Distant Relative (4.4)

Rate, review & discuss the episodes from the fourth season

Moderator: Styles Bitchley

How Would You Rate This Episode?

10 (Perfect!)
2
2%
9.5 (One of the Best)
6
6%
9.0 (Excellent)
32
32%
8.5 (Very Good)
37
37%
8.0 (Pretty Good)
12
12%
7.5 (Decent)
5
5%
7.0 (Average at Best)
3
3%
6.5 (Not So Good)
1
1%
6.0 (Pretty Bad)
1
1%
5.0 (Just Awful)
2
2%
 
Total votes: 101

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J.J. Walters
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Distant Relative (4.4)

#1 Post by J.J. Walters »

This is the official MM thread for Distant Relative (4.4). All discussions and reviews for this episode should go here. If you wish to rate the episode, please do so with the poll. The avg. score will be the official 'community rating', which will be used on the episode page (updated monthly).

This thread is also linked in the episode page of the Episode Guide.


Original Air Date: 10/20/1983
Magnum reluctantly agrees to chaperone Rick's prim and proper 22-year-old sister and then finds himself trying to keep up with a wild hellion. The girl goes missing after dragging Magnum to a low-life nightclub, but things take an even more bizarre twist when the police find her murdered in an alley.
Last edited by J.J. Walters on Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Shermy
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#2 Post by Shermy »

Another example of how the show could surprise you with an unexpected punch. Whenever I watch this with someone, they always predict that Wendy will turn out to be a rebellious youth that Magnum will ultimately lose. But once they feel confident of figuring out the plot, the show surprises them by killing Wendy off.

It's an effective twist, not because we lose an unknown character, but because we don't know how it will affect the familiar ones. Selleck does a standout job here, from his gutted reaction when identifying the body to his tearful breakdown with Higgins. I also love his narration about losing both a loved one and the image you had held of them.

And though Rick was never given much to do on the show, Manetti finally got to shine in a terrific showcase for his character. He got to display the goofy side of Rick, as well as the troubled vet that was occasionally hinted at throughout the show's run. The gang's final showdown with the drug dealers is vintage Magnum P.I.-styled action.

This episode also features one of the show's greatest ending scenes, with Magnum's toy airplane dilemma- and ultimate solution- providing some much needed levity. Overall, it's a solid episode that works far better than it probably should, thanks to the excellent chemistry the actors had perfected by this point in the series.

Oh, and where else are you going to see a completely random Carol Channing cameo set in a club named "Tijuana Tokyo"? :lol:

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#3 Post by J.J. Walters »

What a fantastic write-up Shermy! Thank you.

The Carol Channing scene just kills me. As if it's not surreal enough that Magnum is hanging out in a New Wave club, he then bumps into none other than Carol Channing!! LOL! What is she doing there? We don't know, but it's hilarious!

And for goodness sakes, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life as when Magnum pumped that shotgun slug through the fuselage of Higgin's RC plane!

Great episode. One of my favorites!
Last edited by J.J. Walters on Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Higgins: It's not a scratch! It's a bloody gouge!

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#4 Post by eegorr »

James J. Walters wrote:And for goodness sakes, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life when Magnum pumped that shotgun slug through the fuselage of Higgin's RC plane!
Didn't Higgins crash that plane earlier because of inattention while he was in a heated discussion with Magnum, despite Agatha's attempts to warn him about it or was that in another episode?

That was pretty funny, too!

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#5 Post by IslandHopper »

This is one of my favorite episodes from season 4 for all of the reasons stated above. I have a question about Wendy. My understanding is that Wendy really was a "mule" carrying drugs for her boyfriend as indicated by the federal agent, Ice Pick and Magnum, and that Magnum toward the end of the episode tells Rick that Wendy was just an innocent bystander, and really was a "good kid" to make him feel better so he could go on with his life. Right? Magnum was so convincing when he said she was just an innocent bystander, it makes you believe that maybe she wasn't a mule. :?

