A simple, but effective, premise
is the basis for this episode, although having an experiment designed to help
cure himself accidentally shrinking Banner is too simplistic. Having both Banner
and the Hulk sport high-pitched voices at their new height is a little silly and
unnecessary (it wasn't done with the similar episode of the 1981 solo Spider-Man
show), when it's perfectly obvious that they have been miniaturized. Seeing the
micro-Hulk leaping over once-small distances across the base and desert is
pretty effective at showing the some of the new problems he faces. With Banner
effectively out of the picture, there are some nice scenes with the rest of the
cast, especially the long-suffering Major Talbot. Having saboteurs trying to
steal the new T-70 tank is a fairly basic plot, but they make for more logical
villains than others do in the series. And although not super-powered, having
them face off against a one-inch tall Hulk does somewhat even the odds. This is
one of the rare episodes where the Hulk is regarded as a genuine hero, which
makes for a refreshing change from the usual "misunderstood monster"
endings.
This is a re-used plot that I had
no desire to see. Shrinking of the major character had to be a plot as commonly
used as "a computer takes over the world" in the early 80s. I
can't help but think the writer used this plot simply because he knew his odds
would be good to sell it. After all, everybody else was buying it.
But can someone please explain to me why Bruce is trying the hide the fact that
he is shrunken from everybody but Rick and Betty? Yes, he was working on a
cure using gamma radiation, but he doesn't have to tell them that. The guy
isn't exactly adverse to lying. If it was acceptable for Betty to know,
everybody else might as well. There are some fun moments. It's
always fun to hate "Noodle head" and it was nice to see Hulk regarded
as a hero for a change.
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