tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post4862846274872163950..comments2024-03-17T18:44:03.058+11:00Comments on Lazy Luddite Log: Magnum MovemberDanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-70012201167935679002024-01-16T16:57:38.969+11:002024-01-16T16:57:38.969+11:00Basket Case
I re-watched this episode last night ...Basket Case<br /><br />I re-watched this episode last night and decided to add a sixth mini-review to this selection.<br /><br />Did this story draw inspiration from Oliver Twist? In it a 'latch-key kid' whose loves are 'books and basketball' breezes into the lives of Magnum and friends. In truth she is the foster child of a family of crooks who send her off on all manner of petty scams. But Willie is looking for a better life and charms her way into a struggling basketball team that Magnum is coaching. Magnum values her skill and pluck. Higgins recognizes her interest in the finer things. But they can both tell she is hiding something and find a way to rescue her from her predicament that preserves her sense of self-worth.<br /><br />An adolescent 'tom boy' is accepted by other characters and the same would have been so for many audience members. This is just one instance of popular culture both reflecting and shifting attitudes even decades ago. I enjoyed the interactions in this one. I also enjoy seeing Honolulu suburbia, which lacked the manicured look of so many other US suburban TV settings. The scenes of basketball are fun and even the message of team work is well delivered as part of a conversation on its pros and cons.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-55092573936209870652016-11-30T00:42:51.152+11:002016-11-30T00:42:51.152+11:00Fragments
In this ep we get a mix of both spooky ...Fragments<br /><br />In this ep we get a mix of both spooky supernatural storyline and the comic relief of a charity talent quest. Magnum is hired by a psychic (the kind that even the police consult it they are desperate) to help prevent the murder she has foreseen. She expresses the opinion that Magnum is a bit psychic himself – a reference to the ‘little voice’ often referred to by the central character in his narrations to the audience.<br /><br />The story is silly but it has its merits. We get to see a lot of both the urban and rural environs on Oahu. There is a top-notch car chase scene and even a random water-based rescue thrown in almost at random. Passing reference is made to Five-0 (yes Magnum is set in the same fictional universe as Hawaii Five-0). Finally this is a good episode to examine 80s music scores. There is lots of electric guitar and horns during the action sequences but then electronic keyboard creeps in for the more spooky bits.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-76182117282842727472016-11-30T00:41:14.165+11:002016-11-30T00:41:14.165+11:00Little Games
This ep is one of the more suspensef...Little Games<br /><br />This ep is one of the more suspenseful and romantic. It opens with what seems to be a sophisticated bank robbery but soon transpires to be the work of a security specialist ‘testing’ a corporate headquarters. We soon see that this consultant has got the job of testing the security at Robin’s Nest (the estate Higgins and Magnum live at). She is someone with all the skills of a cat burglar and Trans-Atlantic charm to boot. It is hardly surprising that Magnum develops a thing for her. Only problem is that she is the child of a legendary jewel thief. Can she be trusted?<br /><br />The central guest character is portrayed by British player Jenny Agutter (known for roles in Walkabout and Logan’s Run). There is also a small but important part played by the legendary Cesar Romero. We also meet recurring character and petty con artist Jim Bonnick and (in a favourite moment of mine) see Magnum playing a dungeon-crawling computer game too advanced for the time in which this story was shot.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-58976296065572354892016-11-30T00:40:05.699+11:002016-11-30T00:40:05.699+11:00Torah, Torah, Torah
This is one of the more convo...Torah, Torah, Torah<br /><br />This is one of the more convoluted episodes and as such likely has more plot holes. However it also has a lot to recommend it. Magnum helps a friend of Higgins - a rabbi and one-time refugee - to find a stolen torah. And why would anyone want to nick an old religious text?<br /><br />Eventually we get the answer and along the way there is plenty of action and tropical scenery. The wonderfully taciturn recurring character Lieutenant Tanaka (a police detective) has his share of screen time. And in it all there is a message about how the ethics of human rights trump government laws or military orders - a message sorely needed in these times.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-51938987914306738342016-11-30T00:39:17.442+11:002016-11-30T00:39:17.442+11:00Compulsion
This episode has a definite A story an...Compulsion<br /><br />This episode has a definite A story and B story structure. In the A story recurring character Carol Baldwin (Honolulu police deputy prosecuting attorney) turns to Magnum for help because someone is anonymously intimidating her and she thinks it relates back to an old case she is linked to. There are thriller elements to this story and Carol becomes a bit of a damsel-in-distress. The writers were aware of this cliche and made the character express frustration at her own predicament. Magnum has a different perspective - everyone gets scared and makes mistakes.<br /><br />The B story involves Jonathan Higgins who has pretended to old British schoolmates that he is owner (rather than manager) of the Robin Masters estate (home of a globetrotting pulp author). Another incidental character - Agatha Chumley - urges Higgins to admit the truth once they visit. This is sabotaged however by Magnum who decides to masquerade as butler to Higgins. It's all a bit touching. You also get to see the estate dobermans - Zeus and Apollo - in fine form for those of us who are dog-lovers.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19268887.post-84115452150567505532016-11-30T00:38:27.782+11:002016-11-30T00:38:27.782+11:00Here (in a handful of posted comments) for posteri...Here (in a handful of posted comments) for posterity I record my five episode reviews. Yep just five...<br /><br />Murder 101<br /><br />This story happens well into the series and, by this time, Thomas Magnum is a private investigator with lots of successful cases under his belt and a reputation on the islands. Despite this he is still always skint so Magnum decides to run a private investigation course at a adult education college. The administrator wants it closed and reminds Magnum how many enrolments he needs. He has too few till he somehow cons Rick and TC to enrol. It is the other students that are interesting however - an eclectic cross-section of Honolulu society. One of them needs help to find her partner, who she suspects is guilty of infidelity but who it soon transpires is somehow involved in financial crime.<br /><br />This ep is representative of the more fun side of Magnum - nothing is too dire and you get fun crime-busting antics and self-deprecating humour. One of the cutest bits of the story is that, because Magnum has students, the writers get a chance to show that they understand all the cliches and shortcomings of crime fiction plots, as Magnum is asked questions about the case that cannot be answered.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12710148812664294219noreply@blogger.com