Almost Home (3.11)

Rate, review & discuss the episodes from the third season

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How Would You Rate This Episode?

10 (Perfect!)
1
1%
9.5 (One of the Best)
5
6%
9.0 (Excellent)
12
14%
8.5 (Very Good)
23
26%
8.0 (Pretty Good)
14
16%
7.5 (Decent)
22
25%
7.0 (Average at Best)
5
6%
6.5 (Not So Good)
2
2%
6.0 (Pretty Bad)
2
2%
5.0 (Just Awful)
1
1%
 
Total votes: 87

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EZiller
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#51 Post by EZiller »

I’ll also go along with the consensus that Kathleen Lloyd was much sexier in this role than she ever was as Carol Baldwin. Never really cared for that character. Also liked seeing Agatha and Maggie in this episode, before they would really become semi-regulars later in the show run.

Good episode, gave it a 9. I always like the episodes dealing with WW2 and what had transpired to those who had lived through it. Those who are watching MPI for the first time need to remember that this was taking place in the early 80’s, when there was still plenty of people from that era still around and were only in their late 50’s and 60’s. Hard to believe but the youngest of the WW2 who are still with us are pushing 90.

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#52 Post by ConchRepublican »

EZiller wrote:I’ll also go along with the consensus that Kathleen Lloyd was much sexier in this role than she ever was as Carol Baldwin. Never really cared for that character. Also liked seeing Agatha and Maggie in this episode, before they would really become semi-regulars later in the show run.

Good episode, gave it a 9. I always like the episodes dealing with WW2 and what had transpired to those who had lived through it. Those who are watching MPI for the first time need to remember that this was taking place in the early 80’s, when there was still plenty of people from that era still around and were only in their late 50’s and 60’s. Hard to believe but the youngest of the WW2 who are still with us are pushing 90.
I agree, it's sad to see their numbers shrink. I work on the Empire State Building block in Manhattan and make a point ever year to catch at least some of the Veteran's Day Parade as it runs up 5th Avenue. Those men need to be appreciated and hear the cheers and applause while they are still here.
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KingKC
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#53 Post by KingKC »

I liked any show that paid respects to the attack on Pearl Harbor since it is an important part of history and the Navy and I think Kathleen Lloyd showed how she can play different roles from a prosecutor. I liked her as both.

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#54 Post by karolis »

J.J. Walters wrote:Indeed Steve, indeed! :)

Image
Better quality screenshot:

Image

Jay-Firestorm wrote: * When Magnum gets a drink from the drinks machine, notice how the ‘Coke’ logo has been covered up with a large white panel.
Screenshot:

Image

Milo Minderbinder wrote: Also thought it was funny in the opening scene with Agatha using a Sawzall like a jigsaw. Not sure if that was intended, as if meaning she wouldn't know she was using the wrong type of saw, or if they just handed her whatever was handy from the set.
Really straight curve:

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ConchRepublican wrote:An example of the little things I think make this show so good . . .

At the end, when they are interring Bridget's father with his shipmates on the Arizona and they are all standing on the boat you can see Magnum standing at military attention. To me, the attention to his character as a former Naval Officer, even when more part of the background of the scene than the focus, shows how everyone understood the little things that complete the picture.
Screenshot:

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Croix de Lorraine wrote:Kathleen Lloyd is much sexier here than she is as Carol. They made her too frumpy.
Milton Collins wrote:I see it mentioned in other posts that Kathleen Lloyd was really attractive in this episode, MUCH more so than when she reappears later as Carol Baldwin. I have to say that I was thinking this the entire episode, she really looked hot!! Not sure what the difference was there but had to point it out.
EZiller wrote:I’ll also go along with the consensus that Kathleen Lloyd was much sexier in this role than she ever was as Carol Baldwin. Never really cared for that character.
Yeah, i never liked her ass Carol in the later seasons too, she was more gray and kinda irritating, but in this episode i quite liked her. Despite the fact that she was irritating in this one too.

Sir Fearing wrote:I love Magnums face when Bridget puts her fathers ashes on the table! :lol:
Dad?