Additional Flubs for Distant Relative:

1. The two RC planes Higgins and Agatha are flying at the beginning of the episode are not perfect replicas of WWII fighters as stated by Higgins. These two planes are very crude planes and not WWII replicas at all.

2. The RAF (Royal Air Force) plane Higgins is flying that crashes is not the same plane that he is repairing in his study when Magnum comes in and tells him about Wendy. The plane that crashed has a thin fuselage and narrow rectangular wings. However, the plane in Higgins' study, is a replica of either a RAF "Spitfire" or "Hurricane." You will notice the wings on the plane in the study have wide/convex wings that taper and narrow toward the ends.

3. After Magnum arrives at the KKC he is sitting at the Beach Bar with TC, and Rick is behind the bar talking about his sister Wendy and says that "she is innocent." Magnum chuckles, and a you can hear Rick say "well she is." This line of Rick's does not have the same sound quality, and appears to have been looped in post production. In addition, Magnum's next line also appears to have been looped in post production: "how do you know, she's grown up, she lives in Chicago, you havent seen her in ten years."

4. When Rick is talking about the school his sister attended "The Mother of Mercy College for Girls" and explains he sent her there because he said "Chicago's a tough town to grow up in without any parents." However, in Jororo Farewell (season 4), Rick, while at the scrimmage between TC's team and the Jororo team, Magnum accuses Rick of handicapping the game in order to place bets. Rick replies that he is writing down a recipe for veal marsala (or something like that) for his mother. What Mother?

5. Still at the Beach Bar, after Rick says the name of Wendy's school he says "if you're not innocent you don't graduate." Magnum giggles, then Rick says "I'm tellin' ya." This last line of Rick's also appears to have been looped in post production. As he said this line, the camera was still on Magnum.

6. When Rick and Magnum go to Wendy's hotel room looking for her, Rick enters the room and yells "Wendy, Wendy, are you alright, it's Rick, Wendy." Rick then tries to open the bedroom door and jiggles the door knob and even tries unsuccessfully to force it open with his shoulder. He and Magnum break the door down and tumble into the bedroom. After all of this effort and loud noise while yelling for Wendy and trying to break the door down, the guy (federal agent) rummaging through Wendy's drawers :shock: seems oblivious to the racket created by Rick and Magnum, and was surprised when they broke into the room. He then runs out. How could that guy not have heard Rick yelling, and he and Magnum breaking the door down?

7. The first two shots of TC's chopper as he and Magnum are flying to Moloki to find Rick, show it with the skids without the extra fittings (skinny skids). However, the third and fourth shots of the chopper show it with the extra fittings on the skids (fat skids). As the chopper flys over Rick's boat, it does not have the extra fittings (skinny skids).

8. After Rick crashes into the beach shack and starts shooting it up, Magnum appears outside with TC. Magnum stands up first and then TC. As TC stands up he says "yeah Ricks relax." Ricks?

9. As the chopper is chasing the two drug dealers in the jeep, toward the end of the chase, the chopper drops down right behind the jeep and you can just tell that the pilot is wearing a black ski mask.

10. As Rick is firing at the rear of the jeep we see a close-up of the right rear tail light blowing out, then the left tail light and the license plate (MDX 776) is mangled and twisted. However, when the jeep rolls over just before it blows up, you can see the rear license plate (not the same as before) is intact and not damaged.

Toward the end of the episode while Rick, TC and Magnum are at the KKC, Rick is stacking beer cans. The Beer appears to be Tiller Beer and Flagler Beer. I have never heard of either, and don't know if these beers really exist, but thought it was worth noting. We know Magnum drinks Coops and Old Dusseldorf. Now we can add Tiller and Flagler, although it may have been Rick who drank all of the beer.
The answer is obvious, old man. Logic is irrelevant. It's simply Tropical Madness. (J.Q. Higgins)

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#6 Post by J.J. Walters »

As usual, wonderful episode notes & flubs IH! Thanks! :D
Higgins: It's not a scratch! It's a bloody gouge!

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#7 Post by MPS »

Thought this episode was great. Loved the way it showed the significance of the TM, Rick, TC friendships.

