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Episode #1: THE RETURN
USA/CAN: 09/19/86, 12/26/86
AFN: 06/30/87
NZ : 07/23/87
RSA: 08/17/87
AUS: 07/04/88
ZDF: 01/13/90
FRA: 07/03/88
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After the death of his foster parents, a grieving Scott inadvertently "calls"
his alien father (the Starman) back to Earth, where he clones the body of
too-daring photojournalist Paul Forrester (killed in a helicopter crash while
trying to photograph an erupting volcano). Fox, already investigating Scott
Hayden, learns of the alien's return through Liz Baynes (an investigative
reporter who often worked with the real Forrester -- and was one of his many
paramours). Young Scott, forced to believe his father's identity when he
hears a tape from Jenny Hayden, sets out to find his mother. The new "Paul"
decides to accompany him, trying to protect them both from the government
agents on their trail. Liz Baynes, won over by the pair, offers to be their
contact, helping Paul find work as a photographer.
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Episode #2:
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
USA: 09/26/86, 01/02/87
AFN: 07/07/87
NZ : 07/30/87?
RSA: 08/24/87
AUS: 07/11/88
ZDF: 01/20/90
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Scott's still having trouble accepting his father's origins (and the implications
for his own life). They encounter a used car salesman who meets his match
in Starman, a stressed-out woman who has "kidnapped" her own daughter, and
a disgruntled cougar. Meanwhile, Fox is trying to muster the government support
he needs.
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Episode #3: FATAL FLAW
USA: 10/03/86, 04/25/87
AFN: 07/14/87
NZ : 08/04/87?
RSA: 09/21/87
AUS: not shown
ZDF: not shown
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A headstrong pilot with financial problems endangers her life and business
because she won't believe Paul can communicate with her father, a stroke
victim. Starman takes his first shot at photography; Scott's enchanted by
motorcycles and experimental aircraft. This is a turning-point episode as
Scott begins to truly appreciate his dad's abilities.
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Episode #4: BLUE LIGHTS
USA: 10/17/86, 01/23/87
AFN: 08/25/87
NZ : 11/05/87
RSA: 04/07/87
AUS: 07/18/88
ZDF: 01/27/90
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Scott's inexpert use of the sphere creates a light-show that's hard to explain
and lands them "behind the eight-ball" -- in a rural jail cell with Fox and
Wylie on the way. Scott's beginning to like and respect his dad but still
has trouble being totally honest with him.
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Episode #5: BEST BUDDIES
USA: 10/24/86, 05/16/87
AFN: 07/25/87
NZ : 08/13/87
RSA: 08/31/87
AUS: 07/25/88
ZDF: 02/03/90
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Starman finds it may not be so easy to pick up Paul Forrester's professional
and personal life. While struggling with his first real photo assignment
(about homeless squatters), he runs into his "best buddy" from Vietnam and
learns Forrester was having an affair with the man's wife.
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Episode #6: SECRETS
USA: 10/31/86, 05/23/87
AFN: 08/04/87
NZ : July or August/87 or not shown?
RSA: not shown?
AUS: 08/01/88
ZDF: 02/10/90
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After a narrow escape of their own, Paul and Scott hear a news report that
someone named Jennifer Hayden has escaped from a nearby mental hospital (a
ruse arranged by Fox). They enlist the aid of a sensitive actress (who's
more interested in Paul than in finding Jenny -- whom she says she knows).
While Starman's getting his first taste of Shakespeare, another false news
report leads Scott into a trap. It's a poignant episode for Scott as he faces
several disappointments and uncomfortable surprises.
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Episode #7:
ONE FOR THE ROAD
USA: 11/07/86, 03/06/87
AFN: 08/11/87
NZ : 11/12/87
RSA: 09/28/87
AUS: 08/08/88
ZDF: 02/17/90
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Settling down long enough for Scott to join the school track team -- and
fall in love -- Starman chaperones a dance and proves a cynical and alcoholic
newspaperman that there is "something new under the sun." Scott finds such
a welcome niche, he rebels when his worried dad suggests moving on.
