Bruno,
Did you change your avatar? I love the swatch of the parrot shirt print fabric for your avatar! Well done.
golf
Home From the Sea (4.1)
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golfmobile
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Jay-Firestorm
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Woohoo, the forth season already. And it opens with my single most favourite episode from the entire show’s run!
[rating=10]
It is the 4th of July, and Magnum is spending it alone out at sea on his surf ski. But when a speedboat causes his surf ski to capsize, he finds himself stuck out in the middle of the ocean – and nobody knows he’s there. My all-time favourite episode…
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This review contains spoilers.
Along comes the fourth season, and to open it, one of the series’ all-time classic episodes, and deservedly popular amongst fans.
The notion of Magnum being stuck out at sea is a gripping one, and perfectly executed. I believe that, even compared today’s television, it stands as one of the most unique hours of American television ever produced.
It is one of just handful of MPI episodes with absolutely no villains, and solely revolves around Magnum desperately trying to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, Higgins, T.C. and Rick are all doing their own things for Independence Day, none aware of Magnum’s desperate peril. But one by one, they start to get gut feelings that something is wrong. In any lesser written series, I’m not sure this would have worked, but in MPI, where we have learnt to understand the characters and the bond they share, it works perfectly.
Magnum’s father is played by Robert Pine, who had just finished playing Sergeant Getraer in another US favourite, “CHiPs” (1977-1983). As Magnum’s plight at sea continues, the story unfolds about his relationship with his father, and what happened to him.
To tie in with it, we learn why Magnum likes to spend the 4th of July alone, something that would be touched upon again later in the series.
We also get a couple of flashbacks to his wedding and later reunion with Michelle (explained in the second season’s excellent feature-length / two-part ‘Memories Are Forever’). As I’ve said before, the show’s flair for continuity, in an era where many such shows effectively hit the reset button after each episode, is one of the things that makes the show still stand up all these years later.
And then there’s ‘Herman’, the shark that bumps Magnum’s leg. The scene plays out both dramatic and slightly humorously, with Magnum’s dialogue to the shark, at the same time; again, the scene is flawless.
I remember the first time I ever saw this episode. I had no clue what the story would be about, and I was gripped from start to end. And unlike some stories, it holds up just as well on repeat viewings.
Although it doesn’t feature any bad guys or many of the show’s usual traits, I would say that this is a great introductory episode for anyone watching the series for the first time.
I find it very hard to find a single flaw with this episode. Granted, a couple of the scenes of Rick and his girlfriend on the yacht may be slightly corny, but in such a powerful episode, it is hardly noticeable.
The episode was revisited of sorts in the seventh season episode ‘Solo Flight’, complete with another Herman. I’ll get to review that episode in due course, but nothing can touch the greatness of ‘Home From The Sea’.
Overall… a couple of others come close, but ‘Home From The Sea’ will probably always be my single most favourite episode from the entire show’s run. It can’t be beaten. And the images of Magnum stuck out of sea will always be haunting.
-----
Other notes, bloopers and misc.:
* For the new season, the opening trailer theme is rerecorded once again. As with all other versions, it will be used in a number of different edits.
The opening credits stay the same as of the third season.
* Unless my eyes are playing tricks, the very first shot of Magnum on his surf ski is clearly not Tom Selleck, but a double.
* Shots of the sea, especially directly before and after Magnum is knocked from his surf ski, vary in different shots. In some, it is much more choppier than others, and the sky and weather seems to change a lot too.
* And as has already been mentioned of the forum, Robert Pine’s son Chris is now Captain Kirk!
I wonder if anyone has any background as to how this episode was filmed? Did they use a tank? (I think they might have for the night scenes). If not, how far out at sea did they film it? I’d be really interested to know.
[rating=10]
It is the 4th of July, and Magnum is spending it alone out at sea on his surf ski. But when a speedboat causes his surf ski to capsize, he finds himself stuck out in the middle of the ocean – and nobody knows he’s there. My all-time favourite episode…
-----
This review contains spoilers.
