Knight Rider (1982-1986)

[ColeGrad01]

One night in 1982 at Reno, Nevada, a police officer named Michael Arthur Long was investigating on a case with industrial spies. They had been raiding a casino and stealing private information. His partner was killed after being caught following them. A woman named Tanya Walker was helping Michael track them down. She knew where they were meeting and planning to make their run. So he drove his black Pontiac Trans-Am over to the spot. He found them ready to get away, but stopped them and was about to make his bust. Just then, Tanya pulls out a gun and has it aimed at Michael. She tells him that she is really one of them. That is how she knew about them and what all they were doing. So Michael is forced to surrender and ends up letting the criminals go. Tanya pulls the trigger and shoots Michael right in the head. He falls on the ground right next to his car. After that, Tanya and her crew escape thinking they have gotten away with their scam. Luckily, a helicopter shows up out of nowhere spotting Michael and his black car. A dying millionaire named Wilton Knight decides to have both Michael and his car transported to his mansion. Doctors have been hired to restore Michael back to good condition. He is lying on a bed hooked up to a breathing machine with a bandage wrapped around his entire head. He had served in Vietnam several years before. While over there, Michael suffered a head injury and a tin plate had been inserted there. Because of that, it kept the bullet from going directly into his brain. So instead of dying, he just fell into a coma. But the shot had ruined his face. So the doctors had to perform plastic surgery on him. They removed the bandage after he finally woke up. He wondered where he was and how he got there. Wilton had Michael look in a mirror to see that he had a brand new face. That was so no one could recognize him. Since everyone thought he was dead, Wilton told him he could no longer go by his own name. Michael is angry and wants revenge on Tanya for doing this to him. He no longer could live the life he had. Wilton has engineers working on a special project in a garage at the mansion. Michael wonders what it is and sneaks in there one day. He finds his black Pontiac Trans-Am in there. But it is not what it used to be. All the regular car stuff had been removed and new computer technology was installed. A man named Devon Miles showed up to explain how it works. He is the one who will be left in charge to run the Knight Foundation after Wilton dies. Devon tells Michael his car has been rebuilt so that it can actually think and do what no other car can. He demonstrates that it is indestructible and cannot be damaged. Wilton is right about to die and lying on his death bed. He begins explaining to Michael that he has a lifelong dream of ridding the world of crime. He thinks since Michael used to be a cop, he would be the perfect man for the job. With all his years of police training, Michael could make an excellent agent. So Wilton has Michael promise him that he will plan to battle evil and protect the innocent. His last words are "One man can make a difference." Now that Wilton is no longer living, Michael decides he will keep his promise by getting started on the missions. His first one will be to settle a personal tragedy. He will find Tanya Walker and stop the people she let get away. Devon instructs him that he will be using the newly built car as a partner. It is called the Knight 2000. Michael decides to just call it KITT for short. Before he goes, Devon shows him a paper revealing his new name. He is now Michael Knight. Devon says Michael Long is dead and had a different face. So Michael has been renamed in honor of the millionaire for saving his life at the last minute. Michael gets in the black car and drives off to seek revenge. There are secrets about the car Michael is still not aware of. He finds out it can actually talk back to its driver. A voice box had been installed which is linked to the superior computers. Michael accidentally falls asleep at the wheel while driving, then wakes up also finding out it can run when no one is driving it. KITT happens to have a mind of its own. After going through a derby race, carjackers attempting to rip KITT off, and even having to break out of jail, Michael finally tracks down Tanya. He sneaks into the facility her crew works at. She finds him sneaking around and has no idea who he is. He tells her everything he knows like who she is and what she had done to him. Then Tanya realizes this is the same guy she shot and left to die. So she figures out Michael Long is still alive and been given a new face. Michael gets shot since security guards happen to show up before he could make his move on her. She gets away and has her crew leave for a runaway. They are planning to escape from the country on a private jet. Michael manages to get past the guards despite the fact he is wounded. KITT takes him to the runaway. As they show up, the plane is getting ready to take off. KITT quickly goes over to it and breaks off a wing. The car was able to do that due to its invincibility. The crew ends up jumping out and finds that they are now stranded where they are. Tanya is angry and goes over to KITT. She sees Michael sitting inside holding his wound where he got shot. She aims her gun at him and fires. Once again due to KITT's invincibility, the bullet bounces off the car window and goes into Tanya's face. She falls to the ground and is now dead. Michael has finally had his revenge. The rest of the crew is arrested by the police. Michael began his new job by finishing his old job. This is where he realizes his old life is over and that it is time for him to begin his new life. Devon congratulates Michael for being successful on his first mission. He will begin doing more for the Knight Foundation. Michael and KITT ride together for the next four years. They have several major encounters. But they always win in the end. At the end of all their adventures, Michael drives KITT down the road with the last words of Wilton Knight in his head- "One man can make a difference Michael!" He is Michael Knight, a man who does not exist. No one knows about him except for those who work for the Foundation of Law and Government.

