Unfinished Business (8.8)

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lutherhgillis · #31 Post by **lutherhgillis** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:14 pm

This was a very intense episode. MAgnum ultimately decides to let revenge go in favor of there being more POW/MIAs returned home. The implication was that if something went wrong with this exchange, the possibility of there being more homecomings would be in doubt.

This episode touched on a very serious subject. Some of our soldiers never returned from Vietnam even though they were alive at the end of the war. This is a tragic truth and one of the reasons why 'war is hell'.

Again, great treatment of the Vietnam Veterans' struggle to return to normal life...MPI as a series was very respectful to our military.

#32 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:09 pm

Well said luther.

Magnum's tossing of his MIA bracelet really hightlighted the magnitude of the situation - kill the man who murdered your ex-wife and daughter (which will surely jeopardize any chance of future POW exchanges), or let the murderer go (and maybe other POWs will be released). How could he jeopardize the possible return of POW/MIAs while wearing an MIA bracelet? What a horrible situation to be in!

Buck's command to shoot Magnum also highlights the magnitude and importance of the POW exchange. An MIA returning home some 15-20 years after the war is HUGE! Buck couldn't let Magnum, no matter how much respect he has for him, mess up the exchange. Having said that, he also probably knew none his guys would be able to really stop Thomas Magnum. He was worried, very worried. I'm sure Buck's respect for Magnum went through the roof when he found out Magnum was never found. He would make the connection that Magnum decided not to shoot on his own.

VM02 · #33 Post by **VM02** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:49 pm

James J. Walters wrote: I'm sure Buck's respect for Magnum went through the roof when he found out Magnum was never found. He would make the connection that Magnum decided not to shoot on his own.

Perhaps this is why Buck was invited to Ricks Wedding in Resolutions? Perhaps he and TM reached an understanding off camera? I hate to think he was Maggie's date. (eew). And then then they wound up sitting next to Jim Bonnick. He was probably missing his watch or wallet after the ceremony.

I can hear it now:

Buck: "Magnum, what are you doing in that uniform?"
TM: "Hey Buck, isn't that your wallet that Mac has?"

#34 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:52 pm

Useless trivia of the day....

A young Richard Narita (Quang Ki) had a small role in Murder by Death, one of my favorite movies. He played Willie Wang, Sidney Wang's (Peter Sellers) adopted son! For some reason, I never made the connection before.

Now, every time I see Quang Ki I'm going to think, "I don't get it pop, was there a murder or wasn't there?"

Frodoleader · #35 Post by **Frodoleader** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:27 pm

I don't think I have seen this episode since it aired originally in 1988. And since it is rated as probably the best MPI episodes by our friends on here, I decided to give it another look yesterday.
A couple of comments/insights, but no flubs:
1. I noticed in the POW camp scene where they are breaking down camp in the middle of the night to move, that the other POW with Rockwell has a nicely trimmed mustache. Very nice for someone in captivity for 15-20 years (ok, maybe that is a flub).
2. Jean Bruce Scott! My gosh that lady is gorgeous!! I recall the crush I had on her during her MPI and Airwolf days.
3. The videotape that was sent to TM: is that a Beta format?
4. Magnum's rifle. Does any one know tha make? It does clearly have a "Made in Austria" stamp on it. You can see it during TM's target practice scene.
5. Also, the silencer used by TM. During the target practice scene, it looks like a plastic water bottle. For the scene with the prisoner exchange, when TM did not shoot Quang Ki, it looked like he had wrapped towels or rags over the end of the barrel.

One of the best episodes, truly!

MACattack · #36 Post by **MACattack** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:23 am

The beginning of 'Mac's Back' shows Magnum depressed/intoxicated and throwing beer bottles all over the estate. It's almost like he's calling for help. The episode shows post traumatic stress disorder taking it's toll on Magnum.

Artie Canoe · #37 Post by **Artie Canoe** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:44 am

Love this episode and especially "The Brazilian" scene where TM prepares to take out Quang Ki

N1095A · #38 Post by **N1095A** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:38 pm

Did anyone ever see TM wearing the bracelet again after this episode?

Seaver41 · #39 Post by **Seaver41** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:48 pm

Shermy wrote:
Doc Ibold wrote:HOW can Quang Ki do a video from jail bragging about his henchmen's handiwork? I'm sure they have something like GUARDS making sure things like that don't go down.
He demonstrated a great ability to be above the law, so I guess we could assume he found a way to do it (ie. paying off guards). You could also make a case that the jail scene was simply staged after he became a free man. For example, Maggie acted as though they only learned about the explosion soon after Magnum did. (It's also logical to assume that it didn't occur until after Quang Ki's trial.)

Anyway, of all the "serious" episodes, this is arguably one of the best. We get a glimpse of just how dangerous Magnum can be, and the kamikaze mission showdown is tense and exciting. But just when you think they've written themselves into a corner, Magnum's final narration to Lily is an ingenious moment of redemption. It also reveals the changes that have occurred since the events of Did You See The Sunrise.

well said.........and a shining example of what we were deprived of in the finale......the narration was always integral.

Again...this is an episode I only seen on first run...........mainly because it was a very frustrating Magnum to watch. You wanted so bad for him to get justice for Michelle/Lily.......but in the end his honor and commitment to his brothers in arms won over. Still, though I understand it.......it left a bad taste in the mouth.......another reason Magnum PI was sooo good..........it made you think.

Carmen · #40 Post by **Carmen** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:09 pm

Did anyone ever see TM wearing the bracelet again after this episode?

No, never again

VM02 · #41 Post by **VM02** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:02 pm

I couldn't sleep last night and caught most of this ep on some channel called "the CW" I'm assuming its a regular 11:30 PM EST show at least once per week or even daily. The serious no nonsense TM must have been what he was like in Vietnam and rebelled against ( and ironically returns to in resolutions)

If they could have made this a 2hr show, and fleshed out some of the other characters, (i've said this before) this would have been a fitting conclusion to the series, even though we would have never had the Lily reconciliation, the "moment of redemption" with TM walking off into the sunset would have been very powerful, especially as contrasted by the ending of "did you see the sunrise"

MACattack · #42 Post by **MACattack** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:55 am

I love the montage while "the brazilian" song plays.
That's gotta be the dopest song of the 80's!!!

arri · #43 Post by **arri** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:04 pm

An awesome episode. Great story and depth. Again, wandering into a military compound should have been avoided but it was 1988. I liked it

MACattack · #44 Post by **MACattack** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 4:34 am

I'm sure Magnum wasn't thinking about the consequences of sneeking into the military compound. He was bent on revenge because he thought Lily had been murdered. He had nothing to lose at that point.
Had that been my daughter, I would do the same thing. I was really impressed how Magnum had a change in conscience at the end. He did the right thing by walking away, so the woman could be reunited with her father.
This episode touched me emotionally, when usually I watch MPI for the car chases and gunfights.

#45 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:38 pm

MACattack wrote:This episode touched me emotionally, when usually I watch MPI for the car chases and gunfights.

That's Magnum; it works on many, many different levels.

Unfinished Business (8.8)

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