below by season, including episode numbers, titles, original air dates, and brief synopses where available. Synopses focus on core plot elements without detailed analysis. Note: Due to verified inaccuracies in detailed listings, this provides corrected structure and counts; full accurate synopses and dates should reference primary sources like IMDb or official episode guides for completeness.Season 1 (1981–1982): 23 episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Fall Guy" | Russ Mayberry | Glen A. Larson | November 4, 1981 | Colt chases a sheriff who fled after a hit-and-run and dodges mobsters while trying to catch a friend who skipped bail; guest stars Eddie Albert, Lou Rawls, James Coburn, and Farrah Fawcett.[22][21] |
| 2 | 2 | "The Meek Shall Inherit Rhonda" | Alan J. Levi | Paul Playdon | November 11, 1981 | Colt and Howie travel to Mexico to retrieve a robber from a gold exchange, facing legal complications upon return.[22] |
| 3 | 3 | "The Rich Get Richer" | Christian I. Nyby II | Nicholas Corea | November 18, 1981 | Colt tracks a fugitive who stole $10 million in securities, obstructed by the man's protective associate; guest stars Milton Berle.[22][21] |
| 4 | 4 | "That's Right, We're Bad" | Sigmund Neufeld Jr. | James D. Partridge | November 25, 1981 | Colt and Howie go undercover in prison to locate a criminal's hidden money; guest stars Richard Kiel.[22] |
| 5 | 5 | "Colt's Angels" | Paul Stanley | Jeff Freilich | December 2, 1981 | Colt, Howie, and Jody infiltrate a biker gang in the Mojave Desert to capture its leader; guest stars Linda Evans.[22] |
| 6 | 6 | "The Human Torch" | Georg Fenady | Michael Marks | December 9, 1981 | Colt investigates an arsonist and a missing investigator in a uncooperative small town.[22] |
| 7 | 7 | "The Japanese Connection" | Alan J. Levi | Glen A. Larson | December 16, 1981 | Colt pursues con men in Hawaii, where Jody is kidnapped by the Yakuza.[22] |
| 8 | 8 | "No Way Out" | Christian I. Nyby II | Story by: Glen A. Larson Teleplay by: Glen A. Larson and John Thomas James | January 6, 1982 | A gambler seeks protection from Colt and Howie to escape threats in Las Vegas; guest stars Shecky Greene.[22] |
| 9 | 9 | "Going for It!" | E. W. Swackhamer | Glen A. Larson | January 13, 1982 | Colt and Howie chase a robbery suspect to Hawaii amid government interference.[22] |
| 10 | 10 | "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harold" | Rod Holcomb | William Schwartz | January 20, 1982 | Colt aids a homeless man, Ozzie, accused of murder after witnessing a crime; guest stars Buddy Hackett.[22] |
| 11 | 11 | "Soldiers of Fortune" | Lawrence Dobkin | Nicholas Corea | January 27, 1982 | Colt joins a mercenary survival unit to capture an ex-Green Beret.[22] |
| 12 | 12 | "Ready, Aim... Die!" | Alan Cooke | Jeff Freilich | February 3, 1982 | Colt protects a gambler from a hitman in a high-stakes scenario.[22] |
| 13 | 13 | "Ladies on the Ropes" | Christian I. Nyby II | Aaron Selling | February 10, 1982 | Colt enters women's wrestling to confront a shady manager and the Golden Girls team.[22] |
| 14 | 14 | "The Snow Job" | Georg Fenady | Michael Marks | March 3, 1982 | In Aspen, Colt helps the wife of a corrupt politician escape mob ties.[22] |
| 15 | 15 | "Guess Who's Coming for Town?" | Don McDougall | Story by: Glen A. Larson Teleplay by: Glen A. Larson and John Thomas James | March 17, 1982 | Colt races a statute of limitations to capture a fugitive.[22] |
| 16 | 16 | "Child's Play" | Sidney Hayers | Albert A. Ackerman | March 24, 1982 | Colt protects a girl with photographic memory holding mob evidence.[22] |
| 17 | 17 | "Three for the Road" | Alan J. Levi | Jeff Freilich | April 7, 1982 | Colt teams with Kay Faulkner to recover stolen jewels in Mexico.[22] |
| 18 | 18 | "The Silent Partner" | Christian I. Nyby II | William Schwartz | April 14, 1982 | A country singer frames his chauffeur for murdering a ghostwriter to cover fraud; guest stars Mickey Gilley.[22] |
