The second season of the action-adventure television series The A-Team premiered in the United States on NBC on September 20, 1983, and concluded on May 15, 1984, consisting of 23 episodes.

The A-Team
Season 2
Original season 2 DVD cover
No. of episodes23
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 20, 1983 (1983-09-20) –
May 15, 1984 (1984-05-15)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 1
Next →
Season 3
List of episodes

Cast

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Opening credits

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The second season of The A-Team had two versions of the opening credits. Both versions used scenes taken from season 1 episodes "Til' Death Do Us Part," "West Coast Turnaround," "Black Day at Bad Rock," "A Small and Deadly War," and "One More Time." Season 2 episodes that were used in the opening credits were "The Taxicab Wars," "Steel," "Water, Water Everywhere," and "The Only Church in Town.".

Version 1

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Season 2 of The A-Team was Melinda Culea's final season as Amy Allen. She left the show after this season.

  • In the first season of The A-Team, Hannibal Smith launches a cannon at a pursuing Jeep in the episode "Mexican Slayride." This scene is similar to one in the previous version of the show..
  • The helicopter chase from Season 1's "Til' Death Do Us Part" is one of the most famous scenes from the A-Team. It was a thrilling scene, and it showed off the A-Team's skills as soldiers and as a team..
  • In Season 1, Episode 20 of "The A-Team," entitled "Mexican Slayride," Hannibal disguised himself as the aquamaniac in order to tempt Colonel Lynch.
  • In the Season 1 episode "One More Time," Hannibal disguised himself as an old lady. He did this in order to infiltrate a nursing home and steal a valuable artifact.
  • In the first season of The A-Team, Hannibal Smith went undercover as a hippy doctor. He called himself "Dr. Hannibal Smith, M.D." and wore a long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sandals.
  • In the previous version of "Mexican Slayride," Hannibal Smith was shown preparing to jump from a helicopter. That scene is being recreated in Season 1 of "The A-Team.".
  • In "Til' Death Do Us Part," the A-Team is pursued by a hitman in a taxi that is going through a car wash.
  • In the Season 1 episode "A Small and Deadly War," a face is seen in the back of the A-Team van. However, that shot is not actually used in the episode.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Pros and Cons" Face disguises himself as Dr. Dwight Pepper. In this episode, the team is hired to steal a shipment of drugs from a corrupt pharmaceutical company.
  • This is another shot of Face, taken from Season 1's "A Small and Deadly War." I thought it would be interesting to show a scene from an earlier season, since the show has been on the air for so long.
  • The image shows Amy smiling in the episode "The Only Church in Town." However, the shot is not actually used in that episode.
  • I'm editing the Wikipedia page for The A-Team Season 2. In the final act of Season 1's "One More Time," Amy is laughing in the back of the A-Team van. This shot was not used in that episode.
  • Amy is at the wedding reception in "Til Death Do Us Part," an episode of The A-Team Season 1. She is wearing a white dress and veil, and is standing next to the groom.
  • Amy is in a disused warehouse in Season 1's "The Beast from the Belly of a Boeing." She is searching for something. What is she looking for?.
  • Murdock is in the catering truck, coughing. He has just eaten shaving cream in the episode "Til' Death Do Us Part" from Season 1.
  • In the Season 1 episode of "The A-Team," "Holiday in the Hills," Murdock sings a song while piloting a makeshift aircraft.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Til' Death Do Us Part," the bride is revealed to be Murdock. How did this happen? Why was he the bride?.
  • In Season 1's "West Coast Turnaround," Murdock emerges from the wrecked car with his hat on sideways and his head tilted.
  • B.A. bursts into the Mexican bar while making his entrance in "Mexican Slayride," which is an episode from season 1 of "The A-Team." This entrance is similar to the one in the previous version of "The A-Team.".
  • At the end of Season 1's "Black Day at Bad Rock," B.A. Baracus breaks into a smile while holding up his fist. What is the significance of this gesture?.
  • In "Mexican Slayride," Season 1 of "The A-Team," B.A. turns his head to see what Hannibal is doing. This action is similar to what B.A. did in the previous version of this episode.
  • In Season 1's "Pros and Cons," the A-Team's van, driven by Hannibal, B.A., and Murdock, crashes into the front of the sheriff's office. This is the same as what happened in the previous version of this episode.
  • In the first season of The A-Team, "The Rabbit Who Ate Las Vegas," a helicopter piloted by Murdock forces a mobster's car off the road, just as in the previous version of the show.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Mexican Slayride," Hannibal throws a grenade, causing a Jeep to flip over. This is a repeat of an action in a previous version of the episode.

