Holmes Is Where the Heart Is
Episode Number: 81
Season Number: 4.18
Air Date: 3/8/1984
Writers: Judy Burns,
Jay Huguely
Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Producer: Reuben Leder
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Gillian Dobb (Agatha Chumley)
Patrick Macnee (David Worth),
Maurice Roeves (Hopkins),
Michael Billington (Lever),
George Cheung (Victor Ching),
Danny Kamekona (Hoon Ching),
Elizabeth Smith (Mrs. Akawi)
As he continues his memoirs, Higgins recalls the spring of 1976 when a friend from Sandhurst, David Worth, arrives in Oahu to attend the funeral of a mutual friend. Insisting that his name is Sherlock Holmes, and that Higgins is Watson, David firmly believes that their friend was murdered by none other than Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' archnemesis.
1 This is the eighth "Higgins-centric" episode of the series, following "
Tropical Madness" (2.7), "
The Elmo Ziller Story" (2.21), "
Black on White" (3.6), "
Foiled Again" (3.8), "
Faith and Begorrah" (3.23), "
Letter to a Duchess" (4.6) and "
The Case of the Red Faced Thespian" (4.12).
2 This episode is a wonderful tribute to
Sherlock Holmes,
Doctor Watson and
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This is also the first episode to feature Higgins (John Hillerman) using
voice-over narration.
3 The majority of events in this story take place on Oahu in the spring of 1976. Higgins drives a
Jaguar XJ6 with the license plate "Robin II".
4 Interestingly, John Hillerman will play the character of
Dr. John H. Watson in the 1990 television movie
Hands of a Murderer, with
Edward Woodward as Sherlock Holmes.
5 Higgins' involvement with the United Kingdom's secret intelligence service
MI6 is mentioned again. Higgins also mentions his old friend Corky Bostwick again (for the fourth time).
6 T.C. and Rick only appear in one scene of this episode.
7 Magnum had a Cocker Spaniel named "Topper" when he was a kid.
8 In two separate scenes, David Worth (alias Sherlock Holmes) plays the famous operatic intermezzo
Meditation from
Jules Massenet's 19th century opera
Thais on his violin. The real Sherlock Holmes also played the violin.
(Noted by Bernd-Christian Schulze)
9 George Cheung (
Victor Ching) previously appeared in "
China Doll" (1.3), and will later appear in "
The Love-For-Sale Boat" (5.17).
10 Local Hawaiian actor
Danny Kamekona (
Hoon Ching) previously appeared in "
Texas Lightning" (2.18), "
The Eighth Part of the Village" (3.4) and "
Forty Years From Sand Island" (3.18).
11 The scenes involving Hoon Ching's home were filmed at a
private residence on Old Pali Road in the Nuuanu Valley. This house was previously used in Season Two's "
Tropical Madness" (2.7) as the home of Jennifer Chapman and Brice Harcourt. The house is right across the street from the
Marks Estate, the second filming location for the King Kamehameha Club.
(Noted by rubber chicken)
12 Magnum mentions an "Uncle George" and an "Aunt Ode".
13 Higgins' time at
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) is mentioned again.
1
David Worth: I understand perfectly. More's the pity that you do not.
Higgins: Will you please stop talking in bloody riddles and make sense?
David Worth: Moriarty, man! Can't you hear plainly enough. Moriarty!
2
Higgins: What on earth happened to you?
David Worth: Judging from the small punctures in my side, some form of drugged dart. I eluded my captors and in short order, I found some materials for this disguise. An excellent mask, if I say it myself, eh? A Chinese ancient can learn more in a few minutes on these streets than an Englishman could ever discover.
Higgins: David. I demand some kind of explanation.
3
Higgins: David was returned to England and the safety of the sanitorium. He very kindly forgave me and we corresponded regularly, happily creating and solving the most complex crimes. Then several months ago I received a most curious letter from him, in part it read: "It's done Watson. I am now convinced my wits have dulled with age. I grant to Moriarty, his victory, but the good fight was waged, eh?" It was signed, most uncharacteristically, David Worth, Wellwood Sanitorium.
Magnum: That's the last time you heard from him?
Higgins: Forgive me for being such a bore that last few days. My obsession as you call it. It did seem, however, terribly important to finish it now.
Magnum: He died?
Higgins: Last week. Terribly sad for a man who so loved excitement, simple Pneumonia.
(Magnum walks out)
Higgins: Watson (smiles)
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