Magnum Mania!

Thicker than Blood

Episode ID: 12
Episode Number: 1.12
Air Date: 2/26/1981
Writer: Donald P. Bellisario
Director: Lawrence Doheny
Producer: J. Rickley Dumm
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Recurring Characters

Jeff MacKay (Lt. "Mac" MacReynolds)

Guest Stars

Vincent Caristi (Joey), Andre Philippe (Renard), Allan Caillou (Freighter Capt.), Charles Lucia (Coast Guard Lieutenant), Michael Dennis (Helmsman), Michael Spilotro (Federal Agent)

Plot Outline

T.C. makes a late-night flight to land on a tanker and is arrested on the journey back for transporting drugs. Magnum and Rick and certain of their friend's innocence and are shocked when he is willing to accept the charges. Determined to clear T.C.'s name, they soon discover that his secret flight brought back more than he had bargained for.

Rating

8.0 (15 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 This is the first "T.C.-centric" episode of the series.

2 The original opening title sequence has been replaced with a new one. Some of the shots are the same, but many have changed. The opening theme song has changed, as well. The iconic Mike Post & Pete Carpenter theme song [audio] has replaced the original Ian Freebairn-Smith jazzy theme song [audio]. A slightly different version of the Post/Carpenter theme song has been used in the closing credits (and in some in-episode incidental music) since "The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii" (1.8). The Post/Carepenter score will be used throughout the remainder of the show's run.

3 The opening preview includes some additional dialog which was deleted from the actual episode. As T.C. is escorted in handcuffs, Magnum raises his hand and says, "Take it easy. I just want to talk to my buddy". Rick then shouts out, "T.C.!". In the actual episode, Magnum begins to raise his hand, but the scene immediately cuts back to T.C. and we don't hear Magnum or Rick's speak. (Noted by Shermy)

4 T.C.'s chopper is identified by the Coast Guard as a Hughes 500D. T.C. also mentions that in Vietnam, Joey pulled him out of a burning AH-1 Cobra.

5 Michael Spilotro (Federal Agent) was a friend of Larry Manetti (and Manetti's half-brother Robert Conrad) from their days growing up in Chicago. In the early 80s, Spilotro would become involved in organized crime with his brother Anthony "Tony the Ant" Spilotro. In 1986, after working for "The Outfit" for several years in Las Vegas, the two were savagely beaten and killed by members of their own gang. Their story can be seen in the 1995 Martin Scorcese film Casino (his brother Anthony was the infamous Joe Pesci character). Here is a screencap of Michael from the episode. (Noted by Sam)

6 This is the only episode in which Magnum and T.C. come to blows. The fight ends in a tough, hard-fought draw. Per T.C., they also got into a fight when they first met in Saigon. It is implied that T.C. won that fight. [video]

7 Magnum mentions that T.C. "saved his life so many times in 'Nam, he can't count".

8 The night before the start of the events of this episode, a woman named "Sarah" spent the night with Magnum in the guesthouse. We never see her (she left before Magnum awoke), but we learn that she is a "health nut" literary agent. Based on Magnum's comments, they appear to have been dating. Via a recording she left, Magnum was instructed to blend together flat beer, tomato juice, and three raw eggs. Rick wound up drinking it (and liking it)! We will never hear about her again.

9 The Hyatt Regency Waikiki is used as a filming location. (Noted by Sam)

10 This episode features one of the best Magnum/Higgins denouements of the entire series.

Quotes

1
Magnum: Sometimes I get so lucky, even I don`t believe it.

2
(Magnum is packing up after being told to leave the estate by Higgins earlier)
Magnum (wearing a gorilla mask): Oh, hi Higgins.
Higgins: That is absolutely ridiculous.
Magnum (takes off mask): But that's the whole point Higgins.
Higgins: I, uh, heard about T.C. and what he did and why. Is, uh, is his friend going to be alright?
Magnum: Oh I don't know Higgins. It kind of depends on Joey. I sure know he's better off with T.C. than he was with those smugglers.
Higgins: Yes, quite. That's, uh, why you needed the name of that ship isn't it, to help T.C.?
Magnum: Yeah, what difference does it make?
Higgins: None, just curious.
Magnum: Well look Higgins, I gotta...finish packing.
Higgins: What about the inventory?
Magnum: The inventory?
Higgins: Surely you don't expect to leave until I've taken an inventory of all the furnishings, paintings, linens.
Magnum (laughs): Come on Higgins, don't be ridiculous! I'm not gonna steal any towels.
Higgins: This is Robin Masters' guest house, and as Head of Security on this estate, It's my responsibility. I can't just let you walk out without taking an inventory.
Magnum: So take it! (slams shirt into luggage)
Higgins (walking away): I can't today. I have guests to look after. Perhaps tomorrow.
Magnum: Oh no Higgins! You're not gonna do that! You are not gonna hold this inventory over me like the Sword of Damocles! Now if you don't do it today, that's it, the deal's off, I'm staying!
Higgins: Well then, I'm afraid you'll just have to stay. (walks out)
Magnum: Well I'll be damned.
(puts on Groucho Marx mask and looks at camera)
(roll end-credits)

Flubs

1 More moving scars for Magnum. When Magnum sits up in bed, and looks at his watch, you can see his circular scar on his left side of his chest (looks like one of those circular flesh-colored band-aids), and another scar on the top of his left shoulder. After his swim, you can still see the circular scar, but the scar on the top of the left shoulder is gone! It then reappears later! (Noted by IslandHopper)

2 When Magnum goes to TC's hangar to try to stop him from jumping bail, they get into a fight. Magnum is wearing white shoes, but during the fight, Magnum's stunt double is wearing BLACK shoes. (Noted by IslandHopper)

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