The Pretender: Season 1

1996 · 22 episodes · ★ 7.5

What Season 1 of The Pretender

Jarod is a young man with an extraordinary ability to master any profession in a short time. He was kidnapped as a child and raised at The Centre, an organization based in Blue Cove, Delaware. Now he has escaped and lives on the run, hunted by Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots, who have orders to bring him back. In each episode he poses as a different professional, such as a doctor, lawyer, soldier or pilot, to defend an innocent person accused of a crime and bring the real culprits to justice. Meanwhile, he searches for his origins, and his escape leads his pursuers toward the organization's dark secrets.

22episodes

Sep 19, 1996premiered

May 17, 1997latest episode

15.8 hrtotal runtime

Season 1 Episodes

1x01 Pilot
Sep 19, 1996 · 43 min
New York, New York - Miss Parker and Sydney find they had just missed Jarod helping a tanker ship in Alaska. Jarod is now posing as a doctor to uncover the truth behind an operation that resulted in a boy becoming paraplegic. Jarod also befriends a sicilian woman who has trouble with (ahem) bowel movements. This episode does not feature Jon Gries as Broots, as his character was introduced in Season 1 after the Pilot episode.
Directing: Rick Wallace · Writing: Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Lilyan Chauvin, Peter Michael Goetz, L. Scott Caldwell
1x02 Every Picture Tells A Story
Sep 28, 1996 · 43 min
San Diego - California. Miss Parker and Sydney once again miss Jarod at the Y.M.C.A., who is now posing as a member of the Coast Guard trying to figure out the truth behind the death of a man who died at sea waiting for rescue. Jarod also befriends a hermit who lives out at sea and refuses to come back to land. Jarod discovers fake dog poop.
Directing: Michael Zinberg · Writing: Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Ashley Peldon, Sam Ayers, Marjorie Monaghan
1x03 Flyer
Oct 19, 1996 · 43 min
Arizona - Sydney and Miss Parker survey a wind farm in Baja, CA where Jarod was last seen testing aerodynamics. Jarod is now flying jets for Skyvionics, which is testing a defense contractor's new computer system, while trying to figure out why a test pilot died during one of the tests. Jarod also befriends Mr. Hollis, a conspirator who was involved in the Manhattan Project.
Directing: James Whitmore Jr. · Writing: Juan Carlos Coto · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers, Deanne Bray
1x04 Curious Jarod
Oct 26, 1996 · 43 min
Las Vegas, Nevada - After spending some time studying mathematics and science, Jarod becomes head of security at a the Marquee Casino in Las Vegas. While there, he attempts to solve the mystery behind the death of a showgirl. Jarod also befriends a down-on-his-luck Elvis impersonator. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker resort to finding Jarod through the mob.
Directing: Jesús Salvador Treviño · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Kara Zediker, Gregg Henry, Paul Eiding
1x05 The Paper Clock
Nov 2, 1996 · 43 min
Los Angeles, California - Aiming to help a man wrongly sentenced for murder, Jarod becomes a lawyer and goes after the arrogant attorney protecting the real killer. Meanwhile, Sydney is trying to reach an agreement with The Centre to make a trade with Jarod: A piece of Jarod's past for some of the simulations.
Directed by Gabrielle Beaumont · Written by Javier Grillo-Marxuach · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Sam Ayers, Janet Hubert, Lawrence Pressman
1x06 To Protect and Serve
Nov 9, 1996 · 43 min
Miami Beach, Florida - Jarod, suspecting corruption in a police department, becomes an officer himself to solve the death of a boy who had recently been reunited with his father. He also befriends an aging lady who's young at heart, but is afraid of losing her wildside due to her fading eyesight. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is spending time in jail for violating criminal code 369.7 - Unlawful Carrying and Possession of Concealed Weapon, thanks to a tip from Jarod. With her in jail, Jarod uses that window of opportunity to hire a private investigator to aid in finding information about his mother.
Directed by James Whitmore Jr. · Written by Tommy Thompson · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Sam Ayers, Pat Crawford Brown, Steve Eastin
1x07 A Virus Among Us
Nov 16, 1996 · 43 min