Version 2

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The opening credits for Season 2, Version 2, removed shots of Melinda Culea. Instead, they added more scenes for the rest of the characters.:

  • Season 1's "Mexican Slayride" episode shows Hannibal launching the cannon at a pursuing Jeep. Like the previous version, you can still briefly see Melinda Culea behind Hannibal.
  • The helicopter chase from Season 1's "Til' Death Do Us Part" was a classic. It was a highlight of the season, and I'm glad to see it included in this version.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Mexican Slayride," Hannibal is dressed as the Aquamaniac, tempting Colonel Lynch. This is a reprise of his role in the previous version of "The A-Team.".
  • In the Season 1 episode, "One More Time," Hannibal disguised himself as an old lady. This is similar to the previous version of this episode.
  • Hannibal is disguised as a hippy doctor in Season 1's "West Coast Turnaround". This is a change from the previous version, where he was not disguised.
  • In the first season of The A-Team, Hannibal prepares to jump from a helicopter in the episode "Mexican Slayride." This scene is similar to one in the previous version of the show.
  • Face says goodbye to his sister Teresa at the end of Season 2's "The Only Church in Town." Face is sad to see his sister go, but he knows that she will be happy in her new home.
  • In the Season 2 episode "Steel," a cylon walks past Face, causing him to do a double take. What is a cylon, and why is it causing Face to do a double take?.
  • In the first season of The A-Team, Face fashions himself as Dr. Dwight Pepper in the episode "Pros and Cons." This is a continuation of his portrayal in the previous version of the show.
  • This is another shot of Face, taken from Season 1's "A Small and Deadly War." It is similar to the previous version, but with a different angle.
  • In "Til' Death Do Us Part," the first season of The A-Team, Murdock is in the catering truck, coughing after eating shaving cream. This is a callback to the previous version of the episode.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Holiday in the Hills," Murdock sings in the make-shift aircraft. This is similar to what happened in the previous version of this episode.
  • In "The Taxicab Wars," Murdock disguises himself as "Captain Cab" and talks to a sock puppet named "Socki." But Murdock breaks into a safe in the episode.
  • Murdock reveals himself as the bride in Season 1's "Til' Death Do Us Part," just as he did in the previous version of this episode.
  • In the previous version of "West Coast Turnaround," Murdock emerged from the wrecked car with his hat on sideways and his head tilted. In Season 1, Murdock emerged from the wrecked car with his hat on sideways and his head tilted.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Mexican Slayride," B.A. bursts into the Mexican bar. This is similar to what happened in the previous version of this episode.
  • In the Season 2 episode "Water, Water Everywhere," B.A. throws an opponent over the bar. As the opponent falls, B.A. turns his head and gives him an angry glare.
  • B. A. Baracus breaks into a smile while holding up his fist at the end of Season 1's "Black Day at Bad Rock," as in the previous version.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Mexican Slayride," B.A. turns his head to see what Hannibal is doing. This action is similar to a previous version of the episode..
  • In the Season 1 episode, "Pros and Cons," the A-Team's van, driven by Hannibal, B.A., and Murdock, crashes into the front of the sheriff's office. This is the same as the previous version.
  • In "The Rabbit Who Ate Las Vegas," a first season episode of The A-Team, Murdock pilots a helicopter and forces a mobsters' car off the road, just as in the previous version of the show.
  • In the Season 1 episode "Mexican Slayride," Hannibal throws a grenade, causing a Jeep to flip over. This is a repeat of an action in a previous episode.

Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
151"Diamonds 'n Dust"Ron SatlofPatrick HasburghSeptember 20, 1983 (1983-09-20)
The A-Team is hired by the daughter of a deceased diamond mine owner; their mission is to get the mine up and running, with half of the first profit going to them. However, they must transport dynamite to do it, and standing in their way are the thugs of a greedy and ruthless businessman.
162"Recipe for Heavy Bread"Bernard McEveetyStephen J. CannellSeptember 27, 1983 (1983-09-27)

When the A-Team come across an old Vietnamese cook that they recognize as the man that helped them survive captivity in a POW camp during the war, they must help him against the camp's brutal commander who now seeks revenge for their escape. They also discover that a US traitor in the POW camp is now the general's partner in a heroin smuggling operation.

Special Guest Star: Mako as Lin Duk Coo; John Fujioka as General Chow; Marjoe Gortner as Lt. Tom Anderson aka Thomas Angel

Michael Alldredge as Don
173"The Only Church in Town"Christian I. Nyby IIBabs GreyhoskyOctober 11, 1983 (1983-10-11)

Face receives his old fraternity pin in the mail, to him a sign that an old girlfriend of his is in trouble. Unable to convince the others to help him, Face must hire the A-Team to track the woman down to Ecuador, where she has become a nun. His fears turn out to be justified when they learn she and the rest of the convent are being held prisoner by a group of wanted bandits.

Special Guest Star: Markie Post as Leslie Bektall
184"Bad Time on the Border"Bruce KesslerRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
October 18, 1983 (1983-10-18)

A young girl appears at B.A.'s youth center and he discovers that she has escaped from a group of people smugglers who are holding her ill mother and others captive before transporting them into America as slave labor in a clothing sweatshop. The A-Team go to the rescue, but when Hannibal goes undercover and is captured, the others must race to save both him and the girl's mother.

Guest Stars:

  • Jack Ging as Lt. Jack Taggart
  • Dennis Lipscomb as Prince
  • Joey Aresco as Presley
  • David Graf as Cooper
  • Jeffrey Josephson as Kirk
  • Maria Heasley as Cherise
  • Carlos Lacamara as Carlos
  • Bert Santos as Fernando
  • Javier Grajeda as Roberto
  • Edie Marie Rubio as Maria
  • Scott Nemes as Robert
195"When You Comin' Back, Range Rider?"Christian I. Nyby IIFrank LupoOctober 25, 1983 (1983-10-25)
206

The A-team is hired by a native American from the Midwest to protect a herd of wild mustangs from being slaughtered. Meanwhile, a new Military Police pursuer is introduced in the form of Colonel Roderick Decker, and he will stop at nothing to apprehend the A-Team. Soon the A-Team must try to find of evidence of the mustangs' illegal rustling as quickly as possible before they are captured themselves by Decker and the Military Police. With enemies coming from two sides, it is ultimately up to Murdock to save his friends.

Notes: First appearance of Lance LeGault in the role of Colonel Roderick Decker.

  • Originally shown as a feature-length episode, which was later cut into two separate episodes for syndication.
  • Because of Decker (who would put her under constant surveillance), Amy begins to lose touch with the A-Team

Special Guest Star: Morgan Woodward as Bus Carter

217"The Taxicab Wars"Gilbert M. ShiltonStephen J. CannellNovember 1, 1983 (1983-11-01)

The Lone Star cab company is faced with the overzealous Love Cab company, which is trying to force them out of business; worse, the Love Cab meters are rigged and they sell narcotics out of the trunks. The A-Team is hired by the company and become involved with a war between cab companies on the streets of Los Angeles. Will Love Cab win? Not if Murdock's new superhero persona, Captain Cab, has anything to say about it. In the end, Hannibal tricks the owner into attacking Lone Star HQ, catching him in the act of vandalism and murder, leaving him for the police.

Special Guest Star: Michael Ironside as Miller Crane, Ernie Hudson as Cal Freeman
228"Labor Pains"Arnold LavenRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
November 8, 1983 (1983-11-08)

Hannbial uses his usual plan of making Decker think the A-Team left the state, to throw him off their trail; they instead hide out in a small town, only to find that a group of itinerant workers are being exploited by a malignant landowner. Murdock's lunacy for the episode is using a Ouija board. The A-Team step in to help, and encourage the workers to form a union. As usual, the A-Team takes off the moment the military show up.

