Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

Rate, review & discuss the episodes from the second season

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How Would You Rate This Episode?

10 (Perfect!)
35
28%
9.5 (One of the Best)
48
38%
9.0 (Excellent)
18
14%
8.5 (Very Good)
17
13%
8.0 (Pretty Good)
3
2%
7.5 (Decent)
2
2%
7.0 (Average at Best)
1
1%
6.5 (Not So Good)
0
No votes
6.0 (Pretty Bad)
0
No votes
5.0 (Just Awful)
2
2%
 
Total votes: 126

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Styles Bitchley
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#51 Post by Styles Bitchley »

MaiTaiMan wrote:I never cared for the character of Michelle, or the actress Marta Dubois...just not someone I find attractive, big hair or not. I also did not like the character as she always had to leave Magnum at the end of each episode, and appeared to use him whenever she needed. :?
Based on this and your Luther comments, I'm guessing that honour is a bit thing for you in whether you can like a character.
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."

- J.Q.H.

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MaiTaiMan
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#52 Post by MaiTaiMan »

Styles Bitchley wrote:
MaiTaiMan wrote:I never cared for the character of Michelle, or the actress Marta Dubois...just not someone I find attractive, big hair or not. I also did not like the character as she always had to leave Magnum at the end of each episode, and appeared to use him whenever she needed. :?
Based on this and your Luther comments, I'm guessing that honour is a bit thing for you in whether you can like a character.
Honor is something I like in a character...and I never viewed Luther as having much--even towards Blanche. :? Michelle probably had more honor than Gillis for sure...but even she seemed to only pop up when it suited her and "dangle" herself in front of Magnum to get what she wanted. I know some of it was supposedly for protection for her and Lilly-Catherine...but sometimes even that seemed to go a little over the top. :wink:
"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"

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Styles Bitchley
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#53 Post by Styles Bitchley »

just noticed my typo. Of course I meant "big."
"How fiendishly deceptive of you Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent."

- J.Q.H.

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MaiTaiMan
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#54 Post by MaiTaiMan »

Styles Bitchley wrote:just noticed my typo. Of course I meant "big."
No prob! :)
"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"

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ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)
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#55 Post by ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan) »

Wow! What can I say? This is a Perfect episode as far as MPI goes. I've only seen episodes (not all of them) from the first 3 seasons and so far this one is the second best. Best of course is "Did You See the Sunrise?". And then the third best is the pilot - "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii". And you'll notice 2 things that these 3 episodes have in common - they're all 2-part/2-hour episodes and they all have a darker feel with an emotional hook for Magnum. As well as Vietnam flashbacks. And that's what really draws me in.

While some of the light-hearted fare can be fun it's the more personal stories that really grab my attention. It's funny to find yourself yawning through "The Woman on the Beach" and "From Moscow to Maui" and then to be completely spell-bound with an episode like this. I guess that's part of the appeal of MPI - you never know what's coming. In the lighter episodes I tend to look towards the Magnum vs. Higgins scenes since the main story typically doesn't engage me all that much. But with episodes like these I'm so engrossed in the story that I completely forget about Higgins. Or the "lads". They're almost superfluous.

Anyway, fantastic episode and I personally can't imagine that season 2 has a finer episode to offer me. I guess I shall see.

Oh... and yes I found Miss DuBois quite attractive. Obviously not on the same level as Rebecca Holden (but then who is? :wink: ) but attractive nevertheless. But more than her looks it was her performance and her chemistry with Selleck that sold me on their romance. And speaking of Selleck, kudos to him for a true tour-de-force performance in this one. He hit it out of the park here!!!

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#56 Post by snp389 »

Just watched these 2 great episodes.
I reckon 'Memories' is one of the best!
I am not 100%, but some of the intro shots of Vietnam look like they are taken from the movie 'The Deer Hunter'.

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Steve
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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#57 Post by Steve »

Watching Memories Are Forever on the Encore marathon I thought Ms. DuBois deserves a bump up to the first page.
I also stumbled upon this;
http://www.holywoodactingstudio.com/?page_id=1853
Seems Marta is an acting supervisor at the Holywood Acting Studio.I think she looks terrific for 61!

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#58 Post by marlboro »

I think she actually looks better now than she did in her last Magnum appearance.

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#59 Post by No need to know! »

Steve wrote:Watching Memories Are Forever on the Encore marathon I thought Ms. DuBois deserves a bump up to the first page.
I also stumbled upon this;
http://www.holywoodactingstudio.com/?page_id=1853
Seems Marta is an acting supervisor at the Holywood Acting Studio.I think she looks terrific for 61!
She is still a fox! :oops:
Someone mentioned her big hair from this episode. I say it looks much better in "Memories..." compared with her hairstyle when she returns in the seventh season.

The most important thing though was the great chemistry between her and Selleck.
Onion´s extra?

