Magnum Mania!

Letter to a Duchess

Episode ID: 69
Episode Number: 4.6
Air Date: 11/10/1983
Writer: Robert Hamilton
Director: Bernard L. Kowalski
Producer: Reuben Leder
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Guest Stars

Jane Merrow (Vivian Brock Jones), Terence Knapp (Wilkes), Max Kleven (Graham), Yankee Chang (Vendor)

Plot Outline

While Magnum prepares for an annual surf-ski race, Higgins has his hands full hiding the beautiful Lady Wilkerson from two shady pursuers. Smitten by the maiden in distress, Higgins sends her a letter expressing his feelings, but she mistakenly thinks the amorous words are from Magnum. It quickly becomes a case of romance on the run when the duchess is kidnapped and the two "Romeos" must spring into action to save her.

Rating

8.5 (10 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 This is the fifth "Higgins-centric" episode of the series.

2 It's not mentioned in the episode, but the first Higgins/Vivian flashback scene appears to be from the early 1960s, mostly likely in a Far East conflict (it could be Malaya 1960, in the Malayan Emergency). Higgins' shoulder patch (Tactical Recognition Flash) is that of a British/Gurkha unit. Based on Higgins' military history and his shoulder insignia, he is here most likely attached to the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles regiment. (Noted by IslandHopper)

3 "Whitt" is fictional - There is no such place in the United Kingdom.

4 The King Kamehameha Club surf ski race is mentioned again. Once again, mention is made of the young girl (Kiki Kahuna) who beat Magnum in that year's race (as well as the year before). Kiki will be mentioned again in the Season Seven episode "Forty" (7.17).

5 The number on Magnum's King Kamehameha Club tank top has changed. Previously, it's been #44. Now, it is #14. (Noted by Mike Barnes)

6 Magnum mentions that he is 38 years old. This will be contradicted in future episodes, namely "Forty" (7.17).

7 Higgins is seen inventorying a copy of Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop.

8 This episode features a particularly exciting fight scene at the end. Magnum takes on, and takes out, 3 or 4 guys, while Higgins, with his cane, lays some serious hurt on a few guys himself! Higgins makes very few appearances in hand-to-hand combat scenes, so this is a real treat. [video]

Quotes

1
Magnum: Sure, I know, it's crazy to refer to whatever Higgins and I share as friendship, but it is. We fight and bicker like an old married couple, but somewhere, mixed in with the jibes, is a funny kind of mutual trust. (Narration)

2
Higgins: For a moment, I failed to remember that the ways of a gentleman are patently foreign to you. I revere words like honor, integrity, chivalry -- words that are clearly not in your vocabulary.
Magnum: Higgins, enough! Knocking my rubber chicken or my sloppy habits is within the rules, but you're attacking my character. I would like to think you don't mean that.
Higgins: Yes, I'm sorry. It's just that you can't know what it's like to care deeply for someone and have your hope taken.
Magnum: Yes, I can.

Wish to add something? Got a correction? Shoot me an email.

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