The Burning Zone

Under a direct mandate from the White House, a small team of medical specialists investigates and diffuses biohazard situations that require a discrete approach.

1st Season 1996

Production Credits
Executive producers: Coleman Luck, James D. McAdams, Robert A. Papazian, James G. Hirsch
Co-executive producers: Carleton Eastlake, Robert Gilmer
Created by: Coleman Luck
Producer: Stuart Cohen
Co-Producer: Brian Chambers
Associate producer: Todd London
Coordinating Producer: Burt Bluestein
Medical Consultants: Kimberly A. Shriner, MD, Pamela A. Morris

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1. "Pilot"
   gs: Paul Guilfoyle [ Dr. Arthur Glyndon ], Peter Frechette [ Dr. Frank Matthews ], Julie Araskog [ Ann Glyndon ], Denis Arndt [ Dr. Rhinehart ], Mika Boorem [ Litte Girl ], Lucas Dudley [ State Trooper ], Dwayne Foster [ Technician ], Kevin Fry [ Agent ], James Harper [ Lt. Colonel ], David Jackson [ News Anchor ], Todd Kimsey [ M.P. Guard ], Mitchell Longley [ Van Driver ], Jordan Marder [ Communications Specialist ], Heather McPhaul [ Mother ]

   The team is assembled to research an unknown virus released from an ancient tomb in Costa Rica. Those infected get blood-red eyes, a high fever and superhuman strength, and acquire an exceptional interest in deadly diseases.

   b: 3 Sep 96 pc: 83595 w: Coleman Luck d: Bradford May

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2. "The Silent Tower"
   gs: Damon Whitaker [ Unknown ], Dena Dietrich [ Mrs. White ], Julius Harris [ Unknown ], Edward Evanko [ Unknown ], Tony Jay [ The Chairman ], Annie Grindlay [ Rachel Marcase ], Nicholas Pappone [ Young Edward ], Brandon Adams [ D-Ray Drummond ], Clayton Murray [ Security Guard ], Raymond Turner [ Hazmat Man ], Christopher Kirby [ Dark Figure ]

   Under it's new leader, Dr. Cassian, the team is ordered to a condemned skyscraper that has been the site of 79 suicides since its opening two years ago.

   b: 10 Sep 96 pc: K1301 w: Coleman Luck d: Michael Lange

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3. "St. Michael's Nightmare"
   gs: Ray Abruzzo [ Father Stephen ], Theodore Bikel [ Old Priest ], Jacqueline Obradors [ Marion ], Rene Auberjonois [ Dr. Dicketts ], Gunther Jensen [ Crowd Person #1 ], Joyce Greenleaf [ Crowd Person #2 ], Ray Lykins [ Young Guy ]

   The team is sent to Philadelphia to monitor the religious festival of St. Michaels, a celebration of good's victory over evil. The last two years it has been the site of violent episodes and two unexplainable deaths among the clergy.

   b: 17 Sep 96 pc: K1303 w: Robert Gilmer d: Scott Brazil

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4. "Arms of Fire"
   gs: Craig Kirkwood [ Unknown ], Scott Allan Campbell [ Unknown ], Michael Bryan French [ Unknown ], Joel Swetow [ Unknown ], Markus Flanagan [ Unknown ], Mitchell Longley [ Unknown ], Katherine Olsen [ Shelley ], Patrick Y. Malone [ Unknown ], De'aundre Bonds [ Unknown ], Bernard Hocke [ Coroner ], Richard Gross [ Desk Sergeant ], Jane Marshall [ Principal Bubeck ], Chante Frierson [ Keesha Merchant ], J.J. Boone [ Gym Teacher ], Stephen Poletti [ Chief of Security ]

   The team investigates two cases of spontaneous human combustion in a lower-class neighborhood.

   b: 24 Sep 96 pc: K1304 w: Coleman Luck III d: Michael Katleman

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5. "Night Flight"
   gs: Richard Yñiguez [ Co-Pilot ], Michael Harney [ Unknown ], Heidi Noelle Lenhart [ Unknown ], Michael Cavanaugh [ Unknown ], Tom Jourden [ Unknown ], Rosanna Huffman [ Unknown ], Barbara Nickell [ Unknown ], Christina Ma [ Unknown ], Dom Magwili [ Military Police ], Lance August [ Sgt. Robert W. Francis ], Mike Terner [ Second Skinhead ], Donald Nardini [ Flight Engineer ], Jordan Marder [ Duty Officer ], Kristina Malota [ Katie Davis ], Frank Farmer [ Flight Surgeon ], Grant Mathis [ Biohazard Commander ]