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Episode #8: PEREGRINE
USA: 11/14/86, 04/18/87
AFN: 08/18/87
NZ : 11/19/87
RSA: 10/05/87
AUS: 08/15/88
ZDF: 02/24/90
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Paul sees both sides of the captive breeding program for endangered species
when he heals the broken wing of a bird he calls Waldo. Starman also makes
his first intentional joke and learns an important lesson about being human.
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Episode #9: SOCIETY'S PET
USA: 11/28/86, 05/30/87
AFN: 07/21/87
NZ : 09/23/87
RSA: 10/12/87
AUS: 08/22/88
ZDF: 03/03/90
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The very wealthy sister of Scott's foster father uses a $10,000 insurance
policy to lure Paul and Scott to her "farm." Willing even to strike a bargain
with Fox, she wants to remove Scott from Paul's bad influence and raise him
"properly." When he sees how much Scott savors the luxury offered him, Paul
wonders if his son might not prefer such an arrangement. Starman discovers
irises, artichokes, and horseback riding, and Scott gives Fox a grammar lesson.
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Episode #10: FEVER
USA: 12/05/86, 05/09/87
AFN: 09/01/87
NZ : 11/26/87
RSA: 10/19/87
AUS: 10/03/88
ZDF: 03/10/90
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A common cold endangers the life of Starman's newly cloned body, leaving
him vulnerable to Fox. Scott realizes how important his dad has become to
him. Can *he* save his father's life?
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Episode #11: THE GIFT
USA: 12/12/86, 07/09/87
AFN: 09/08/87
NZ : July or August/87 or not shown?
RSA: 10/26/87
AUS: 09/06/88
ZDF: 03/17/90
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Accepting an invitation to spend Christmas with the real Paul
Forrester's mother, Paul and Scott find she didn't invite them and doesn't
want to see her son. Starman tries to explain his own view of death to Scott
and to heal the wound between Stella and Paul "before it's too late."
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Episode #12: THE SYSTEM
USA: 01/09/87, 06/06/87
AFN: 09/15/87
NZ : 09/10/87
RSA: 11/02/87
AUS: 09/12/88
ZDF: 03/04/90
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Starman's arrested on a bench warrant for the real Forrester, who refused
to violate the confidence of a fugitive from justice whom he'd photographed.
(Story based on real-life Stephen Bingham case.) Paul experiences a big-city
jail, a "flashy" and talkative cellmate, and perhaps the most subtlely humorous arrest scene ever. The episode also expands our view of Wylie and the real Paul Forrester.
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Episode #13: APPEARANCES
USA: 01/16/87, 06/13/87
AFN: 09/22/87
NZ : 09/17/87
RSA: 11/09/87
AUS: 10/17/88
ZDF: 03/31/90
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Starman heals the acid-burned hand of a blind girl who can't understand why
he won't heal her eyes as well.
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Episode #14: THE PROBE
USA: 01/30/87, 06/20/87
AFN: 01/03/88
NZ : 09/24/87
RSA: 11/16/87
AUS: 10/24/88
ZDF: 04/07/90
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While blipping the curve of a psychological test, Paul finds himself falling
in love with a beautiful widowed astronomer who herself is struggling with
the issue of military funding for scientific research.
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Episode #15: DUSTY
USA: 02/06/87, 07/16/87
AFN: 01/10/88
NZ : /87
RSA: /87
AUS: /88
ZDF: 04/14/90
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A compulsive gambler steals Paul and Scott's car, stranding them in some
"educational experiences" in Reno (including an $8000 debt). Paul experiences
blueberry muffins and the bite of the gambling bug while Scott indulges himself in the perks of the high-roller's life, and Fox stoops to bribery.
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Episode #16: BARRIERS
USA: 02/13/87, 06/27/87
AFN: 01/17/88
NZ : 10/08/87
RSA: 11/30/87
AUS: 11/07/88
ZDF: 04/20/90?
