Magnum PI - S1 E7 - The Ugliest Dog In Hawaii

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 7
The Ugliest Dog In Hawaii


Overview
Magnum guards Sir Algernon Farnsworth, an important member of, oh who am I kidding. Sir Algernon is a dog. Some rich lady owns him. And some Mobster wants him. And Magnum is hired to protect him. Yeah, sounds a little campy and goofy but hey, it's the 1980s. While it's only somewhat related to the plot, we see a new vehicle for Magnum to drive, a GMC Jimmy with the plate ROBIN 3.

Cell Phones
As Magnum discovers he has a tail on the road, he has to stop at a gas station to call TC ask for help. Could have been a lot easier if he had a cell phone. I'm guessing only the Audi has a cell phone and not the Jimmy.

Fashion
The old man, the "mustache," had a sweet velour/fleece/terry cloth zippered short sleeve jacket. And he wore it with the zipper down and a hat. With shorts. His two younger partners at least wore some fairly nice clothes that could still pass for modern day fashion.

But the kids? Their outfits were totally 70s/80s era styles. The tall tube socks, the flat tennis shoes, and the graphic tees. All classic styles of the era.

Magnum's bell bottoms give a hint of his Navy service. Even though they aren't quite full blown bell bottoms. And the bad guys chasing him through the banana groves reverted back to some typical 80s fashion with their suits. And the marijuana growers have some hideously large sunglasses.

The shorts on Rick at the end are just, wow. Just wow.

Hawaiian Shirt
The Hawaiians wearing Hawaiian shirts were okay and more muted than Magnum's but they still look pretty cool. Magnums shirt though looked pretty decent. This episode's shirt is a call back to the pilot episode. It's a dark shirt with white flowers. It's not as flashy of the red shirts we've seen before but still looks nice.

Magnum PI - S1 E6 - Never Again...Never Again

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 6
Never Again...Never Again


Overview
Magnum fights Nazis! An older couple, Holocaust survivors, try to run from some Nazis. Seriously. Nazis.

Cell Phones
Some sort of tracking device would have helped find Saul, the husband half of the older couple.

The cell phone in the Audi returns! It must be a new Audi since the other one blew up in the last episode. But that's beside the point. Magnum is hounded by the guard dogs on the Masters estate and is forced to call Higgins from the Audi so he can come inside. I'm sure it was quite the gag then and it's still funny now. But the ironic part of it is that nowadays, calling or texting from the driveway with your cell phone is normal.

There could be an argument here that social media solved this case. The photo of the old couple was the break in the case Magnum needed. While the photo was on a wall, it was on the mirror. But still, photos from the past came back to haunt them.

Fashion
There's fashion galore here as the old couple runs a t-shirt shop that appears to double as a custom tailor. But the tailor's shirt is itself a bit of a nightmare. It looks like a polyester, seer-sucker, wide collar, ugly striped shirt.

And Rick is wearing straight-up 70s red corduroy pants with heeled boots. Or are they shoes? At least his shirt looks nice. Except for those epaulets.

Not a lot of outfit changes in this episode. Which is a little disappointing. But those camo shorts at the end, ouch. Almost makes you want to go back to the jeans.

Hawaiian Shirt
There are none for Magnum. And that makes me sad.

Magnum PI - S1 E5 - Skin Deep

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 5
Skin Deep


Overview
Magnum takes a case investigating the suicide of an actress. Some think it was staged. While he's investigating her death, Magnum has a lot of flash backs to his time in Vietnam. The combination of helicopters, gun shots, and jungle terrain kicks in the PTSD pretty damn heavy. And not just for Magnum either, TC has some flashbacks as well. In the end, they have what I'd guess is about the best discussion about PTSD you can get between two guys that have seen action.

Cell Phones
Well, cell phones could have been great. At least until Magnum jumps from the helicopter into the ocean. Although I suppose a new Samsung Galaxy S7 could survive seeing as it's waterproof. Magnum could have used it earlier in his investigation though as he was researching the actress and her work. Although I doubt she would have put a lot of that material on YouTube.

Fashion
It has nothing to do with the outfit, but the camera equipment and the actress smoking a cigarette in the opening scene are totally old school. The track pants could be from today but that blouse looks very 1970s.

As an old high school friend, and fellow TV nerd, pointed out a few weeks ago, many of Magnum's outfits feature subtle hints of his former military career. I saw some of it before but never really paid much attention. Well, now I am. We see Magnum wearing a military style webbed belt with one of those buckles that I always thought was cool. Probably because I always wanted to be an Army guy when I was a kid. He also sports a khaki shirt that looks awfully militaristic.

David, played by Ian McShane, is wearing what I can only describe as a woman's shirt. Yes, the buttons are on the right side (as in both the correct side and the opposite of the left side). But the pleating on the chest just looks feminine. It's almost like it's been darted but it's not, it's more of an accordion pleat. Anyway, it just doesn't look right.

