Show cover for The Greatest American Hero

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 hates wearing the suit, immediately loses its instruction booklet, and thus has to learn how to use its powers by trial and error, often with comical results.

Genres:Action & AdventureComedyCrime
Network:ABC

Season 1 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "The Greatest American Hero" season 1 is "The Greatest American Hero", rated 7.5/10 from 321 user votes. It was directed by Rod Holcomb and written by Stephen J. Cannell. "The Greatest American Hero" aired on 3/18/1981 and is rated 0.5 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "The Hit Car".

  • The Greatest American Hero
    7.5/10 321 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

  • The Hit Car
    7.0/10 173 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

  • Here's Looking at You Kid
    7.0/10 141 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

  • Saturday on Sunset Boulevard
    7.3/10 112 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

  • Reseda Rose
    7.2/10 109 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

  • My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
    7.9/10 135 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

  • Fire Man
    7.2/10 106 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

  • The Best Desk Scenario
    7.5/10 104 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