Luther Gillis: File #521 (4.2)

[Jay-Firestorm]

The second review of double review Friday. I quite like the character of Luther, but found the actual case rather dull.

[rating=8.0]

Magnum finds himself working on the same case as old-school St. Louis P.I., Luther H. Gillis, as they search for a runaway teenage girl. But can they get along for long enough to crack the case? An average story raised by some humorous moments…

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This review contains spoilers.

After the all-time classic 'Home From the Sea', anything was going to be a comedown, but I find this episode mixed at best.

It marks the first of a number of appearances of Eugene Roche as St. Louis private eye Luther H. Gillis. The character seems to split fans – some love him, some loathe him. Personally, I don't mind him too much, and found myself warming to him more in subsequent appearances.

Roche certainly puts in an amusing performance as Gillis, but I found the story itself rather dull and hard to really get into. Thankfully, it is saved from being a truly terrible episode by some amusing scenes and moments; Tom Selleck and Roche bounce well off of each other, and is no doubt the reason that Luther would be brought back so many times in the future.
Saying that, the story still sags in places, and winds up as average at best.

A shorter review than usual from me for this one, simply because I don't have much more to say about it. It is watchable, but hardly one of the greats of the season, or the series overall.

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Other bloopers, notes and misc.:

* After getting Rick and Higgins to always take messages from him, Magnum finally has his own answerphone from this episode onwards (though it’s hinted that he may have stolen it from Rick!). One early first season episode made mention of him having an answerphone, but it quickly disappeared.

* I’m terrible at identifying cars, but am I correct in that saying from the fourth season onwards, a later model Ferrari was used? (Or was it the fifth season? I’m sure they changed it at some point).

* The DVD version of this episode has all of the commercial breaks abridged.

[Jay-Firestorm]

One thing I forgot to mention: When Five broadcast this episode in 2002, in the scene where Magnum and Luther are in the prison cells for the second time, they partly edited the scene of the other cell inmate trying to hang himself.

It suddenly cut from the inmate being on his bed, to around the floor with the sheet around his neck.

Given they they often edited hanging-related moments (and was possibly the reason they skipped the second season's 'Billy Joe Bob'), it's maybe surprising that they didn't edit the scene even more.

[Donuts ensucrats]

Amazing Luther wearing the beautiful orange hawaiian shirt!!

[gmt16750]

i posted on youtube a bad video (first generation iphone recording...) of one of my favorite Higgins' quotes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXdmutp8uoI

[MACattack]

They should do a big screen movie about LUTHER GILLIS. Doubt anybody will go see it though!

[sack]

me at least!

What a hilarious episode, I stumbled about it a few days ago and had to watch it till the end. Luther's monologues are epic.

[zebra3]

This episode felt so much like good natured but frustrating filler. The Luther character was annoying from the start, the story was bland like an unripe banana, and all the great banter between the regular cast was cut out or undeveloped. When "Psych"did a flash to the future episode "Viagra falls" it was funny and fresh, this not so much. I'd say I hope they don't bring Luther back, but it sounds like they do.

[AmandaByNight]

I always like Eugene Roche as Luther. He's so funny and has this bitter kidn of face that is so utterly lovable. Wonderful actor. I remember him on SOAP as well.

I remember my father really liked the Luther episodes. I mean, we both loved Magnum, but he got a real kick out of Luther, which might influence my love him, but overall, I think he was a great addition to Magnum!

[steveadl]

I really like Luther Gillis episodes. His speeches are great, and just like his confidence and no crap attitude/ignorance.

"STOP YELLING!"

[steveadl]

In jail after being arrested the second time, and in Tanaka's office, TM is wearing the olive green military shirt, and Chronosport watch. In the next scene (supposedly right after being released from jail) Luther and TM are in the Ferrari, and TM is wearing a white, banded collar dress shirt, and the Rolex GMT. Logic would beg the questions, Where did he get a change of clothes, and since the police hauled them in, how did he get the Ferrari?

I don't think it's a flub. It happens a few times throughout the series. I don't think anything in the scene indicates they just left prison - I take it as it was later that day.

[robspace54]

"Who's Dot Matrix and what has she got to do with this?" One of the best guest star lines...

I always liked anything that Eugene Roche was in!

[nha trang]

I have to admit when I first saw any of these Luther Gillis episodes, I kind of well had the tendency to hate them. I don't think I was paying enough attention to exactly what Luther says, because it is actually quite humorous, his quips and his burned out faded wardrobe and everything. If you don't like these, give them another chance to operate as comedy.

[Styles Bitchley]

"Who's Dot Matrix and what has she got to do with this?" One of the best guest star lines...

Mel Brooks even swiped the play on words for the Joan Rivers character in Spaceballs!

[Honolulu Lulu]

"Who's Dot Matrix and what has she got to do with this?"

This funny line is from the second Luther episode, not this first one.

But the scenes with Magnum and Luther are so hilarious and memorable that I had forgotten the scene where Higgins is teaching Kung Foo to a bunch of Blue Hairs at the estate. Agatha is especially funny in her outfit and with her moves. When the scene climaxes with Luther decking one of the ladies as she attempts to demonstrate a move using him as a target, the reaction from everyone is priceless!

But correct me if I'm wrong . . . as Luther later walks past the ladies to leave the estate, there is a woman wearing a bandage on her forehead, pressumably to patch where Luther punched her. But the bandage is on the wrong woman! Check it out and let me know if it's just me or if this is a flub.

[MaiTaiMan]

The character of Luther Gillis irritated the heck out of me! He was a loud-mouthed, fat, slob that tried to be a very bad immitation of a Bogie-styled P.I. from the 1940's. I love Bogie...but I'm sorry, Gillis sucks!

The only thing that somewhat saved this with me is the plotline that this girl that Gillis and Magnum are searching for is really Luther's daughter. But, the rest of it is pretty silly and ridiculous.