The Pretender

Name: The Pretender
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense, Science Fiction
Released: September 19, 1996
Cast: Michael T. Weiss, Jon Gries, Andrea Parker, Patrick Bauchau

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Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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Series Details & Credits

NBC | Release Date: September 19, 1996

Starring: Michael T. Weiss, Jon Gries, Andrea Parker, Patrick Bauchau

Summary: The Pretender is the story of Jarod, a boy-genius taken from his family as a child. Jarod possesses the ability to quickly learn and impersonate different jobs and occupations. His abductors, a facility simply known as The Centre, tested his abilities through various simulations.

But after years of these performances, Jarod becomesThe Pretender is the story of Jarod, a boy-genius taken from his family as a child. Jarod possesses the ability to quickly learn and impersonate different jobs and occupations. His abductors, a facility simply known as The Centre, tested his abilities through various simulations.

But after years of these performances, Jarod becomes wise to the fact that these simulations aren't being used to help people. The Centre sells the sims to the highest bidder to do with as they please, whether it is for good or evil purposes. Knowing this, he breaks free from his captors. Now, as an adult, Jarod sets out to find his family. Along the way, he befriends many people, righting any wrong by using his abilities to become anyone he wants to be.

But the Centre has a lot invested in Jarod, and they won't give him up easily. They recruit Sydney, his father-figure and trainer all through his time growing up in The Centre. Sydney is the only man who is close to Jarod, he knows how he thinks. Also in pursuit is Miss Parker, Jarod's childhood friend whose father runs The Centre. Both are aided by Broots, a nervous computer whiz who goes above and beyond the call of duty (whether he wants to or not).

The Pretender ran for four years on NBC. TNT co-produced two Pretender movies with Twentieth Century Fox TV. The Pretender 2001 premiered on TNT Monday, January 22, 2001 at 8PM. The second movie, The Pretender: Island of the Haunted, premiered on TNT Monday, December 10, 2001 at 8PM ET.

Seasons 1-4 and both TV movies are currently available on DVD.… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense, Science Fiction

Recent Episodes

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S4:E20. The Inner Sense (2)
Air Date: May 13, 2000
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S4:E19. The Inner Sense (1)
Air Date: May 13, 2000
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S4:E18. Corn Man A Coming
Air Date: May 6, 2000

See all Seasons and Episodes

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Kai82

Dec 29, 2019

A forgotten gem. The series is about Jarod which has the mental capability to impersonate other peoples mindset to near perfection (=Pretender). This make him the ultimate problem solver. He got abducted by an organisation as a child which used him for their (often shady) gains and heA forgotten gem. The series is about Jarod which has the mental capability to impersonate other peoples mindset to near perfection (=Pretender). This make him the ultimate problem solver. He got abducted by an organisation as a child which used him for their (often shady) gains and he escaped as a young adult. The series is about him searching for his family and using his ability to help other people while the organisation tries to get him back. The series is a bit like The A-Team. Jarod solves the problem of the week with his abilities and continues. The overarching story arcs are the search for his family, the hunt for him and the many shady secrets of the organisation. The character interactions are well done. Because Jarod lived in a sort of glided cage he is quixotic and unfamiliar with many thinks. This is well played by his actor. The supporting cast has his caregiver from the organisation which cares for him (they are nearly father and son) but can help him only in secret and his female captor which was his childhood friend and her team. Also the bad guys are interesting. There are lot of plots of gaining more influence in the organisation, family relations and secrets of the past that I will not spoil. The stories are well told and you feel satisfied when the bad guys get what they deserve (arrested, not killed with 1 exception = A-Team style). My only true complaint is that the ending of the series is not good (That kind of story that should be continued in a new season with they did not get). There are 2 movies that continue the story which I have not seen yet (maybe there is a fitting ending?). Overall it was a series which I enjoyed watching.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

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Series Overview
Season 4

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- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 1999
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  S4:E20. The Inner Sense (2)
  Air Date: May 13, 2000
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  S4:E19. The Inner Sense (1)
  Air Date: May 13, 2000
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  S4:E18. Corn Man A Coming
  Air Date: May 6, 2000
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  S4:E17. Meltdown
  Air Date: April 29, 2000
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  S4:E16. School Daze
  Air Date: April 22, 2000
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  S4:E15. Junk
  Air Date: March 25, 2000
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  S4:E14. The Agent Of Year Zero
  Air Date: March 11, 2000
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  S4:E13. Ghosts From The Past
  Air Date: February 26, 2000
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  S4:E12. Lifeline
  Air Date: February 19, 2000
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  S4:E11. Cold Dick
  Air Date: February 12, 2000
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  S4:E10. Spin Doctor
  Air Date: February 5, 2000
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  S4:E9. 'Til Death Do Us Part
  Air Date: January 15, 2000
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  S4:E8. Rules of Engagement
  Air Date: January 8, 2000
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  S4:E7. Wild Child
  Air Date: December 11, 1999
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  S4:E6. Extreme
  Air Date: December 4, 1999
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  S4:E5. Road Trip
  Air Date: November 13, 1999
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  S4:E4. Risque Business
  Air Date: November 6, 1999
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  S4:E3. Angel's Flight
  Air Date: October 30, 1999
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  S4:E2. Survival
  Air Date: October 2, 1999
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  S4:E1. The World's Changing
  Air Date: September 25, 1999
Season 3

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- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 17, 1998
Season 2

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- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 1, 1997
Season 1

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- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 19, 1996