'Human Target' Premiere Recap

Will Mark Valley become TV's most famous bodyguard since Pam Anderson in 'VIP'?

The premiere episode of 'Human Target' opens with a hostage situation in an office -- a disgruntled salesman with a rifle and a bomb strapped to his chest believes he has the boss that fired him at his mercy, but is shocked to discover that his victim is actually Christopher Chance, who was hired by the boss for protection. After trying unsuccessfully to talk the gunman into surrendering, Chance kills him with his own rifle.Will Mark Valley become TV's most famous bodyguard since Pam Anderson in 'VIP'?

The pilot episode of 'Human Target' opens with a hostage situation in an office. A disgruntled salesman with a rifle and a bomb strapped to his chest believes he has the boss that fired him at his mercy, but is shocked to discover that his victim is actually Christopher Chance, who was hired by the boss for protection. After trying unsuccessfully to talk the gunman into surrendering, Chance kills him with his own rifle.

Four weeks later he is hired by Stephanie Dobbs, designer of the new California bullet train. Chance joins her on the train's maiden voyage, certain that the man who placed a bomb under her car will also be on board, and try to kill her again. Sure enough, the bodyguard foils an attempt to slip Stephanie a poisoned drink at the opening reception.

While his partners Winston (Chi McBride) and Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley) work the case from the outside, Chance mingles with Stephanie's coworkers, looking for leads. After another unsuccessful attempt on her life, the killer tries to escape by destroying the train's brake system. Working together, Chance and Stephanie save the other passengers, then narrowly escape death by jumping clear just before their rail car flies off the tracks.

Back in Los Angeles, Stephanie's husband escorts his wife home for a quiet evening after her ordeal, until Chance confronts him with evidence exposing him as the would-be assassin. Preferring the barter system to cash for his salary, Chance takes Stepahanie's diamond wedding ring as payment.

Watch the full episode of 'Human Target' on SlashControl