The Topaz Connection
Nitcentral's Bulletin Brash Reflections:
Knight Rider:
Season 1:
The Topaz Connection
The Topaz Connection
Phillip Royce, an wealthy publisher of "Escape" magazine, is killed while in bed with a young woman. Royce was on his way out of the business of sexually-suggestive magazines, and the major step he was going to take was called "topaz." Unfortunately, the only one close to him that's trustworthy is his daughter Lauren, and she doesn't even want Michael's help. Furthermore, the password to access the "topaz" file is a 6-digit code that she doesn't know. When one of Royce's old friends is murdered, Michael uses KITT's database to figure out that he was working for Royce in Las Vegas. Lauren ditches Michael for Las Vegas in the plane her father travelled in, but Michael (and KITT) are there when she lands. Over the next few days, Michael and Lauren get close and learn more about what's happened, though they don't find any solid leads. Soon, a woman named Anne Taylor calls from Los Angeles and claims she has information on Royce's death. Lauren is kidnapped by a group of thugs on a plane that looks identical to one of Royce's planes. Michael finds out that Anne was Royce's first centerfold, and she wanted to get Lauren here to get back at Royce. Anne also happens to have a birthday in November. Since November's birthstone is the topaz, Michael uses Anne's measurements (36-24-36) to find out what is in the "topaz" file. A man named Paul DeBrett of a pharmaceutical company was behind the murder of Royce, as Royce was getting close to an expose regarding stolen goods by DeBrett. Eventualy Michael finds out where Lauren is being held, and he saves her. She puts out the next issue of "Escape," and the centerfold is a beautiful girl on a beautiful car - KITT.
THOUGHTS:
-Nice episode, flows along smoothly. There are some beautiful shots of KITT, including one off to the right side which shows a GORGEOUS reflection of the scenery.
-The music in this episode was fresh and generally good, though there's one part which made me laugh (unintentionally). Lauren has just told Michael it's her birthday, and her father actually remembered her gift (so she's crying). She cries in Michael's arms and suddenly there's a loud DUN DUNA DUN DUNA DUN DUN!!
FAVORITE QUOTE:
(Some photographer guy is talking to Bonnie)
guy: "I remember you, I shot you last year. Miss June, right?"
Devon: "I think you've got the wrong girl. Or, the wrong month."
NITS:
-For all of Lauren's rants about the "sex" part of Royce's business, the pictures didn't look all that provocative. Girls in swimsuits? You can see that on the beach every day! I thought she meant *ahem* xxx stuff, but then we couldn't have that fun picture at the end.
-Some bad "montage" shots with Michael&Lauren/stock footage. You know they're not actually in Vegas, they're just acting like it in front of a black curtain!
-Why doesn't Michael have KITT microjam the plane when Lauren is kidnapped?
-There's sparks on KITT's rear bumper when exiting the FLAG semi.
-As Michael and KITT approach DeBrett's house, a bad guy shoots at KITT. Look closely at KITT's hood in the next shot, there's two black indentations coming out of the hood (used to simulate the ricochet of the bulletts).
-When Michael has KITT turbo boost, look at KITT's right tire, there's some kind of metal strut attached to it. Also, in the next shot there's something flying out of the driver's seat (not Michael, something else). Actually, there's stuff flying out all over the place during the turbo boost!
-The end sequence is missing the "One man can make a difference, Michael..." quote.
By KK on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 11:22 pm:One other nit: The thin, clear plastic covers on KITT's nose (those that allow the stock turn signals to be visible) ride up against the wind in the desert shots.
Should have used thicker plexiglass!
-Kurt