J. "Digger" Doyle (1.17)

[Jay-Firestorm]

I was looking forward to reviewing this one; it’s one of my favourite episodes.

[TV.com rating=10, Series Classic]

A beautiful security expert dupes Magnum to letting her onto the Estate in a test of security, as Robin Masters’ life is threatened if he publishes his latest book, and the Estate is one of four possible locations that he may arrive at. A classic episode…

-----

Already by this point in the series, if the credit ‘Written by Donald P. Bellisario’ appeared at the start of the story, you could be pretty sure you were in for a good one. And ‘J. “Digger” Doyle’ doesn’t disappoint – in fact, it’s one of the series classics.

Security expert Joy “Digger” Doyle of the title is an interesting character, and nicely played by the stunning Erin Gray, who at time of the production had recently finished ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ and was looking for another vehicle. In fact, this episode was partly intended to launch Digger’s own spin-off series, or at very least establish her as a recurring character in MPI. Either way, it never happened, and it’s ultimately the only time we see or hear of her in the series, which is a bit of a shame.

The episode has all of the classic ‘Magnum’ ingredients, including a perfect blend of drama, comedy and action, and some nice Magnum-Higgins moments, especially as Magnum defends Higgins after Digger duped her way onto the Estate.

The episode features what I consider to be one of the funniest scenes of the series, when Magnum tries to recruit T.C. to help out, but T.C. has got a high-paying piloting job with some millionaires; As the couple pull up, Magnum pretends to be sick after flying with T.C., putting them off. Okay, so you need to see it to get it, but it is one of the most laugh-out-loud moments of the series for me (even if it is a little below the belt of Magnum).

Of course, it’s obligatory that Magnum and Digger must get romantically involved, but at least here the two characters at least have some genuine spark and rapport between them. Even if they are busy getting kissy-kissy while they are supposed to be looking for the captured Higgins!

Particularly memorable is Magnum and Digger’s rescue of Higgins from the outpost in the mountains – even if it does seem a bit too easy to break in to, only for a simple sneeze from Digger to alert the villains as they make their escape! The steps up the side of the steep mountain (dubbed ‘The Stairway To Heaven’) is truly breathtaking (in more ways than one!), and is another example of how Hawaii’s scenery plays such an important part in the series.

The only real niggle I would have with this story, is that I never found it overly clear just why the bad guys were so intent on stopping Robin Masters publishing his manuscript in the first place, it’s all a bit vague. Near the end, Magnum does work it out, but it doesn’t come across as all that clear; but in such an otherwise terrific episode, I’m prepared to overlook that.

Later on in the series, it is strongly suggested that Robin may be none other than Higgins; this episode is one of the few that rather contradicts that, although there are probably still some creative ways of explaining it away.

All-in-all, this is a truly classic episode, one of the show’s best. If they had made a movie of the show while it was in production, this would have made a terrific plot to use.

-----

Other notes, bloopers and misc.:

* Near the beginning when Magnum is running, watch the sweat on his vest. First of all it is in a strip down the front, then when Digger overtakes him and we get another shot of him, it is a much bigger strip. Then when he arrives at the Club and sits down, it is gone.

* In the scene where Digger and Magnum are in Digger’s Ferrari on the way to the Estate, both of their lines are noticeably dubbed. No doubt the wind and background noise as the car drove along made this necessary.

* This is the first (of many episodes) in the series where T.C. calls Higgins “Higgy-baby”

* It is also the first time in the series that we hear Higgins’ full name, Jonathan Quayle Higgins the third.

* When Magnum and Digger find the tape recording in the Audi, why does it start at the point where Higgins was talking to Rick at the gate? As far as is shown, the tape wasn’t rewound at any point.

* On the DVD version, another case of abridged commercial breaks – the fourth ad break does not have a gap.

* I’ve always felt like this episode was originally designed to be the season one finale – in that we finally meet Robin Masters (of sorts); Rick, T.C. and Higgins all playing a key part in the proceedings; and the montage of Rick, T.C., Higgins, and Magnum and Digger on the closing credits. Just a thought.

[J.J. Walters]

Wow, another GREAT review Jay! Thanks!

[Jay-Firestorm]

Glad you like it

[gmt16750]

The episode features what I consider to be one of the funniest scenes of the series, when Magnum tries to recruit T.C. to help out, but T.C. has got a high-paying piloting job with some millionaires; As the couple pull up, Magnum pretends to be sick after flying with T.C., putting them off. Okay, so you need to see it to get it, but it is one of the most laugh-out-loud moments of the series for me (even if it is a little below the belt of Magnum).

