Unfinished Business (8.8)

Rate, review & discuss the episodes from the eighth season

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How Would You Rate This Episode?

10 (Perfect!)
37
29%
9.5 (One of the Best)
59
47%
9.0 (Excellent)
9
7%
8.5 (Very Good)
11
9%
8.0 (Pretty Good)
5
4%
7.5 (Decent)
2
2%
7.0 (Average at Best)
0
No votes
6.5 (Not So Good)
0
No votes
6.0 (Pretty Bad)
0
No votes
5.0 (Just Awful)
3
2%
 
Total votes: 126

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eagle
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#106 Post by eagle »

I'm watching this episode just now, as I complete my first cycle through my DVD set, and I absolutely loved the scene between Magnum and Higgins toward the beginning of the show, where they were discussing Magnum's grocery list.

Also: it's interesting that the package Magnum received was addressed to somewhere else Honolulu, not to the estate: 1541 Kalakaua Ave.

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Turkey
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#107 Post by Turkey »

Just watched this one again, still packs a punch
Make it two weeks.

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Milton Collins
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#108 Post by Milton Collins »

Just amazing everything is great 10!

The freeing of Quan Ki and the reaction by TM and the guys really sets the tone. Then the horrific video showing Michelle and Lilly’s car bombing sends chills down my spine. When he’s running on the beach and then looks up crying with rage it’s so awesome!

Love the Genesis song playing throughout perfect selection!

Really awesome tribute to the POW’S still in Vietnam Nam all those years later. Hard to not get a bit ready eyed watching him singing to the picture of his daughter!

I love the rage in Magnum when he meets Maggie at that secluded location!

So awesome watching him go stealth and use his skills to break into Rankins, Bucks, getting the weapons from the estate, breaking into the drop site etc. and get all the research and facts!

Thomas is almost scary in this one proving Selleck’s amazing acting abilities!

As much as I dislike Buck when he tells Quan Ki “If I ever catch you even putting your little toe in this country again I’ll personally rip your heart out through your throat!’ Very awesome and badass!

The exchange itself is so emotional and awesome especially knowing how many POW’s never made it home!

To me the resounding thing about this episode is when Thomas does not shoot and kill Quang Ki because he sees the exchange and understands the significance of it.

The ending with him walking away and hearing the statistics of the Vietnam war just sends chills down my spine.

I always like to think Thomas headed to the King Kemehameha Club or the estate and got a heavy buzz on after that ordeal who wouldn’t!

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Higgins (aka Bondtoys)
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#109 Post by Higgins (aka Bondtoys) »

Not sure if it has been mentioned before and not sure if it‘s a flub ( Imo more a continuity error).

At the beginning just after the prison camp, we see (supposedly Higgins) someone in a blue jogging pant jogging on the beach, We don’t see a face or anything . Cut to TM who writes to Lilly and then Higgins enters in a Khaki suit -not jogging at all.

I guess that it has just been overlooked and that there was something cut out Higgins jogging on the beach?

Or is there a cut in the german DVD that is not there on the US version?

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K Hale
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#110 Post by K Hale »

The US version has the prison camp and then directly to Magnum writing on the beach, then Higgins walks in wearing what looks like a beekeeper's outfit. Are you sure you aren't thinking of the beginning of Pleasure Principle? That does open with Higgins jogging on the beach in blue sweat pants, though you only see his legs at first.
I didn't realize you were so addicted to pool.
It's not pool.
Billiards.
Snooker!
Snucker.
SNOOKER!

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Higgins (aka Bondtoys)
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#111 Post by Higgins (aka Bondtoys) »

K Hale wrote:The US version has the prison camp and then directly to Magnum writing on the beach, then Higgins walks in wearing what looks like a beekeeper's outfit. Are you sure you aren't thinking of the beginning of Pleasure Principle? That does open with Higgins jogging on the beach in blue sweat pants, though you only see his legs at first.