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#60 Post by Magnum T. »

While working on a routine divorce case Magnum glimpses a woman on a yacht.
She remarkably looks like his wife Michelle, married in Vietnam and died in a bombing attack.
He manages to take some pictures of her while the boat passes by but unfortunately her face is not clearly visible.
Magnum is sure the woman is his wife but Rick and T.C. are skeptical. Nonetheless they start a search in "Little Saigon", a Honolulu district.
Meanwhile we discover that the woman is the wife of a high-ranking NVA officer, General Hue.
He is in Hawaii with Colonel Ki, whose task is to find out who is the spy known as "The Tiger".
Ki informs the General that a man named Magnum is looking for his wife, but she states she doesn't know him.
Then she goes to a church...

The two-parts episode "Memories Are Forever" is without a doubt not only one of the best in the entire series but one of the most important.
"Pivotal" is the best word to describe it, I think.
It is very well written, directed and played.
The plot introduces new elements in the Magnuverse, the most significant being, of course, Michelle.
The screenplay is full of witty lines and the actors give great performances.
There are notable scenes, like the one in the darkroom (and the reprise at Magnum's place) where we can see that despite all the bickerings, Higgins cares for Magnum.

Plus: Marta DuBois. A very special lady, gourgeous and elegant (the two things don't always go along), her light strabismus of Venus, far from diminishing her beauty, enhances it instead.
After the four main actors, she is probably the best choice in terms of casting of the entire series.
Totally believable as a woman capable of making TM falling in love for good, she portraits her character brilliantly: sweet (the smile she gives to the young clumsy Magnum look-alike officer) but even strong (when she talks to the "priest" in the church). Too bad she isn't in more episodes (though I understand why it is so).
Minus: None, as far as I'm concerned.
Best Line:
Higgins: You're upsetting our relationship. Being nice makes me... quite uncomfortable.
Magnum: Does that mean you don't want anything for me using the darkroom this morning?
Higgins: Not that uncomfortable.

Notes:
- team ring on right
- included in "The Best of Magnum P.I" 2-DVD set (along with the pilot, "Mac's Back" and "Black on White")
- as said, Marta DuBois plays Michelle for the first time. She will return in 3 other episodes.
- Lance LeGault had already played Agent Newton in "Missing in Action" (1.9). His recurring character USMC Col. "Buck" Greene is seen here for the first time and will return in other 9 episodes. Curiously, he plays a similar character in "The A-Team" TV series.
- Honolulu born Clyde Kusatsu (Colonel Ki) appears in a total of 8 episodes playing 4 different characters, the most memorable being (imho) Detective Katsumoto.

Funny thing:
I am no military expert so this is a curiosity I've ever had and maybe somebody here can help: TM is a Navy Seal while Rick and T.C. are Marines.
Is it possible for them to be in the same unit in Vietnam?

Rate: 9.5
"Zeus, Apollo, get out of my Ferrari!"
"Mr. Masters' Ferrari"

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#61 Post by Milton Collins »

I think this is one of the best of the whole series, a perfect 10! What a sad episode. TM and Michelle were clearly madly in love and they just can't seem to be together. As far as the comments regarding Michelle/Marta Dubois, I personally find her to be an absolute knockout! I don't think they could have picked a better, hotter, "Michelle" for Magnum than Dubois (big hair and all lol)! I also think part of this is the amazing chemistry that the two actors have which definitely sells it. Anyway, a classic episode that really lets you see into Thomas and see him from the inside out. Have to also say it was great scene seeing TM throw the film out at the beginning, he just couldn't expose the little car salesman lol. Not that I condone cheating but it definitely shows he has a heart. Overall I love this one!

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#62 Post by magnumette »

I am watching the series in order for the first time. Over the years I know I have seen them all but watching in order has been wonderful so far. Of course I am a different person when it first was released and I saw as a teen, but this episode is perfect. I only saw Casablanca as an adult and was delighted at how many references the entire MPI series makes toward this classic masterpiece.

The same mentality and integrity is there , Michelle must leave and Thomas must support that in his heart or it will end up destroying them. Sigh how romantic. I find that Michelle is perfect for Magnum: exotic, beautiful, intelligent, gentle and kind. She also loves and accepts his friends. She has flaws but that makes her interesting. She rescues Thomas from Vietnam in my opinion. She is Magnum's great love and it sets the tone for the rest of the series . Here is TM-He is a man who has loved and lost early in his life his father and his wife but continues through the support of his friends and his inner strength.

TC's speech on the beach has to be one of the best in the series- TC is so serious and wise such a sharp contrast to the playful back chat he was giving TM in Moscow to Maui ( I forgot what a CO you can be, or just like in Cambodia......). The advice, insight and support he shows his friend is profound.

I rated this a 10-but it is not in my top 3 - many MPI are perfect to me simple b/c they are MPI! ( however, even I cant give Billy Joe Bobb or LIttle Girls close to a 10 ) Great acting, great story , great pathos.

