Knight Glider was spun-off from the successful Knight Rider in 1985 in an attempt to cash-in on the supervehicle craze while it was still white-hot. The show was only a mild success, as the run of Knight Glider coincided with the decline of Knight Rider, its ratings were pulled down with those of its more famous sibling. The producers were informed mid-season that the show wouldn’t be renewed, allowing them a graceful exit from the airwaves.
While Knight Glider had its own unique style, it shared enough similarities with Knight Rider to stop it crossing over to viewers who weren’t fans of Knight Rider. Where Michael Knight had a talking computerised car called KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), Chuck Valiant had a talking computerised hang glider called VIRGA (Vale Industries Research Glider Alpha). Vale Industries and Archer Vale were Knight Glider’s version of Knight Industries and Wilton Knight (combined with Devon Miles) from Knight Rider. And the repartee between Michael Knight and KITT was amplified in Knight Glider, as Chuck Valiant and VIRGA constantly chatted and traded one-liners and insults.
The cast were all experienced and popular performers. Marc Singer had been in the hit movie Beastmaster a few years earlier. Acting legend Richard Burton signed on as Archer Vale. The principal cast was complete when two alumni of the popular comedy Revenge of the Nerds signed on: Anthony Edwards provided the voice of VIRGA, and Curtis Armstrong (Dudley ‘Booger’ Dawson in Revenge of the Nerds) signed on as VIRGA’s creator Albert Finkle. Lee Van Cleef had a significant recurring role as Chuck’s arch nemesis, The Hawk, Oriental action star Jackie Chan featured twice as Pao Lin, and The Goonies Ke Huy Quan appeared as Harvard Computer Science student Godfrey Wang.
Now, twenty years after it first aired, Knight Glider only lives on through fan’s memories, bootleg videos, and erotic fan fiction. The long rumoured DVD release now sadly appears to be just that, a rumour, and no TV stations have expressed interest in syndicating such a short-lived show. Summarised here for the first time are the pilot and thirteen episodes that made up the Knight Glider series, through which, I hope, Knight Glider will soar again.
Principal cast
Marc Singer as Chuck Valiant
Richard Burton as Archer Vale
Anthony Edwards as The Voice of VIRGA
Curtis Armstrong as Albert Finkle
Recurring guest stars
Lee Van Cleef as The Hawk
Jackie Chan as Pao Lin
Ke Huy Quan as Godfrey Wang
Pilot
Taking to the Skies
Chuck Valiant is an intelligent and handsome Harvard student who gets straight As despite spending more time hang gliding than studying, much to the consternation of his Professors and his girlfriend Valerie Leonard. One morning he’s gliding with his best friend, and equally brilliant but frivolous classmate, Reginald Vale. But they’re gliding into a world of danger, because in the nearby Air Force Research Centre the master criminal known as The Hawk has just stolen the plans to a new fighter jet.
The Hawk is cornered by security guards, when he fires up his jet pack and soars to freedom. But his escape leads him right to the path of Chuck and Reginald. Chuck can only watch in horror as The Hawk flies past, the trailing flames of his jet pack setting the wings of Reginald’s glider on fire. Chuck tries to save him, but he falls to his death. Chuck, his own glider spiralling out of control, crashes brutally in a field.
Over the next few months Chuck passes in and out of a coma while undergoing countless operations. Meanwhile, his girlfriend (and classmate) Valerie is searching every hospital and homeless shelter. Chuck’s body was whisked away by Archer Vale before emergency services arrived, and Valerie is determined to find out what happened.
When Chuck finally wakes, he finds himself in a strange institute with a distinguished gentleman sitting beside his bed. The man is Reginald’s father, Archer Vale. Archer tells Chuck that he heard Chuck was the best glider around, and all he wants is the best to join his fledgling national defence program. Chuck just turns away, he’s so overwhelmed with angst. Archer says he’ll introduce him to the person that told him he’s the best.
He wheels in a big black computer and places it beside the bed. Chuck is shocked to hear Reginald’s jocular voice saying "Hey buddy, you look worse than me", and explain that their engineer Albert Finkle converted his ghost into binary data and downloaded him into a supercomputer. Reginald tells him that America is under attack, now more than ever, from master criminals, communists, and terrorists. And their new tactic is to use portable aeronautical equipment: jet packs, kit-set aeroplanes, and hang gliders.
Chuck is happy to hear Reginald, but wants to know when he can see Valerie. Archer looks grave and says he can never see her again. She’s a well known liberal, and a reporter for the Harvard Crimson. Seeing her again would be too big a risk to national security. Reginald tells him to do it for America, Chuck agrees.
Chuck is taken to meet Albert Finkle, the eccentric inventor of the Knight Glider. When Chuck sees VIRGA (Vale Industries Research Glider Alpha) he forgets all of his doubts. He’s running his hand over it when it speaks in Reginald’s voice, telling him to keep his hands to himself. VIRGA is still in testing phase and needs a pilot, Chuck agrees to fly it. A bond between man and machine-ghost is formed.
Meanwhile, Valerie is called into the editor’s office at the Crimson and told to investigate mysterious aircraft that have been seen flying around rural Ohio. The editor places special emphasis on the military-industrial complex angle.
In an exciting montage VIRGA is tested as Chuck is rehabilitated (to a rousing Tangerine Dream score). By the end of the sequence VIRGA can fly at supersonic speeds and Chuck can bench press 300 pounds. But no sooner are they getting the hang of it than they’re called into action for the first time. The Hawk has infiltrated another Air Force Research Centre. The defences have been beaten back, and The Hawk will get away with the plans to a sound wave torpedo prototype unless Chuck can stop him.
Though Albert insists VIRGA isn’t ready Chuck takes it out and flies at supersonic speeds to engage the Hawk in battle. They arrive as The Hawk is escaping and head off in pursuit. The Hawk shakes his head and tries to escape, but is shocked to find that he can’t outpace Chuck and VIRGA. He pulls up and fires. VIRGA skilfully dodges the attacks, and the Hawk nods in approval of a worthy adversary.
As they battle, Chuck doesn’t see that The Hawk has summoned his crony gliders, and they are slowly surrounding them. When he has enough cover, he escapes, laughing as Chuck and VIRGA dodge a barrage of fire.
They return to headquarters, Chuck cursing their lack of success. But VIRGA tells him not to worry, to look in the glove box instead. Chuck opens it and finds the plans to the sound wave torpedo. VIRGA swiped them with the grappling beam.
Albert runs straight to VIRGA and starts checking him over. Archer congratulates Chuck. But in the bushes nearby, Valerie is taking photos. When Chuck removes his helmet she is stunned to see her missing boyfriend, and holds back a sob. Chuck sees her, and is about to smile and wave when he remembers his solemn promise (by starring gravely at the compound’s American flag blowing in the wind), and turns his back on her and his old life.
In the final scene The Hawk lands in his secret lair only to discover the plans are gone. He swears revenge.
