Bionic Woman: Jaime Sommers Powers Up

“Bionic Woman” is a television series that has experienced various adaptations throughout its lifetime. The original American science fiction action-adventure show, created by Kenneth Johnson, starred Lindsay Wagner and aired from January 14, 1976, to May 13, 1978. The show was based on the 1972 novel “Cyborg” by Martin Caidin and was a spin-off from the popular “Six Million Dollar Man” series. In 2007, a revamped version of the series aired on NBC from September 26 to November 28, starring Michelle Ryan as the lead character, Jaime Sommers.

Jaime Sommers Bionic Woman listening with her bionic ear

The storyline follows Jaime Sommers, an athlete who undergoes a life-saving surgery that gives her bionic abilities, turning her into a powerful cyborg. The series is known for its action-packed sequences and themes addressing the challenges of being a bionic woman. The original series did not have a specific theme song but featured an instrumental opening composed by Jerry Fielding, while the 2007 show had a modern, electronic theme by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman.

Throughout the show’s history, popular cast members included its lead, Lindsay Wagner (Jaime Sommers), Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman), Martin E. Brooks (Dr. Rudy Wells) in the original series, and Michelle Ryan (Jaime Sommers), Miguel Ferrer (Jonas Bledsoe), and Molly Price (Ruth Truewell) in the 2007 adaptation.

Cast and Characters

The Bionic Woman television show’s talented cast brought the story to life. The series starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, the first female cyborg. Other main actors included Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman and Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells.

Bionic Woman Jaime Sommers with Six Million Dollar Man and Oscar Goldman

During its three-season run from 1976 to 1978, The Bionic Woman also featured various guest stars and recurring characters. Some of these characters played significant roles in the show’s plot, adding new elements to the storylines or helping to develop the show’s mythology.

Theme Song

The theme song for the “Bionic Woman” is a memorable and iconic piece of music composed by Jerry Fielding. It perfectly encapsulates the show’s spirit and is widely recognized by fans of the series. The theme song was featured in the opening and closing credits for the show, adding to its popularity and making it an unforgettable part of television history. You can listen to the full, original theme song on YouTube.

Over the years, various artists have covered and adapted the theme song, including The Los Angeles Radio TV Symphony. Their rendition can also be found on YouTube. The theme song is important to the show’s identity and has contributed to its enduring appeal.

For those interested in exploring more music from the show, the Bionic Woman Soundtrack features all 26 songs used in various episodes, with detailed descriptions available at Tunefind. The soundtrack includes background music and occasional songs played during specific scenes, providing a comprehensive listening experience for fans.

Bionic Woman Jaime Sommers staring into the distance

Genre

Bionic Woman is a science fiction action-adventure series. Both versions of the show incorporate drama, action, and thrilling adventures, as the protagonist, now equipped with her new abilities, is assigned to perform various spy missions.

Number of Seasons and Episodes

During its broadcast run, the show spanned a total of three seasons. These seasons combined consisted of 58 episodes, allowing the audience to follow the protagonist’s journey as she comes to terms with her bionic abilities.

The television show starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a character initially introduced in a two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man. The character’s popularity led to the creation of the spin-off series, “The Bionic Woman.”

Apart from its captivating storyline, the series was also known for its song “Jaime’s Theme,” composed by Jerry Fielding.

Bionic Woman Jaime Sommers jumping incredible heights in a 1970s sweater

Spin-offs

The original “Bionic Woman” television series itself was a spin-off of the 1974 TV series “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Both shows share a similar theme of utilizing advanced bionic technology to enhance human abilities. The original “Bionic Woman” series featured Lindsay Wagner as the main character Jaime Sommers, a former tennis professional who became a secret agent after receiving bionic enhancements.

Although there were no direct spin-offs from the original “Bionic Woman” series, there was a reboot in 2007. The rebooted “Bionic Woman” was a modern take on the classic show, but it did not achieve the same level of success and was canceled after just one season.

In addition to the reboot, the original “Bionic Woman” shared several crossover episodes with “The Six Million Dollar Man” series. These crossovers not only helped to expand the shared universe of the two shows but also solidified their connection in the audience’s minds. Some of the most notable crossovers include:

  • The episodes “The Bionic Woman (Part 1)” and “The Bionic Woman (Part 2)” from “The Six Million Dollar Man”, which introduced the character of Jaime Sommers and served as the pilot for “The Bionic Woman” series.
  • The two-part “Kill Oscar” episodes, which aired on both “The Bionic Woman” and “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and featured a storyline that intertwined the two shows.
  • The “Return of the Bionic Woman” episodes from “The Six Million Dollar Man” further explored the relationship between the two main characters and served to bridge the gap between the two series.

Famous Quotes

The Bionic Woman had many memorable quotes and taglines throughout its three-season run. With its sci-fi action genre, the show captivated audiences as they watched Jaime Sommers use her bionic powers to take on high-risk government missions.

Below is a compilation of famous quotes from The Bionic Woman:

These quotes exemplify the courage and resilience portrayed by Jaime Sommers as she took on her government-assigned tasks.