7.5/10328 votes#1 - The Greatest American Hero
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/18/1981
Ralph Hinkley, an average school teacher, is given a suit with amazing powers by aliens. Now, Ralph must decide if he'll use his new powers to fight crime, even though he already lost the suit's instruction manual.
Director: Rod Holcomb
Writer: Stephen J. Cannell
7.0/10178 votes#2 - The Hit Car
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/25/1981
Bill, who has been trying to bust open a drug ring for over 20 years, must drive a witness to Los Angeles for the trial of the gang leader and asks Ralph for help.
Director: Rod Holcomb, Robert C. Thompson
Writer: Stephen J. Cannell
7.0/10143 votes#3 - Here's Looking at You Kid
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/1/1981
When a secret gunsight is stolen, Bill asks Ralph for help in solving the case. However, Ralph runs into problems when he keeps turning invisible unexpectedly, and must deal with the pressure of meeting Pam's parents.
Director: N/A
Writer: Juanita Bartlett
7.3/10113 votes#4 - Saturday on Sunset Boulevard
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/8/1981
Russians are trying to find an heiress and her Russian husband in order to force them to establish a missile cache hold on their private island. Bill needs Ralph's help when he is suspected of failing a lie-detector test at FBI headquarters.
Director: Gabrielle Beaumont, Rod Holcomb
Writer: Stephen J. Cannell
7.2/10110 votes#5 - Reseda Rose
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/15/1981
Ralph uses his suit to help Rhonda, one of his students, after her mother is kidnapped by the Russians.
Director: Gabrielle Beaumont
Writer: Juanita Bartlett
7.9/10136 votes#6 - My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 4/29/1981
Ralph reconsiders his suit of powers after a flying mistake almost takes out a bus full of tourists. Bill also reconsiders his job path when one of his heroes is suspected of plotting out the theft of a precious diamond.
Director: Gabrielle Beaumont
Writer: Stephen J. Cannell
7.2/10107 votes#7 - Fire Man
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/6/1981
Ralph lends Tony a hand by finding him a job as a car repossesser. When Tony is arrested for arson, Ralph and Bill team up to find the real criminal.
Director: Gabrielle Beaumont, Robert C. Thompson
Writer: Lee Sheldon
7.6/10105 votes#8 - The Best Desk Scenario
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 5/13/1981
At FBI headquarters, promotions are being handed out. However, Bill considers retiring from his job. Meanwhile, Ralph must use his suit to save Pam when she discovers her boss is the head of an underground operation.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of The Greatest American Hero Season 1
Every episode of The Greatest American Hero Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Greatest American Hero Season 1!
The chronicles of teacher Ralph Hinkley's adventures after a group of aliens gives him a red suit that gives him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately, Ralph, who...
Genres:Action & AdventureComedyCrime
Network:ABC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"The Greatest American Hero" is the best rated episode of "The Greatest American Hero" season 1. It scored 7.5/10 based on 328 votes. Directed by Rod Holcomb and written by Stephen J. Cannell, it aired on 3/18/1981. This episode is rated 0.5 points higher than the second-best, "The Hit Car".