First of all, i always enjoy your reviews Jay! very acute and accurate!
By the way, "A little below the belt" ? 7000$ plus maybe a bonus!!!
Well a friend like that deserves a kick in the ass sometimes! And T.M. often relies on his friends in an exigent and fastidious way.
I really love the friendship that underlies these friends "ready-to-use" who accept unconditionaly to get down to be involved in Magnum's investigation.
It's the sort of friendship we found when we were kids.
After all, Higgins is true when he defines him (don't remember where) as an ungrown 40 years old man, immature but unable to lie

Oh i forgot, the best dialogues are between Rick and Higgins at the estate's gate:
Rick (asking for password to Higgins going out): Gee, Higgins. I'm just trying to cheer you up a little bit.
Higgins (who was taping his resignation message in the car):
Don't. It would ruin a wonderful depression.

[Zudobug]

I haven't seen this episode in a few years but I do remember it being a good one. I have got all of the region 2 boxsets of MPI and I think I'll have to start watching them over again at some point.

[Jaybird]

Really did enjoy this episode and rated it 9.5! It seemed that all the voters like it, too. I gravitate toward the episodes with a more serious tone and this one had that, but it also had lighter moments. It just wasn't one of those episodes that is silly right from the start, like the one about "Anglo Hawaiian Cat Lovers Award" type show. Plus, Erin Grey is totally hot but come on, she is NOT any kind of athlete. No way she could outrun TM and she is totally an arm paddler. TS actually has a fairly good stroke on the ski where he engages his core and back and uses his arms primarily to hold the paddle. I will give Erin credit, she had to practice but she actually stayed on the ski. Nonetheless, she is pretty but not a jock!
This episode has me wondering if my conclusion that Higgins is Robin Masters was correct. Guess we'll never know even though I was fairly sure after the last episode in Season 8. It will always rank as one of those great mysteries of our age, like where Jimmy Hoffa is buried or is Elvis really dead. Is Higgins Robin Masters?
Robin Master's plane's N number in the show (N5527L) was changed to
N777AY, a Lockheed Jetstar, now owned by the New Orleans Hornets.

[Henry Lewis]

2. This Flub is one of my favorites. After J. Doyle cons her way into Higgins' study and pulls the gun on Magnum and Higgins, she uses the red telephone to call Robin Masters. After a brief conversation with Robin, she hands the phone to Higgins, who speaks to Robin for 7 seconds. From Higgins' 7 second conversation with Robin, Higgins launches into a 61 second, detailed dialogue about the attempt on Robin's life, StarGuard, J. Doyle, Robin's plan to pick-up all of his tapes from one of his estates, etc. During Higgins' dialogue, Magnum interrupts Higgins briefly, but then Higgins continues with his dialogue. The question is: How could Higgins have gotten 61 seconds of very detailed dialogue from a 7 second conversation with Robin? This scene requires you to abandon all logic. I love it.

I don't believe this is a flub or a Higgins is Robin Masters clue. When Magnum first walks in with Digger, Higgins is on the phone with Robin Masters. One can assume that Robin called Higgins to inform him of the attempt on his life, that he hired Starguard to increase security, and his plans for his tapes. So, when Digger hands the phone to Higgins all Robin had to say was something like, "I see you met Ms. Doyle from Starguard, do whatever she says." Higgins reples, "Yes, I understand", hangs up, and then has to inform Magnum of the details of the situation which he learned in the previous call with Robin. This is the only reason the writers would have had Higgins on the phone with Robin when the scene opened.

[J.J. Walters]

Great observation Henry Lewis! You're absolutely right.

I've removed the flub. Bummer, it was one of my favorites!

[Doc Ibold]

Great observation Henry Lewis! You're absolutely right.

I've removed the flub. Bummer, it was one of my favorites!

Boooo! Bring it back!

[Milo Minderbinder]

I watched this episode yesterday for the first time since it aired and now, of course, with the question of Robin Master being Higgins in my mind. While it could have been an elaborate deception by Higgins/Masters to conceal the truth, I was wondering if Masters was supposed to be a celebrity recluse or not? The audience is always kept in the dark about what Masters looks like, but what about the rest of the world? It seems like if Masters was super famous and travelled the world all the time, that he would have been recognizable, especially to anyone who would have a reason to know what he looked like, i.e., Magnum.

[Donuts ensucrats]

It's hard to believe that Magnum can't watch Robin Masters anytime in 8 years.

[charybdis1966]

Ah Erin Gray; I never saw the the series you call Silver Spoons so I only remember her as Colonel Deering in Buck Rogers, another Glen Larson production.

[MACattack]

Erin Grey is super hot!!!!

[IKnowWhatYoureThinking]

Erin Grey is super hot!!!!

+1

[Donuts ensucrats]

A little thin for my taste