Magnum Mania!

Little Games

Episode ID: 96
Episode Number: 5.12
Air Date: 1/3/1985
Writer: Deborah Pratt
Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman
Producer: Reuben Leder
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Recurring Characters

Jeff MacKay (Jim "Mac" Bonnick)

Guest Stars

Jenny Agutter (Krista Villaroch), Cesar Romero (Doc Villaroch), Jimmy Borges (Officer Lee), Jo Pruden (Lenor Vandercliff)

Plot Outline

Magnum is dazzled by a stunning security expert who is watching over the estate during a priceless jewelry exhibition...until he discovers she's also the daughter of a notorious thief.

Rating

8.0 (11 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 The computer RPG game that Magnum plays on Robin's $100,000 "Dracos III" computer security system is referred to in the episode as The Dungeon Master. Contrary to popular opinion, and despite its similarities, this game is NOT the classic computer game Dungeon Master. Dungeon Master wasn't released until 1987, a full three years after this episode was filmed. In fact, the game seen in the episode is not a real game at all! It is a mock animation sequence, complete with unique artwork, audio and text, made to look like a real game. The 3-D graphics are way too advanced for anything seen in a circa 1984 computer game. The game audio is not from a real game either, hightlighted by the fact that the game calls out Magnum's name! The sequence seen is basically a spruced-up, colorized, interpretation of the classic 1981 computer game 3D Monster Maze.

2 The opening credits for this episode are in white instead of the customary yellow. Also, oddly enough, at the police station, Magnum's "VMO2 DA NANG" cap also has white lettering and insignia instead of the usual yellow. (Noted by N1095A)

3 The Kahala Hilton is used as a filming location for the King Kamehameha Club for the fifth and final time. It was previously used in "Echoes of the Mind" (5.1 & 5.2), "Mac's Back" (5.3), "Tran Quoc Jones" (5.9) and "Luther Gillis: File #001" (5.10). The Marks Estate is also used in this episode for the King Kamehameha Club.

4 The script for this episode was written by Deborah Pratt, who also plays T.C.'s girfriend Gloria in several episodes. At the time this episode was created, she was married to Donald P. Bellisario. They divorced in 1991.

5 Magnum has an aunt named "Mildred". She joins "Aunt Margaret", "Uncle Richie", and "Uncle George".

6 Another Robin Masters novel is ID'd - Tales of the Voyeur - which is seen being read by a security guard.

7 Higgins mentions the Kona Winds, which become the subject of the Season Six episode of the same name. (Noted by N1095A)

8 The Jim "Mac" Bonig/Bonnick issue can be put to rest finally. Magnum is clearly heard saying "Bonnick".

9 The legendary Cesar Romero (Doc Villaroch) has about four minutes of screen time in this episode.

Quotes

1
Dungeon Master Game: Warning, there is a Red Dragon behind this door.
Magnum: Turn left six paces.
Dungeon Master Game: Oops, passageway blocked. Try again.
Magnum: Ok then, turn right.
Dungeon Master Game: False exit. There is a trap door two steps in front of you.
Magnum: Cmon, I've been trapped in this corridor for over two hours....Ok, secret door.
Dungeon Master Game: Wrong again. You have used all of your warning wands. One more wrong choice will unleash a White Demon. Hurry Magnum, or you will forfeit the game.
Magnum: Calm down you little turkey. Give me some time to think.
Dungeon Master Game: The Dungeon Master says you have 10 seconds... (counts down to zero)... Too late, you lose!
Magnum: Drop dead!!!!
(Dracos III computer system crashes!)
[audio]

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