Viper

1h

Action & Adventure

Drama

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Viper is an action-adventure TV series about a special task force set up by the federal government to fight crime in the fictional city of Metro City, California that is perpetually under siege from one crime wave after another. The weapon used by this task force is an assault vehicle that masquerades as a Dodge Viper RT/10 roadster and coupe. The series takes place in "the near future". The primary brand of vehicles driven in the show were Chrysler or subsidiary companies. The Viper Defender "star car" was designed by Chrysler Corporation engineers. The exterior design of the car was produced by Chrysler stylist Steve Ferrerio.

Production Companies

Pet Fly Productions

Paramount Television

MEC Viper Productions

Episodes

Cast

Pilot

1. Pilot

1h 30min

2nd Jan 1994

City Commissioner Strand is desperate to get the Viper on the road. He plans on using the Viper's crime-fighting abilities to bolster support for his campaign to become mayor. After stealing a satellite, Michael Payton flips his black Dodge Stealth in a spectacular crash. Strand hears about the accident and has Payton pronounced dead at the scene. Payton is the best getaway driver the Outfit had. Commissoner Strand orders that Payton's memory be erased and his appearance altered. When Payton awakes, he is told that he is a police officer named Joesph Payne Astor.

Once a Thief ...

2. Once a Thief ...

50min

7th Jan 1994

Joe faces a terrifying choice when the doctor who performed memory-altering surgery on him offers to restore his criminal identity.

Ghosts

3. Ghosts

50min

14th Jan 1994

Joe's former partner in crime (Jason Carter) is sprung from prison by the Outfit in order to locate the Viper.

Safe as Houses

4. Safe as Houses

50min

21st Jan 1994

Nate Benedict, a Mob Boss who is about to be tried for various crimes, fakes his own death. He starts over in a small town to lay low and continue his criminal operations. The residents of Mesa Rose, the small town Benedict takes over, are powerless against Benedict's strong reach. The Viper turns out to be 'the great equalizer'.

Firehawk

5. Firehawk

50min

28th Jan 1994

As part of a plan to destroy the Viper, the Outfit kidnaps Julian and forces him to upgrade its own urban assault vehicle.

Mind Games

6. Mind Games

50min

11th Feb 1994

After Frankie is injured in a suspicious car crash, the Viper team uncovers a plot to hijack a transport loaded with highly contagious diseases.

The Face

7. The Face

50min

18th Feb 1994

"The Face", a famous hit man, has just been released from prison. His plans to go straight are jeopardized when his former employer kidnaps his wife to force him to do one last hit! Through the Consortium, he asks Joe Astor for help.

Wheels of Fire

8. Wheels of Fire

50min

25th Feb 1994

Joe falls for the inventor of a highly efficient car battery, but painful memories of his murdered fiancee surface when her life is threatened. Meanwhile, the discovery of a long-lost concept car shocks everyone.

Past Tense

9. Past Tense

50min

4th Mar 1994

The Viper team must crack a ring that abducts youths and molds them into specialized criminals. Meanwhile, Joe encounters a special someone from his past.

Scoop

10. Scoop

50min

11th Mar 1994

Joe teams with a police detective--a suspected vigilante--to find the culprit behind the murder of Outfit thugs.

Thief of Hearts

11. Thief of Hearts

50min

18th Mar 1994

An artificial heart that will save the life of a young girl is stolen.

Crown of Thorns

12. Crown of Thorns

50min

1st Apr 1994

A foreign dignitary visiting the U.S. becomes the new target of the assassin who previously killed her father.

First air date

2nd Jan 1994

Last air date

22nd May 1999

Status

Ended

Type

Scripted

Original language

en

Networks