I love it when a DVD comes together!
The hit 80s TV series that helped save the NBC network finally makes it way to DVD. The A-Team is the story of a Vietnam crack commando unit made up of four men: Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith, Lieutenant Templeton Peck (a.k.a. Face), Captain H.M. (Howlin' Mad) Murdock, and Sergeant B.A. Baracus (Mr. T).
They were committed of a crime they didn't commit and escaped from a maximum security stockcade to the Los Angeles underground and survived as soldiers of fortune, helping out those in need.
The first season of The A-Team is probably my favorite. Everything was just original and raw, where they didn't have a care but for themselves and their attitudes were more rough and comedy came as a result of their actions and insults, rather than trying to intentionally be funny. In later seasons it's the opposite, where the guys seem to become more soft and sensitive to the situations and feelings and comedy seemed to be more of the intent rather than their rough image, and the shows tended to follow the same formula every week.
There are 14 episodes in Season 1:
Episodes 1 and 2 - Mexican Slayride Part 1 and Part 2 - The two hour pilot. When a newspaper reporter from the L.A. Courier gets kidnapped by outlaws in Mexico, fellow reporter Amy Allen seeks out The A-Team to rescue him. Features the only time Faceman is played by Tim Dunigan instead of Dirk Benedict.
3. Children of Jamestown - The A-Team is hired to save a girl from a cult led by the Rev. Martin James. Upon freeing the girl, The A-Team is captured and looks to escape and return the favor to James. The lesson is, nobody takes Hannibal's boots.
4. Pros and Cons - A friend of B.A. escapes prison and gets caught, but not before telling B.A. of the illegal fight-to-the-death matches the prison warden makes them take part in where the winner goes "free," only to become hunted.
5. A Small and Deadly War - A straight cop discovers a SWAT team gone bad and hires The A-Team to expose them.
6. Black Day at Bad Rock - B.A. is wounded from a previous job that went slightly wrong. The Team takes him to a doctor in Bad Rock, who helps B.A. but also calls the sheriff and has them arrested thinking they're a part of a biker gang. Hannibal and Face escape jail, but refuse to let out the jailed gang leader. When he informs them the rest of the gang is coming to set him free, The A-Team strikes a deal with the sheriffs to protect the town and in turn they aren't arrested.
7. The Rabbit Who Ate Las Vegas - A professor who has discovered the perfect formula for gambling is kidnapped by a casino owner. The A-Team pose as federal agents to rescue him, but when the casino owner is killed they become the prime suspects and must find the real killer to prove their innocence.
8. Holiday In The Hills - On their way back from a mission, The A-Team's plane crashes in the Carolina hills, where they stumble across a mob of hillbillies getting ready to burn a man at the stake. The A-Team saves the man and Murdock takes him for medical attention, while the rest of the guys defend their position while waiting for Murdock to return with help.
9. The Out-of-Towners - The A-Team heads to New York City, where a group of local shopkeepers are being bullied into paying money for "protection" they don't want.
10. West Coast Turnaround - The A-Team is hired by a 'Nam vet to transport his crop of watermelons before they spoil, but they are met with resistance from another local rancher who controls much of the valley and is trying to put him out of business.
11. One More Time - The A-Team is finally captured by Col. Lynch, but his authority is quickly taken away by the U.S. gov't, who strike a deal with the Team to send them to Borneo to rescue a general (who B.A. punched in Vietnam) and his daughter, who are being held captive by guerrilas.
12. Til Death Do Us Part - The A-Team is hired to save Jackie Taylor from marrying Calvin Cutter against her will. Jackie and Calvin had been dating, but once Jackie's father died and she inherited his company (which Cutter works for), Calvin's real intentions became clear. But since Calvin owns most of Wilson County, Jackie really had no way to escape him. Features classic moments such as Murdock almost marrying the groom, and Faceman getting married?! Definitely one of the best episodes!
13. The Beast From The Belly Of A Boeing - Hijackers take over an airplane and make demands for money and that the FBI and police not be involved if they want the passengers to survive. Hannibal and Face pose as the president and vice president of Beller Air to infiltrate the plane, while Murdock and B.A. sneak onboard while fueling up the plane. The only problem is the plane takes off when it's not suppose to and B.A., who is afraid of flying, goes into a state of comatose, and it's up to Murdock to save the Team.
Definitely a must own DVD set for all A-Team fans and those of classic 80s TV series!