   Marcase, Shiroma and Hailey are on a flight back to the US when one of the passengers breaks out with a hemorrhaging fever. Not allowed to turn back, they have a 5-hour flight before they can land - assuming the pilot survives.

   b: 1 Oct 96 pc: K1301 w: Carleton Eastlake d: Jesús Salvador Treviño

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6. "Lethal Injection"
   gs: Sherman Howard [ Dr. Elton Greenleaf ], Keith Szarabajka [ Gordon Kinnock ], Tim DeZarn [ Unknown ], Jim Holmes [ Unknown ], Barbara Tarbuck [ Dr. Boston ], Wayne Péré [ Unknown ], Dennis Christopher [ Unknown ], Kenny McCabe [ Security Specialist ], Lawrence McNeal III [ Guard ], Shae Popovich [ Technician ]

   Cassian gets a lead on a government black-project that uses criminals sentenced to death as messengers to an alternative dimension - the afterlife, and decides to shut it down.

   b: 15 Oct 96 pc: K1306 w: Coleman Luck & Carel Gage Luck d: Richard Compton

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7. "Touch of the Dead"
   gs: Dennis Boutsikaris [ Dr. Steven Rydell ], Daphne Ashbrook [ Dr. Rachel Robertson ], Jennifer Sommerfield [ Erica ], Grace Zabriskie [ Retired CIA Agent ]

   Cassian is infected with incurable bacteria that will kill him in 48 hours, bacteria he thought died along with his girlfriend in the Yucatan forest 10 years ago.

   b: 29 Oct 96 pc: K1307 w: Robert Gilmer d: Oscar L. Costo

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8. "Hall of the Serpent"
   gs: Nicholas Lea [ Philip Pagit ], Kimberly Kates [ Unknown ], Jessica Cushman [ Unknown ], Nick Kusenko [ Unknown ], Nicole Nieth [ Unknown ], Kevin Fry [ O'Fallon ], Alex Fernandez [ Guard ]

   A cult leader promises people with lethal diseases a miracle cure courtesy of an ancient Greek god, and surprisingly it works - at least until they defy him. He draws the team's attention when Cassian's niece seeks him out after being diagnosed with leukemia.

   b: 12 Nov 96 pc: K1310 w: Coleman Luck & Carel Gage Luck d: Michael Lange

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9. "Blood Covenant"
   gs: Mark Lindsay Chapman [ Unknown ], Marisa Coughlan [ Chante ], Randy Oglesby [ Unknown ], Kenneth Johnson [ Unknown ], Diana Castle [ Mrs. Kayge ], Brad Koepenick [ Dr. Tucker Welles ], Bridget Hoffman [ Nurse ], Rick Cramer [ SWAT Team Member ], Richard Retes [ SWAT Team Leader ], Greg Eagles [ Zairian ], Gabriel Alexander [ Jimmy ], Lisa Anne Morrison [ Secretary ], Lynne Larsen [ Michelle Lefort ]

   A doctor angry with the US government for abandoning him in Zaire infects Orlando's main blood supply with malaria, and threatens with doing more unless a billion dollars is deposited to a Swiss bank account.

   b: 19 Nov 96 pc: K1311 w: Coleman Luck III s: Coleman Luck III & Kimberly A. Shriner, M.D. d: Oscar L. Costo

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10. "Faces in the Night"
    gs: Marc Poppel [ Frank Stark ], Alicia Coppola [ Dana Tierney ], Vincent Duvall [ Unknown ], James M. McBride [ Unknown ], Peter Allas [ Unknown ], Edwina Moore [ Nurse ], Jean-Luc Martin [ Duty Officer Boeck ]

    A serial killer abducts Kimberly, and the team has until the full moon is over to find her.