Hawaiian Shirt
Right out of the gate we have black shirt with red birds and purple, that's right, purple, palm trees. I'm not a big fan of it. Too dark and a little unsettling on the eyes. However, that red and white shirt behind the bar is awesome.

Magnum PI - S1 E4 - No Need To Know

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 4
No Need To Know


Overview
Magnum is caught in the middle, again, of a grand conspiracy. This one involves the IRA and British Army. And the American Secret Service. With the IRA trying to kill the British General, Higgins, along with the British Army, tries to keep him safe. Meanwhile, the Secret Service is trying to keep him safe too but without the British knowing about it. And of course Magnum is in the middle of it all.

Cell Phones
Another pay phone. The Secret Service would certainly have a cell phone of their own to call Magnum. No need for a pay phone.

Magnum's big beef in this episode is the lack of communication between the security and intelligence agencies. Cell phones would help but I think a smart phone would be ideal for this case. Photos, emails, and texts could be shared rather quickly and by sharing that intelligence, the various agencies could have easily put things together fast enough to prevent an attack.

Not to mention the climax car chase scene could have been prevented entirely with a simple phone call.

Fashion
Yep, bikinis in a solid color are timeless. Men's fashion has thankfully changed when it comes to swim suits. Those super short trunks looks so uncomfortable. But those tight pants and tight shorts and shiny dress shoes just scream tourist.

And the tall socks. Why the tall socks? Sure, they go with the dress shoes but you don't wear dress shoes and over the calf socks with shorts. My eyes hurt.

The women's dresses in this episode are at least appealing. Nothing too dated. Not exactly fashionable and hip but they were at least stylish.

And Rick is wearing that goofy shirt with bananas and burgers again. Love it!

Hawaiian Shirt
A nice dark shirt with white flowers. They look like irises or daffodils or something. Either way, I liked the darker color. Much more subtle.

Magnum Monday Memorial Break

Due to the holiday today, I'll be skipping Magnum Monday and Three's Company Thursday this week. So go out and enjoy your extra free day!

Magnum PI - S1 E4 - Thank Heaven for Little Girls and Big Ones Too

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 4
Thank Heaven for Little Girls and Big Ones Too


Overview
It's Christmas in Hawaii and a group of girls from Vermont are stuck on the island after losing their teacher.

Cell Phones
If Magnum had a phone, we wouldn't laugh at people having Robin Masters' private phone number.

Magnum could have called Higgins and alerted him to the girls trying to steal the painting, or return it if you believe them. But that would have spoiled the scene when Magnum catches them red handed.

I'm sure the girls, even as young as they are, would have cell phones. And while they may not be able to get a signal from inside the cave, they should have been able to drop pins or leave some sort of bread crumb behind. And if Magnum didn't have connections in the police department, I'm sure he could have called them in to at least trace the cell phones to the last known location.

Well now, what have we here? A mobile phone in the Robin Masters Audi? I'm shocked. But it just goes to prove, that Rick could have used a cell phone of his own to update Magnum.

Fashion
I know the little girls are in some sort of private school based on their uniform, but sheesh. Those shoes and jackets. But at least one of them had a very cool Pan Am backpack. And did you see TC sporting that leather visor? Where in the world did that come from, Tandy Leather?

Those high-waisted pink pants on Ms. Booton are stellar. And paired with the thin red belt makes such a statement They were both such a staple of the 80s.

What is it with white shoes and this show? The head bad guy, who happens to look a bit like George R. R. Martin, was sporting white leather shoes. Not the saddle shoes like the girls, but still. And TC running around with his shirt un-buttoned was classic.

The airport. Oh the airport. My eyes are hurting from thinking about Rick in his velour track suit. And all the background outfits are just about as painful. And of course we have the flight attendants uniforms.

Hawaiian Shirt
I think my last post had it a bit wrong. The signature Magnum shirt doesn't have flowers, it has purple birds. But still, it looks very nice. So does Rick's 280Z sports car.

Magnum PI - S1 E3 - China Doll

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 3
China Doll



Overview
The intro is different. We see some clips of future episodes now instead of the pilot intro. In this episode, the action starts out in the Red Light district. The big bad guy uses Wang Chung. I swear that's what I heard him say. Anyway, Magnum is hired to protect Mai Ling from the bad guy who just wants Wang Chung everyone.

Cell Phones
When Magnum and Mai Ling drive out to check on her Uncle Han, a cell phone would have taken care of everything. Sure, they could still drive out there, but a phone call or text would have made things a little safer and easier on Uncle Han. But seeing as Uncle Han is older, he may not have a cell phone. But you'd think he would still have a landline.

One interesting thing was the bad guy setting up a meeting at a payphone. I know they still exist but he would have used a different land mark nowadays. But would he have called using the proverbial burner phone?

One odd thought I had about cell phones was that older couple on the helicopter ride. If they were younger, they would have used the speed filter on Snapchat, I just know it!

