The A-Team/It's a Desert Out There

It's a Desert Out There
Season 2, Episode 18
Airdate	February 7, 1984
Production Number	1219
Written by	Bruce Cervi
Directed by	Arnold Laven
Produced by	John Ashley
Stream
← 2x17 Pure-Dee Poison	2x19 → Chopping Spree
The A-Team — Season Two

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It's a Desert Out There is the eighteenth episode of the second season of The A-Team, and the thirty-second episode overall.

Starring: George Peppard (John Smith), Dirk Benedict (Templeton Peck), Dwight Schultz (H.M. Murdock)

and Mr. T (Bosco "B.A." Baracus)

Also Starring: Marla Heasley (Tawnia Baker)

Guest Stars: Jeannie Wilson (Lila), Robert Dryer (Al Driscoll), Tony Burton (Burke), Anthony James (Flagg)

Co-Starring: Parley Baer (Max Klein), Peg Stewart (Miriam Klein), Arnold Turner (Prison Guard)

Featuring: Austin Kelly (Bus Driver), Dan Magiera (Croupier)

Plot Overview

After winning cash money at a gambling casino,a group of senior citizens are riding in their bus when it is stopped by a gang on dunebuggies in the middle of the desert. The gang calls themselves 'the Scorpions'.

After ordering everybody off the bus,and robbing them of their possesions,the Scorpions warn the senior citizens not to call the police since among their possessions they identification cards,and would come after them if talks. When one senior citizen protest he is hit in the stomach by the scorpion who was doing the talking. Later, that same senior citizen,and his wife are visited by the A-Team for whom like every potential client go to Mr.Lee(Hannibal). Having explained that it had to be a set-up, Hannibal, and Team takes on the case.

Checking out the tire tracks in the desert, the team figures the thieves knew that the senior citizens were carrying large sums of money that they had won from the gambling casino.Figuring somebody at the casino tips off the thieves through a radio tranmitter. Hannibal's plan is to bring attention to himself by winning big at the casino. He and Face will pretend to be a Bigtime gambler,and his nephew. While Hannibal is winning at the craps table,bringing attention to himself Face begins getting acquainted with a female Pit Boss. She is also the same woman who had alerted the Scorpions about the senior citizens winnings. While she is talking to Face, she gives him some advice about taking a short out when he goes Home...through the desert.

As Face, Hannibal, and Murdock (who won some coins from the slots) are leaving the woman calls the scorpions, and alerts them to the men coming in their direction. The Team knowing what is about to happen is ready Murdock, and B.A. stays out of sight until. Sure enough,the Scorpions makes their move.

The A-Team is also ready. The Scorpion who had done the talking in the early robbery, orders Hannibal to open the Van, or die. He opens the side door, and out pops B.A., and Murdock firing getting the drop on the Scorpions by firing warning shots into the air. Hannibal is now doing the talking. He tells the Scorpions that they know what they been doing, and that it stops now. He even gives the Scorpions who did the early talking a punch in the stomach (like the scorpion gave to that senior citizen, Max.)

While Hannibal is talking none of the Team notices the other Scorpions have taken some smoke bombs, and just as Hannibal punches the Scorpion, the other Scorpions throws their smoke bombs as their diversion to escape.

This action, and another encounter with the Scorpions (using military style manuevers) convinces the team that the Scorpions are up to something much bigger than simple robbery of tour Buses.

Through Tanya who through her contacts learn that a man name Driscoll had been the leader of the Scorpions in languishing in prison. Driscoll had decided to turn states evidence against his gang. The Scorpions learn about this from Driscolls girlfriend...Jeanie the Pit Boss at the Casino. Her role in this is to not make Driscoll suspicious about their plans. Their plan as the team learns is to ambush the Prison Bus that Driscoll will be riding in on his way to talk to the Federal Procecutor. The purpose for the reheared manuevers. The Bus robberies were just on the side work.

The Team would learn the rest of the story from Jeanie after having persuade her to tell when, and, at what time the prison Bus will pick up Driscoll. The Team gets to work assembling a duplicate Prison Bus complete with bullet proof armor around the windows,and on the back of the Bus. They get to the Prison,Hannibal,and Face dressed as Prison guards with phony release papers to Driscoll into their custody.

While they await for Driscoll to be brought out, Tanya (whom the team did not to bring on their latest assignment) is at the Prison trying to get an interview with Driscoll. She is rejected there. Ever the reporter she is Tanya sneaks into the side of the Prison Bus.

Driscoll is brought into the Bus. As the Bus is about to pull away, it is stopped. The guard says the Bus has to be searched, to make sure no stowaways are on board, or inside the Bus. The guard searches both inside, and on the side were Tanya is hiding. He does not find her. As the Team drives on,they stop at the rendezvous where B.A,and Murdock are waiting.

As they are getting ready for what they know will be another ambush, Hannibal smugly tells Driscoll that his gang are out to kill him. The gang knowing what route the Prison Bus will take prepares to move.

Meanwhile, while the team readies the Bus, Hannibal,and Murdock hear a thumping sound on the side of the Bus. Hannibal opens it,and out pops Tanya. She explains why she had to come. Now that she is there Hannibal can use her help. She will drive the Van when the Team makes their escape. Soon the Scorpions make their attack,and as always the A-Team triumphs victoriously.

Having tied-up the Scorpions on the side of the Bus, the A-Team makes their escape especially since the sound of Police sirens are heard coming. With Driscoll's testimony, the Scorpion Gang will be in Prison for a long time. Even better all the possessions taken from the senior citizens have been returned. So triumpts good against evil.

Trivia

The Show

Tony Burton who plays one of the Scorpions had appeared in Rocky 3,as one of the good guys.Mr.T who was also in Rocky 3 played Clubber Lang the bad guy.

Quotes

• Burke: We are the Scorpions. When we sting, you die.