Magnum Mania!

No, of course he wasn't.

However, a while back when I was toying with the fantasy of writing THE screenplay for the Magnum, PI movie, that was one of my bright ideas.

Magnum began writing those trashy novels while in Vietnam -- we all deal with the stress in different ways, right? He might have even started while at the Academy, but given the rigorous academic challenges and lack of free time, that's not very likely. And since he was on active duty in the Navy, he had to use a pen name.

So when you think about it -- why would "Robin Masters" let Magnum live on the estate, drive the Ferrari, etc? Magnum would always pretend to be broke because he wanted his friends to be friends with him out of genuine friendship -- not because he was rich. Eventually, TC would get that gas money for the chopper, or the bullet holes patched up, but he had to be patient.

Magnum wanted to enjoy the things money buys without having to deal with the problems of the rich. Negotiating with Higgins was just all part of the fun for him.

Perhaps it was Magnum's behind the scenes influence (as Robin Masters) that got Higgins' memoirs published.

The idea of Magnum so adamantly speculating and accusing Higgins of being Robin was a brilliant move to deflect any suspicion he might be Robin.

So anyway, that all came about decades after watching much of the original run -- I didn't see all the episodes because .. real life. School, deployments, etc. Having watched the entire series recently thanks to the DVD set I got for Christmas (thanks kids!) I saw way too many reasons Magnum couldn't have been Robin Masters.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

***

My alternate fantasy: Agatha was Robin Masters.

Fun idea. It would certainly involve a lot of planning and acting. He’d probably drive himself nuts!

I don't know. Hire some actor who sounds like Orson Wells to play the roll, give him some direction now and then ("Hire Higgins, tell Higgins I can live on the estate") then let someone else worry about managing everything. As I said, negotiating with Higgins was all part of the fun. But then there were too many factors which would eliminate Magnum. I don't recall what they are, but I remember during a recent bing-watching episode of my life keeping an eye out for the possibilities.

***

The more I think about it, the more I like the "Agatha is Robin" angle. Writing those trashy novels could be a manifestation of some repressed sexuality, and because ladies of her social status generally are looked down on in polite society for that sort of thing.

She directs "Robin" to hire Higgins because -- well, she likes Higgins (if you know what I mean). She likes Magnum, too (in a different way of course) and perhaps is living a more adventurous life vicariously through him. If it were found out she was the real authoress of the Robin Masters novels she could never show her face again in polite company. Her family would be dishonored.

Maintaining a modest existence is enough for her. Though she does have access to the estate at any time, what does she really need with a mansion with tennis courts and a wine cellar and tidal pool. She really does have a heart of gold, so why not let those she cares about enjoy it for themselves?

Or, taking a totally different tack -- what do we know of Agatha's younger years? Perhaps many of those novels were inspired by her own adventures before she decided to settle down in Paradise. (Can you picture her a black belt in martial arts pretending to be a novice just to be close to Higgins, and maintaining character in that encounter when she gets punched by Luther?)

I can see it now: The Adventures of Young Agatha Chumley

How was that not a prequel?

Styles Bitchley wrote: ↑Wed Mar 02, 2022 10:31 am How was that not a prequel?

Why was Firefly cancelled halfway through the first season? I blame both on the influence of Satan (the author of sin) in Hollywood.

But that's just me, it could be for some other reason.