Given that Season 5 was plagued from the outset and history ultimately proving that the show was doomed by 1987, and that viewers can now see the somewhat stale plots and action set pieces of the final episodes, And yet there were some pleasant surprises in Season 5, and "Family Reunion" is one of them. I believe this is one of the best episodes of the entire series for the pure emotion that comes from the drama between A.J. Bancroft and Face, and Murdock's conflict throughout the episode. It had been 15 years since I last saw this episode and vividly remember the scene between Murdock and Face when Murdock reveals the truth. It holds up well after all this time and for once we see substantial character depth with the main characters that you wish was more of a focus in Season 5. This episode concentrated more on smart dialog, such as Face and Ellen, and especially between Murdock and Face, and with enough action to keep things moving. The final scene at the cemetery is remarkably well shot, and the classic A-Team final freeze frame image is superb since it ties everything thematically and emotionally together about the episode. "Family Reunion" is a highlight and the writer must be congratulated on penning a well done episode, especially in the series' twilight.
3 Reviews
Unwonted A-Team Episode !
elshikh46 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This time, the A-Team's mission is to reunite a wanted criminal, A. J. Bancroft, with his daughter Ellen who he didn't see in 20 years. However the old terminally-ill Bancroft has another reason to hire the A-Team in specific: Templeton Peck, Face man, is his long-lost son. Murdock, suspiciously, knows first. And Face doesn't know, unless it's too late. Yes, this is the A-Team ladies and gentlemen, not Falcon Crest. Well, a fine mix of both then.
(Family Reunion) is so memorable episode. Not for its action or suspense. But for its human dimension beside of that. To great extent, The A-Team avoided being serious by any kind. I don't know why? Maybe they loved the winning formula, so they followed the commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Change A Thing!"?, or maybe they didn't see that The A-Team has a potential drama in the first place? Whatever the reason was, it lost a lot by not writing many episodes like this one, and anyway earlier than the fifth / final season! Shows like Magnum. P. I., or Alias, won being lively and touching by providing the action, the suspense, along with the drama. While The A-Team insisted on being lively only. Although this is not so bad thing, but it deprived the show of being any emotional, character-driven, and somehow diverse.
The thrilling part was fair as usual. Every couple of scenes there is a surprise. The drama was nicely done. The squabble scene between (Dwight Schultz) and (Dirk Benedict) in the woods was unforgettable. Finally Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (or Goofy for that matter!) had their chance to be humans. There were many meaty lines; "Look to this day, for yesterday is but dream, and tomorrow is but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.", "When it comes to a woman, go for your guts.", and "I enjoyed our fights, instead of stuttering while saying sorry". It's a clear proof that this show could have had more to it, from psychoanalysis for its characters, to just the plain wisdom of the wronged rambling heroes that A-Team's men are.
The direction and the music worked beautifully. It has worm feel, and a sense of noble sadness all over it. And the last scene is one of the finest moments ever made in the series. So with intense performance, clever script and dialogue, you'll be pushed to ask; why the producers didn't allow any of this before?! I mean when they wanted to make a change inside the known-by-heart A-Team's formula, they went to change the location of the wronged people who the team would help, the running gag of Murdock, the unusual designed-by-the-team weapon, and then things like bringing Eddie Velez to play totally unnecessary character like Frankie Santana!
Now to a very very hateful point; which is the way this show's stars were BANNED after its end! They are funny talented guys, who - and according to an episode such as this - can work well whether as comedians or actors, so why this treatment? Does success in certain TV show mean failure in other TV shows and cinema? They even didn't have the luxurious problem of being typecast in anything like their famous characters?! Simply they had been executed, and for being successful?! It's hateful and confusing. I don't know who or what to blame for that; their agents, the producers, or.. the show itself?!
At any rate, it's unwonted A-Team episode, from the type that was apparently unwanted from the producers' side. Not the same for me though. I believe with more episodes like it, this show could have been more than droll cartoon, and anything else formulaic.
(Family Reunion) is so memorable episode. Not for its action or suspense. But for its human dimension beside of that. To great extent, The A-Team avoided being serious by any kind. I don't know why? Maybe they loved the winning formula, so they followed the commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Change A Thing!"?, or maybe they didn't see that The A-Team has a potential drama in the first place? Whatever the reason was, it lost a lot by not writing many episodes like this one, and anyway earlier than the fifth / final season! Shows like Magnum. P. I., or Alias, won being lively and touching by providing the action, the suspense, along with the drama. While The A-Team insisted on being lively only. Although this is not so bad thing, but it deprived the show of being any emotional, character-driven, and somehow diverse.
The thrilling part was fair as usual. Every couple of scenes there is a surprise. The drama was nicely done. The squabble scene between (Dwight Schultz) and (Dirk Benedict) in the woods was unforgettable. Finally Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (or Goofy for that matter!) had their chance to be humans. There were many meaty lines; "Look to this day, for yesterday is but dream, and tomorrow is but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.", "When it comes to a woman, go for your guts.", and "I enjoyed our fights, instead of stuttering while saying sorry". It's a clear proof that this show could have had more to it, from psychoanalysis for its characters, to just the plain wisdom of the wronged rambling heroes that A-Team's men are.
The direction and the music worked beautifully. It has worm feel, and a sense of noble sadness all over it. And the last scene is one of the finest moments ever made in the series. So with intense performance, clever script and dialogue, you'll be pushed to ask; why the producers didn't allow any of this before?! I mean when they wanted to make a change inside the known-by-heart A-Team's formula, they went to change the location of the wronged people who the team would help, the running gag of Murdock, the unusual designed-by-the-team weapon, and then things like bringing Eddie Velez to play totally unnecessary character like Frankie Santana!
Now to a very very hateful point; which is the way this show's stars were BANNED after its end! They are funny talented guys, who - and according to an episode such as this - can work well whether as comedians or actors, so why this treatment? Does success in certain TV show mean failure in other TV shows and cinema? They even didn't have the luxurious problem of being typecast in anything like their famous characters?! Simply they had been executed, and for being successful?! It's hateful and confusing. I don't know who or what to blame for that; their agents, the producers, or.. the show itself?!
At any rate, it's unwonted A-Team episode, from the type that was apparently unwanted from the producers' side. Not the same for me though. I believe with more episodes like it, this show could have been more than droll cartoon, and anything else formulaic.
One of the best Episode in Entire Run.
rajashakaziz25 May 2021
This episode was definitely one of the best or if not the best episode in the entire run. Only wish that they done these kind of episodes before. However this episode was linked to the father of Faceman. It was well written and well acted and the scenes between Murdock and Faceman were brilliant.
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