Knight Rider
Knight Rider
Knight Rider
560
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in: Original Series Characters, Book Series Characters, Team Knight Rider Characters,
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Michael Knight

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"About twenty-five years ago, there was a man named Wilton Knight. Who on his deathbed, told me; one man can make a difference."

—Michael Knight, to Mike Traceur, Knight Rider (2008 Pilot Movie)

Michael Knight (born Michael Arthur Long, January 9, 1949) is the main character and protagonist of Knight Rider. An operative of The Foundation for Law and Government (F.L.A.G.), he works with the intelligent car K.I.T.T. to fight crime.

Background[]

Michael Knight was born Michael Long. An Army intelligence veteran of the Vietnam War, Long worked as a police lieutenant for the LAPD.

Knight Rider (1982)[]

In the midst of a case, he was double-crossed, led out into the desert, shot in the face and left for dead.

Michael Long's Grave

Michael Long's Grave

Rescued by Wilton Knight, through plastic surgery his injuries are repaired. He is given a "new" face, fingerprints, and life as Michael Knight. Wilton chose to use the face of his assumed-to-be imprisoned son, Garthe Knight as a basis for Michael's new identity. After Wilton dies, Michael demands that Devon Miles give him his car and let him go to find the people that had set him up and attempted to murder him. Devon insists that Michael take KITT with him as Wilton had requested. Michael left with KITT and captured the people who had tried to murder him. And so began the journey of a man who does not exist.

In 1984, Michael finds out that there was a hit put out on Michael Long by Tanya's lover Cameron Zachary, which is why Michael was shot.

In 1986 he was married to his longtime partner, Stevie. However, she was killed the day of the wedding. After arresting the man responsible. Michael decides to remain at F.L.A.G. with KITT instead of retiring.

Team Knight Rider[]

Although, not physically appearing in the show. A man claiming to be Michael Knight appears at the end of season one. Creating a cliff hanger that was never resolved.

Knight Rider 2000[]

Ten years after he retired from F.L.A.G. Michael is recruited by Devon to test run the Knight 4000. He later rebuilds the remains of KITT into the vehicle before finding out that a former police officer named Shawn McCormick has a piece of KITT inside of her brain.

Later, after Devon is killed in hospital. Michael contemplates leaving the project. However, Shawn convinces him not to. So, she, him, and KIFT. Go looking for Devon's killer. Thomas J. Watts. After a fight at the mall, Shawn nearly kills Watts. But Michael stops her, however, he later finishes him off after he tries to kill Shawn.

After one last reunion with KIFT and Shawn, Michael returns to retirement.

Knight Rider 2008 Pilot[]

At a funeral, Michael meets his estranged son, Mike Traceur. Telling him that "one man can make a difference." Before leaving, seemingly returning to retirement. Mike later adopts the name Knight as his last name in reference to his father.

Personality[]

Michael is always a ladies' man. Michael was a special type of hero, a modern knight in shining armor who avoided violence whenever possible. He did however, considered to avenge his near death at hands of Tanya before gradually putting it aside for stopping her evil plans and joining forces with his new partner KITT. Michael only ever truly loved one woman, Stephanie Mason.

Skills[]

  • Master Martial Artist - Due to his many years of intelligence gathering and law enforcement Michael has become an expert martial artist who is able to take down groups of fully grown men and knock people out in only a few blows.
  • Genius Intellect - Michael is a highly intelligent detective, working his way up to lieutenant in the LAPD and become the top F.L.A.G. operative for many years.
  • Expert Marksman - Although after joining the Foundation, Michael abstained from using firearms. In the police force and occasionally during his time at F.L.A.G. Michael was a highly capable marksman who rarely missed a shot.

Family[]

  • Michael has a son, Mike Traceur. The details of why Michael had to leave his son are unknown, although it is assumed that it was related to his job driving KITT and it is believed he is a result of a one night stand, which was happened increasing a lot in the first half of the first season. It has also been discovered that Jennifer(Jenny) Andrews is his daughter.

Appearances[]

Knight Rider (1982)[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

Season 4[]

Team Knight Rider[]

Season 1[]

Films[]

Games[]

  • Knight Rider: The Game
  • Knight Rider: The Game 2
  • Lego Dimensions

Trivia[]

  • In Episode 301: Knight of the Drones, it is revealed that prior to Michael Long/Knight FLAG had a prospective "Knight" driver named Ken Franklin who was murdered; however, this was never mentioned in any other episode.
  • Michael Knight is referred to as "Michael" throughout the series suggesting he prefers to be called "Michael", unlike his son who is referred to mostly as Mike except for KITT2 (K.I.T.T.) who mostly calls him Michael.
  • Michael is the only character to appear in every series, as well as one of only three characters to appear outside of the original series. The other two being Devon and K.I.T.T.
  • His favorite foods are Burgers, Pizza, steak, eggs, and greasy fried potatoes.
  • In the 2000 video game The Operative: No One Lives Forever the main character, Cate Archer, finds a H.A.R.M. Dossier with details on Michael Knight. This information was from the opening narration of the show.
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