Magnum Mania!

Resolutions (1)

Episode ID: 161
Episode Number: 8.12
Air Date: 5/1/1988
Writers: Stephen A. Miller, Chris Abbott
Director: Burt Brinkerhoff
Producer: Rick Weaver
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Recurring Characters

Gwen Verdon (Katherine Peterson), Patrice Martinez (Linda Lee Ellison), Joe Regalbuto (Don Eddie Rice), Jean Bruce Scott (Lt. Cmdr. Maggie Poole), Kathleen Lloyd (Carol Baldwin), Phyllis Davis (Cleo Mitchell), Julie Cobb (Karen), Brandon Call (Billy)

Guest Stars

Howard Duff (Thomas Sullivan Magnum II), Peter Elbling (Emile), Jay Ingram (Capt. Brackett), Hal Williams (Dave the DJ), Lauren Levinson (Sally Ann), James Grant Benton (Police Officer), Richard McPherson (Whitney Fisher)

Plot Outline

During a visit with his family in Virginia, Magnum receives a phone call that sends him rushing back to Hawaii to find romance, suspense, danger, and maybe even the true identity of Robin Masters.

Rating

9.0 (12 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 This series finale originally aired as a two-hour movie. The Season Eight DVD uses the syndicated version (not the original broadcast version) and breaks the episode into two parts. Several minutes have been cut, including most of the reunion scene at the Annapolis bar and the entire two-minute montage sequence (with clips of scenes from previous episodes) in the end credits.

2 This episode aired almost three full months after the previous episode "Transitions" (8.11).

3 The Complete Eighth Season DVD features excellent episode commentary by longtime MPI producer Chas. Floyd Johnson.

4 During his trip to the mainland, Magnum visits the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Naval Academy (Bancroft Hall, The Navy Chapel, the Statue of Tecumseh, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium), downtown Annapolis, and his hometown of Tidewater, Virginia.

5 At Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, we see a memorial "bench back" for Magnum's father (killed in the early stages of the Korean War in the Battle of Inchon) which shows his full name as Thomas Sullivan Magnum III. This would mean Magnum's correct full name is Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV! This contradicts what was in "Home From the Sea" (4.1) when his father is referred to as "Senior".

6 Magnum's longtime friend Don Eddie Rice (Joe Regalbuto) has been dating his cousin Karen (Julie Cobb) for four months. During the episode they become engaged. Don Eddie is now working in D.C. (as a cabbie).

7 We meet Magnum's grandfather Thomas Sullivan Magnum II for the first time. He also was in the Navy, a Captain. His nickname in the family is "The Captain".

8 At the Naval Academy, notice how Magnum salutes the Statue of Tecumseh with his left hand. This is not a flub. Midshipmen offer a left-handed salute to Tecumseh as a tribute. They also toss pennies in his quiver for good luck in exams and athletic contests.

9 Uncharacteristically, there is no voice over narration in this episode.

10 Waimea Falls on the North Shore is used as a filming location.

11 Otis Redding's version of "Try A Little Tenderness" is heard again in this episode. The song was first heard in "Forty" (7.17). The Temptations' "My Girl" is also heard.

Quotes

1
Higgins: Sorry to interrupt your vacation, but I just received a call from a Linda Lee Ellison. She's a television reporter you dated last year for a short time.
Magnum: Higgins, I know who I've dated.

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

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