Phoenix: Pilot

"Pilot" is the premiere episode of the short-lived American science fiction television series The Phoenix. It was directed by Douglas Hickox and written by Anthony Lawrence and Nancy Lawrence. This inaugural pilot episode was a 90 minute telmovie that first aired on Sunday, April 26th, 1981 at 9:00 pm on ABC. The series stars Judson Scott as Bennu of the Golden Light, an extraterrestrial who is discovered in a sarcophagus in Peru and taken to a laboratory. Bennu's mission on Earth is to aid humanity when they are needed most. Using the power of the Phoenix Amulet, Bennu sets off to find Mira, another alien from his world, but must contend with government agent Justin Preminger, played by Richard Lynch, who doggedly pursues Bennu in the hopes of learning the secret behind his fantastic powers.

Notes & Trivia

 * The regular series did not begin until March 26th, 1982.


 * Bennu is the Egyptian word for Phoenix.

What else have they done?

 * Director Douglas Hickox also worked as a second unit director on the 1958 Invisible Man television series. He worked on 13 episodes in total.


 * Judson Scott, who plays the lead role of Bennu of the Golden Light is probably best known for his portrayal of Joachim Weiss, the augmented disciple of Khan Noonien Singh in 1982's Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Judson has also appeared in episodes of the first V regular series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5, Star Trek: Voyager and The X-Files.


 * Richard Lynch, who plays antagonist Justin Preminger, has appeared in numerous science fiction films and TV programs, including episodes of the original Bionic Woman, Battlestar Galactica, Galactica 1980, Automan, Super Force and Star Trek: The Next Generation.