|
Episode Summary
Written
by J. Cole Weston
A
scientist has come up with a substance that defeats the Zone
effect. But is it what anyone thinks it is?
Episode
Notes
Written
by J. Cole Weston
In
depth: A squadron of planes escorting a Dr. Starokov are suddenly
attacked. One of the helicopters is hit and goes down after
a bout with Intruder. Overlord then hits Zulikov's plane,
and its apparent that Overlord and the Russian scientist have
a history. They land successfully at M.C.C. A Russian Security
Agent checks the room for bugs as the Doctor arrives. Dr.
Starokov has a case containing "Spirotox", a chemical
that should neutralize the zone effects completely. They have
come to M.C.C. to test it. Max suggests Tank's suit be used
for the test, but instead Max's us to be used.
Borchenko steps into a locker and contacts Overlord. The agreement
is to deliver Starokov in exchange for Borchenko becoming
a Black Widow. Max is helping Starokov into his armor in the
ready room. Both have lost family in the zone and they discuss
their losses. Nearby, the test is to take place at the Zone
nearest M.C.C. In the Zone, Overlord is waiting. Dire explains
that Starokov had Overlord deported from Russia after he defected
there. For this, and making SpiroTox, he must pay. Max waits
with Dr. Laurence nearby at M.C.C. Kat and Dirk enter the
zone to check it out. Starokov handcuffs Borchenko, saying
he's known about his sympathies for Overlord's cause for some
time. The Spirotox is useless, but Starokov will use it to
get revenge on Overlord by blowing him to bits. Borchenko
begs not to be taken into the Zone but Starokov won't listen.
Meanwhile
combat breaks loose in the Zone and Hiro is knocked off his
cycle. Tank sees the unconscious Hiro and goes to try to help.
There are too many Zoners and they must escape. Bandit attacks
but they get away on Tank's cycle. Max notices that the Zone
Riders and traveling deeper into the Zone and Hiro and Tank
are in trouble. Max breaks in and takes the Spirotox into
his bloodstream with Dr. Laurence. He leaves to help. Elsewhere,
Courage stops Starokov and confronts him. He claims he can't
find the brake, and Borchenko is zoned, proving Spirotox doesn't
work. Hiro and Tank radio they are in trouble right as the
Black Widows attack. A cycle is destroyed and Dirk grabs the
scientist. Max sets the autopilot on a cycle and enters the
zone, realizing all too late spirotox is a phony. The Zone
Riders head into a canyon, and Overlord's trap. Kat leads
the scientist to cover while he plants the bomb. Borchenko,
although zoned, is able to tell Courage about the bomb. When
the bomb is released, it will explode. Courage tells him if
he fails, all hope dies with him, since the Zone Riders will
die in the explosion. Hiro uses his grappler to grab the bomb.
Spying
Max on his cycle, Razorback shoots at him, damaging the cycle.
Hiro then sends the bomb through a canyon. Overlord attacks
with all his forces as the Riders head out of the Zone. The
grappler with the bomb heads toward the generator as Dirk
stops Max's out of control cycle. With the zone gone, M.C.C.
sends attack helicopters to rout the Widows. Back at M.C.C,
Starokov apologizes for his actions. Courage replies that
one day the world will be free once more.
Items
Noticed: Dr. Starokov is an expert in electro-biology.
This episode is particularly well written in that the two
Russian character distrust one another. While it may be clichéd
from the 80s viewpoint, it makes sense that the scientist
would suspect his KGB / FSB handler of being a spy.
Notes:
Mikhail Borchenko is assigned to the Doctor to guard him,
and is also Overlord's secret agent "Omega 6", in
keeping with the other code names used in earlier episodes.
What
do we learn? Max's helmet is equipped with OptiScan, a comlink
and special breathing equipment which activate automatically.
He also is equipped with electronic handcuffs.
Max's
family was lost in the Chicago Zone.
A
hyper plasma bomb can blow a crater a kilometer wide.
Goof
ups: When Courage orders Hiro to get the Russians out of the
Zone, his grappler backpack is briefly seen on him, even though
it should be elsewhere.
|