Found a possible flub in the episode. It's my first, so it could be off. :) As Rick is firing at the jeep from the chopper, the long shots have him positioned halfway outside the chopper, as he fires the SMG. During Rick's closeups, he is shooting from the inside, situated back in the seat, with both feet inside.

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#8 Post by Jodykmg365 »

I think this is the first time I saw the back of the house and the wall. I loved it so much I had to keep going back to watch it again.

I don't know if it was real or not, but that was some fancy helicoptor flying!!!

The actress who played Wendy was really good in this episode. Rick was really overbearing, but I felt really sorry for him in the end. :cry:

Also, he tells Magnum that he needs to get out of the KKC because he is not a member there. Well yeah, he shouldn't have ever been there in the first place.

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#9 Post by Italian Ice »

I just watched this one for the first time in a few years, and is one of my favorites of the Rick-Centric episodes. Also, is it me or is Higgins smiling before the credits kick in after Magnum blows his plane out of the sky?


Some of these quotes made me smile:

1.
TM: "I'll remember Orvie" (after hearing that Wendy calls Rick by that name.)

2.
Rick: "The closest thing she's come to alcohol was sacramental wine"
(Then Wendy orders something called a Bora Gora Bazooka! That sounds strong!)

3.
TM: "Maybe we can catch the last half of Bambie. Thumper might still be alive."

4.
TM: "All I saw was....Carol Channing"
Rick: "At the movies!?"
Last edited by Italian Ice on Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
Higgins: " Dispatch the pig!!! "

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#10 Post by IKnowWhatYoureThinking »

James J. Walters wrote:And for goodness sakes, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life as when Magnum pumped that shotgun slug through the fuselage of Higgin's RC plane!
Great episode, and I laughed hysterically when that happened!

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#11 Post by AJL »

I love how when they're visiting Ice Pick in the supposed hot sauna, the two gorillas with the guns are just standing there with all their clothes on, not breaking a sweat.
Was vaccinated with a phonograph needle one summer break
Same summer that I kissed her on her daddy's boat
And shot across the lake
Singing all the way...
Oh I say mama
Living Ain't a luxury
Oh I say mama
And a lil' ain't enough for me

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#12 Post by Steve »

What struck me as funny about this episode was that they were able to cast so many Flock of Seagull wannabees in Oahu for the Tijuana Tokyo scene (I know, it was the eighties, but come on). Also, how would you like to have been cast as an extra in that scene, then trying to explain to your kids 20 years later the skin tight hot red spandex pants that prominently feature your "bits"........LOL!

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#13 Post by J.J. Walters »

Heh! Things would get even more tough as you try to explain why Carol Channing was on the set! :)
Higgins: It's not a scratch! It's a bloody gouge!

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#14 Post by brunoffrance »

As usual, on sundays now, the complete familly ( 8 around the table ) voted 9... Great episode with hilarous actions (higgins' planes) and great Terry and his copter show as we were seeing "Apocalyspe now" movie; nearly incredible in the trees but we know how Terry is great when he wants...
First time I note TM crying and it was really well made... i was with him...
Unbelievible situation between Rick and TM with lot of abusive terms that can shock minds in this kind of series but it's the reality life in a such disastrous situation ( death of the Rick's sister).
Here is my point of view ( and my familly).

Bruno.
Very american 4 a french...

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#15 Post by Jay-Firestorm »

For some reason, I never fully warmed to this episode when I first saw it some years ago, but re-watching it now, I find it a really good one!

[rating=9.5]

Rick persuades Thomas to escort his younger sister Wendy, who he believes to be prim and innocent, for an evening. But Magnum quickly learns there is much more to Wendy than Rick believes, and soon after, she is found dead. A very good episode…

-----

This review contains spoilers.

‘Distant Relative’ (working title: ‘Little Sister’) is a very good fourth season MPI episode, and a definite step up from the previous story, ‘Smaller Than Life’.