    b: 26 Nov 96 pc: K1312 w: Carleton Eastlake d: Scott Brazil

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11. "Midnight of the Carrier"
    gs: Tim O'Connor [ William Helderman ], Tim Ryan [ Unknown ], Tomas Arana [ Unknown ], Alan Scarfe [ Unknown ], S. Russell Werkman [ Unknown ], Jordan Marder [ Unknown ], Magda Harout [ Emma Helderman ], Lorie Griffin [ Receptionist ], Craig Schoen [ Young Helderman ], Wolf Muser [ Nazi Doctor ], Timothy Dale Agee [ Agent Mitchell ], Van Quattro [ RAD Team Member ]

    The team is to operate out a mysterious capsule from the body of an old man. The capsule was placed there by a Nazi doctor to hide it from the allies at the end of WWII, but the man fled to the US and has been concealing his past ever since. But when security on the in the team's HQ is compromised during the operation, it appears that someone else wants it too - badly.

    b: 7 Jan 97 pc: K1308 w: Carleton Eastlake d: Janet Greek

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12. "Critical Mass"
    gs: Cindy Katz [ Unknown ], Eugene "Doboy" Williams [ Unknown ], Lance Guest [ Unknown ], Christine Champion [ Unknown ], Warren Sweeney [ Unknown ], Henry Hayashi [ Unknown ], Persia White [ Unknown ], William Wellman jr. [ Unknown ], James Lesure [ Unknown ], Will Schaub [ SWAT Team Leader ], Kris Iyer [ Medical Examiner ], Sally Hightower [ TV Reporter ], Ned Luke [ 2nd Officer ], Wiley Pickett [ Downed Man ], Don Bruner II [ Air Force Officer ]

    With Marcase and Shiroma occupied in Zaire, Cassian enlists the help of neuropathologist Brian Taft to investigate the death of a LA fireman. He had grown several large brain tumors and exhibited extremely aggressive behavior after being exposed to a fallen meteor, and Cassian fears the same may be happening to the scientists currently examining it.

    b: 28 Jan 97 pc: K1313 w: Carleton Eastlake & James G. Hirsch d: Richard Compton
    NOTE: At the beginning of the episode Cassian notes that Shiroma and Marcase are no longer available due to the president publishing information on the incident in Zaire. What he's talking about here is unclear - it doesn't fit with any of the previous episodes. It might refer to an unproduced script, or may simply be a bad attempt at explaining the actors' absence.

    At the end Taft joins the team when Cassian "discovers" a problem with his research grant.

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13. "Death Song"
    gs: Angela Teek [ Tina Wright ], Michael Buchman Silver [ Unknown ], Adrian Sparks [ Unknown ], Jeffrey Anderson Gunter [ Unknown ], Diane DiLascio [ Dr. Patricia Billings ], David McSwain [ Young Man ], Wendy Braun [ Young Woman ], Liz Mamana [ Darlene ], Scott Alan Cook [ Jeter ]

    Cassian and Taft look into why several recovering Hodgkin's patients are suddenly collapsing with multiple bone-fractures, while Hailey gets involved with famous singer.

    b: 4 Feb 97 pc: K1314 w: Robert Gilmer d: Michael Miller

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14. "The Last Endless Summer"
    gs: Judith Hoag [ Unknown ], Andrew Kavovit [ Dr. Joseph Wetherall ], Nancy Everhard [ Unknown ], Obba Babatunde [ Unknown ], Todd Susman [ Unknown ], Rikki Dale [ Unknown ], Duke Moosekian [ Unknown ], Radmar Agana Jao [ Technician ], Caron Strong [ Nurse ], David Chisum [ Mac ], Dennis Howard [ Clergyman ], Trevor Jackson [ Paramedic ], Kristin Steese [ Renee Cassian ], Endre Hules [ Sailor ], Eddie Wilde [ Killer ], Bobbie Norman [ Mrs. Bartholomew ], Christine Moore [ Tracy ]

    A Californian hospital receives several cases of perfectly healthy people developing organ failure overnight with seemingly no connection. Cassian is called in to assist, but is not happy about the way his new overseer wants to run things.

