Oh man...it's so hard to pick just 10!!
LOL!
There are so many awesome episodes that I could pick 20-35 "favorite" episodes. But...this is just for 10, so I had to really think and work it down to just that many. I'm currently in the middle of watching the series again, after several years...but I think I've got them down. My majors are sociology and psychology--so I love episodes that deal with the bizarre, eerie, spooky, mentally deranged, etc... I also love episodes that have very intricate and well thought out plots. I also have "lumped" together a couple of the 2-part episodes--so I can include them in the "10". So--I may end up disagreeing with myself on some later, but...here goes:
1) "China Doll": Superb, exotic and action-packed episode that had a superb plot! Perfect episode after the initial "Pilot"! Love the assassin that blinks right before he strikes...and the final confrontation in the cemetary where Magnum shoots him--awesome!
2) "Skin Deep": Awesome and interesting episode that was Magnum's take on the 1944 film-noir classic "Laura"! (Another popular crime show that did a "Laura" type episode was the 90's hit "Silk Stalkings". A 3rd season episode called "The Party's Over" was also the "Laura" plot-idea.)
3) "Lest We Forget":
This very well may be my all-time favorite episode!! Superb plot, superb acting performances, awesome past and present with WWII and Pearl Harbor attack woven in, and the idea of using real-life father and son/mother and daughter to play themselves in the past and present was fascinating and captivating! I love history so this is also another reason I love it so much. In 2008 I had the awesome pleasure of visiting Oahu and Pearl Harbor! One of my most memorable and favorite experiences! I can watch this episode over and over and still love it everytime!
4) "The Woman On the Beach": Superb, ghostly/spooky episode! I love ghost/haunted/spooky type episodes so this is one of my favorites! As "Skin Deep" was a version of the movie "Laura"...I've always thought "Woman On the Beach" greatly resembled the real-life ghost story of Resurrection Mary...a woman named Mary, who in a white dress, was on her way home from a dance in the 1930's--and was tragically killed in an accident near Resurrection Cemetary, in Chicago (Hence the name Resurrection Mary). She was also later buried in the cemetary. Mary supposedly forever haunts Resurrection Cemetary and road near it--appearing, in her white vintage dress, to people driving on the road and even getting some rides from some passer-bys, and asks to be taken home...only to disappear before getting to her old house.
5) "Did You See the Sunrise?" (2-Parter): This one is sad and very serious/somber (with the death of Mac and the horrors of Vietnam)...but very in-depth and realistic too! Everyone gave unbelievable performances and the plot was very intricate and well thought out! This is also the "famous" contraversial episode where Magnum ends up shooting someone in cold blood, for revenge. But...I sort of like the ending and I'm mezmerized by this episode!
6) "The Jororo Kill": Love this episode! Awesome plot, and Tyne Daley was superb! Sorry to say this, but it's hard to believe she was ever that thin! Anyway, awesome action and the killer dressing up as a nun at the end was shocking and even somewhat frightening! I remember seeing this one when it originally aired--and Magnum saying: "Nuns don't work on Sundays!" Pretty wild!
7) "Black On White": Awesome, exotic, and bizarre episode with a superb plot! This one really has some superb Magnum and Higgins moments, and Ian MacShane gives a superb performance as a mentally deranged psycho! Nice twist of an ending, too! This is one that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, and even up at night!
8. "Echoes of the Mind" (2-parter): This is so bizarre and eerie!! I love episodes/movies like that, and the plot idea of the mentally deranged/psychotic Diane Dupre (Sharon Stone) was superb! I thought everyone gave superb performances and the mental collapse of Diane was frightening but fascinating as well!
9) "Deja Vu" (2-parter): Again (like "Echoes of the Mind") this episode was very bizarre and eerie--it was awesome!
The idea of figuring out what dreams mean, or whether or not they can predict or show future events, fascinates me. The idea of Deja Vu--and whether you really have experienced something or been in a place before also captivates me! It's freaky but thrilling at the same time! I love episodes that deal with the "mind", so this and "Echoes of the Mind" are two of my favorites!
10) "Novel Connection" (and the "Murder She Wrote" 2nd half "Magnum On Ice"): Okay...I grew up with both "Magnum" and "Murder She Wrote"...the latter usually being one my whole family sat down to on Sunday nights while eating supper. However, the two shows are so different that you'd never think of merging or "crossing" them over with each other! However, producers and writers did a superb job of bringing Jessica Fletcher and Magnum together--lots of action, perfect guest-stars, good plot twists, and it's known as one of the most famous crossovers in TV history! Truly enjoyable!
Well....there you go, there's my 10. There are so many other episodes I wanted to include--as "Magnum" has so many superb ones. But, these are 10 that I'm always intrigued by and love watching everytime! I'm sure many will disagree with my choices...but that's what makes discussing shows so interesting to me--learning and finding out other people's thoughts and veiws, and why.
"It was more ironic than a Robin Masters novel--she thought he was dead, he thought she was dead...and only the chauffeur knew the truth! He should have been the butler!" "Lest We Forget"