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I remember Robin Masters had a Nikon camera in the first season, in the last episode of the season two (Three Minus Two) he had a Hasselblad (T.C. was using it) and in this episode Higgins has camera with a Cannon band:

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Coops present: check:

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Clearly Rick's double:

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Season 3 Top up to this episode:

1. Black on White
2-3. Did You See the Sunrise?
4. Flashback
5. The Eighth Part of the Village
6. Past Tense
7. Almost Home
8. Ki'i's Don't Lie
9. Mixed Doubles
10. Mr. White Death
11. Foiled Again

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K Hale
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#55 Post by K Hale »

karolis wrote:
Jay-Firestorm wrote: * When Magnum gets a drink from the drinks machine, notice how the ‘Coke’ logo has been covered up with a large white panel.
Screenshot:

Image
But you can still see the logos on the individual buttons. Ha!
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Billiards.
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#56 Post by K Hale »

ConchRepublican wrote:
EZiller wrote:I’ll also go along with the consensus that Kathleen Lloyd was much sexier in this role than she ever was as Carol Baldwin. Never really cared for that character. Also liked seeing Agatha and Maggie in this episode, before they would really become semi-regulars later in the show run.

Good episode, gave it a 9. I always like the episodes dealing with WW2 and what had transpired to those who had lived through it. Those who are watching MPI for the first time need to remember that this was taking place in the early 80’s, when there was still plenty of people from that era still around and were only in their late 50’s and 60’s. Hard to believe but the youngest of the WW2 who are still with us are pushing 90.
I agree, it's sad to see their numbers shrink. I work on the Empire State Building block in Manhattan and make a point ever year to catch at least some of the Veteran's Day Parade as it runs up 5th Avenue. Those men need to be appreciated and hear the cheers and applause while they are still here.
I try not to think of this whenever Higgins starts musing and they tell him to shut up. I know it's a running gag, I know it's played for laughs.

But still.
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It's not pool.
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#57 Post by ENSHealy »

ALMOST HOME
Hawaiian shirts: 0
Island Hopper shirts: 1 white on green
Body Count: 0
Shirtless: 0
Little Voice: 0
I know what you’re thinking: 1
When I write HTBAWCPI: .5
Investigator corrections: 0
Magnum injuries: 0
Higgins musings: 0
4th wall breaks: 0
Negotiations: 0
Famous guest stars: 0
Magnumometer: 2.5

Potential magnumania usernames: Intra Pacific Imports
Higgins organizations: Anglo Polynesian Servants of the Sea (although the subtitles amusingly called them the Savants of the Sea)

I am one that agrees with those who are in the "annoying to be funny" is just annoying camp. She is so over the top, she almost costs herself her own case on more than one occasion. Too over the top for me, although I guess the fact that I'm annoyed by it means the writers and Kathleen Lloyd did their jobs well. I would have preferred less well, thank you very much.

BTW Lloyd is too skinny in this episode. Any time you can see the upper ribs (i.e. those above the bust line) on a woman through the skin (see the pic posted by karolis) I'm like "Honey, let me buy you a cheeseburger."

I gave a half point on How To Be A World Class Private Investigator because, although TM says the following, he doesn't mention it in the contest of writing a book: "There's another cardinal rule a good private investigator follows. Don't try telling a client something she doesn't want to hear. It never works. Sometimes you've just gotta let people go. If they want to tilt at windmills, let 'em tilt."

Although I realize this would have made the entire episode unnecessary...when she's on the boat and being intercepted by the Coast Guard in the beginning of the episode, isn't she already over the Arizona? Why didn't she just drop Dad over the side? (I'm also assuming she's not actually that close to the memorial IRL, that it's a set they built to resemble the openings in the Arizona memorial just for the shot.)

Image

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS:

Magnum: I am the private investigator so let me investigate. In private!