    b: 11 Feb 97 pc: K1316 w: James G. Hirsch d: Stephen L. Posey

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15. "The Last Five Pounds are the Hardest"
    gs: Judith Hoag [ Dr. Meredith Schrager ], Thomas Kopache [ Unknown ], David Purdham [ Unknown ], Carol Potter [ Mrs. Mason ], J. Madison Wright [ Cathy Mason ], Mark Bramhall [ Unknown ], Michael Paul Chan [ Mr. Chan ], Randy Irwin [ Unknown ], Kelly Rowan [ Stacy ], Kevin Westin [ Jerry ], William Jones [ Mr. Purvis ], Paul Messinger [ Dr. Leeman ], Michael H. Moss [ Art Mason ], Frantz Turner [ Policeman ]

    Several people all over the US are found either dead or in a coma, and the only thing they have in common is the diet pill Metabathin. While Taft can find nothing wrong with it, someone is leaking information to the press causing the public to panic.

    b: 18 Feb 97 pc: K1320 w: Carleton Eastlake d: Michael Miller

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16. "Elegy For a Dream"
    gs: Christine Healy [ Unknown ], Ladd York [ Jesse Sommers ], Julianne Christie [ Unknown ], Seth Isler [ Unknown ], Al Sapienza [ Unknown ], Ted W. Henning [ Unknown ], Dawn Lewis [ Unknown ], Nick Spano [ Bobby ], Scott Hamm [ Mark ], Rocco Vienhage [ Director ], Victor Wilson [ Coach Darryl Wilson ], Kerian Jorgensen [ Dana Whitman ], Dawn Zeek [ Tiffany ], Ilia Volokh [ Janos ], Jason Van [ Sailor ], Joe Rose [ Customer ]

    An aggressive flesh-eating bacterium hits Chicago, spreading through infected tattoo ink. Taft's football playing nephew is one of the victims, and may end up losing his arm.

    b: 29 Apr 97 pc: K1319 w: Michael Gleason d: Nancy Malone

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17. "A Secret in the Neighborhood"
    gs: Lara Steinick [ Dr. Patricia Baylock ], Nancy Everhard [ Unknown ], Todd Susman [ Newland ], Kristin Steese [ Renee Cassian ], David Cromwell [ Unknown ], Larry Williams [ Unknown ], Terence Knox [ Major Reed ], Robert Ayers [ Dr. Vashon ], Kirk Fox [ Carny ], Rick Cramer [ Military Driver ], Edward Rote [ Corporal ], Kevin Downes [ Young Man ], Terry Markwell [ Gina ], Sarah Carson [ Suzette ]

    A boy collapses at amusement park with burns in the mouth and throat. The preliminary examination points to the use of chemical weapons.

    b: 6 May 97 pc: K1318 w: Burt Baker d: Michael Miller

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18. "Wild Fire"
    gs: Shannon O'Hurley [ Unknown ], Donza Leigh Abernathy [ Unknown ], Walter Emanuel Jones [ Marcus Dawson ], Duane Davis [ Unknown ], Wes Charles Jr. [ Unknown ], V.P. Oliver [ Unknown ], Anne Betancourt [ Head Nurse ], Peter Suarez [ Donnie Silkiss ], Bjørn Johnson [ Restaurant Owner ], Vachik Mangassarian [ Jeweler ], Noelle Neal [ Kelli Niles ], Skip O'Brien [ Foreman ], Carlease Burke [ Mrs. Hailey ], Mark DeAllesandro [ Headwaiter ], David Lea [ Vagrant Man ]

    A Detroit restaurant has an outbreak of new cure resistant cholera with an impossibly short onset time.

    b: 13 May 97 pc: K1317 w: David Kemper d: Stephen L. Posey

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19. "On Wings of Angels"
    gs: John Lafayette [ Unknown ], Dwayne L. Barnes [ Unknown ], Joe Cortese [ Unknown ], John Prosky [ Unknown ], Mongo Brownlee [ Unknown ], Tommy Morgan Jr. [ Unknown ], Hellena Schmeid [ Unknown ], Tracy Grant [ Unknown ], Kristopher Logan [ Unknown ], Jimmy Ray Jr. [ Unknown ], Michael Ryan Way [ Starkey ], D.K. Kelly [ Lt. Mays ], Angel Vargas [ Cain ], Chariesse Lavelle [ Lynette ], Jerry Rector [ Guard ]

    A secret project attempting to pacify prison inmates with experimental drugs goes wrong when the subjects start collapsing with horrible seizures.

    b: 20 May 97 pc: K1321 w: James G. Hirsch d: Richard Compton