Forty (7.17)

[J.J. Walters]

This is the official MM thread for Forty (7.17). 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: 2/11/1987
With the big 4-0 looming around the corner, Magnum is concerned that the loss of his lucky $2 bill will hinder him in the investigation of a top-secret arms smuggling case.

[Frodoleader]

You know, the thing about this episode (other than Patrice Martinez... ) that really got my attention, was TC's behavior. When they wanted to go to the strip club, I had to admire TC and his desire to avoid such a place. While I am no prude, places like that never interested me. Good man TC!

[J.J. Walters]

Another great Season Seven episode with lots of fun and exciting scenes! Gorilla masks are spotted. Any time you see a Gorilla mask you know it's going to be a good episode.

It's good to see James Hong, one of the most prolific and well-recognized Asian-American character actors, finally get into a Magnum episode. He's always fun to watch.

And then there is Linda Lee Ellison (Patrice Martinez)! Easily one of the most beautiful ladies ever to grace the screen on MPI!





Great ending too, with Magnum calling up his mom (and Gwen Verdon returning).

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

[Danno]

[Doc Ibold]

[lutherhgillis]

The intro shot of TC with a long neck (Coops?) was from the pilot. I read somewhere that Glen Larson's original plan was to have all of the characters live in LA and have a much harder edge to their personalities. I guess some of that made it into the pilot.

Universal bought the MPI concept but hired Bellesario to take over and remake everything. The Hawaiian setting and the softer side to the characters was part of the makeover.

We now know that, without the makeover and setting change, MPI would have been just another LA-based detective show...

[Carmen]

I`m confused here. Think they kind of missed a day in the plot.
Magnum told Lee he found her earring "last night" when they have coffee together. But after the night with Rick and T.C. where he lost his 2-dollar-bill (day 1)we saw him following Lee, doing the surf ski race, watching her again and so on(day 2), and then he woke up 7.00 a.m. cause Higgins turn on the music in his livingroom (day 3) and it was then when he meet her again in Chinatown and had coffee with her. Am I wrong or they??

_________________
Sometimes I get so lucky, even I don`t believe it (TSM)

[N1095A]

Interesting, the Surfski race was called "Countdown to Forty, The Magnum four-mile". Also, he did the race with a sack full of beers bungee strapped to his surfski.

...and Carmen, I think you're right.

_________________
"But Higgins, I can explain."

[IKnowWhatYoureThinking]

I think you are correct as well Carmen, and doing a surf ski race with a full sack of beer is the only way to go!

[IslandHopper]

This was always one of my favorite episodes mainly because I thought Patrice Martinez was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. I do have a couple of questions, and maybe I missed it, but when Magnum, Rick and TC are coming out of the Wo Fat's and we see the Chinese celebration. Is this supposed to be the Chinese New Year celebration? I ask because I believe the Chinese New Year typically takes place in January or February. As far as I can remember, MPI has identified at least three different dates for Magnum's birthday: August 8, 1944 in Try To Remember; January 5, 1946 in Memories Are Forever; and May 7, 1947 in Blood & Honor. I know there are problems with the years (1944; 1946 ad 1947) that were used for Magnum's birthday. But, what month was this episode supposed to take place (January; May or August)? The episode aired on February 11, 1987. Surely the Chinese celebration wasn't for Magnum's benefit like the rigged surf-ski race.

The second question is for RC if he has the time. How far is it from the finish line of the surf-ski race (KKC) to Linda Lee Ellison's house on the beach on Kahala Avenue (where Magnum paddles to following the race). Not really important, but it would be interesting to see how far Magnum would have paddled to scope out that babe on the beach.

A flub of sorts takes place during the gun fight between the SWAT Team and the bad guys at the temple. One of the SWAT members fires his M-16 A1 twice (single shot each time) at the bad guys in the temple. It sounded more like a hunting rifle, but was definitely not an M-16.

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