Maggie: Magnum, I told you, those transcripts are confidential.
Magnum: Oh, come on, Maggie. I remember a dozen times that Mac bent the rules a little.
Maggie: That's because Lieutenant MacReynoIds was different. Very different.
Magnum: Yeah. Right. I could appeal to his heart.
Maggie: Yeah. And his stomach.
Magnum: Oh, come on! That food stuff, that was just an excuse. Listen, underneath that stomach was a heart as big as...that stomach. He cared, Lieutenant.
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#58 Post by ENSHealy »

ENSHealy wrote:ALMOST HOME
Hawaiian shirts: 0
Island Hopper shirts: 1 white on green
Body Count: 0
Shirtless: 0
Little Voice: 0
I know what you’re thinking: 1
When I write HTBAWCPI: .5
Investigator corrections: 0
Magnum injuries: 0
Higgins musings: 0
4th wall breaks: 0
Negotiations: 0
Famous guest stars: 0
Magnumometer: 2.5

Potential magnumania usernames: Intra Pacific Imports
Higgins organizations: Anglo Polynesian Servants of the Sea (although the subtitles amusingly called them the Savants of the Sea)

I gave a half point on How To Be A World Class Private Investigator because, although TM says the following, he doesn't mention it in the contest of writing a book: "There's another cardinal rule a good private investigator follows. Don't try telling a client something she doesn't want to hear. It never works. Sometimes you've just gotta let people go. If they want to tilt at windmills, let 'em tilt."
UPDATE - 3.11 ALMOST HOME
Famous guest stars:
Hawaiian shirts: 1 dark blue with white flowers (or birds?)
Tigers Cap: 1
Island Hopper shirts: 1 white on green
Shirtless:
OMG/Extraordinarys:
Higgins Organizations: 1 Anglo Polynesian Servants of the sea
Higgins musings:
Negotiations:
Body Count:
Bullet wounds:
Little Voice:
I know what you’re thinking: 1
When I write HTBAWCPI: 3
Investigator corrections:
4th wall breaks:
Magnumometer: 9

Potential magnumania usernames: Bridget Archer, Vic Stout, Uncle Duke
Magnumometer Moments: https://vimeo.com/379286837

I must have been asleep at the wheel the first time I went through this episode, as I missed a Hawaiian shirt and TWO rules about how to be a world class private investigator. And I discounted the one I did catch to .5 because he didn’t cite writing the book. But there are three clear rules in here, so I’ve adjusted it to a full 3 points.

As I said before, I just found Carol, I mean Bridget, too annoying and obnoxious to enjoy this one much.

And I removed Intra Pacific Imports from the potential username list, as I now know the character limit is 20, so it wouldn't fit.
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#59 Post by SeamanWolfe »

A few random questions.

1) magnum mentions his dad and that he was in the navy. How early was this established? In my head I always thought home from the sea (season 4) was the intro of his dad's story.

2) when entering the Japanese ladies house magnum removes his shoes and hat. Is this a custom/courtesy in the Japanese culture?

3) Kathleen Llyod was billed as special guest star. Was she that famous? What qualifies someone to be special guest star?

All in all a decent episode. Nice to go back and visit almost 40 years later (weird trick of time that pearl harbor was only 40 years ago when the episode aired.

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#60 Post by 80s Big Hair »

SeamanWolfe wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:27 am A few random questions.

1) magnum mentions his dad and that he was in the navy. How early was this established? In my head I always thought home from the sea (season 4) was the intro of his dad's story.

2) when entering the Japanese ladies house magnum removes his shoes and hat. Is this a custom/courtesy in the Japanese culture?

3) Kathleen Llyod was billed as special guest star. Was she that famous? What qualifies someone to be special guest star?

All in all a decent episode. Nice to go back and visit almost 40 years later (weird trick of time that pearl harbor was only 40 years ago when the episode aired.
My answers will not be all that helpful, but I will try.

1) I always just accepted that Magnum came from a Navy family. Looking at the prior episodes titles and thinking about them this may be the first time that this is established.

2) The taking off of shoes is a tradition in parts of Asia including Japan. Taking off your hat when entering a building is a western tradition and I do not know if the Japanese also had this tradition. It was not really followed by the 1980s and it would be curious to see if Magnum has a habit of doing that in other situations.

3) I have no idea what caliber of actor gets considered a guest star. Kathleen Lloyd is only known to me as Magnum's friend Carol (the prosecutor) in later episodes. She was in a lot of things according to IMDb but I do not know if she was considered a "star."