Dang!
It seems that on the german DVD, there are some seconds of Higgins in sweatpants at the beginning of „Unfinished Business“

It‘s exactly the same like in „Pleasure Principle“ but only 5 seconds or so and the titles don‘t show up
But it‘s certainly there

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K Hale
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#112 Post by K Hale »

Bondtoys.de wrote:
K Hale wrote:The US version has the prison camp and then directly to Magnum writing on the beach, then Higgins walks in wearing what looks like a beekeeper's outfit. Are you sure you aren't thinking of the beginning of Pleasure Principle? That does open with Higgins jogging on the beach in blue sweat pants, though you only see his legs at first.

Dang!
It seems that on the german DVD, there are some seconds of Higgins in sweatpants at the beginning of „Unfinished Business“

It‘s exactly the same like in „Pleasure Principle“ but only 5 seconds or so and the titles don‘t show up
But it‘s certainly there
Wild! I wonder why they did that?
I didn't realize you were so addicted to pool.
It's not pool.
Billiards.
Snooker!
Snucker.
SNOOKER!

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Re:

#113 Post by #1 Buzzettes Fan »

MaximRecoil wrote:
James J. Walters wrote:You're the man Max! Thank you so much. :)

So, this is an Austrian rifle? It doesn't appear to be very common in the U.S., correct?

I wonder why The Mag is using this particular sniper rifle? :?
Yes, it is Austrian. In fact, you can just barely make out "Made in Austria" in those screen shots.

It is a very nice rifle, and they are generally very accurate out of the box (1/2 MOA is common). I don't believe they have ever been officially issued by the U.S. Military (they've used e.g., the Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 700, M1 Garand, M14 as "sniper rifles"), but Special Operations Forces may have more leeway when it comes to selecting their weapons than the typical GI does.

Former U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Cooper (now deceased) was quite fond of the Steyr rifles. He worked with them to realize his concept of the "Scout Rifle", which Steyr now sells as the "Steyr Scout".

Cooper was quite influential in the gun world. He is the one that published the "Mozambique Drill" (mentioned by Higgins in "Mad Buck Gibson"). He was also the man behind the "Bren Ten" (Sonny Crockett's pistol in Miami Vice) and its 10mm cartridge; a 10mm pistol which was based on the legendary CZ-75 platform (which Cooper also helped to popularize).

Cooper was most famous for his promotion of the 1911 platform and its native .45 ACP cartridge for use in close quarters combat. He had a training school called "Gunsite" and also offered a specially customized 1911 (usually based on a Colt or Springfield) called the "Gunsite Service Pistol". We know that Magnum agreed with him on the 1911 .45.

Maybe someone involved with the show (perhaps Selleck himself) payed attention to Jeff Cooper and made some suggestions; though he often violated Cooper's "Golden Rule" of firearms safety:
Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.
I just wanted to thank you for all of your amazing, detailed posts. They are my favorite.

I noticed Magnum was calculating elevation and windage on those fruits at 30 or so. The target area had to be a good 300 yards out.

I loved the episode of course, especially the scene with Brazilian adding the unique atmosphere.

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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#114 Post by brianw »

MPI is kind of like golf for me. A few really bad shots (episodes), some just ok shots, and then you stripe that perfect drive or pure that 7 iron to within feet of the flag. Well this episode is one of those great shots. I remember this episode from the first time I saw it, but re-watching it today... wow. Awesome episode and a great result of deciding to do season 8. Magnum's sense of honor ultimately outweighing his need for revenge. I also love the lines by Buck Greene at the end, showing that as much of an asshole as he was, he was always on Magnum's side. Its a shame that Michele died, but knowing now that Lily survived makes it a bit less somber.

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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#115 Post by brianw »

