Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

Rate, review & discuss the episodes from the third season

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How Would You Rate This Episode?

10 (Perfect!)
7
7%
9.5 (One of the Best)
18
17%
9.0 (Excellent)
40
38%
8.5 (Very Good)
20
19%
8.0 (Pretty Good)
12
11%
7.5 (Decent)
6
6%
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
3%
 
Total votes: 106

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Sisophous
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#46 Post by Sisophous »

The ending was the most surreal in this entire series. There was not a hint of what was to come.

The only fault I have is the body was actually a doll that was thrown and it looked lifeless. They could have done a better job of making it appear more realistic but when you are viewing it in slow motion on DVD it shows. Watching it when it aired on CBS, no one could tell.

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snp389
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#47 Post by snp389 »

Cool episode I reckon!
Great performance by John Hillerman. I always remember the first time I saw him in anything but MPI was in Clint Eastwood's classic "High Plains Drifter" as the leather boot fitter.

As an Australian with a direct and proud lineage to the Irish, this episode has some great and poignant moments for me. I have travelled to Ireland many times, and I can understand that some may find Hillerman's Irish accent not too great, but it is a TV show afterall.

The ending still is a shock, no matter how many times I watch. Interesting that it is never discussed nor brought up again in Season 4 or in any further seasons.

marlboro
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#48 Post by marlboro »

"Higgins, you're a bigot."

"Of course I am. Isn't everybody?"

John Hillerman should have had a much more successful career. He gives another great (dual) performance in this episode. How great would a spinoff series featuring the various members of the Higgins clan living in the same house Patty Duke style be?

I thought Tom Selleck showed off some impressive comedic skills in the scene where he is reporting the bad news to the boxer.

About that ending...I just don't know what to make of it. Do yo think the writers were trying for dark humor or just shock? The expression on my face was pretty much a mirror of Larry Manetti's after watching that scene. Extremely shocking and completely unforgettable.

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terryfromkerry
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#49 Post by terryfromkerry »

Hi Marlboro and welcome.

MPI was not the first time John Hillerman took on a dual role.

I saw Paper Moon again recently. He performed an excellant dual role in this film ..................
a bootlegger and the bootlegger's brother who was also the town Sherrif.
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".

marlboro
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#50 Post by marlboro »

I haven't seen that movie in years. I think it's time for a rewatch. Thanks!

spacebiscuit
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#51 Post by spacebiscuit »

Hi all,

I have just watched this episode and I've noticed a flub. When Higgins goes to meet his brother at the hotel and they're sat at the bar drinking, Higgins' body double is holding his drink in one hand, then when the camera angle cuts to show the opposite angle, the 'real' Higgins and Paddy's body double, Higgins is holding the drink in the opposite hand.

Some have commented on the political bias shown in this episode, I thought it was handled very well, when for example Paddy and the Major are arguing and Magnum steps in and suggests that the whole issue is a pointless argument. For me that showed great impartiality whilst presenting the facts for each side. Of course this is from my British perspective, for the Irish I'm sure the arguments are more poignant and perhaps it's felt that the show shows bias.

I thought Paddy's accent was a bit dubious, in parts it was ok but I won't let this distract from Hillerman's versatility in front of the camera nor the general enjoyment of the episode.

Regards,

John.

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308GUY
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#52 Post by 308GUY »

Good observations....all.

On behalf of myself, and all the other "newbies" here....Welcome to the best MPI forum on the planet!
"C'mon TC...nothing can go wrong!"

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Doc Ibold
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#53 Post by Doc Ibold »

Welcome aboard!

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terryfromkerry
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#54 Post by terryfromkerry »

Hi John and welcome.

I agree the episode showed great impartiality. I also forgive the dubious Fr. Paddy accent . John Hillerman's versatility was certainly in play. To deliver the accent and enunciate every word for the benefit of a world wide viewing audience is a challenge in itself. We did not have instant access to the subtitle option in the '80's.
"Oh Jonathan !....oh Jonathan, come quickly ...... your hot cross buns are smoking".

spacebiscuit
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#55 Post by spacebiscuit »

Thank you for the welcome, I should have perhaps have introduced myself first before diving straight in with a post.

I often refer to the forum after watching an episode, there's always something of interest to read about each episode.

Thanks,

John.

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Re:

#56 Post by Hawaii Winds »

IslandHopper wrote:One of my favorite episodes features a "shocking" flub. When Magnum and TC go to the Gym to meet Clarence (Magnum's boxer-client) to give him a report on his wife's infidelity, TC is standing next to Magnum without a hat on. There is no hat in sight, not in his hand, etc. The camera turns and focuses on the boxer and when they turn back to Magnum and TC, TC has an Atlanta Falcons hat on.

Great observation....gonna watch it now

SignGuyHPW
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#57 Post by SignGuyHPW »

I liked this one fairly well. The only really big gripes I had were Magnum being so intimidated by Clearance (I didn't like when he backed down to guys considering he was a trained Navy SEAL) and the fact that nothing came from the ending. Does anyone know WHY there was no further episode where they had to deal with this? I'm sure it wouldn't just be dropped for no real reason. Hillerman's performance was great. I'd consider this a comedy episode and I generally liked the comedy ones. One flub I didn't see reported was that it, apparently, was established that TC didn't drink yet Thomas says that Rick gave them steaks and bottle of bourdeaux. It was implied that Magnum and TC shared the bottle.

marlboro
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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#58 Post by marlboro »

IMDB says "Legs" had a bit of musical career in the early 90s:

Love Is The Answer (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqJR_kdi1pA

I'm a bit disappointed that she didn't do a cover of Tom Petty's "Free Falling."

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Re: Faith and Begorrah (3.23)

#59 Post by EZiller »

Have to give this a 10. Hillerman is a riot as Father Paddy. Looks like he had fun doing it. Very entertaining story, although it is mostly a character study of the Higgins family, Jonathan and Paddy. The subplot of Magnum investigating a boxers philandering wife was good, what a shocking ending! BTW, Teri Ann Linn as Legs was Top Ten MPI babe.

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Luther's nephew Dobie
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#60 Post by Luther's nephew Dobie »

J.J. Walters wrote:A classic, legendary episode with a shocking denouement. This episode has it all - action, humor, drama, mystery, great characters, and a great story. Higgins' half-brother (played by John Hillerman), the hardscrabble Irish priest Paddy McGuinness, steals the show. The scene where Higgins visits the run-down "Low Surf Motel" (with Bellisario's only cameo on the show) is priceless. A wonderful finale for Season Three.
Hi JJ,
I could not agree with you more. As for the ending, a case can be made it is one of the most hard hitting moments of television in the past 40 years. There is very few times in all my years of tv watching where I was so surprised and affected by a scene. I recall just staring at the tv afterwards, sort of disoriented, like my doggie is when someone has moved his food dish.
Off the top of my head I rank it just below the last scene of Black Adder Goes Fourth which is must viewing for anyone who appreciates the art involved in television production.
Then of course there's Radar's announcing Colonel Blakes death on MASH to a silent OR except for the clattering of some instruments that someone drops.
I am not claiming this outstanding Magnum ranks with the all time great tv episodes, rather that this one moment belongs as an all time great scene and is, as JJ said, shocking, the viewer left muttering 'Holy Crap'.
Last edited by Luther's nephew Dobie on Sun Sep 10, 2017 5:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

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