[ColeGrad01]

Well, I assume since no one has said anything about this, you all have seen the pilot episode to the original TV series. Either that or you found this to be so long, that you did not read all of it. I put this on other websites about any movie or TV show to explain the background of KNIGHT RIDER. Everyone I know who watched the show has not seen the first episode and doesn't know the actual origin. I watched it back in the 80's when I was little. As I grew up, all I knew was that it was about David Hasselhoff driving a black car that could talk. I only knew it was him starring in this cause while watching Baywatch Nights, my dad always told me "That's the guy from Knight Rider." He'd go on how I used to love that show, mainly because of the talking car. He said I called it "The Talking Car Show" at the time. Anyway, two years ago I saw something of this in a movie and that reminded me about the show. I wanted to actually know the details, so I got on the internet and looked at it's official website. I learned Michael was originally a cop with a different face and name. This summer when I came home from college, I found reruns of it on the sci-fi channel. I started watching it so I could finally see what this show was about. Now it would be more than just a man driving a black car that could talk. It was at the last few episodes, so I watched it up to the final episode- Voodoo Knight. I got to see how the show ended that way. But I knew that wasn't where the story stopped. The next day is when I finally got to see KNIGHT OF THE PHOENIX. I actually saw the origin of everything. The main character as Michael Long, what he really looked like, getting shot and undergoing the surgery, and best of all- the creation of KITT. It was interesting to see the first time Michael drives KITT and the car talking being a surprise even to him. I saw lots of episodes from here. At the end of my summer break, just a week before I had to come back, Knight Rider 2000 came on the sci-fi channel. That time I actually got to see Michael retired, being recruited back, KITT being dismantled, and the new car used for action. It surprised me when they killed Edward Mulhare off. I didn't expect that to happen. But since the actor is dead now, I guess that was a way of not having to bring him back for anything of this made in the future. I spent most of my summer watching that show. I saw it for a little while after coming back, but now I am busy with work and don't have time. But I've seen all the episodes I needed to anyway. This is the main thing on my mind these days.

[rusti_knight]

talking to yourself only makes you look more and more dim...

Rusti

[knightimmortal]

1) There is no official website for Knight Rider. Never has been.
2) Most people, even the young ones on this board know the history of Knight Rider and most of the episodes from beginning to end.
3) You don't have a VCR to record the episodes, or can't get somebody to record them for you? Because well...sometimes it helps to see all the episodes before commenting on the show.

KI

[ColeGrad01]

I have seen the majority of the episodes. Plus, anybody I would recommend to watch this show probably wouldn't have the time to. I do have a VCR to record, but if I were to tape any episodes, it would just be the important ones. I did end up recording KNIGHT RIDER 2000 cause I had to stay up all night before that morning it came on (personal reason with a family problem). I taped it just in case I crashed on it. But I didn't, and now have it to watch if I ever want to see it again. Most episodes are just regular things that you wouldn't really miss if you failed to see them. I pretty much saw every episode that explains something important except maybe a couple. Plus, there is too an official website for Knight Rider. It is called KNIGHT RIDER ARCHIVE and here is the link to it:

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/007/315/index2.htm

Must-see episodes: KNIGHT OF THE PHOENIX/ TRUST DOESN'T RUST (missed this one)/ WHITE BIRD/ GOLIATH/ SOUL SURVIVOR/ KNIGHTMARES/ GOLIATH RETURNS/ A GOOD KNIGHT'S WORK/ MOUTH OF THE SNAKE/ LET IT BE ME/ KNIGHT OF THE DRONES/ KITT Vs KARR (missed as well)/ KNIGHT IN DISGRACE/ JUNK YARD DOG/ KNIGHT OF THE JUGGERNAUT/ THE SCENT OF ROSES (did not see)/ KILLER KITT (also did not see)/ VOODOO KNIGHT- and the TV movie KNIGHT RIDER 2000

[Benjamin Knight]

An intresting selection Cole, however to get a full idea of what KR is all about you have to watch alot of episodes. You can fall in love after one, but to have a good feel to the show, it takes time. I haven't seen all of them myself. I am still new to the show. But I have a good feel towords it. I find it intrest how you recalled the show then decided to become a fan again. lol "The Talking Car Show" thats cute!