Just skimmed thru all the comments and there are some interesting opinions and observations. Ill make a few too.
I liked the opening between TM and Higgins with the grocery list, pretty funny.
It would be easy for Ki to film from a jail cell, I mean there all kinds of illegal things going on in jails and prisons every day.
TM didn't even try to cover his tracks. When he stole the rifle from Buck's office, it would have become OBVIOUS to Buck that, after he discovered TM was on the military base, that he was going to use the rifle to shoot Ki.
TM sailed to the exchange location, so obviously it was an island and not in France.
I think the towel wrapped around the rifle muzzle was only to reduce muzzle flash, so as not to give away his location visually, not suppress the sound. Not sure what TM's plan was after the assassination, but maybe he was planning to escape go on the run.
Buck was the consummate professional, so its not surprising that he would order TM shot on sight, even though he respected him and probably his actions.
Again, I loved Buck's threat toward Ki. Showed he was a bad ass and had sympathy for TM.
When he dropped the MIA bracelet, he was ready to kill Ki and didn't care about anyone else, including the American guy being traded.
I think TM didn't shoot because, after talking to her in the office, he did not want that woman to lose her dad, as he thought he had lost Lily. Also, the way Maggie explained to him over the phone that more MIA's could possibly be rescued, TM couldn't sacrifice saving more MIA lives and be able to live with himself. Plus, as he said, Lily would be proud of his decision.

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80s Big Hair
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#116 Post by 80s Big Hair »

This was definitely one of my favorite episodes. "Laura" is my top episode and "Did you see the sunrise?" is number two (only because it was a two part show). It got very serious fast after the funny opening scene involving Magnum's grocery list. Magnum was presented with a moral dilemma and made the best choice. It still would have been good if he made the other choice, but he would have to live with the unforeseen future consequences.

I did not notice the big MIA bracelet thing before reading this, so thank you all for pointing out another reason why this episode was great. Maybe I was looking away when it happened. How could I miss that? There is one thing that intrigues me about the episode that might not have been pointed out here (only skimmed the thread and this is nit-picky): When Magnum emerged from Buck Greene's closet on the presumably French island he only partially closed the blinds. You could still see what was going on outside the office (and those on the outside could see in).

Great episode!

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T.Q.
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#117 Post by T.Q. »

This is basically a perfect episode to me.

10/10

Powerful, emotional, intense.

Watching it again today on my exercise bike makes me amazed what garbage modern network TV has become.

Let alone that anyone can click a perfect 10 score on ANY episode of the new Minimag. :roll:
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.

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T.Q.
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#118 Post by T.Q. »

A most memorable moment for me when I was a kid.

Image
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.

Gearhard
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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#119 Post by Gearhard »

A mini flub:
In addition to Magnum wearing gold oak leaves (for a Lieutenant Commander) instead of silver for a Commander, Buck Greene's ribbons were reordered at minute 48 when he is talking to the Marine Corporal. Previously, Buck's Air Medal (Blue with orange stripes) is his senior award. In this scene, his Purple Heart became senior. The Purple Heart did change in seniority in this time period, but I recall it to be closer to 1986.

Given that Marine extras look to be used in this episode, it could be that an sharp-eyed Marine noted the updated change and mentioned it.

I'll look at future episodes to see if this becomes consistent. I still don't see how Buck Greene earns a Combat Action Ribbon, but Navy Seal Thomas Magnum does not (when he is in uniform).

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Re: Unfinished Business (8.8)

#120 Post by Gearhard »

Reviewing this episode again, Buck's ribbons are a consistent flub (maybe it was a purposeful change to see if I was paying attention).

Early in the episode near minute 15, in Buck's office, his Purple Heart is his 3rd highest award (incorrect placement). Then at minute 38 in the office on the island, Buck's Purple Heart moves to the 4th position (also incorrect). By minute 48, he gets the Purple Heart in the correct sequence (#1) , but his Armed Forces Expeditionary is in the wrong order with his Vietnam Service (and I can't identify the light blue ribbon ahead of these....Korea Service? Issued up until 1954. Buck was an enlisted Marine with the Good Conduct Medal as proof. He could have been an 18 year old in 1954, then attended college, got commissioned, become a pilot, then turned intell officer by the time Magnum made it to Vietnam...) You can tell a lot by a guy's/gal's
Ribbons.

By minute 50 after he threatens Ki and is being briefed by the daughter's escort, his PH is again #3 ( but his Expeditionary and Service ribbons are corrected).

Prior to June 1985, the Purple Heart would be his 6th senior ribbon between the green Meritorious Unit Citation and burgundy with blue stripe Good Conduct. After 1985, the Purple Heart would be Buck's senior award (just junior to the Bronze Star Medal).

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