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What’s this? A Devon episode? We’re only eight episodes in and already getting these welcome detours from the standard formula. Had this happened in a later season, it might have been a major red flag—looking at you, The A-Team Season 5—but here it feels like another sign that the show is still finding its footing and isn’t afraid to experiment. Knight Rider may have a formula, but it clearly isn’t interested in following it to the letter every single week. So let’s see if Devon can carry an episode on his own.
The Plot
When Devon Miles is arrested in a small town on a seemingly minor traffic violation, what starts as an inconvenience quickly turns into something far more dangerous. After an investigative journalist is murdered in police custody, Devon becomes a target himself and mysteriously disappears. With the local authorities, a corrupt judge, and a pair of crooked cops all working together to cover up the truth, Michael Knight and KITT must uncover a conspiracy that reaches to the very top of the town’s power structure
My thoughts
Another memorable Knight Rider episode, as it puts the focus on Devin for much of the story. The opening scene with him and the police is one of the show’s most memorable moments, partly because it’s Devin—not a weekly guest star or Michael—who finds himself in that situation. That said, seeing KITT subjected to a corrupt cop trying to smash one of his taillights would have made for a fun scene.
We do get a similar moment when a gas station attendant, hoping to make some easy money, tries to puncture one of KITT’s tires with an ice pick, only to fail miserably.
Both Michael and KITT take a step back in this episode, as their primary mission is to find Devon, making them essentially the B-story. That’s not to say the episode is light on KITT action, though. There are several scenes in which KITT is targeted by locals who have been recruited by the corrupt police department to help capture Michael.
What I don’t understand is in what world “helping the police” means trying to ram your truck head-on into another vehicle. That seems less like assisting law enforcement and more like attempted murder—not to mention reckless driving. Then again, the police department in this town is corrupt to the core, so perhaps that’s just business as usual.
But most of the enjoyment comes from Devon and his adventure behind bars. As it turns out, Devon is quite the expert at escaping from prison, having done it twice during World War II. When he learns that his cellmate is planning an escape, he eagerly joins in and quickly becomes the mastermind behind the operation, even driving the getaway car during the ensuing chase.
It’s easily the best part of the episode, and Edward Mulhare clearly relishes the expanded role. Instead of his usual one or two scenes—often confined to his office or the semi-truck—he gets to carry much of the story, and he does so with charm and confidence.
It isn’t until the third act that Devon and Michael finally reunite, leading to the obligatory chase scene—this time with the county line as the destination. To reach it, KITT has to Turbo Boost through a pickup truck fitted with a slide-in camper, allowing them to escape to safety.
The most satisfying moment comes at the end of the episode, when Devon finally confronts the corrupt judge face to face. The judge responds by pulling a gun on him. I’m not entirely sure what his master plan was supposed to be, but he never gets the chance to carry it out, as Devon promptly knocks him out with a well-placed punch. Seeing that stiff, snobbish English gentleman suddenly throw a knockout punch is a delightful surprise.
Overall, this is another highly entertaining episode. Even though KITT and Michael take more of a back seat than usual, the focus on Devon more than makes up for it. It’s a refreshing change of pace and proof that Knight Rider didn’t always have to follow the same formula to deliver a memorable episode.
Knight Rider tropes
KITT shenanigans
With Michael and KITT taking a backseat, there is little room for the usual KITT shenanigans. The only moment KITT gets to cut loose comes in the opening scene, where a greedy gas station owner tries to make an extra buck by puncturing his tires with an ice pick.
Damsel in distress
On his quest to find Devon, Michael is aided by Frank Reston’s ex-wife, Carol. She serves as Michael’s guide to the troubles brewing in the town, filling him in on the situation and the people involved. However, despite her connection to the case, she never finds herself in any real danger. The episode also makes a point of highlighting that she is Reston’s ex-wife, though this ultimately goes nowhere, as Carol is never positioned as a potential love interest for Michael.
Child in peril
There is no child in this episode.
Michael’s undercover identity
Another episode in which Michael doesn’t go undercover. The same goes for Devon.
The Villains
Since the villains are a local police department and a judge, this episode does adhere to the show’s concept of a world where criminals operate above the law. It highlights how easy it is to abuse that power when the very people responsible for upholding the law are the ones breaking it. While these villains are effective, they are not particularly memorable in the same way as standout antagonists like Tanya.
Notable gadgets
There are no new gadgets introduced in this episode. In fact, Bonnie only appears briefly, calling Michael and KITT from the truck to inform them of Devon’s incarceration. The episode is also surprisingly light on KITT’s existing gadgets, though it does showcase one impressive ability: KITT can not only drive at incredible speeds going forward, but can also do so in reverse.
Memorable guest stars
Once again, there are no particularly familiar faces in this episode. However, Grainger Hines would go on to have a solid career, appearing in a wide range of television shows and movies.
Random observations
This show has plenty of moments where stunts are clearly performed by stuntmen, but Devon’s jump with a pickup truck really takes the cake. It is especially noticeable because the stuntman is clearly wearing a safety helmet.
Devon punching the judge in the face also earns him the title of the episode’s most badass character.