[neps]

Hey ColeGrad01, just so you know, there is no "OFFICIAL" knight rider website anywhere. Knight Rider Archive makes no claim of being official, and every website that exists on Knight Rider doesn't claim to be official because that would risk penalty from Universal.

I know you are new to the boards, but it is very frustrating having someone out of the blue shove all this information that we have all are well aware of for really no relevant purpose. I'm glad to have you here, and I hope you become a good member of the board, but I just hope you understand that this isn't all new to us.

[ColeGrad01]

Alright, whatever. So maybe KNIGHT RIDER ARCHIVE is not the official website, but it does seem to be the one that tells everything one would want to know. I only got on this site so I could put my posts on the proper message board. Since I am registered, I will post things if I ever have anything to say. I know the way those posts are, they are telling things people who come on this site would already know. But they could help out with those who have never seen those episodes or the TV movie. KR2000 is not something you can just walk in the video store and rent off the shelf. It is something you just have to catch on TV when it comes on. Unless you purchase copies off the internet, but it's not anything I have to have that bad. Just a movie you need to see at least once to know the story after the show is no more. I have never seen the episodes with KARR, so if someone put a synopsis on here about them, that would help me out. I have read about them on the website, so I do know somewhat what goes on in them. But I've never actually seen KARR and what all it can do. Maybe some people on here have never actually seen the episodes with Garthe and Goliath, so the post about the evil twin & double could somewhat give them an idea. If I had come onto this board first, those posts never would have been made.

[knightimmortal]

See, that is what the websites are for, to give the synopses, and the other information, and then we come here to discuss the information, the different opinions and views and little known facts, and to answer questions, not to shove already known information down other's throats.

As neps said, there are many websites out there that have different information, and from your statements, I highly doubt that you have been to any of the others.

Remember, discussion, not shoving information.

KI

[KITT]

one thing just kind of stuck in my mind from one of your posts, colegrad. you said you only tape the important episodes.. those may be your favorites, but to me every episode is important. i have my favorites too, but i wouldn't not tape an episode i've never seen before, those episodes would be the episodes i *would* tape.

KITT

[ColeGrad01]

I have never taped any Knight Rider episodes. I was just saying if I were to, it would just be the ones that are a big deal. The ones I have listed are the only ones I would feel like seeing more than once. Most of the regular episodes just seem like something thought up to keep a show going. Those I have listed are actually following the story line people want you to go by. I don't really think KILLER KITT (remember that I've never seen it) is as important as the others listed, but it could serve as the most important when KITT was turned evil. Voodoo Knight seems like a regular deal, and it is only considered important because that is the last one in the series. It is interesting to see that Michael has an evil twin and KITT has an evil double. You get to see Michael's former lover and a time he is reverted back to his former self. It is also interesting to see Michael deal with a nemesis that knows his real identity and goes back to the woman who shot him. Also, it's important to see all the times KITT was destroyed and rebuilt into a more powerful model.

[KITT]

voodoo knight is only important cause it's the last episode, yes. but for the most part, i would stick it in the 'worst episodes ever made' category.

killer KITT on the other hand, is one of my favorites.

KITT

[knightvision]

Just to clarify a small point here on behalf of those who ran sites and just can't find the time anymore including Paul, Mike, Jup, Neil and myself. Sometimes work and life becomes a factor. It is not that we dont want to update or put back the sites we created, but that would also require us to spend time we may not have.

You may not realize it but a majority of webmasters who have been loyal members here for years just do not have the time to do so. Before you were here years ago Paul did update the site, so did Mike, so did I. We all did our part.

One of the best ways to show how creative you are is to create a site. Coming on the board and giving us a synopsis (and a rather long one at that) isnt telling us much about you Cole. Anyone can choose a traditional list of "favorite" episodes but those who are members here tell us why it meant something to them.

There are plenty sites that update: including Knightimmortal's and Scott's KR2K site (last I heard it did?), and of course Neil's site (knightrideronline.com) when there is time. None of these sites are official, nor should they be. We are fans expressing our love for the show and thats the way it should be.