Fashion
From the looks of it, exotic dancers haven't seen much change in the way of fashion. It's all about the sparkles and feathers. I totally dug the matching husband and wife on the helicopter tour. Mr. Wang Chung was sporting an awful suit with wide collar and shiny shoes that look like loafers with a gold buckle. I'm sure it was rather dapper back then.

The swim suits are at times hideous and at times classically timeless. I guess a bikini that's a solid color is always going to work. But short shorts and one piece suits ebb and flow like the tide. And that matching couple was back, this time is some bizarre print shirt.

Hawaiian Shirt
Nice double shot of Magnum and Rick. Magnum's shirt is a nice light cream or white with some flowers while Rick is sporting a hilarious shirt with hot dogs, bananas, and women in swimsuits on it.

And then later in the show, we see what I would consider the signature Magnum shirt. Classic bright red with palm trees and flowers.

Magnum PI - S1 E2 - Please Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 2
Please Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii, Part 2


Overview
Magnum continues his investigation with a meeting with "Snow White," the local dealer of cocaine on the island. We also continue with the flashbacks to Vietnam and Magnum's Special Forces team. What I noticed more this time was the cut scenes between the flashback and the present day. There was a bit more polish and it felt more natural and almost like there was a secondary story to be told. Which I guess is ultimately what the purpose is of looking back in time.

Two security related tidbits I noticed in this episode. First, Magnum and his friend's sister get onto the Naval base without a positive ID. It reminds me of the good old days when my dad would take me onto base and would just slow down so the guard could see the sticker and then wave us through. Second was Magnum taking the gun into the airport. Not sure I miss that part of the old days but it certainly shines a light on how much things were different back then.

Finally, the signet ring. I know the symbol was on the rings, the opening credits, the helicopter in Vietnam, and a few other places. But I'm not sure what it means. Or if it even means anything. I guess I have a few seasons to find out.

Cell Phones
With cell phones, the show would lose a joke in the scene where TC calls the "red phone" that seems to be the private number for Robin Masters but asks for Magnum.

Fashion
The large collars/lapels on Higgins' shirt stand out as very 70s era fashion. The rest seem to be more from the 80s. And again, the military uniforms are fairly static.

Hawaiian Shirt
One of the bad guys wore a Hawaiian shirt. But I figure I need to only focus on Magnum. After all, he's the main character. So no island shirt. But it was nice to see I'm not the only one with a hairy chest.

Magnum PI - S1 E1 - Please Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii

Magnum PI
Season 1
Episode 1
Please Don't Eat The Snow In Hawaii, Part 1

The episode originally aired on December 11, 1980, making it one of the quintessential shows of the 80s. Which of course makes it interesting to me.

Overview
The episode opens with a lot of interesting things to take in. We have a voice over, a flashback, and my favorite, breaking the fourth wall. Although you could argue that the voice over is also breaking the fourth wall but I don't see it that way.

We're introduced to Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck), Higgins (John Hillerman), and although we don't see him, Robin Masters (Orson Wells). Magnum is a private investigator and security specialist employed by Robin Masters, a famous author. Higgins is in charge of Robin's estate and is generally a pain in the butt to Magnum.

Magnum goes to Pearl Harbor to pick up a friend but he never shows up. Turns out he's killed shortly after arriving. Magnum then sets off to solve his murder and prove Dan wasn't the drug smuggler everyone thinks he is.

Cell Phones
Dan could have called Magnum when he arrived at the airport. I think his failure to meet him would have meant Magnum would have called him if Dan never called. Either way, they would have been in touch sooner. And if Dan was killed before they talked, I think Magnum would have worried about him sooner. Or called from the car on the way home. Or something along those lines. The bottom line is, Magnum would have learned about Dan's death sooner, or even prevented it

Then of course we have the car chase scene where a cell phone would have come in handy. Granted, at those speeds and on that road, using a phone would have been dangerous. But maybe a hands-free headset or Bluetooth synced with the car would be an option. Either way, after the bad guys wreck, Magnum could have called the cops. But it was pretty clear he didn't want to involve them. He says as much.

Which brings us to the bad guys. At the marina and again after they wreck, they could have used a cell phone. At the marina they could have stayed in their car to make the call. Or better yet, used a smart phone to get instructions or a picture of their target. And after they wrecked, the bad guy could have called for help. Not necessarily the rescue squad or police, but some bad guy buddies could have picked him up before the cops arrived.

Fashion
Magnum's shorts when he arrives at Hickam Air Force Base were short. Like 1980s short. And that Lacoste shirt he wore was rocking. Dan's sister Alice, is sporting an interesting blouse when we first see her. It reeks of the 70s with the colors and bow at the neck but the poofy shoulders are very 80s.

There's a lot of the 70s hanging on in the fashion that's on screen. From women's dresses and tops to the men's suits. I think the only thing that doesn't change much, if at all, are the military uniforms.

Hawaiian Shirt
This could fall under the category of Fashion but seeing as Magnum is known for his Hawaii shirts, I thought it would be good to break things out a bit more. You know, for that deeper dive.

Only one shirt showed up in this episode. I think what strikes me as the most odd, is that he tucks it in.