Luther Gillis: File #521 (4.2)

J.J. Walters · Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject: Luther Gillis: File #521 (4.2)

This is the official MM thread for Luther Gillis: File #521 (4.2). 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: 10/6/1983
You can't teach an old detective new tricks, but Magnum does find that teaming up with veteran Private Eye Luther H. Gillis has its benefits in his most recent kidnapping case. Unfortunately, both men are arrested on suspicion of murder when they stumble upon a dead drug dealer in a seedy motel room.

N1095A · Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:22 am Post subject:

While in jail after being arrested at the cockfight, a funny exchange between Luther and TM takes place reminicent of the Three Stooges. Luther is on the bottom bunk yelling at TM who is suffering from a headache on the top bunk. TM leans over to yell back at Luther, and then jumps back on the bunk crushing Luther's fingers because he had his hand between the springs and frame of the top bunk.

After losing the car that was tailing them, there is an interesting scene with the Ferrari sitting in a traffic jam among (averege) cars from the period, and 20-30 year-old junkers. It sort of proves Luther's point when he told TM that he "Stands out like King Kong on the Empire State Building".

For the first half of the episode TM wears the Chronosport watch, After Tanaka releases them from jail for the second time, he's wearing the Rolex GMT.

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?

_________________
"But Higgins, I can explain."

lutherhgillis · Fleet Admiral Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 528

I like the 'Luther' episodes. Not only do I like the absurdity of the character and his flaws, I also like the way Magnum seems to be afraid he is viewing his future when he looks at Luther. The Three Stooges style of slap stick is also very funny. Tanaka is great as usual. MPI had some very good occasional actors that really lifted the show in places where it could have suffered otherwise: Mac, Tanaka, Maggie, Agatha, Kika.

IslandHopper · Master Flub Spotter Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 729

Doc Ibold · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

At first, I didn't like the Luther Gillis episodes AT ALL.

But now the more I watch them, the more I like them.

Especially the juxtaposition of Luther as a foil for Magnum.

A terrific example of the quality of writing on the show.

IslandHopper · Master Flub Spotter Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 729

The one thing I always wondered about this episode was the title, "File #521." I was under the impression that Luther had been a PI for about 40 years (after WWII). Thus, it would seem that in 40 years he would have had more than 521 cases. That would average out to be about 13 cases per year. You would think that Luther would have had more than 13 cases per year, considering that he had a partner (Chucky) for 10 years of that time. Confused

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The answer is obvious, old man. Logic is irrelevant. It's simply Tropical Madness. (J.Q. Higgins)

Doc Ibold · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

Well, we're also looking at this compared to the sheer volume of cases Magnum gets.

However, you need to consider that Magnum has his cases, and then there's the stuff he does for Higgins/TC/Rick/Robin Masters which aren't technically "cases", but still require him to use his investigave prowess.

Examples:

Rick: Distant Relative
TC: Under World
Higgins: Tropical Madness
Robin: J. Digger Doyle, or even THIS episode

So, Magnum has a lot more cases, but most of them happen to be circumstantial.

So, 13 cases a year doesn't seem TOO bad, assuming that most cases take a month or so to complete...

Steve · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

I loved the Luther H. Gillis episodes as well, they were all some of my favorites, everytime Luther calls Higgins, The Butler, I crack up.
I recall when the series originally ran, and there was a big build up for the final episode with talk of many of the recurring characters appearing, being very dissapointed that there was no sign of Luther. Oh well, he lives on in the reruns!

Steve
Chicago

J.J. Walters · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

This is my favorite Luther episode. I love how Magnum is somewhat woozy (with a pounding headache) throughout most of the episode after having a bullet graze his forehead! It makes for some truly hilarious scenes later on.

http://magnum-mania.com/Video/Luther_Gillis_PI.html

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Higgins: It's not a scratch! It's a bloody gouge!

Italian Ice · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:46 am Post subject:

This is one of the episodes that I haven't seen yet, just finished watching it....

One question I have is why would the driver that hit Luther and has their windshield crack simply drive away? Either he felt guilty or didn't want a hit and run charge. Not easy to see out of a cracked windshield either....

Also, too bad they didn't show a gun fight with Magnum and Luther vs Artie Canoe and his cronies! All you could hear was a barrage of bullets while Rick and TC were tied and gagged....

_________________
Higgins: Dispatch the pig!!!

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