Chicago, Illinois - Miss Parker finds that she just missed Jarod posing as a High School biology teacher, and is then subjected to the flu virus. Jarod now poses as a virologist at an infectious disease laboratory trying to figure out the story behind the disappearance of another virologist. He also befriends Ben, a musician who is trying to prefect his musical talent on various instruments, although his neighbors don't care for it.
Written by Lawrence Meyers · Starring: Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers, Raphael Sbarge, Matthew Carey
1x08 Not Even A Mouse
Dec 14, 1996 · 43 min
Baltimore, Maryland - Jarod investigates the mystery behind a hit-and-run death of a homeless man known as 'Christmas George' while simultaneously trying to identify a Jane Doe before Christmas. Meanwhile, Sydney anxiously awaits word from Jarod and Miss Parker gets her hopes up spending Christmas with her father. Jarod sends a Christmas present or two.
Directing: Thomas J. Wright · Writing: Juan Carlos Coto · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Ashley Peldon, Tony Plana, Michael Gilden
1x09 Mirage
Jan 4, 1997 · 43 min
Hudspeth County, Texas - Jarod pretends to be a skydiving instructor looking into the death of a survivalist who died on his annual trip into the desert. Jarod is also visited by Ernie Two Feathers, a man who may (or may not) be a spirit guide. Meanwhile, Miss Parker is given a birthday present from Jarod that leads her to information about her mother.
Directing: Ian Toynton · Writing: Tommy Thompson · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Sam Ayers, Robert Carradine, Chris Ellis
1x10 Better Part Of Valor
Jan 11, 1997 · 43 min
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Jarod works as a firefighter while investigating the murder of another smoke-eater; Miss Parker tries to seduce a married man.
Directing: Anson Williams · Writing: Javier Grillo-Marxuach · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Sam Ayers, Anthony Starke, Isabel Glasser
1x11 Bomb Squad
Jan 18, 1997 · 43 min
Detroit, Michigan - Jarod poses as a member of the bomb squad, searching for a serial bomber who left a woman blind from one of his attacks. Meanwhile, the Centre puts Mr. Reines in charge of finding the person who's leaking information to Jarod. By utilizing Angelo, he puts Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots to the test.
Directing: Terrence O'Hara · Writing: Javier Grillo-Marxuach · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Richard Marcus, Paul Dillon, Reggie Hayes
1x12 Prison Story
Feb 1, 1997 · 43 min
MARYLAND OAKFIELD PENITENTIARY - Jarod pretends to be a prison guard who is trying to prove a man on death row didn't commit the crime he's sentenced to death for. Meanwhile, Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots all get a clue that makes them believe they're now one step ahead of Jarod.
Directing: Steven Long Mitchell · Writing: Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Marshall Bell, Dean Norris, Brock Peters
1x13 Bazooka Jarod
Feb 8, 1997 · 43 min
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - Jarod joins the Navy to investigate the drowning of a ship's engineer, but he must outwit a security officer who doubts his credentials. Meanwhile, the latest lead on Jarod pushes Miss Parker to follow clues regarding the children her mother saved.
Directing: James Whitmore Jr. · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Christopher Allport, Leon Russom, Leonard Lightfoot
1x14 Ranger Jarod
Feb 15, 1997 · 43 min
TOLUCA NATIONAL FOREST, OREGON - Jarod falls in love with his hiking partner while on a seach-and-rescue for a boy who disappeared in the mountains. Jarod also befriends a man named Big Bob who has many stooge-ish qualitites. Back at The Centre, Miss Parker reminisces about how she loved Jarod when they were children.
Directing: Ian Toynton · Writing: Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Ashley Peldon, Chris Williams, Elpidia Carrillo
1x15 Jaroldo!
Mar 8, 1997 · 43 min
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - Jarod becomes a TV news cameraman to investigate a gang shoot-out that badly injured another cameraman. Jarod also befriends a man who lost his job and his family. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker get trapped in a condemned building.
Directing: Terrence O'Hara · Writing: Lawrence Meyers · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Ashley Peldon, Ron Yuan, Michael B. Silver
