The Pretender: Season 1

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Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 19, 1996

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

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

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. The Dragon House (2)
Air Date: May 17, 1997
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S1:E22. Dragon House - Season Finale, Part 2
Air Date: May 17, 1997
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S1:E21. The Dragon House (1)
Air Date: May 17, 1997

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User Reviews

MissParker

Jan 5, 2016

Season 1 of The Pretender is a season of discovery of the characters and also for the characters of Jarod, Miss Parker, and (to a lesser extent) Sydney. The episodes are well-crafted and filled with action, adventure and comedy. Miss Parker has some of her best one-liners in these episodes.Season 1 of The Pretender is a season of discovery of the characters and also for the characters of Jarod, Miss Parker, and (to a lesser extent) Sydney. The episodes are well-crafted and filled with action, adventure and comedy. Miss Parker has some of her best one-liners in these episodes. Season 1 is the season to become ensnared in the mythology of the genius child snatched from his parents and brought into a strange world where he can become everything he wants to be but does not know quite who he is, something which he longs to correct. The role of Jarod is played with perfect precision by Michael T. Weiss as if he was born for it. In Season one we also see Miss Parker's character unfolding as the episodes progress and in this role, Andrea Parker brilliantly portrays a strong woman whom you can't help but feel something for, despite what is her true mission, because there are many facets of her character revealed, starting in this season. Patrick Bauchau in the role of Sydney shines a different light on the action, through his psychiatrist's eyes and proves to be another perfect casting choice. Season one begins a journey that charms viewers and hooks them with the characters and the action so that they must return for more.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Kai82

Nov 7, 2021

Season 1 does the worldbuilding, sets up the character and relationships. 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 organization as a childSeason 1 does the worldbuilding, sets up the character and relationships. 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 organization 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 organization 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 organization. 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 organization 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 organization, 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 = also A-Team style). Season 1 deals with Jarod adapting to normal life he has not experienced while he gets closer to his family. It is a bit like Data from TNG discovering things other see as something everyone knows. Even if the episodes have a similar set up those are interesting and enjoyable enough to not get repetitive. Jarod rights many wrongs in a lot of different jobs and situations. I give this season a 9/10 as it is good start.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

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Series Overview
Season 4

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- Season 4 Overview
  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
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  S1:E22. The Dragon House (2)
  Air Date: May 17, 1997
- tbd
  S1:E22. Dragon House - Season Finale, Part 2
  Air Date: May 17, 1997
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  S1:E21. The Dragon House (1)
  Air Date: May 17, 1997
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  S1:E20. Baby Love
  Air Date: May 10, 1997
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  S1:E19. Jarod's Honor
  Air Date: May 3, 1997
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  S1:E18. Unhappy Landings
  Air Date: April 26, 1997
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  S1:E17. Keys
  Air Date: April 5, 1997
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  S1:E16. Under The Reds
  Air Date: March 22, 1997
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  S1:E15. Jaroldo!
  Air Date: March 8, 1997
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  S1:E14. Ranger Jarod
  Air Date: February 15, 1997
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  S1:E13. Bazooka Jarod
  Air Date: February 8, 1997
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  S1:E12. Prison Story
  Air Date: February 1, 1997
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  S1:E11. Potato Head Blues (a.k.a. Bomb Squad)
  Air Date: January 18, 1997
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  S1:E10. The Better Part Of Valor
  Air Date: January 11, 1997
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  S1:E9. Mirage
  Air Date: January 4, 1997
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  S1:E8. Not Even A Mouse
  Air Date: December 14, 1996
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  S1:E7. A Virus Among Us
  Air Date: November 16, 1996
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  S1:E6. To Serve and Protect
  Air Date: November 9, 1996
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  S1:E5. The Paper Clock
  Air Date: November 2, 1996
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  S1:E4. Curious Jarod
  Air Date: October 26, 1996
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  S1:E3. Flyer
  Air Date: October 19, 1996
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  S1:E2. Every Picture Tells A Story
  Air Date: September 28, 1996
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  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 19, 1996