"Knight Rider: a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist. Michael Knight, a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law." I've been unwinding in the evenings by reviewing some of the classic episodes of 'Knight Rider', a particular TV favourite of mine from the Eighties. However, I find myself looking at the show with slightly different eyes now...
The series now seems to be a very idealised vision of a modern-day knight. Liberated from his past, Michael is given a new identity, a second chance as he is 'born again' (he even gets a new face!), Michael is also given the necessary tools to right wrongs, setting off on a lone crusade to 'make a difference' in the world. Oh boy, even years on that still appeals to me. I really identify with the concept that 'one man can make a difference'...
However, with repeated viewing I also note that:
- Pretty much nothing is ever said about Michael's family, his past life. Lone, I understand. Lonely, no thank you.
- Technology always works in this series. His sidekick in the show is KITT (the Knight Industries Two Thousand, a virtually indestructible car with an artificial intelligence), who regularly saves his life week after week. Unfortunately, not so in the real world! I can't even rely on my mobile phone to keep my ringtone settings from one week to another, let alone trust it to keep me safe from criminals!
- In the show, Michael works for the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG) - an independent non-government agency dedicated to the pursuit of justice, privately funded by billionaire Wilton Knight. Michael and KITT are brought in during situations where "direct action might provide the only feasible solution". Er... does that make him a vigilante and therefore operating 'above the law' as much as the criminals he's trying to catch?
It's still a great show, though...
No comments:
Post a Comment