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#61 Post by ENSHealy »

I can't remember if there were any other specific references to Magnum's Navy heritage (father and grandfather) prior to Home from the Sea, where his father dying in Korea is established, but there is definitely one reference that doesn't line up with that back story, which was no doubt established later. In 2.9 Mad Buck Gibson, Magnum talks about his father having taught him a lesson about life and sports when he was a high school baseball player. If his father had died in Korea when TM was 5 years old, obviously that couldn't have happened, so the back story changed over time (as did his mother's first name, if I remember correctly). Here's the scene:

https://vimeo.com/565384131
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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#62 Post by 80s Big Hair »

ENSHealy wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:47 pm I can't remember if there were any other specific references to Magnum's Navy heritage (father and grandfather) prior to Home from the Sea, where his father dying in Korea is established, but there is definitely one reference that doesn't line up with that back story, which was no doubt established later. In 2.9 Mad Buck Gibson, Magnum talks about his father having taught him a lesson about life and sports when he was a high school baseball player. If his father had died in Korea when TM was 5 years old, obviously that couldn't have happened, so the back story changed over time (as did his mother's first name, if I remember correctly). Here's the scene:

https://vimeo.com/565384131
I believe the name confusion is because TM is Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV, making Sullivan a paternal name. Yet in season 8 Forever in Time he gets his psychic skills (little voice in the back of my mind) from his mother's side of the family, the Sullivans. But hey, his mother's maiden name being the same as his middle name (and three other generations TSMs) might be a coincidence. It is a common Irish name. This comes up also in season 7 The Aunt Who Came to Dinner when the aunt was married to TM's Uncle Sully, making him TM's mother's brother.

Heck, depending on the episode TM's birth year changes, so it is best to not delve too deeply into things being iffy in consistency, but that will not stop us because it is fun to do so.

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#63 Post by Pahonu »

SeamanWolfe wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 12:27 am
3) Kathleen Llyod was billed as special guest star. Was she that famous? What qualifies someone to be special guest star?

The special guest star billing was once reserved for well known actors making a guest appearance, particularly film actors appearing on a TV series. In the first decades of TV there was very little crossover between the two. Famous film actors were steered away from TV by their agents. There was a definite hierarchy and perceived harm to one’s career in film for doing television. The same was believed true of appearing in TV commercials. Many early film stars actually did commercials but they aired only outside the US. This began changing in the 70’s and by the 90’s the division was essentially gone. Magnum aired during this period of transition, when a special guest star billing was more about what an actor’s agent could negotiate more than anything.

One well known actor who essentially bucked that trend was James Garner. After a huge TV hit with Maverick in the late 50’s and early 60’s, he moved into film and starred in some major features like Grand Prix and with some big-name film costars. Advised against it, he went back to TV with a single season series called Nichols, and of course, The Rockford Files a few years later. His career continued to thrive. He also did the hugely popular series of Polaroid commercials with Mariette Hartley, and as I said, by the 90’s the film/TV divide was over.
Last edited by Pahonu on Mon Nov 07, 2022 4:06 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#64 Post by 80s Big Hair »

Pahonu wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 1:32 am
The special guest star billing was once reserved for...
Thanks! As I was writing my non-answer regarding star billing I was thinking, "I bet Pahonu would know all about this. He knows all about Hollywood." No joke. That is what I was thinking. That is what I like about this place. People from all sorts of backgrounds provide information and insights. We are all connected by one old TV show though.

ENSHealy figuring out the timeline problem with Magnum not getting scouted out for baseball when it took me plus a GorilaMask to establish that (mostly him) is impressive. In the words of countless drunks throughout history (I am completely sober), "I love you guys."

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Re: Almost Home (3.11)

#65 Post by SeamanWolfe »

Thanks all. Looking at her IMDb Kathleen Llyod was in a few films although mostly tv by the early 80s.

My dad (older than magnum by about a decade) was a stickler for not wearing a hat at the dinner table, but not so much in the house. In the scene the hat coming off as soon as he stepped inside jumped out at me as being different.

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