Maybe if you are a newbie or have not been around much you should read "Knight Rider Legacy: The Unofficial Guide to the Knight Rider Universe". It is a fascinating read about the show and will open up many many more discussions about the show and its characters.

I welcome you to the board. I hope that your posts are thought provoking and you bring up issues and ideas that allow us to have some memorable discussions.

Thanks
Richie
KRL Co-Author

[ColeGrad01]

When I put posts up, I will just ask questions and tell my ideas. No more posting things telling about something anybody on here would obviously know. And yes, I now admit KNIGHT RIDER ARCHIVE is not an official website. Just a good one to find your answers. And one other thing, please don't call me Cole. Either say the screen name or just refer to me by my first name.

[knightvision]

Request noted Jordan.

Richie

[ColeGrad01]

When I started coming on here, this was the only section of the board I would enter. But last night I went down through all the other stuff. I found some rules and regulations. I did figure this out as I was on it, but I realize this board is different from any other I've been on. This one seems to have supervisors who run the thing. Kind of like at a job. There are ones around to see what you do, then a head supervisor who checks out your progress. I used to go on another message board which is down now and the reason why I put this unnecessary stuff on this one. I remember disagreeing with something someone said and telling them they were full of crap. It seems like if you do that on this one, you will receive consequences and a possibility of being removed. Others only care that you don't get carried away with cussing or display links to inappropriate websites (like pornographic material). Stuff like that on here will get you instantly removed. I have learned something (the hard way) anyway while being on here, but going through the rules and regulations had me see what is expected on this board and what is not. If I had looked at the rules and regulations first before coming on here, I would have known that this kind of information was unnecessary for this board. It is not saying members are stupid and don't know the show. But anyone can simply say, "I've seen KNIGHT OF THE PHOENIX." That doesn't prove that they exactly have. As being a newcomer, I was providing proof and evidence that I have actually seen the pilot episode and know what the show is all about. Same for the other things like this. It was just showing what I myself knows so I would look like I knew what I was doing being on here. Now knowing that certain people run this thing- some I figured out as I have been on here- are not being my friends when sticking up for me. They are just doing their job. That also explains why they were getting onto me for having this unnecessary information on in the first place. By the way, I read on the rules page that information they thought wasn't needed would be automatically deleted. I now wonder why when they were telling me not to put stuff on here like this that they didn't just instantly delete it off the board. I would now if I was able to because it does seem silly with these things being on here. I realize I was just treating this board when I first came on as just a place to dump what I had typed out on other boards. I realize that wasn't right. People not saying anything about them on the others should have been a sign that these things were just personal synopsises of what they already know typed out in my own words. I originally meant to just come in, submit them to see if anyone would finally say something about them, and then never do anything on here again. But I found this board to be interesting and started doing things on it since I was registered. And I will continuously post things that are necessary as long as I am. I am just saying I now know how this whole things works since I seemed to disappoint everyone when I first came on. Understanding this whole thing may keep that from happening again. I believe I have now been on here long enough to know how everything operates around here.

[Michael Pajaro]

I think you'll find that most of the "rules and regulations" of the board are basically common sense things: be nice.

There is only one person whose "job" it is to run things around here: neps. He's the board owner and moderator. You may find some of us to be very vocal with our opinions, but we have no authority over how the board is run. We're simply members, just like you.

Frankly, as unusual as your summary messages were, I don't understand what the fuss was about. It might have helped if you explained WHY you were posting those messages in the first place, but I really don't think it's a big deal.

And don't worry about people needing to "prove" what they've seen or what they know. We're pretty sharp around here, and as you can tell we can spot false or misleading information pretty quickly.

[knightimmortal]

You will also notice that the actual rules and regulations that i believe that Jordan is talking about is the Terms of Service, and that too, needs to be observed.

I believe the correct title you are looking for, Mike is board Administrator. That covers all the bases. And while we are simply members, that is not quite accurate. There are those who do have a little bit more information and experience as to how the board is run. While we don't have the authority as you said, we can still advise, primarily because Neil can't be in thousands of places at once.

For instance, by your definition, you shouldn't be the one delivering the message above, Mike. Neil should be. And you can't say that you don't have any authority about how the board is run, just like I can't. We advise and throw in our opinions because of our board longevity.

Don't throw away all the efforts from the past to comfort, because in the bottom line, it destabilizes the foundation the board exists upon.

And Jordan, you use common sense, you look around at the board before posting on it, generally and then see how it flows, that is the best way to get on around here.

KI