1x16 Under The Reds
Mar 22, 1997 · 43 min
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - Jarod checks into a fellow paramedic whom he believes is responsible for a graduate student's coma. But he first has to outsmart a pushy, investigative tax official who won't stop digging up everything on Jarod. After their follow-up to a lead on Jarod, Sydney disappears from the Centre. He holes himself up with his twin brother Jacob using a technique Jarod discovered in an attempt to bring him out of his coma. Miss Parker is put in charge of finding Syd and when she does, to make matters worst, Mr. Raines commands her to do eliminate Jacob.
Directing: Charles Siebert · Writing: Lawrence Meyers, Javier Grillo-Marxuach · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers, Lanei Chapman
1x17 Keys
Apr 5, 1997 · 43 min
MIAMI, FLORIDA - During a hurricane, Jarod is getting revenge for the deaths of a refugee's parents. He figures no one will pursue him since, after all, he's in the middle of a hurricane. But he's caught off guard when Miss Parker suddenly shows up. Even further caught off guard when his revenge backfires. Meanwhile, Miss Parker recalls the Thanksgiving before her mother's death. But she's blocked out certain details and Jarod makes her confront them.
Directed by Terrence O'Hara · Written by Juan Carlos Coto · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Harve Presnell, Ashley Peldon, Richard Marcus
1x18 Unhappy Landings
Apr 26, 1997 · 43 min
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - Jarod takes the role of a U.S. marshal trying to find and protect a vital witness with information about drug bosses connected to crooked marshals. Meanwhile, Miss Parker puts Broots in charge of digging up any information on the children her mother rescued. And Sydney seeks counseling for his rage against Mr. Raines.
Directed by James Whitmore Jr. · Written by Lawrence Meyers, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Juan Carlos Coto · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Richard Marcus, Cindy Pickett, Marisa Ryan
1x19 Jarod's Honor
May 3, 1997 · 43 min
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - After completing a pretend, Jarod receives an email offering answers to his past. While investigating the lead, Jarod unexpectedly stubbles upon a dying hitman. When the hitman's last job comes calling, Jarod takes it. Meanwhile, Sydney and Miss Parker, following a lead from Jarod, attend a Twins Convention. And Broots covers for them from Mr. Raines.
Directed by Terrence O'Hara · Written by Tommy Thompson, Chris Ruppenthal · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Harve Presnell, Gailard Sartain, Maury Sterling
1x20 Baby Love
May 10, 1997 · 43 min
WYOMING(?) - After a close call with getting caught by Miss Parker, Jarod stumbles upon a baby who was thrown into a dumpster. Jarod takes the child and nurses it until he can find his parents while avoiding sinister authorities. At the same time, Miss Parker, Sydney and Broots all follow clues that Jarod has dug up in reference to the meaning of SL-27.
Directing: Joe Napolitano · Starring: Harve Presnell, Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers, Paul Dillon
1x21 The Dragon House (1)
May 17, 1997 · 43 min
FORT REXFORD, NEW YORK - Jarod becomes aware that Kyle, another pretender from The Centre, is on the run from the law. Eager to find him, he becomes an F.B.I. agent to aid the investigation. But he discovers that Kyle may have something to do with his mother. Meanwhile, Miss Parker and Sydney recruit Angelo to go through all of Jarod's red notebooks. They figure he can become Jarod and thus aiding in his capture.
Written by Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Harve Presnell, Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers
1x22 The Dragon House (2) Season Finale
May 17, 1997 · 43 min
UPSTATE NEW YORK - Jarod discovers more about his family through Harriet, and decides that he must return to The Centre to free his brother Kyle. Meanwhile, Miss Parker convinces Broots and Sydney in helping her find the answers to her mother's death and believes Kyle may be the key. Finally, Jarod gets the opportunity to reunite with his family, including his sister. But The Centre becomes aware of the rendezvous and intends to stop it.
Written by Craig W. Van Sickle · Starring: Ryan Merriman, Harve Presnell, Richard Marcus, Sam Ayers