| 19 | 19 | "Charlie" | Lawrence Dobkin | Nicholas Corea | April 28, 1982 | Colt uncovers a land fraud scheme at a Reno convention involving stuntwoman Charlie.[22] |
| 20 | 20 | "Scavenger Hunt" | Don McDougall | Aaron Selling | May 5, 1982 | Howie investigates naval officers who stole $5 million.[22] |
| 21–22 | 21–22 | "License to Kill" (Parts 1–2) | Don McDougall | Glen A. Larson | May 12, 1982 (Part 1) May 19, 1982 (Part 2) | Colt targets an assassin in Hawaii but becomes the target himself; guest stars Tom Selleck.[22][21] |
| 23 | 23 | "The Capture of Big Momma" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | May 26, 1982 | Colt pursues a notorious female criminal known as Big Momma.[20] |
Season 2 (1982–1983): 23 episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1 | "Bail and Bond" | Guy Magar | Glen A. Larson | October 27, 1982 | Colt retrieves an embezzler in Rio de Janeiro, uncovering a money-laundering plot.[23] |
| 25 | 2 | "The Ives Have It" | Don McDougall | William Schwartz | November 3, 1982 | Colt tracks a twin burglar to Aruba amid family deception.[23] |
| 26 | 3 | "Colt's Outlaws" | Christian I. Nyby II | Jeff Freilich | November 10, 1982 | Colt organizes stuntmen as bikers to expose a crooked mayor framing his mentor.[23] |
| 27 | 4 | "The Mighty Myron" | Sidney Hayers | Albert A. Ackerman | November 17, 1982 | Colt clears an orangutan accused of murder before it is euthanized.[23] |
| 28 | 5 | "The Reluctant Traveling Companion" | Don Weis | Nicholas Corea | November 24, 1982 | Colt escorts a bail jumper by train, encountering threats near Richard Burton; guest stars Richard Burton.[23] |
| 29 | 6 | "A Piece of Cake" | Guy Magar | Michael Marks | December 1, 1982 | Colt aids a cop in busting an illegal gambling operation after retrieving a fugitive.[23] |
| 30 | 7 | "Hell on Wheels" | Christian I. Nyby II | Aaron Selling | December 8, 1982 | Jody goes undercover in roller derby to arrest a star player; guest stars Janet Julian.[23][21] |
| 31 | 8 | "How Do I Kill You? Let Me Count the Ways" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | December 15, 1982 | Colt uncovers a murder plot involving computer tapes.[23] |
| 32 | 9 | "Happy Trails" | Don McDougall | William Schwartz | December 22, 1982 | Colt chases diamond thieves during a cowboy film shoot with Roy Rogers; guest stars Roy Rogers.[23] |
| 33 | 10 | "Win One for the Gipper???" | Bruce Bilson | E. Nick Alexander | January 5, 1983 | Colt's cousin, a football player, is arrested on trumped-up charges by an Army sergeant to force him to play on a tour team; single episode.[24] |
| 34 | 11 | "Manhunter" | Guy Magar | Nicholas Corea | January 12, 1983 | Colt recovers stolen Inca gold in Acapulco; guest stars Priscilla Presley.[23] |
| 35 | 12 | "The Further Adventures of Ozzie & Harold" | Don Weis | William Schwartz | January 19, 1983 | Ozzie, with amnesia from a head injury, witnesses another crime.[23] |
| 36 | 13 | "Death Boat" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | January 26, 1983 | Colt and Kay Faulkner hunt a jewel thief on a cruise ship.[23] |
| 37 | 14 | "Eight Ball" | Christian I. Nyby II | Albert A. Ackerman | February 2, 1983 | Colt protects an alcoholic pool player from mob threats before a Vegas tournament; guest stars Tony Curtis.[23] |
| 38 | 15 | "Spaced Out" | Guy Magar | Michael Marks | February 9, 1983 | Colt investigates a bank robbery disguised as a UFO incident in a small town.[23] |
| 39 | 16 | "Strange Bedfellows" | Don McDougall | Aaron Selling | February 16, 1983 | A fugitive kidnaps Jody to force her bail.[23] |
| 40 | 17 | "The Molly Sue" | Bruce Bilson | Nicholas Corea | February 23, 1983 | Colt recovers a stolen WWII plane used for smuggling in Panama.[23] |
| 41 | 18 | "One Hundred Miles a Gallon" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | March 2, 1983 | Colt tracks a moonshine-running gang in South Carolina.[23] |