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Knocked unconscious, Paul finds himself in Mexico, separated from Scott and
imprisoned by the father of a pregnant aristrocat -- a "spoiled brat." Paul
must escape, cross the border with other "illegal aliens," and protect Tonita
from bandits as she goes into labor on the way to find her baby's father.
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Episode #17: GRIFTERS
USA: 03/13/87, 07/23/87
AFN: 01/24/88
NZ : 10/15/87
RSA: 12/17/87
AUS: 11/14/88
ZDF: 04/21/90
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"Guests" of a pair of "two-bit" con men who've tried to sting them, Paul
and Scott find themselves the victim of an even greater scam. When Starman
is at last in the clutches of George Fox, he learns the frightening extent
of Fox's hatred, paranoia, and plans for Scott. Though one of the funniest
episodes, it also features an electric confrontation between Starman and
Fox -- their first and only conversation -- and their words are mirrors of
their two souls.
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Episode #18: THE WEDDING
USA: 03/21/87, 07/30/87
AFN: 01/31/88
NZ : 10/22/87
RSA: 12/14/87
AUS: 11/21/88
ZDF: 04/28/90
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The owner of a fishing fleet and cannery nets Paul to photograph his daughter
Anna's wedding, but Papa really hopes being reminded of a past love affair
with Forrester will make Anna change her mind about marriage and leaving
home. Starman has a conversation with a cake, and Scott gets to practice
his healing sphere skills. Lots of local color: Grace Cathedral, Fisherman's
Wharf, cable cars.
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Episode #19:
FATHERS AND SONS
USA: 03/28/87, 08/14/87
AFN: 02/09/88
NZ : 10/29/87
RSA: 12/21/87
AUS: 11/28/88
ZDF: 05/05/90
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A 15-year old boy (who has recently learned Forrester was his biological father) wants to escape the restrictions of his current life and go on the road with the dad he idolizes: Paul Forrester. Scott (who's been feeling some irritation in his own father-son relationship) is definitely underwhelmed by this interloper. Meanwhile, Paul's been hired by a magazine publisher to expose some ex-activists who have sold out -- or have they? An episode evocative of 60's themes such as free love and peace marches.
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Episode #20: STARSCAPE I
USA: 04/04/87, 08/21/87
AFN: 02/14/88
NZ : 12/17/87
RSA: 12/28/87
AUS: 12/05/88
ZDF: 05/12/90
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Paul recognizes his home star in a painting, and he and Scott set off to
find the artist: Jenny Hayden. Separated in New Mexico, they both head for
Arizona, where Paul finds his lost love but isn't quite sure how to reveal
his identity. Meanwhile, Scott's involved in a truck crash in an isolated
area and saves the driver, not realizing the man is his uncle. It's an episode
full of poignant memories for Starman and Jenny; Paul uses his sphere to
recreate some of those moments.
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Episode #21: STARSCAPE II
USA: 04/11/87, 08/28/87
AFN: 02/21/88
NZ : 12/17/87
RSA: 01/04/88
AUS: 12/05/88
ZDF: 05/19/90
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Though it isn't easy for Jenny to believe the identity of her "new" love,
when they've reaffirmed their bond, they turn complete attention to finding
Scott. Fox's capture of both father and son is one of several dramatic moments,
followed by an escape from the Air Force lab where they're being held, aided
by Jenny's brother. Fox has a heart attack and Starman's offered the perfect
solution to all his problems -- all that keeps him from a settled life with
the family he loves -- just walk away and let Fox die. Can he?
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Episode #22: THE TEST
USA: 05/02/87, 09/04/87
AFN: 02/28/88
NZ : 12/10/87
RSA: 01/10/88
AUS: 12/12/88
ZDF: not shown
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Once again the "new kid" in school, Scott comes up against a trio of bullies
while Paul presents two people with the opportunity to change their lives:
a disillusioned teacher and a man who has yet to face his illiteracy.
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