Special Guest Star: John Vernon as Ted Jarrett
239"There's Always a Catch"Ron SatlofRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
November 15, 1983 (1983-11-15)
Hotly pursued by Decker, the team seek medical help for B.A. in the hospital of a fishing town. While there they meet a family who tell them of a man extorting the fishermen of the town and causing depletion of the lobster beds. The team decide to help the town out, but need to go to great lengths to avoid the clutches of Decker.
2410"Water, Water Everywhere"Sidney HayersStory by : Sidney Ellis
Teleplay by : Jo Swerling, Jr. and Sidney Ellis
November 22, 1983 (1983-11-22)
Three partially disabled Vietnam War veterans (one played by wheelchair athlete Jim Knaub) attempt to establish a hotel in a small desert town. Their property impacts access to a water bore for a wealthy local rancher who tries to run them out of town, by sending in thugs to damage their hotel. The trio tell Murdock of their plight at the VA Hospital, and the A-Team volunteer their services to come to their aid.
2511"Steel"Gilbert M. ShiltonFrank LupoNovember 29, 1983 (1983-11-29)

The A-Team are hired by a construction company who become involved in a turf battle with a larger opposition company over the demolition of an old high-rise building. Things become far more serious when they realise the opposition are backed by a big-time mobster who buried his partner in the foundations years before.

Special Guest Star: Norman Alden as Mickey Stern

2612"The White Ballot"Dennis DonnellyJeff RayDecember 6, 1983 (1983-12-06)

A journalist friend of Amy tells her of a corrupt sheriff in his small hometown who has threatened him about reporting on the town's problems. The A-Team agree to intervene and Face poses as a returning local war hero in order to run for sheriff in an upcoming election. Things get more complex when Decker sees Face's photograph on the wire and comes in pursuit.

Note: Final Appearance of Amy.

Special Guest Star: Clifton James as Sheriff Jake Dawson
2713"The Maltese Cow"Dennis DonnellyRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
December 13, 1983 (1983-12-13)
A Chinese tong looking to expand their business in LA try to raise money by running a protection racket on local businesses. One of their targets is a Vietnamese friend of The A-Team, whose restaurant the team part own. The A-Team step into help, but along the way must deal with the tong targeting their friend's family and a brush with the LAPD.
2814"In Plane Sight"Tony MordenteBabs GreyhoskyJanuary 3, 1984 (1984-01-03)

When a courier pilot crash lands in Venezuela, he is found to be smuggling cocaine, to his surprise, and is imprisoned. Convinced of his innocence, his family hire the A-Team to seek out those behind the operation both in the US and South America. The team must deal with both the Federales and the international drug lord behind the operation in their investigations.

Note: B.A. is temporarily hypnotized into falling asleep with a key word, but is released from it by the end of the episode.

Lance Henriksen as one of the 'bad guys'
2915"The Battle of Bel Air"Gilbert M. ShiltonFrank LupoJanuary 10, 1984 (1984-01-10)
A reporter friend of Amy, Tawnia Baker, moonlights as a clerk in a major security firm and discovers that Decker is about to pounce on The A-Team. She comes to warn them, but in the process some corrupt heads in the company suspect she has stumbled on their plans to murder one of their clients, a major oil-sheikh, and come in pursuit of her. The team inadvertently take on the job of saving both Baker and the sheikh.
3016"Say It With Bullets"Dennis DonnellyRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
January 17, 1984 (1984-01-17)

The A-Team are hired by a servicewoman whose brother has been killed by a corrupt officer selling army weapons on the black market. When she double-crosses the team in exchange for Decker's promise to put away the guilty officer, The A-Team are forced to take on both the arms' traders and an entire army base. The team sets up its escape by tricking Decker's team of National Guardsmen into heavily damaging a guest house on an army base (through machine-gun fire) by -- through use of a sound-effects record -- making them think they're being fired upon.