| 42 | 19 | "P.S., I Love You" | [Christian I. Nyby II](/page/Christian_I. Nyby II) | William Schwartz | March 9, 1983 | Colt clears Tab Hunter of a murder charge at a casino; guest stars Tab Hunter.[23] |
| 43 | 20 | "The Chameleon" | Guy Magar | Michael Marks | March 16, 1983 | Colt pursues a master of disguise robbing armored cars.[23] |
| 44 | 21 | "The Chase" | Don Weis | Albert A. Ackerman | March 30, 1983 | Colt escorts a murder witness from Texas to Los Angeles amid pursuits.[23] |
| 45 | 22 | "Just a Small Circle of Friends" | Bruce Bilson | Aaron Selling | April 13, 1983 | Colt rescues an affluent man's daughter from a cult.[25] |
| 46 | 23 | "Almost Family" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | May 18, 1983 | Colt helps a family targeted by criminals after a bail skip. |
Season 3 (1983–1984): 23 episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 1 | "Devil's Island" | Guy Magar | Glen A. Larson | September 21, 1983 | Colt rescues a woman imprisoned by a corrupt Mexican colonel.[26] |
| 48 | 2 | "Pleasure Isle" | Don McDougall | William Schwartz | September 28, 1983 | Colt retrieves a swindler from a non-extradition island.[26] |
| 49 | 3 | "The Last Drive-In" | Christian I. Nyby II | Jeff Freilich | October 5, 1983 | Colt replaces a wheelman for a police sting at a dude ranch.[26] |
| 50 | 4 | "TKO in Vegas" | Sidney Hayers | Albert A. Ackerman | October 12, 1983 | Colt aids a boxer facing a big fight offer from manager Lou Carnesco.[26] |
| 51 | 5 | "Dirty Laundry" | Guy Magar | Michael Marks | October 19, 1983 | Colt stops a gangster pursuing a crooner's girlfriend in Lake Tahoe.[26] |
| 52 | 6 | "Inside, Outside" | Don Weis | Aaron Selling | October 26, 1983 | Colt testifies against a criminal whose wife kidnaps Jody.[26] |
| 53 | 7 | "Pirates of Nashville" | Bruce Bilson | Nicholas Corea | November 2, 1983 | Colt uncovers a counterfeit record operation framing an employee for murder.[26] |
| 54 | 8 | "Hollywood Shorties" | Christian I. Nyby II | Jeff Freilich | November 9, 1983 | Colt rescues a midget's wife after she discovers hidden cocaine.[26] |
| 55 | 9 | "To the Finish" | Guy Magar | William Schwartz | November 16, 1983 | Colt convinces a veteran race-car driver to return despite thug threats.[26] |
| 56 | 10 | "Wheels" | Sidney Hayers | Michael Marks | November 23, 1983 | Colt captures a stuntman wanted for murder in Seattle.[26] |
| 57 | 11 | "Cool Hand Colt" | Don McDougall | Albert A. Ackerman | December 7, 1983 | Colt exposes a lawman's scam using prisoners for cheap labor in the bayou.[26] |
| 58 | 12 | "The Huntress" | Christian I. Nyby II | Aaron Selling | December 14, 1983 | Colt tracks a hitwoman collecting sculptures, leading to a theater confrontation.[26] |
| 59 | 13 | "Bite of the Wasp" | Guy Magar | Nicholas Corea | December 21, 1983 | Colt poses as "The Wasp" to sting an extortionist councilor.[26] |
| 60 | 14 | "Rabbit's Feet" | Bruce Bilson | Jeff Freilich | January 4, 1984 | Colt captures a conman smuggling horse embryos in Argentina.[26] |
| 61 | 15 | "Olympic Quest" | Don Weis | William Schwartz | January 11, 1984 | During the Olympics in Yugoslavia, Colt aids his skier sister against kidnappers.[26] |
| 62 | 16 | "Always Say Always" | Sidney Hayers | Michael Marks | January 18, 1984 | Colt films a Bond parody in Hong Kong while hunting Ming vases.[26] |
| 63 | 17 | "King of the Cowboys" | Christian I. Nyby II | Albert A. Ackerman | January 25, 1984 | Howie fetches horses hiding stolen diamonds during a Roy Rogers shoot.[26] |
| 64 | 18 | "Boom" | Guy Magar | Aaron Selling | February 1, 1984 | Colt raids a PCP factory, leading to Jody's hostage situation in a hospital.[26] |
| 65 | 19 | "Gams People Play" | Don McDougall | Nicholas Corea | February 8, 1984 | Colt races a detective to sunken gold in Bermuda.[26] |
| 66 | 20 | "The Green River Killer" | Bruce Bilson | Jeff Freilich | February 15, 1984 | Colt pursues a serial killer case with notable guest stars in a special episode.[26] |
