"Pulp Turkey"
Airdate: November 19, 1999

From the warning not to sass his Grandma Pearl, to his reaction to his beloved Jag breaking down, to the "No turkey" directive, all the way past the "assault", Dr. Morris (Dennis Haysbert) is at his crotchety best for Thanksgiving.

After breaking down on their way to the good doctor's sister's for Thanksgiving, Michael (Eric Close) has to first convince Theo that using the phone at his house (which just happens to be nearby) is the only logical thing to do, then push the broken car (with Dr. Morris on the hood) all the way there.

Unfortunately they aren't the only ones headed for the Wiseman homestead. Uncle Roger (Gerrit Graham), with a briefcase (containing a Czarist era medal) handcuffed to his wrist, arrives only moments before two thugs sent to steal it show up on Lisa's (Margaret Colin) doorstep brandishing guns and forcing their way in.

In order to protect the secrecy of the project, Dr. Morris does not allow Michael to intervene and show his superpowers. However, as the situation deteriorates, Michael is finally separated from the others and as he's out of sight he is free to dispatch with the bad guys, which he accomplishes with equal parts wit and strength.

The ending is happy, of course, but that's almost beside the point as the strained relationship between Michael and Lisa has been smoothed over a bit and we are finally treated to some real interaction between Michael and daughter Heather (Heather Matarazzo). Although you sense that Heather has no idea that Michael is indeed her father, their relationship has a lived in, parent-child feel to it. It's very sweet.

-- Linda M. Najera

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