“ As the television ratings of The
A-Team fell dramatically during the fourth season, the format was
changed for the show's final season in 1986–1987 in a bid to win
back viewers. After years on the run from the authorities, the
A-Team are finally apprehended by the military. General Hunt
Stockwell propositions them to work for him, whereupon he will
arrange for their pardons upon successful completion of several
suicide missions. In order to do so, the A-Team must first escape
from their captivity. With the help of a new character, Frankie
"Dishpan Man" Santana, the team fake their deaths before the firing
squad.
-Random Customer
”
“ The new status quo of the A-Team no
longer working for themselves remained for the duration of the
fifth season, and both Frankie Santana and Hunt Stockwell were
added to the credits. The missions the team had to perform in
season five were somewhat reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, and
based more around political espionage than beating local thugs,
also usually taking place in foreign countries. These changes
proved unsuccessful with viewers and ratings continued to decline.
Only 13 episodes aired in the fifth season.
-Random Customer
”
“ In what was supposed to be the
final episode, "The Grey Team" (although "Without Reservations" was
broadcast on NBC as the last first-run episode in March 1987),
Hannibal, after being misled by Stockwell one time too many, tells
him that the team will no longer work for him. At the end, the team
discusses what they were going to do if they got their pardon,
and it is implied that they would continue doing what they were
doing as the A-Team.
