Viper: Wheelman (TV post)

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

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The series Viper is a revival of a 1993-1994 series, also called Viper, which, as far as I can tell, is itself a revival of the 1982 series Knight Rider. Main character is Thomas Cole, who works for a special top secret crime-fighting task force. Their main asset is the super secret high-tech crime-fighting vehicle named Viper. The series ran for 3 seasons (1996 - 1999) and 66 episodes.
In the episode Wheelman a Chinese treasure is stolen from an exhibition by William T. Lennox, an escaped convict with a jet-powered car and two female accomplices. Cole and Lennox used to be partners until Lennox started selling out confidential information to the highest bidder.
Callum's character is William T. Lennox.

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The IMDB page: Viper: Wheelman
The creators of the series are Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, who also collaborated for series like The Sentinel, The Flash and Viper (1994). According to this site the episode was dircted by Danny Bilson and written by Gary Glasberg (L.A. Firefighters, Crossing Jordan, Bones).

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Cast / Characters:

Joe Nipote Heather Medway Jeff Kaake Dawn Stern Callum Keith Rennie Alexandra Bokyun Chun Rachel Hayward Marcie Mellish Gerry Rousseau

Frankie Waters Det. Cameron Westlake Agent Thomas Cole Allie Farrow William T. Lenox Lai Julianna 'Jolie' Morrow Dana Marie Callow Eli Reed

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Year: 1997

Runtime: 45 / 60 minutes

Country: Canada / USA

IMDB rating: 4.2 / 10 (108 votes) for the series, not enough votes for the episode

Genre: Crime / SciFi

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There are 3 user comments on the IMDB page, one negative, two positive (if not too impressive intellectually).

One example:
I think "Viper" is just great. Of course, some people out there might think "hey, just another high-tech car like the one of 'knight rider'". But trust me, this is different and this tv show features (in my opinion) a number of great actors. Well, especially J. Downing aka "FBI agent Sherman Catlett" does a good job.

You can find all the comments here.

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Callum Quotient: ~ 30 %

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Pictures:

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Quotes:

• It prowls the streets in the pursuit of justice.
  Its origins are secret,
  its technology twenty-first century,
  its existence officially disavowed.
  But its precense is undeniable.
  The perfect weapon in an imperfect future.
  Viper!


• (Lennox' picture appears on the super secret high tech info screen, as well as the info that he's escaped prison)
  Frankie: Since when are we in the escaped con business?
  Cole: Since right now.


• Reed: So you know Dennis from prison?
  Lennox: Uh, how I know him is not important. You know, what is important is, uhm, that I am to make you a very rich man.
  Reed: Sorry, not interested.


• Reed: Ah, you're Lennox. You killed Dennis.
  Lennox: Has anyone ever mentioned this? I mean, it's uncanny. I mean, when you're scared? You look just like him.


• (Lennox drives off with his jet-powered car)
  Cole: What was that?
  Westlake: I don't know. Sounded like a jet was about to land on us.
  (They're entering the alley)
  Cole: That was no jet.
  Westlake: No, that was one hell of a fast car.


• Lennox: (comes up behind Cole with a gun) Surprise!
  Cole: Billy, you are a piece of work.
  Lennox: Good to see that I've still got the touch. Now you drop that suicase.
  Lennox: You just couldn't stand it, Cole, could you? Couldn't stand I was the better driver.
  Cole: You think I turned you in because I'm jealous?
  Lennox: You never had the chops, man. And you know it.


• Guy who buys stolen goods from Lennox: The clarity in the stones. The details and the settings, through all those years and so much turmoil, how could anything stay so perfect.
  Lennox: Well, it's worth some serious money.
  Guy who buys stolen goods from Lennox: It's what it represents that's priceless.
  Lennox: Folks like you always want what they can't have.

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Trivia:

• Callum's character's name is spelled 'Lennox' in the episode's credits, but 'Lenox' at IMDB.


• IMDB's suggested recommendations include The Sentinel, and for some reason also Spiderman and Home Alone 3.


• Apparently the series is referenced in Chameleon 3: Dark Angel.


• The show's villains were often driving Dodge vehicles.


• According to the Wikipedia site, the Viper Defender "star car" was designed by Chrysler Corporation engineers (unlike most Hollywood Film/TV cars that are usually customized by film picture designers like George Barris).

