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| Making strides: Lindsay Wagner as the original THE BIONIC WOMAN. Images: UNIVERSAL. |
The boys had gotten their bionic enhanced hero with astronaut turned spy Steve Austin, amiably played by Lee Majors. Now it was time for the girls to have their own heroine- tennis player/teacher Jaime Sommers, as played by the lovely and sincere Lindsay Wagner, in the hugely successful, Emmy winning, Golden Globe nominated three season spin-off hit THE BIONIC WOMAN, created and developed by Kenneth Johnson, whose first two seasons of thrilling mid-seventies adventures now arrive in pristine remastered DVD from 25th February, courtesy of those fabulous people at the UK's FABULOUS FILMS (of which the third and final year is already available in the format).
Soon becoming an international icon in the role after her first appearances in THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, Miss Wagner's portrayal of Jaime remains fondly remembered for her integrity and warmth, whilst the series in general had the same kind of winning mixture of action and character storytelling (with perhaps more of a moral message, too) as its friendly rival, developing our heroine beyond being just a dedicated and capable agent partaking in classified and highly perilous missions like her good friend, and former fiancee, Steve Austin.
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| Jaime gets a bionic check-up from Doctor Wells (Alan Oppenheimer), watched by Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) and Steve Austin (Lee Majors). |
Original series titles and theme: Bionic Woman Intro - YouTube
Re-united with boss Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) at the Office of Scientific Intelligence, and supported by bionic scientist Rudy Wells (originally played by Alan Oppenheimer, then Martin E. Brooks)- both of whom saved her life with the critical decision to make her bionic-Season One sees the show developing its own unique identity, as Jaime gets used to her new double life and abilities, aided and hindered by a formidable array of guest stars, including Andy Griffith, Tippi Hedren and Alejandro Rey. Lee Majors also gets to appear in three episodes to help give the show a solid launch base. Season Two then sees the series hit its confident stride, bolstered by a memorable opening series crossover story with SIX that has Sommers reunited with Steve in battle against the alien robot Bigfoot (Ted Cassidy)-a recurring baddie from the other series. Further BIONIC WOMAN episodes see Jaime become a lady wrestler (!), a convent nun and a police officer, plus the notable introduction of her deadly nemesis, the Fembots in the epic Kill Oscar! story. Plus, a memorable two-part battle against a homicidal computer that wants to destroy the world. More fine gust stars across the year include Stefanie Powers, Lew Ayres, Sam Groom, and Katherine Helmond.
Adding to the already brilliant two season package are an array of exciting and comprehensive bionic extras, including aforementioned key THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN episodes and crossovers, audio commentaries on selected episodes by Wagner and series creator/writer Kenneth Johnson, detailed behind the scenes featurettes, lovely info/picture packed colour booklets, a gag-reel, and photo galleries.
Look out for KOOL TV's review of the three seasons in the not too distant future.
Get hold of THE BIONIC WOMAN: The Complete Seasons One to Three, here:
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| The superb complete series set from FABULOUS FILMS. |
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