2001 - BECKER: The TorMentor

Executive Producer: Ian Gurvitz
Producer: Andy Ackermann
Dir.: Andy Ackermann

Becker: Ted Danson
Reggie: Terry Farrell
Margaret Wyborn: Hattie Winston
Linda: Shawnee Smith
Jake Malinak: Alex Desert
Bob: Saverio Guerra

Emmett Fowler: Leonard Nimoy

Professor Fowler is in town. He has arrived to sign his newest book. For Becker this is a highlight in his life. He was most impressed by the professor when he studied in Harvard University and attended his lectures. All the time he had told his friends about Professor Fowler: That he had helped the professor once when his car had been stuck in the snow, that he had spent a night at his place where they had a drink ... all in all, he is sure he was Fowler's favorite student. Standing in the row with the others waiting to get the autograph, Becker tells everybody around him how excited the professor will be to meet him again. 

When Becker stands in front of him, Fowler shortly looks up and asks Becker: "To whom shall I make this out?" "To my old friend John Becker," Becker answers, waiting for a great reaction. Monotone, Fowler reads along while he writes: "To my old friend John Becker," and hands over the book, waiting for the next in line. Becker cannot accept this. He informs the professor that he was his favorite student and that he had helped him to push his old Fiat once. Now Fowler laughs and Becker hopes: "Do you remember now?" "Yes, I do," Fowler says. As Becker rejoices that he remembers him, Fowler puts things clear: "No, no, no... I remember that car." 

Becker cannot grasp what he's just heard: His name does not mean anything to Professor Fowler. Desperately he tries to tell him that he has been his student. Fowler looks at him and informs him that he had thousands of students so that he cannot possibly remember them all. Becker tries again, but in vain. Now it is Reggie's turn to get her book signed. In the café, everybody jokes about Becker after they have heard what had happened. Especially since the book was signed for "John Beaker". Becker keeps on thinking about what he had just experienced and comes to a conclusion: Professor Fowler is still teaching him a psychological lesson by pretending he does not know him. 

The next day, back in the café, Reggie tells Becker about the conversation she had with Professor Fowler and that she has invited him for lunch. Now Becker is sure: Fowler wants to teach him a lesson. As the professor comes in, he approaches him and says: "I know what you are doing!" "I'm having a donut and a coffee, that's not exactly the riddle of the Sphinx." Fowler answers and wonders: "But do you know what you are doing?" "Yes, you are teaching me a lesson like when you faked a heart attack in class to prove a point." "I was not proving a point, I was dying." Fowler says quite amazed. "I know that there's a lesson here – at some place." Becker says and gets the answer: "The only lesson here is that you should take your medication." Becker reminds him that he had said he is special. "It was Harvard, everyone was special!" Fowler responds. Totally frustrated and angry Becker leaves the cafe. As the still angry Becker comes into the café and the professor is in, too, reading a book. Reggie asks Becker to leave Emmett alone. But Becker wants to finish some "unfinished business". He shows Fowler a work he had marked as "A". Reading it again, the professor finds some mistakes, takes his pen and begins to remark it. Quickly Becker snatches it out of his hands and shouts: "This is impossible! I can't believe you forgot me!" "I tell you one thing," Fowler states: "You are becoming impossible to forget." 

Again Becker leaves very angrily. The next day Becker comes in and the professor seems to wait for him. Fowler explains to him that nothing he ever had learned and achieved is influen ced by the fact that he did not remember him. Still not happy Becker wants to leave, a bit comforted, but still disappointed. Professor Fowler calls him back by mentioning the evening where he had helped him with his car. Enthusiastically Becker comes back and both talk about the old times. He even hugs him and offers him to call him "Emmett". A totally relieved and happy Becker leaves the café. "Thank you, Emmett, this was perfect!" Reggy smiles at him. "Thanks for filling me in the story," Fowler says "I'll never forget the name 'John Beaker' again." "Becker”, Reggie says. Fowler: "Whatever."