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Interesting scenes:

• First scene: Lennox getting transferred, from one prison to another, hands shackled, taking the time to check out a woman who just walked by


• Lennox threatening Cole at the phone booth


• Lennox threatening Dana in the warehouse (yeah, there's kind of a theme here)


• Lennox sitting in the office of the guy buying the stolen exhibit, looking bored, feet on the desk, reading in a random book


• near the end of the episode, Lennox ends up shackled to the wheel of his own (well, stolen) car

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Do I want to show this to my parents / friends / co-workers?
[Poll #1147185]

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And William T. Lennox? Nice? Creepy? Crazy? Hot?
[Poll #1147186]

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Does he die?
You really want to know? Are you sure? Really sure? Well, then. (highlight to read)

::He doesn't!::

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Articles/interviews

Sorry, I couldn't find anything.

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Links

There's a Wikipedia article about the series here.

Viper Central, an old fansite, hasn't been updated in a few years.

And I found a French Fansite here.

_unhurt_ wrote some fanfiction (only vaguely related to the episode): Hood Ornament:
summary: lenox is a very pretty package. some extra-special guest stars agree.
warnings: in jokes; non-con (but he likes it, baby).
length: 2472 words
rating: NC17

There should be also mentioned that we are talking crack!fic here. Fair warning.

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Availability

Official sites don't seem to have it, but I found this website offering it on DVD+R / DVD-R. It's been recently updated, so I guess it's still available.

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And that's it, that's all I have. As usual, please let me know if you have anything to add. I will edit the post to include new information. If you posted something interesting about the movie in your LJ or in some other community, essays, picspams, transcripts, theories... link me please?

Comments

[slidellra.livejournal.com]

Wonderful overview! But somehow it fails to mention how very interesting this ep is, handcuff-wise. Very interesting, indeed. *glazes over, just a little bit*

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

That's true! I wasn't really sure how to bring this into the post, you know? And I wasn't sure if unhurt wanted me to link to her story. And I couldn't link to Di's picspam because it's flocked. And I am bad at this kind of stuff. But, uh, if you would be willing to write a few lines about the very interesting handcuff issue? I would totally include it. *beams*

[slidellra.livejournal.com]

*nodsnods* Maybe not so much mention the fanworks, but add to interesting scenes:

First scene: Lennox getting transferred from one prison to another, hands shackled, taking the time to check out a woman who just walked by.

Lennox shackled by one wrist to a car.

(Cuffed, shackled, tied? Not sure the right word, as they aren't handcuffs, but serve the same purpose.)

Just a little something, as the visual pleasure of cuffed!Callum is a Big Part of the appeal of the show. What appeal it has.

Also, you are VERY good at this kind of stuff.

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Hee. Okay, rectified.

(And personally? I prefer 'shackled'. It sounds... more secure (severe) to me, you know?)

Just a little something, as the visual pleasure of cuffed!Callum is a Big Part of the appeal of the show. What appeal it has.

I totally and absolutely agree. *beams*

An thank you for the flattering. *g*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

i don't mind!

*is easy*

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Done! *g* And you voted for 'he MAYBE kills one person'? I know that you have watched it more than once. Then again, it's kind of the vibe you get from him, I guess. (Actual bodycount? At least 6.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

(oh, you see i thought it was... about.. um. ok, point. it IS probably six people. for some reason i forgot about the guy with the axe. and his co-conspirators in the tank. oh, and the evil prison guard. or was that the woman shot him? but his cell-mate was off-screen. his brother, yes, he's in the tally. hmm. viper is HARD! *tries to count*)

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Well. There was the cell mate (1), and later his brother the mechanic (2) and then Dana and Jolie (3 & 4) and in the beginning the two cops (or maybe just one) (5 or 6) and the axe guy (6 or 7). See?

[cysefin.livejournal.com]

Checks HD... Another things that I have but have not yet watched... Will have to do the poll later.

TY for the post!

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

You definitely have to watch it. It's really, really, really bad. But kind of funny in its badness. And Callum's in it quite a lot and he's HOT. So there.

[cysefin.livejournal.com]

Okay... I've struggled through as much as I could. I only really payed attention to Callum, which explains all my wrong answers in the poll...lol

How could anyone take that car seriously? From the top view in the credits, it's got a huge smiley face!

[china_shop]

I love these posts! <3

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

\c/ I am quite amused by the fact that you apparently feel obligated to comment on every post I do because it's all your fault in the end. Mind you, I am not complaining. *g*

[china_shop]

Hee. I do, but I'm sure I'll get over it. *happily shoulders the blame* ;-)

[thornnuminous.livejournal.com]

Is the episode CKR is in available somewhere?

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Well, there is that link I posted. Also, I may be able to provide at the usual place, but not before Monday. (I forgot, sorry.)

[thornnuminous.livejournal.com]

*hug* Thanks. :)

[angelachristian.livejournal.com]

may I write something about HCL or U&A?

