| "The Road Back" | |
|---|---|
| Series Shazam! Season 1, Episode 5 | |
| |
| Air date | October 5th, 1974 |
| Writers | Jim Ryan Bill Danch |
| Director | Arthur H. Nadel |
| Producers | Norm Prescott Lou Scheimer Robert P. Chenault Len Janson Chuck Menville |
| Starring | Michael Gray Les Tremayne Jackson Bostwick |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous "The Lure of the Lost" |
Next "The Athlete" |
Shazam!: The Road Back is the fifth episode of Season 1 of the 1974-76 Shazam! Saturday morning Filmation TV series. It is the second of a two-part episode that began with Shazam!: The Lure of the Lost.
Plot[]
Billy Batson and Mentor/Shazam! are standing by as Gary gives his statement about Brok's alleged drug dealing to the local police. Mark is refusing to talk in any way. Mentor and Billy then decide to continue their travels when the Elders call.
The Elders remind Billy that his work with Gary and Mark is not complete, that there is one more step to be taken (which almost assuredly means a confrontation with Brok). They also tell Billy that more precious than a friend you can trust is a friend who will trust you. Finally, they warn Billy of someone who poses as a friend but in truth is an enemy.
The local police are transporting Gary and Mark to the DA's office in town when they come upon a disabled motorist. The police exit their car and assist the motorist. As the police are assisting him, the motorist gives what appears to be a signal and Brok emerges from the bush on the side of the road. Brok jumps into the police car and takes off with Gary and Mark in tow.
Brok stops several miles down the road and leaves Gary and Mark to walk back to town. He gives Mark some money for keeping quiet, tells Gary to get lost, and tells Mark to keep his eye on Gary.
Gary later phones Billy (the Elders' friend who trusts) and tells him what happened and Billy and Mentor meet up with the two. Gary then hatches a plan to nail Brok by breaking into his office to find more drugs to give to the police. He asks Mark to lure Brok away from the office. Mark complies, but in so doing informs Brok of Gary's plan (the Elders' friend who is an enemy).
Billy and Gary go to Brok's office and Gary discovers more drugs. As he and Gary wait for Mark, Billy realizes the two have been betrayed and tells Gary to leave promptly. However, Brok and Mark arrive and demand the drugs. Billy tosses the bag to Gary and tangles with Mark to give Gary time to get away. Brok and Mark then get into their car and begin to pursue Gary. Mentor arrives and he and Billy agree that now it's time to call on Captain Marvel,
Marvel files ahead of the two and lands at a point in the road near some large rocks and boulders. He allows Gary to pass and then blocks the road with the boulders. Brok and Mark spin out and stop, and Marvel pushes their car, lodging it between two trees to prevent them from opening the doors. He then pushes a boulder against the back of the car, thereby detaining the two for the police. He then chases down Gary, whose car's brakes are failing, stops him and let's him know Brok and Mark are detained.
As Brok and Mark are apprehended, Gary declares he is finished with drugs but wonders if he did the right thing in regards to his friend Mark. Mentor and Marvel remind him that drug dealer Brok can no longer ruin any lives and that he may have just done Mark the biggest favor he could ever do. They tell him that in time it will be clear.
Cast[]
- Michael Gray as Billy Batson
- Les Tremayne as Mentor
- Jackson Bostwick as Captain Marvel
- Ron Soble as Brok
- Christopher Stafford Nelson as Gary
- Derrel Maury as Mark