The Pretender ambient background
CinebyCineby
The Pretender backdrop

The Pretender

The Pretender
★ 7.4/10•1996•43m•TV-14•Drama•Mystery•Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Similars

Hero of a thousand faces. Man of a thousand lives.

Raised in a secret facility built for experimenting on children, Jarod is a genius who can master any profession and become anyone he has to be. When he realizes as an adult that he's actually a prisoner and his captors are not as benevolent as he's been told, he breaks out. While trying to find his real identity, Jarod helps those he encounters and tries to avoid the woman sent to retrieve him.

StatusEnded
Runtime43m
LanguageEN
First Air DateSep 19, 1996

Episodes

Episode 1 - PilotE143m

Pilot

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.

Sep 19, 1996

Episode 2 - Every Picture Tells A StoryE243m

Every Picture Tells A Story

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.

Sep 28, 1996

Episode 3 - FlyerE343m

Flyer

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.

Oct 19, 1996

Episode 4 - Curious JarodE443m

Curious Jarod

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.

Oct 26, 1996

Episode 5 - The Paper ClockE543m

The Paper Clock

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.

Nov 2, 1996

Episode 6 - To Protect and ServeE643m

To Protect and Serve

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.

Nov 9, 1996

Episode 7 - A Virus Among UsE743m

A Virus Among Us

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.

Nov 16, 1996

Episode 8 - Not Even A MouseE843m

Not Even A Mouse

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.

Dec 14, 1996

Episode 9 - MirageE943m

Mirage

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.

Jan 4, 1997

Episode 10 - Better Part Of ValorE1043m

Better Part Of Valor

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Jarod works as a firefighter while investigating the murder of another smoke-eater; Miss Parker tries to seduce a married man.

Jan 11, 1997

Episode 11 - Bomb SquadE1143m

Bomb Squad

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.

Jan 18, 1997

Episode 12 - Prison StoryE1243m

Prison Story

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.

Feb 1, 1997

Episode 13 - Bazooka JarodE1343m

Bazooka Jarod

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.

Feb 8, 1997

Episode 14 - Ranger JarodE1443m

Ranger Jarod

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.

Feb 15, 1997

Episode 15 - Jaroldo!E1543m

Jaroldo!

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.

Mar 8, 1997

Episode 16 - Under The RedsE1643m

Under The Reds

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.

Mar 22, 1997

Episode 17 - KeysE1743m

Keys

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.

Apr 5, 1997

Episode 18 - Unhappy LandingsE1843m

Unhappy Landings

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.

Apr 26, 1997

Episode 19 - Jarod's HonorE1943m

Jarod's Honor

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.

May 3, 1997

Episode 20 - Baby LoveE2043m

Baby Love

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.

May 10, 1997

Episode 21 - The Dragon House (1)E2143m

The Dragon House (1)

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.

May 17, 1997

Episode 22 - The Dragon House (2)E2243m

The Dragon House (2)

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.

May 17, 1997

Actors

Michael T. Weiss

Michael T. Weiss

Jarod

Andrea Parker

Andrea Parker

Miss Parker/Catherine Parker

Patrick Bauchau

Patrick Bauchau

Sydney/Jacob

Jon Gries

Jon Gries

Broots

Recommendations

Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Brimstone
John Doe
Nancy Drew
Mutant X
Marvel's Runaways
NEXT
The Flash
Nowhere Man
The Gifted
Perception
Superman & Lois
Minority Report
Numb3rs
The Hardy Boys
Taken
Moonlight
Salvation
WandaVision
The Magicians

Similars

Mushikago no Joumae
The Lone Gunmen
Yu Zui
Bull
Wanted
The Black Swindler
Devils
Gangsta.
UNTAMED
Good Night MH370
Kamandag
Ridley Road
Shooter
McMillion$
Chimera
Lupin the 3rd
Sino ang Maysala?: Mea Culpa
Darker than Black
No Way For Stumer
Peach of Time