Special Guest Star: Monte Markham as Lt. Mason Harnett
3117"Pure-Dee Poison"Dennis DonnellyAllan Cole & Chris BunchJanuary 31, 1984 (1984-01-31)

A small town preacher takes on an illegal moonshine operation which is causing sickness and death amongst the district's population. However, the moonshine operators wound the preacher as a warning. Unable to continue his crusade alone, he hires The A-Team to come in and help shut the operation down.

Special Guest Star: Bo Hopkins as Charlie Drew
3218"It's a Desert Out There"Arnold LavenBruce CerviFebruary 7, 1984 (1984-02-07)

When some elderly patrons of a small-time casino just over the Nevada border are robbed by bandits known as "The Scorpions" as they return to Los Angeles, they hire The A-Team to track the offenders down. The team discover that the bandits intend to murder their imprisoned former leader while en route to LA to testify against them, and intervene to attempt to prevent the hit and capture the bandits.

Special Guest Star: Tony Burton as Burke
3319"Chopping Spree"Michael O'HerlihyStephen KatzFebruary 14, 1984 (1984-02-14)

When an acquaintance of B.A.'s working as a parking valet is accused of being involved in a car theft racket, the A-Team step in to help break it up. However B.A.'s van is inadvertently stolen as part of the operation, so the race is on to get to the bottom of the racket and recover the van before it is cut up for spare parts.

Special Guest Star: Dennis Franz as Sam Friendly
3420"Harder Than It Looks"Ivan DixonBabs GreyhoskyFebruary 21, 1984 (1984-02-21)

The A-Team are hired by a wealthy businessman to rescue his daughter who has been kidnapped by a group of terrorists who are now demanding a large ransom. Hannibal assures the team that the job will be "a piece of cake", but things turn out harder than they look when they find that the girl is reluctant to be saved because her boyfriend is one of the kidnappers, and her father only wants her saved to maintain his public appearance.

In the end, the A-Team saves the girl, stops a terrorist group and keeps the money. When Hannibal finds out they've been double-crossed by their client, he tells him "we're like socks. You can put us through a rough wash once, but you'll never use us again."
3521"Deadly Maneuvers"Mike VejarRichard Christian Matheson
& Thomas Szollosi
February 28, 1984 (1984-02-28)

Concerned that the team's work has been becoming sloppy, Hannibal leads them on a series of training manoeuvres; frustrating Face and B.A., while Murdock is more than willing. Elsewhile, a corrupt group of wealthy individuals have had enough of the A-Team's interference plummeting their profits. As a result, they hire four highly skilled mercenaries to take out the team - sort of a Negative A-Team/Z-Team - when they're off guard. Reappearance of Tricia O'Neil as the doctor from Season 1's "Black Day at Bad Rock".

Special Guest Star: Ed Lauter as Maj. Douglas Kyle
3622"Semi-Friendly Persuasion"Craig R. BaxleyDanny Lee ColeMay 8, 1984 (1984-05-08)

A pacifist religious community is intimidated by a group of small town bullies who want to run them off their land, an experience they have faced elsewhere. Tired of running, one of the community seeks the help of The A-Team. In contrast to their usual methods, the A-Team must try to deal with the thugs while adhering to the non-violent beliefs of the community.

Much to the annoyance of everyone but Hannibal, the pacifists decide to leave and try elsewhere as the A-Team had to use violence. Hannibal tells the preacher that it is okay to believe in non-violence, but to some other people it is quite stupid.

Special Guest Star: Geoffrey Lewis as Kale Sykes
3723"Curtain Call"Dennis DonnellyStephen KatzMay 15, 1984 (1984-05-15)
While finishing up a job in an isolated town, and with Decker in hot pursuit, Murdock is shot by one of the perpetrators. The A-Team must try to treat the ailing Murdock as the army rapidly closes the net on them. This second season finale is a partial clip show episode.

References

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  1. ^ Lewis, Jon E.; Stempel, Penny (1993). Cult TV: The Essential Critical Guide. Pavilion. p. 175. ISBN 9781857930535.
  2. ^ Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials, Volume 2. VNR AG. p. 24. ISBN 9780918432612.