Great review nha trang. I can always dig a little existential analysis of Magnum (I'll have to dust off my Kierkegaard tomes from the bookshelf - they haven't seen much action since my angst-riddled teens!).nha trang wrote:The other impression this episode made on me is due to the comparison/contrast between Magnum PI and Jean Claude Fournier (forgive me if I spell his name incorrectly). In the climactic scene, Magnum interrupts Jean Claude's murderous act of vengeance - retribution, and we the viewer become privy to the contrast of the French hero's existential ethics vs. the American hero's (Magnum's) existential ethics. While both are heroes in their own way, Magnum embodies the American sense of ethics/justice, in that he (notably, he is accompanied throughout the episode by Carol in her professional role) prefers a more formal justice to be obtained (and I reach when I say "Justice" because I know he insinuates what will people think of Jean Claude for such a murderous, wanton act of retribution? But is not the judgement we pass on ourselves via our conscience, our "little voice," the ultimate judgement that we are borne to suffer as terrestrial beings)?
One thing I take issue with though is when you say that in this episode "Magnum embodies the American sense of ethics/justice." Isn't it actually the opposite? My impression of American values on justice - at least when they resonate through pop culture - is a celebration of the vigilante. I'm thinkin' John Wayne, Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood, etc.