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#63 Post by EZiller »

Some things I like about this episode, but I’m not a huge fan of the TM/Michelle storyline, although I know Bellisario commendably used it partly as a way of bringing attention to other issues from the Vietnam War, such as MIA’s and POW’s. I really think they stretched it too far about Michelle’s background. I mean, if she had been married to a NVA general, I’d think she would have been too far indoctrinated and committed to the Communists and their complete takeover of the south to go working in an American hospital in Saigon.
Plus I don’t believe that Ho’s regime would have permitted her departure from NV-being married to a general meant that she had too much knowledge of the NVA hierarchy and inner workings to permit her to leave. Also, I would also believe that even if she escaped would be they would hire someone with her background to work among American soldiers? And if they NVA had found out, would they not eliminate her?

I just find Michelle’s affections alternating between General Hue and TM a bit hard to swallow. And as far as Hue being the “Tiger” he’s hardly a good guy, his Communist allegiances are just of another shade of Red. Nothing more than a power struggle in Hanoi.

8.5. Also didn't really really see much chemistry between Selleck and DuBois.

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#64 Post by charybdis1966 »

I kinda agree with you there EZiller, I didn't really get much sense of chemistry between TS and his on screen wife.

I was also quite confused by her emotional vacillations.

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Re: Memories Are Forever (1) (2.5)

#65 Post by Lindsay Writer »

I'm watching this episode right now on Cozi TV and it's almost as good as Did You See The Sunrise. The two of them together make the perfect double-feature. Bellisario was brilliant especially with this scene where Michelle explains to our hero what's really going on it's so smart and so perceptive:

Magnum (in the shower): Who is this "Tiger"?
Michelle (in bedroom): What do you know of the "Tiger"?
Magnum: Oh, those MVA types who jumped us in "Little Saigon", they said something in Vietnamese about being after the "Tiger". Who is he?
Michelle: He leads the new revolutionary front.
Magnum: What? Say it again, I don't think I heard you right.
Michelle: Yes you did.
Magnum: You mean, it's starting again?
Michelle: Well there are many from the North who are as disillusioned with the reunification and the party leadership as those in the South. The most effective of these is called "The Tiger". He says the party has betrayed the people and sold out to Moscow.
Magnum: Does that include your husband?
Michelle: Yes, that is why he insisted upon having the MIA negotiations here in Hawaii, instead of Hanoi. He and Colonel Ki knew that the "Tiger" would be here this month to organize the refugee community and to negotiate for aid from your CIA.
Magnum: The "Tiger" would trust us?
Michelle: No, but he would take aid from anybody - The Chinese, the Americans, anybody but the Russians.
(Magnum comes out of the bathroom)
Magnum: Do you know who he is?
Michelle: No, why would I?
Magnum: Buck Greene admitted to me that you work for him. Is that why Colonel Ki came after you?
Michelle: I don't know...(Magnum takes Michelle's hair pin out) Thomas please, no... Thomas, no please.
Magnum: It's like we've never been apart. As if these six years didn't exist.
Michelle: But they do.
Magnum: No, not at this moment they don't.
(Long kiss - Magnum carries Michelle to bed)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Magnum: I think Michelle is going to die because of you. What do you think?
Col. Buck Greene: You're right. Colonel Ki believes she's the "Tiger" and I want him to think that. At least until the real "Tiger" can finish his work here and return to 'Nam.
Magnum: Which is?
Col. Buck Greene: Setup a network of refugees, gather support, arrange funding, weapons, form a political base.
Magnum: Aw, cmon Buck! You're not gonna dance to that fiddler again.
Col. Buck Greene: That's not for me to say, but in the meantime we are trying all the channels we can, to do whatever we can, to get the bodies of our boys back home.
Magnum: Where is Michelle?
Col. Buck Greene: Waiting to join her husband.
Magnum: Can he protect her from Colonel Ki?
Col. Buck Greene: He'll try.
Magnum: But he's counting on you to do that.
Col. Buck Greene: Can't, too risky. It could...
Magnum: Blow his cover...He's the "Tiger".
Col. Buck Greene: That's why I can't intervene. Once, last night at the church was risky enough, twice in 24 hours, no way. Colonel Ki would put it together. He'd know we were being tipped off and he'd realize the man he is hunting is General Hue.
Magnum: He probably already does. Either way you can't let Michelle walk into it.
Col. Buck Greene: She was safe. She could have stayed with you.
Magnum: Where is she!!??
Col. Buck Greene: Sorry, I can't tell you that.
Magnum (points .45 at Buck's head): Buck.
Col. Buck Greene: Go ahead, pull the trigger. I can't jeopardize this operation just so you can have General Hue's wife.
Magnum: Say again.
Col. Buck Greene: If he's dead, the lady stays with you. He knows it, she knows it, and I know it, and so do you.

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