Along comes the fourth season, and to open it, one of the series’ all-time classic episodes, and deservedly popular amongst fans.
The notion of Magnum being stuck out at sea is a gripping one, and perfectly executed. I believe that, even compared today’s television, it stands as one of the most unique hours of American television ever produced.
It is one of just handful of MPI episodes with absolutely no villains, and solely revolves around Magnum desperately trying to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, Higgins, T.C. and Rick are all doing their own things for Independence Day, none aware of Magnum’s desperate peril. But one by one, they start to get gut feelings that something is wrong. In any lesser written series, I’m not sure this would have worked, but in MPI, where we have learnt to understand the characters and the bond they share, it works perfectly.
Magnum’s father is played by Robert Pine, who had just finished playing Sergeant Getraer in another US favourite, “CHiPs” (1977-1983). As Magnum’s plight at sea continues, the story unfolds about his relationship with his father, and what happened to him.
To tie in with it, we learn why Magnum likes to spend the 4th of July alone, something that would be touched upon again later in the series.
We also get a couple of flashbacks to his wedding and later reunion with Michelle (explained in the second season’s excellent feature-length / two-part ‘Memories Are Forever’). As I’ve said before, the show’s flair for continuity, in an era where many such shows effectively hit the reset button after each episode, is one of the things that makes the show still stand up all these years later.
And then there’s ‘Herman’, the shark that bumps Magnum’s leg. The scene plays out both dramatic and slightly humorously, with Magnum’s dialogue to the shark, at the same time; again, the scene is flawless.
I remember the first time I ever saw this episode. I had no clue what the story would be about, and I was gripped from start to end. And unlike some stories, it holds up just as well on repeat viewings.
Although it doesn’t feature any bad guys or many of the show’s usual traits, I would say that this is a great introductory episode for anyone watching the series for the first time.
I find it very hard to find a single flaw with this episode. Granted, a couple of the scenes of Rick and his girlfriend on the yacht may be slightly corny, but in such a powerful episode, it is hardly noticeable.
The episode was revisited of sorts in the seventh season episode ‘Solo Flight’, complete with another Herman. I’ll get to review that episode in due course, but nothing can touch the greatness of ‘Home From The Sea’.
Overall… a couple of others come close, but ‘Home From The Sea’ will probably always be my single most favourite episode from the entire show’s run. It can’t be beaten. And the images of Magnum stuck out of sea will always be haunting.
-----
Other notes, bloopers and misc.:
* For the new season, the opening trailer theme is rerecorded once again. As with all other versions, it will be used in a number of different edits.
The opening credits stay the same as of the third season.
* Unless my eyes are playing tricks, the very first shot of Magnum on his surf ski is clearly not Tom Selleck, but a double.
* Shots of the sea, especially directly before and after Magnum is knocked from his surf ski, vary in different shots. In some, it is much more choppier than others, and the sky and weather seems to change a lot too.
* And as has already been mentioned of the forum, Robert Pine’s son Chris is now Captain Kirk!
I wonder if anyone has any background as to how this episode was filmed? Did they use a tank? (I think they might have for the night scenes). If not, how far out at sea did they film it? I’d be really interested to know.
JAY FIRESTORM
Facebook: Jay Gathergood / Twitter: Jay_Firestorm NEW BLOG: http://thea-teamcaptured.blogspot.com/
My A-Team site - http://thea-team.org aiming to be the most detailed A-Team site on the Net - if I ever get around to updating it!!
Facebook: Jay Gathergood / Twitter: Jay_Firestorm NEW BLOG: http://thea-teamcaptured.blogspot.com/
My A-Team site - http://thea-team.org aiming to be the most detailed A-Team site on the Net - if I ever get around to updating it!!
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Frodoleader
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yes if i find the time for watching it!
4th of July is for Magnum-maniacs like christmas for catholics
4th of July is for Magnum-maniacs like christmas for catholics
Agatha: Why does he always do that, Jonathan?