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Hi, angelachristian! The post to volunteer for doing things here is here (http://community.livejournal.com/the_ckr_files/3125.html). I am sorry, but I didn't get around to post the links in the comm info yet.

From what I read in your LJ, I feel that other people would be more equipped to do a movie post about HCL or U&A, which are both movies that have been watched a lot by CKR fans. But you are welcome to volunteer for posts later though. But not in the next few weeks. Apart from the first thing, you might have seen that there are some people lined up already to do movie posts for the comm. I am in email contact with other people as well. So, thank you for your offer, I will quite probably come back to it later.

[angelachristian.livejournal.com]

What do you mean by "more equipped" according to my lj ? I watched those movies as well, although I´m more a BSG2003 fan. Is that a problem ?

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know that you have seen the movies. I saw that you posted about them. And no, it's definitely not a problem that you are more a BSG fan.

But Hard Core Logo especially is a film that has a pretty big following; literally dozens of articles and essays have been written about it. A lot of people in this comm have known and loved that movie for years, but didn't volunteer to post about it because it's hard to do it justice. Considering your posts in groupsession and ckr_actorfic I get the impression that you are not willing or able to do some more careful research. And this is the least I expect from a poster in this comm.

More important even, membership in a community whose interests include CKR as well as child raping excludes you automatically from posting access here.

I consider it possible that you don't read the info page of every comm you join, and I think that your writing might well improve with the time, which is the reason I told you that you may be able to to write posts in this comm later. Not now though. Sorry.

[angelachristian.livejournal.com]

Ok, regalis, I won´t put the movie down with my unqualified personal opinion about it. And yes, I read professional reviews about it which ranked from "top movie" to "indy fans only", so it seems to be an contovers movie. If the movie is so holy that only you might touch it,then ok.

"child raping" ???, lol, indeed I didn´t read it, don´t know which community listed it, but nevertheless I ignore it and consider it to be an immature joke.

Yes, my writing was something I wanted to talk about, I´d need a beatreader for I´m no nativespeaker, but just forget about it. I lost interrest anyway.

[woolly-socks.livejournal.com]

Awesome post. You win.

Could there be a ticky-box in the humour section for 'funny by accident because it's so bad'?

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

\c/ *wins*

Could there be a ticky-box in the humour section for 'funny by accident because it's so bad'?

Oh, totally. The last one (/o\...I guess it was meant to be funny?) is kind of that way. But, yeah, no quite. I will try in the next one!

[woolly-socks.livejournal.com]

Yeah I almost ticked that one, but didn't because what I wanted to say was the exact opposite - it WASN'T meant to be funny but it was.

[neu111.livejournal.com]

Your Masterminds icon totally fits with Viper Lennox. The bleached hair, yes, but also a kind of comics character dimension for both.

really really bad, especially for something that it doesn't even have David Hasselhoff in it
So true, so bad!

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, Ollie works just nice as a Billy Lennox ersatz. :) Only that Billy doesn't smoke, in Viper not even the bad guys are allowed to smoke.

So true, so bad!

*nods sadly* (I, uh, kind of got used to it, after watching a few times for the post. /c?)

[belmanoir.livejournal.com]

and...now i need to watch this.

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Well, go ahead. Don't say I didn't warn you! (But he's really very, very hot. And there are handcuffs.)

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

How could he look so hot in a show so dire? *weeps* (Yes, story of his career, I know. *sigh* Thank goodness for HCL, DS, WW, etc.) Thank you for the post! I love to ticky!

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Yes, story of his career, I know. *sigh*

*nods sadly* *sighs with you*

And you are very welcome, as always. It was fun, actually. No, really, it was. :)

[bluebelle789.livejournal.com]

I've only watched this once, and found it to be... painful not very good. Heh. I'll have to dig it out and watch it again though, so I can be more accurate with my poll answers. *is helpful* I seem to have a mental block on most of it, for some reason... *g*

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Heh. I'll have to dig it out and watch it again though, so I can be more accurate with my poll answers. *is helpful*

You are TOTALLY helpful! And selfless. And stuff. *g*

*licks your icon while you are distracted*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

i am not sure that viper is supposed to be a follow-on to knight rider. i think they just hoped they would get the same audience?

and it even manages to be worse!

(YES, i watched a lot of knight rider when i was young. it - i - blame my brothers?)

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Me too! I watched Knight Rider all the time. At least it seems like it now. And yeah, it's not really the same thing, even apart from managing to be much worse. But, yeah, they were hoping to get the same audience, that counts as a follow-up to me.

When you do your movie post you can draw your own conclusions.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

to do that i will have to, you know. WATCH SOME.



clearly you need to visit me more and make me watch media!

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Will do. No worries there. <3

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

\u/ \u/ \u/