It starts off with a classic scene with Magnum being awoken at dawn by Higgins and Agatha flying model World War II aeroplanes outside the guest house. For a story that will take us on a rollercoaster ride of emotion, it is a nice scene of comedy before the main plot kicks in.

From the off, I knew Rick would be wrong in believing how prim and proper his sister Wendy is. The sequence of her evening with Magnum is both dramatic and comical (I love T.M. awkwardly trying to fit in at the discotheque, even attempting to dance as he crosses the floor, before wisely thinking better of it)!

As Magnum looks for the missing Wendy, he bumps into Carol Channing. Okay… I’ll admit it, I have no idea who she is. Must be an American thing (I’m a Brit!). But, reading up on this episode, the people who know of her seem to love this scene.

The story is the second Rick-based episode in a row, and is finally one that gives Larry Manetti something to get his teeth into. Although I must say, I did find him to overact at times, even in the scenes before Wendy was killed.

The episode is also notable for featuring both the characters of D.A. Carol Baldwin, and of retired mobster ‘Ice Pick’, played by their regular actors for the first time.
Carol had appeared in the third season episode ‘Foiled Again’ played by a different actress; after playing a different character in season three’s ‘Almost Home’, Kathleen Lloyd takes over the role for the rest of the series from here on.
Likewise, Ice Pick had been played by a different actor in the third season’s ‘Past Tense’; Elisha Cook, after playing another character in season two’s ‘Ghost Writer’ (everybody keeping up??), takes over the role of Ice Pick for the rest of the series.
Both characters would go on to make a number more appearances.

The episode also marks some great acting by Tom Selleck; I really felt sorry for T.M. as Rick laid into him for the death of Wendy. Watching the episode of DVD, I noticed a tear running down his face as Magnum broke down in the study.

The story plays out very well, and kept me gripped throughout. But like all good MPI stories, it has some good humour mixed in, with some very funny lines, but managing not to spoil the serious tale at hand.

It is fun to see Manetti become ‘Rambo Rick’! The climax, with T.C.’s chopper chasing the real killers in the escaping Jeep, is well shot and very exciting, even if it does rather turn into an episode of ‘The A-Team’ (which is no bad thing, as I love ‘The A-Team’!).

Another nice touch to the series is that, after so many ‘old friend’ who would die in a particular episode and never be mentioned again, Wendy is mentioned several times in future stories.

And then, there is the final scene, mirroring the first one, where Magnum is again awoken by Higgins’ model plane. He finally has enough and shoots it down with a shotgun! Classic Magnum.

When I first saw this episode some years ago, I thought it was fair but not one of my favourites; coming to re-watch it again now, I really like it. Probably one of the best of the season.

-----

Other notes, bloopers and misc.:

* I know it’s not on the DVD, but I wonder if it’s been verified that this episode has no opening trailer? When Five ran the series in 2002-3, the opening trailers for all episodes were cut off, so I can’t compare to those recordings. But I do know that on various DVD releases of ‘Knight Rider’ and ‘The A-Team’, some opening trailers are removed for reasons unknown.

* The DVD version of this episode has the first commercial break abridged (i.e. plays right through without a gap).

* Nitpick: at the Police station, the Officer gives the broken hot drinks machine a tap on the side, explaining to Magnum that the “humidity makes the cups stick”. But there cup comes out from the left hand side of the machine, whereas the Officer taps it on the right; surely he’d have to tap it on the left?

* In the final scene, when Magnum shoots Higgins’ model plane down, if you pause (freeze frame) just before the plane explodes, you can see that in this shot it is actually a bi-plane; I believe this shot to be taken from the third season episode ‘Of Sound Mind’.

* On the closing credits, the shots of the final sequence (mentioned above) are edited differently – we see Magnum taking aim with the shotgun and firing; these shots were not used in the actual episode.

* When Five broadcast this episode in 2002, Rick’s line (from when he finds the two agents searching the hut) of “Don’t give me that crap, you killed her!” was edited down to just “…you killed her!”. Another example of how sometimes they’d leave such a word in, and other times edit it out!
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