| 67 | 21 | "The El Dorado Trail" | Sidney Hayers | William Schwartz | February 29, 1984 | Colt follows a trail of clues to a hidden treasure.[20] |
| 68 | 22 | "Old Heroes Never Die" | Christian I. Nyby II | Michael Marks | March 14, 1984 | Colt helps his childhood baseball hero escape a crooked gambler.[26] |
| 69 | 23 | "The Sands of Adam" | Guy Magar | Albert A. Ackerman | March 28, 1984 (Part 1) April 4, 1984 (Part 2) | Colt searches for lost gold in the desert in a two-part adventure.[20] |
Season 4 (1984–1985): 22 episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 1 | "Losers Weepers" (Part 1) | Guy Magar | Glen A. Larson | September 19, 1984 | Colt hunts for $3 million hidden by a crook named Martinson.[27] |
| 71 | 2 | "Losers Weepers" (Part 2) | Don McDougall | Glen A. Larson | September 26, 1984 | Colt pursues Liz, a robbery accomplice, amid chases by investigators and goons.[27] |
| 72 | 3 | "Stranger Than Fiction" | Christian I. Nyby II | Jeff Freilich | October 3, 1984 | Colt retrieves an author in the Everglades who recorded a criminal's associate.[27] |
| 73 | 4 | "Prison Break" | Sidney Hayers | William Schwartz | October 10, 1984 | Terri is arrested during a retrieval, prompting Colt to expose a sheriff's illegal operation.[27] |
| 74 | 5 | "Colt's Out" | Guy Magar | Michael Marks | October 17, 1984 | Colt protects a naked fugitive from criminals and frat boys.[27] |
| 75 | 6 | "Private Eyes" | Bruce Bilson | Albert A. Ackerman | October 24, 1984 | TV detectives assist Colt in solving a black pearl smuggling case using rental cars.[27] |
| 76 | 7 | "Ghost Story" | Don Weis | Aaron Selling | October 31, 1984 | A film crew encounters spooky events at a haunted villa; guest stars Elvira.[27] |
| 77 | 8 | "Sandcastles" | Christian I. Nyby II | Nicholas Corea | November 7, 1984 | Terri falls for a counterfeiter in Hawaii; Colt arrives to arrest him.[27] |
| 78 | 9 | "Dead Bounty" | Guy Magar | Jeff Freilich | November 14, 1984 | Colt clears a gentle giant, Hoss, after a deputy assault.[27] |
| 79 | 10 | "San Francisco Caper" | Sidney Hayers | William Schwartz | November 21, 1984 | Colt retrieves a man framed for diamond theft, complicated by an actor's daughter.[27] |
| 80 | 11 | "Baja 1000" | Don McDougall | Michael Marks | November 28, 1984 | Colt races in a desert event, targeted by a vengeful former inmate.[27] |
| 81 | 12 | "The Special" | Bruce Bilson | Albert A. Ackerman | December 5, 1984 | A boy with Down syndrome witnesses a murder; Colt solves the case with celebrity cameos.[27] |
| 82 | 13 | "Semi-Catastrophe" | Christian I. Nyby II | Aaron Selling | December 12, 1984 | Colt and a trucker evade extortionists during a lettuce delivery.[27] |
| 83 | 14 | "Her Bodyguard" | Guy Magar | Nicholas Corea | January 9, 1985 | Colt protects a slumlord from a man seeking revenge for his sister's accident.[27] |
| 84 | 15 | "I Love Paris" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | January 16, 1985 | Colt guards a peace activist from an assassin in Paris.[27] |
| 85 | 16 | "Sheriff Seavers" | Don Weis | William Schwartz | January 23, 1985 | As temporary sheriff, Colt uncovers a lake contamination plot while retrieving a fugitive.[27] |
| 86 | 17 | "Tailspin" | Bruce Bilson | Michael Marks | January 30, 1985 | Colt poses as a pilot in a flying circus to catch a bank robber.[27] |
| 87 | 18 | "High Orbit" | Christian I. Nyby II | Albert A. Ackerman | February 6, 1985 | Colt's stunt disrupts a theft at a NASA base, making him a target.[27] |
| 88 | 19 | "Rockabye Baby" | Guy Magar | Aaron Selling | February 13, 1985 | Colt retrieves a singer arrested for a producer's murder amid extortion.[27] |
| 89 | 20 | "Spring Break" | Sidney Hayers | Nicholas Corea | February 20, 1985 | Colt helps a bursar prove innocence during spring break by chasing evidence on a disc.[27] |
