Resolutions (2) (8.13)

[TSMIV]

Hi all,

I’ve just finished watching Resolutions (Parts 1 and Parts 2) and felt compelled to share some thoughts with the only folk would understand where I was coming from - my fellow Magnum Maniacs!

Like many of the other posters to this thread, I had never watched ‘Resolutions’ before - I started university in 1988 and, with the benefit of hindsight, can only guess that I must have been consumed with other priorities at the time (how young, foollsh and misguided I must have been back then ). Accordingly, I was a little nervous when I loaded the DVD into the TV on Friday night - what would be the conclusion to my favourite show of all time?

I won’t venture into the territory of debating my ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ of the final episode - I could not do justice to the thoughtful, insightful and eloquently articulated missives of many of the earlier posts in this thread.

However, I will comment on the absolutely amazing emotional resonance that this show still holds for me 30 years after it last aired - an emotional resonance that was only reinforced by the ‘Resolutions’ I have no idea as to the drivers of this ongoing emotional attachment - maybe it’s the fond memories of the Saturday night ritual of watching the show with my late Mum and Dad, maybe it was Magnum’s escapist ability to transport me way from any pangs of teenage angst or concerns about whether I would do in my final exams. Alternately, the emotional resonance may have sprang from far more superficial drivers - my envy of Magnum’s idyllic tropical lifestyle, his snazzy car and his beautiful girlfriends! All that I can say with certainty is that I continue to love this show to this day.

Thus endeth my clumsy analysis of the beneficial impact of MPI on my psychological well being

[Gatchaman]

Greetings! I’m sure this has been discussed but I cannot find it. In the final scene with the TV remote, does the tag on the uniform say MAGNUM or SELLECK?

Thanks.

[brianw]

Sad..... although the show had pretty much run its course, I hate seeing things like that end, as the show was a HUGE part of my childhood. I did not particularly like the finale, but was glad to see a more happy ending (I think) as opposed to TM's death. The bar fight scene was probably the last great comedic moment.

I don't know what else to say about it, it left me feeling a bit empty.

[T.Q.]

Never commented on the finale.

I remain disappointed in the episodes.

A rare 7.5 (Decent)

For many of the reasons others here expressed so won't rehash.

Quite frankly, the last 4 episodes of the series have always been bit disappointing and unfulfilling to me.

[80s Big Hair]

Quite frankly, the last 4 episodes of the series have always been bit disappointing and unfulfilling to me.

That tends to be true about most TV shows at the end of its run. Magnum, P.I. was especially prone to this because it had already been cancelled after the seventh season. Season eight was a sort of bonus season because people did not like how season seven ended. There really was not much incentive to make season eight great, other than pride in your work.

[LZeitgeist]

[quote="Gatchaman"]Greetings! I’m sure this has been discussed but I cannot find it. In the final scene with the TV remote, does the tag on the uniform say MAGNUM or SELLECK?

Thanks.[/quote]

Just finished watching my DVD boxed set on a 4K UHD player on a 50" 4K TV, and while there was only a single word on his engraved nametag, there was not enough recorded resolution to tell either way. It was a fuzzy, white blur.

Perhaps a remastered Blu-ray edition will show enough detail to finally know for sure.

[Gearhard]

Commenting on a couple items:
- Why bring in Captain (Grandpa) Magnum? Because he is the ghost of Christmas Future. If TSM IV doesn't change his ways, he will become like the Captain. Standing up friends on appointments, running away from commitments, and globe trotting for no apparent reason except to escape a previous relationship.

- Why Luther Gillis in Transitions? Similarly, Luther has kept to his PI (excuse me... Private Investigator) career above all else and has lost Blanche to a man who could commit to her. It is also foreshadowing to Resolutions.

- Is this the first that TSM has worn the Trident insignia for the Seals? I don't recall seeing him wear it before. I'll check Blood &Honor (S6, E10) . Still no Combat Action Ribbon for Magum, which is hard to understand given that he is a Navy Cross recipient for valor in engagement against the enemy.

- I couldn't check the ribbon alignment on Buck Greene, because there wasn't a clear look in this episode. There were significant, ever changing wardrobe flubs on Buck's ribbon placement in Unfinished Business (S8, E8).

- So, having gone thru all the episodes during this year, the ones I saved on DVR to watch again:

J Digger Doyle (S1, E17): I once lived near the Stairway to Heaven trail, Magnum carrying Higgins over his shoulder is a laugh, and well...Erin Gray in a bikini.

Blood & Honor (S6, E10). Magnum returns to uniform

Way of the Stalking Horse (S6, E17): Magnum gets shot and pay backs are .. well pay backs. It shows a darker side of Magnum.

Limbo (S7, E22): Higgins insists that Magnum return immediately, and TSM keeps walking into the clouds. His saying good bye to his friends and Michelle is powerful stuff.

Infinity & Jelly Donuts: (S8, E1) I'd like a pint of stout....because it is time for more paybacks.

Unfinished Business (S8, E8): More dark side Magnum.

Resolutions 2(S8, E13): the wrap up.
I think the Linda Lee sub-story is to show Magnum is putting his new career and then Father to Lilly ahead of dating the next pretty girl to come along.

Also, I think the story arc could include Magnum and Lilly remaining at the estate. Magnum resigned before he knew that he would be raising Lilly. I'm sure that Robin Masters (or Higgins...if that is his real name) would tear up the resignation letter. The lads and Lilly could be great playmates with Uncle TC, Uncle Rick, and Aunt Carole. And Mister Higgins would tutor Lilly in the Queens English. I'm sure JQH speaks perfect French and Vietnamese (in several regional dialects).

Thumbs up on Resolutions to set TSM on a new path of adventure and have a happy ending (well.. except for Rick when Cleo gives him what-for for screwing the vows). Glenn

[Hamilton]

Is Linda Lee Ellison one of Rick's bridesmaids?

[frao51]

Does anyone know if the original broadcast version is available anywhere? The syndicated versions are included in 'The Complete Eighth Season' DVDs and 'The Best of the 80s: Magnum P.I.'

Edit: it looks like the only way we can watch RESOLUTIONS in all its two-hour glory is the German DVD final season set, just purchased so I'm willing to tell you if it's true.

[frao51]

Well, it's true! The German edition does include the full episode in English and German with English and German subtitles, the episode title is in German (Die Lösung Teil 1 and then Die Lösung Teil 2) but the opening and the end credits are in English.

[Thomas Tinto]

[Aloha Friday]

1 May 1988...35 years ago it was done.

[Pahonu]

1 May 1988...35 years ago it was done.

I watched it live.

[Aloha Friday]

Yep, me too.

[Checkman]

1 May 1988...35 years ago it was done.

I watched it live.

I was twenty years old and it felt like my childhood had officially ended and I was cleared for adulthood. My girlfriend at the time felt the same way. I had no idea that she and I would still be together 35 years later and grandparents to boot! It literally seems like a couple weeks ago.