Magnum Mania!

Torah, Torah, Torah

Episode ID: 105
Episode Number: 5.21
Air Date: 3/28/1985
Writers: Martin Sage, Sybil Adelman
Director: Leo Penn
Producer: Reuben Leder
Exec Producer: Donald P. Bellisario

Recurring Characters

Kwan Hi Lim (Lt. Tanaka)

Guest Stars

Nehemiah Persoff (Rabbi Asher Solomon), France Nuyen (Miss Chou), Arlen Dean Snyder (Mr. Shelby), Peter Stader (Vic Makula), Ralph Strait (Optician)

Plot Outline

The violent theft of a sacred Torah has Magnum and Rabbi Asher Solomon on a hunt where they will encounter death, destruction and double-dealing on their way to the priceless artifact.

Rating

8.0 (13 votes) MM Episode Forum Thread & Poll

Notes

1 The title of this episode is a reference to Tora! Tora! Tora!, the 1970 movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tora is the code-word that the Japanese used to indicate that complete surprise was achieved. This creates a second tie-in for the title, as Magnum and the Rabbi are ambushed, and the Torah is stolen.

2 The Ferrari is smashed between two cars and suffers severe body damage in the front and back. It's undriveable and has to be towed away. Magnum, of course, was not wearing a seat belt, but suffered little, if any, injury from the crash, that is until he was pummeled by the guys who jumped out of the truck that hit him!

3 Guest star France Nuyen (Miss Chou) will receive a "Woman of the Year" award in 1989 in Los Angeles for her work as a consulting psychologist in treating abused children and convicted women. France was the second major Asian actress to become a star in Hollywood after Anna May Wong. She also played Elaan of Troyius in a original Star Trek series episode of the same name.

4 New footage of the Ferrari driving along the costal highway is used. Previous stock footage showed an older Ferrari with a black windshield frame. Notice the red windshield frame of the '84 model in this new footage. (Noted by N1095A)

5 Mr. Shelby's house was filmed at a residence on Portlock Road on Maunalua Bay [map]. This same house was used in Season Two's "The Sixth Position" (2.11). (Noted by Tralfaz)

6 Stock footage from WWII is used in this episode.

7 The Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples is again used as an on-site shooting location. The Temple was previously seen in "Tropical Madness" (2.7), "Did You See the Sunrise?" (3.1) and "The Arrow That is Not Aimed" (3.14), and will be seen in two future episodes.

8 In 1945, immediately after the war in Palestine, Higgins led a patrol that had orders to shoot Jewish refugees. He came across Rabbi Asher Solomon and others on a Tramp Steamer lifeboat as it came to shore. Higgins disobeyed a standing order to "shoot on sight" and marched away from the refugees. Years later, they met outside a British museum where Jonathan tells him, "I was obeying a higher law that does not permit me to shoot unarmed refugees."

Quotes

1
Higgins: My God, what is that odor?!
T.C.: Higgy-Baby, you're talking about my Uncle Roland's original, Creole, flaming, bayou-blaster, chilli. Wanna try a little taste?
Higgins: Not without a paramedic in attendance.

2
Rick (To Magnum): You know, do me a favor – next time when you give me the details, at least give me a little bit more than "the big van was painted the same color as the boy's locker room in junior high", will ya?!

3
Rabbi Soloman: You must realize that this Torah, this piece of parchment, is something I would risk anything for. It is a tangible reminder of where we come from and what we have lived through. Look, my wife and son were killed in Poland before we could escape. The Temple in Shanghai has long been in ruins, but this Torah has been reborn. It has been resurrected. You think I will let it get lost again!? No sir!
Magnum: Well, if you wouldn't mind a slightly battered, old Private Investigator tagging along, I would considered it an honor to help you in your search.

Flubs

1 While in the guesthouse, Higgins explains that he needs Magnum to pick up a friend of his at the airport. He further explains that he is unable to do it himself because he is needed for urgent business on the North Shore. This would contradict the implied location of the estate, as it has been inferred that the estate is located on the North Shore! (Noted by N1095A)

Wish to add something? Got a correction? Shoot me an email.

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