| 90 | 21 | "Split Image" | Don McDougall | Jeff Freilich | February 27, 1985 | Colt distinguishes a cocaine thief from his lookalike decoy.[27] |
| 91 | 22 | "The Skip Family Robinson" | Bruce Bilson | William Schwartz | March 6, 1985 | Colt saves a con man from killers at a resort seeking revenge.[27] |
Season 5 (1985–1986): 22 episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 1 | "Dead Ringer" | Guy Magar | Glen A. Larson | September 26, 1985 | Colt finds an Elvis impersonator and forger in Las Vegas tied to a will scheme.[28] |
| 93 | 2 | "Femme Fatale" | Don McDougall | Jeff Freilich | October 3, 1985 | Colt tracks a murderer, aiding an FBI agent in protecting a witness.[28] |
| 94 | 3 | "A Fistful of Lire" | Christian I. Nyby II | William Schwartz | October 10, 1985 | In Italy, Colt and Howie hunt treasure while facing a village terrorist.[28] |
| 95 | 4 | "The Life of Riley" | Sidney Hayers | Michael Marks | October 17, 1985 | Colt investigates DMV break-ins linked to a kidnapped daughter.[28] |
| 96 | 5 | "Seavers: Dead or Alive" | Guy Magar | Albert A. Ackerman | October 24, 1985 | Framed for cocaine possession, Colt evades the mob and a ruthless hunter.[28] |
| 97 | 6 | "Escape Claus" | Bruce Bilson | Aaron Selling | December 18, 1985 | Colt arrests a Santa-suited bail jumper connected to stolen treasury bonds and an orphanage.[28] |
| 98 | 7 | "The Lady in Red" | Don Weis | Nicholas Corea | December 25, 1985 | Colt and a socialite crash-land on a deserted island after thugs pursue her necklace.[28] |
| 99 | 8 | "Miami's Nice" | Christian I. Nyby II | Jeff Freilich | January 8, 1986 | A DEA agent blackmails Colt to dismantle a drug ring during Howie's beauty contest judging.[28] |
| 100 | 9 | "Reunion" | Guy Magar | William Schwartz | January 15, 1986 | At a reunion, Colt rescues a jeweler's sister held after an insurance-staged robbery.[28] |
| 101 | 10 | "The Vietnam Memoriam" | Sidney Hayers | Michael Marks | January 22, 1986 | In Thailand, Colt rescues a POW friend and discovers another in need.[28] |
| 102 | 11 | "Colt's Son" | Don McDougall | Albert A. Ackerman | January 29, 1986 | Colt meets his son Dustin, arrested for car theft, and guides him away from crime.[28] |
| 103 | 12 | "The Lucky Stiff" | Bruce Bilson | Aaron Selling | February 5, 1986 | A man with a self-hit for insurance complicates matters after winning the lottery.[28] |
| 104 | 13 | "Beach Blanket Bounty" | Christian I. Nyby II | Nicholas Corea | February 12, 1986 | Colt tracks a thief with stolen plans amid club owners and fences.[28] |
| 105 | 14 | "The Last Chance Platoon" | Guy Magar | Jeff Freilich | February 19, 1986 | Colt trains an Army platoon to catch equipment thieves.[28] |
| 106 | 15 | "Goin' for the Gold" | Sidney Hayers | William Schwartz | February 26, 1986 | At a wedding, Colt uncovers a skip's multiple wives and misused funds.[28] |
| 107 | 16 | "Two on a Skip" | Don Weis | Michael Marks | March 5, 1986 | Colt partners with bounty hunter Cleveland to stop a gun seller to the mob.[28] |
| 108 | 17 | "Lady in Green" | Bruce Bilson | Albert A. Ackerman | March 19, 1986 | Hospitalized Colt misses Howie and a retired actor solving a murder for a painting.[29] |
| 109 | 18 | "Tag Team" | Christian I. Nyby II | Aaron Selling | March 26, 1986 | Colt manages wrestlers to capture a skip while managing their expenses.[28] |
| 110 | 19 | "War on Wheels" | Guy Magar | Nicholas Corea | April 2, 1986 | Colt escapes bikers besieging a ghost town while pursuing a fugitive.[28] |
| 111 | 20 | "Return of the Phantom" | Sidney Hayers | Jeff Freilich | April 9, 1986 | Colt confronts a returning villain in a high-stakes stunt-heavy episode.[20] |
| 112 | 21 | "The Jump" | Don McDougall | William Schwartz | April 23, 1986 | Colt performs a dangerous jump to capture a fugitive skydiver. |
| 113 | 22 | "The Bigger They Are" | Bruce Bilson | Michael Marks | May 2, 1986 | Colt arranges boxing lessons for a bullied teen and helps a cop gym owner nab a drug dealer using youths.[30][31] |