Episodes
1. Pilot
10.0
January 2, 1994
90 min
City Commissioner Strand is desperate to get the Viper on the road. He plans on using the Viper's crime-fighting abilities to bolster support for his campaign to become mayor. After stealing a satellite, Michael Payton flips his black Dodge Stealth in a spectacular crash. Strand hears about the accident and has Payton pronounced dead at the scene. Payton is the best getaway driver the Outfit had. Commissoner Strand orders that Payton's memory be erased and his appearance altered. When Payton awakes, he is told that he is a police officer named Joesph Payne Astor.
Guest Stars:
William Russ, Fay Hauser, Camille Winbush, Jason Carter, Sami Chester
2. Once a Thief ...
January 7, 1994
50 min
Joe faces a terrifying choice when the doctor who performed memory-altering surgery on him offers to restore his criminal identity.
Guest Stars:
Fay Hauser, Richard Burgi, Quinn Duffy, Paul Freeman, Julie Merrill
3. Ghosts
January 14, 1994
50 min
Joe's former partner in crime (Jason Carter) is sprung from prison by the Outfit in order to locate the Viper.
Guest Stars:
Fay Hauser, Camille Winbush, Jason Carter, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Richard Burgi
4. Safe as Houses
January 21, 1994
50 min
Nate Benedict, a Mob Boss who is about to be tried for various crimes, fakes his own death. He starts over in a small town to lay low and continue his criminal operations. The residents of Mesa Rose, the small town Benedict takes over, are powerless against Benedict's strong reach. The Viper turns out to be 'the great equalizer'.
Guest Stars:
Parley Baer, John Cothran, Joseph Carberry, Adam Hendershott, Charles Noland
5. Firehawk
January 28, 1994
50 min
As part of a plan to destroy the Viper, the Outfit kidnaps Julian and forces him to upgrade its own urban assault vehicle.
Guest Stars:
Fay Hauser, Lee Chamberlin, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Richard Burgi, Michael Champion
6. Mind Games
February 11, 1994
50 min
After Frankie is injured in a suspicious car crash, the Viper team uncovers a plot to hijack a transport loaded with highly contagious diseases.
Guest Stars:
Alan Scarfe, François Chau, Tim DeZarn, Carol Huston, Brian Mallon
7. The Face
February 18, 1994
50 min
"The Face", a famous hit man, has just been released from prison. His plans to go straight are jeopardized when his former employer kidnaps his wife to force him to do one last hit! Through the Consortium, he asks Joe Astor for help.
Guest Stars:
Lee Chamberlin, Julia Parton, Tony Devon, Vincent Guastaferro, Robert Kerbeck
8. Wheels of Fire
February 25, 1994
50 min
Joe falls for the inventor of a highly efficient car battery, but painful memories of his murdered fiancee surface when her life is threatened. Meanwhile, the discovery of a long-lost concept car shocks everyone.
Guest Stars:
Jack Stauffer, Richard Bradford, Patricia Charbonneau, Bryan Cranston, Bill Macy
9. Past Tense
March 4, 1994
50 min
The Viper team must crack a ring that abducts youths and molds them into specialized criminals. Meanwhile, Joe encounters a special someone from his past.
Guest Stars:
Lee Chamberlin, Sam Behrens, Joyce Hyser, Susan Lentini, John Pyper-Ferguson
10. Scoop
March 11, 1994
50 min
Joe teams with a police detective--a suspected vigilante--to find the culprit behind the murder of Outfit thugs.
Guest Stars:
Carmen Argenziano, Richard Burgi, Carol Huston, Ken Foree, Vito D'Ambrosio
11. Thief of Hearts
March 18, 1994
50 min
An artificial heart that will save the life of a young girl is stolen.
Guest Stars:
Fay Hauser, Camille Winbush, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Signy Coleman, David Cowgill