Higgins: I don't know, Agatha. I think sometimes our creator is testing me. Indeed it could be for no other reason. If i thought otherwise i believe i truly would go irrevocably irretrievably mad!
Higgins: I don't know, Agatha. I think sometimes our creator is testing me. Indeed it could be for no other reason. If i thought otherwise i believe i truly would go irrevocably irretrievably mad!
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lutherhgillis
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Estate resident
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J.J. Walters
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I watched this episode again last night (I've obviously just re-started the 4th season) and it amazes me everytime I watch this episode, and I've watched it a lot, how heavy the emotional impact of the ending is on me. I literally cry like a baby at the end and I'm not ashamed to admit that.
One of the things that struck me think back on this episode when it originally aired, is the fact that there were almost no tv shows that had any emotional investment whatsoever. The only obvious one to me was M*A*S*H but that one took years to establish any kind of emotional attachment to any of the characters. Magnum seem to do it by the beginning of the second season (Memories Are Forever). Magnum is/was way ahead of it's time in that regards. By far most of the tv programming back then was just entertainment, virtually devoid of any emotional commitment by the viewers. Magnum really changed all that. And I think that is the main ingredient that made the series so enchanting. This episode also illustrated, quite startlingly, just how good the writing for M.P.I. could be.
BTW J.J., I think you're wrong. Those 2 guys in the "Hot And Heavy" WERE the bad guys/villains! They purposefully ran too close to Thomas and also harrassed the K.K.2!
YOU TURKEYS!!!!
One of the things that struck me think back on this episode when it originally aired, is the fact that there were almost no tv shows that had any emotional investment whatsoever. The only obvious one to me was M*A*S*H but that one took years to establish any kind of emotional attachment to any of the characters. Magnum seem to do it by the beginning of the second season (Memories Are Forever). Magnum is/was way ahead of it's time in that regards. By far most of the tv programming back then was just entertainment, virtually devoid of any emotional commitment by the viewers. Magnum really changed all that. And I think that is the main ingredient that made the series so enchanting. This episode also illustrated, quite startlingly, just how good the writing for M.P.I. could be.
BTW J.J., I think you're wrong. Those 2 guys in the "Hot And Heavy" WERE the bad guys/villains! They purposefully ran too close to Thomas and also harrassed the K.K.2!
YOU TURKEYS!!!!
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robspace54
- Vice Admiral
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I just bought Seasons 4 and 5 at FYE at a 60% discount. So this episode, as always, packs a punch. For me it is one of the top 5 or 10 Magnum shows. The flashback scenes are all tied into the present with clever words or pictures. Bellasario wrote this so it is very well done.
But why in the world didn't Rick start a search pattern? Oh well - more dramatic to have Higgins jump from TC's chopper, while Rick twiddles, er, thumbs, and then the whole gang is there.
Per the chess scene with Higgy and Agatha, she says something like "the white knight always comes to the rescue." That's Higgins with the life belt!
Rob
But why in the world didn't Rick start a search pattern? Oh well - more dramatic to have Higgins jump from TC's chopper, while Rick twiddles, er, thumbs, and then the whole gang is there.
Per the chess scene with Higgy and Agatha, she says something like "the white knight always comes to the rescue." That's Higgins with the life belt!
Rob
Sometimes I get so lucky, even I don`t believe it.
I might save that episode until Christmas, I haven't seen it yet, but it's coming up. One other episode I watch at Christmas is the one from starsky and hutch season 2, I think it's called little girl lost, where hutch is the grinch and thinks christmas is all a bunch of "Pseudo sentimentalist something..."Frodoleader wrote:Today is the 4th of July - anyone planning to watch this episode?
(Operation Silent Night has become standard Christmas fare for my familt. Maybe we can make this epsiode standard viewing on the 4th).
And Robspace, I didn't catch that, nice job.
"Burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me."