Season 1 Episode 2: From The Head Down (1.2)

[eagle]

I decided to give it another try.

I voted the reboot pilot as 5.0 -- barely watchable -- and voted this ep as 6.5 (2 steps up). This one was much more watchable than the pilot was, but it still wasn't good storytelling or a good show. I agree with the earlier commenters who said that Perdita weeks is the best of the 4 core actors, and those who say that Jay Hernandez is not pulling this off. I agree with those who say that this show's constant references to Nuzo are becoming nauseating... but they remind me of Blue Bloods' frequent references to the dead son, in season 1. I tired of that too.

I do not find the core characters endearing, like I did those in the original series. I don't even understand why Rick & TC are characters on this show. Yeah, they contribute a little bit, but it's nothing like the original series. The camaraderie isn't there, and what little we get is bromance now. I still feel like the pace moves way too fast, and I find it interesting how they are simultaneously explaining too much, and taking too much for granted in this reboot.

One of the best parts of the original series is that the stories were all believable, or they at least did not require massive doses of suspension of disbelief. This series changes that, and I truly do not care for the terrorist plot angle.

I'll probably give it one more shot, and unless episode 3 is significantly better, that'll be it for me. I'm just not feeling it.

[KingKC]

hackneyed scene with Nuzo and TM having a heart-to-heart about how they "aren't ready" to come home.

Yeah, what’s with dragging the viewer through this (supposedly) ‘emotional’ storyline with a character nobody cares about that appeared in 2 scenes and died 20 minutes into the pilot.

I find the constant references to Nuzo a bit nauseating... like we care?

Just like everything the new Magmun seems rushed. They deal with Nuzo like he’s a beloved character that was on the show for 3 seasons and died.

I agree that the narration by TM seems to be very rushed and Hernandez is failing miserably with this part of the character. He sounds so monotone.

[T.Q.]

hackneyed scene with Nuzo and TM having a heart-to-heart about how they "aren't ready" to come home.

Yeah, what’s with dragging the viewer through this (supposedly) ‘emotional’ storyline with a character nobody cares about that appeared in 2 scenes and died 20 minutes into the pilot.

I find the constant references to Nuzo a bit nauseating... like we care?

Just like everything the new Magmun seems rushed. They deal with Nuzo like he’s a beloved character that was on the show for 3 seasons and died.

I agree that the narration by TM seems to be very rushed and Hernandez is failing miserably with this part of the character. He sounds so monotone.

Yes, his narration LITERALLY makes my brain see him standing in a sound studio reading from a script.

He’s not a good actor.

[eagle]

I agree that the narration by TM seems to be very rushed and Hernandez is failing miserably with this part of the character. He sounds so monotone.

Yes, his narration LITERALLY makes my brain see him standing in a sound studio reading from a script.

He’s not a good actor.

Sound studio - YES! I had the same thought.

[T.Q.]

I agree that the narration by TM seems to be very rushed and Hernandez is failing miserably with this part of the character. He sounds so monotone.

Yes, his narration LITERALLY makes my brain see him standing in a sound studio reading from a script.

He’s not a good actor.

Sound studio - YES! I had the same thought.

Side note: Despite my love of Tom Selleck (and Magnum, P.I.) I never actually thought he was the greatest actor out there but he was so believable/relatable in the role.

When Tom Selleck spoke to us I really felt Thomas Magnum, a friend, was speaking to us*.

All part of the magic of the one and only MPI.

* Edit: Epiphany... Maybe that makes him a great actor. My brain hurts now.

[eagle]

Side note: Despite my love of Tom Selleck (and Magnum, P.I.) I never actually thought he was the greatest actor out there but he was so believable/relatable in the role.

When Tom Selleck spoke to us I really felt Thomas Magnum, a friend, was speaking to us*.

All part of the magic of the one and only MPI.

* Edit: Epiphany... Maybe that makes him a great actor. My brain hurts now.

I've always understood that a good movie evokes your emotions. I guess it's similar that a good actor makes you think he isn't acting.

Anyway, yes, that was the brilliance of TS and the original MPI. Completely believable characters. Normal guys. People we could relate to. People I'd like to think would be my friends were I to know them.

Using that yardstick, the new Magnum feels cheap.

[T.Q.]

Side note: Despite my love of Tom Selleck (and Magnum, P.I.) I never actually thought he was the greatest actor out there but he was so believable/relatable in the role.

When Tom Selleck spoke to us I really felt Thomas Magnum, a friend, was speaking to us*.

All part of the magic of the one and only MPI.

* Edit: Epiphany... Maybe that makes him a great actor. My brain hurts now.

I've always understood that a good movie evokes your emotions. I guess it's similar that a good actor makes you think he isn't acting.

Anyway, yes, that was the brilliance of TS and the original MPI. Completely believable characters. Normal guys. People we could relate to. People I'd like to think would be my friends were I to know them.

Using that yardstick, the new Magnum feels cheap.

Nailed it.

I have no desire to sit and have an Old Düsseldorf with Jay’s Magmun.

[ENSHealy]

Side note: Despite my love of Tom Selleck (and Magnum, P.I.) I never actually thought he was the greatest actor out there but he was so believable/relatable in the role.

When Tom Selleck spoke to us I really felt Thomas Magnum, a friend, was speaking to us*.

All part of the magic of the one and only MPI.

* Edit: Epiphany... Maybe that makes him a great actor. My brain hurts now.

I will go to my grave with a deep and abiding affection for Tom Selleck, but I've never thought he was a great actor except in one role: Tom Selleck. I think it is more than coincidence that Magnum and Selleck share a first name. They are one in the same. He has only one character, but it's a great one. I think Harrison Ford is the same way, he's great at playing one character: Harrison Ford.

I believe you can see this in the evolution of his roles too. Jesse Stone is middle-age Tom Selleck, and Frank Reagan is Tom Selleck as he veers into "get off my lawn" territory.

Is it any less brilliant watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, or original Magnum, just because they're playing themselves? Absolutely not. Magic happens when an actor perfectly inhabits a role. Some (Tom Hanks, for example) can do it for a variety of characters, some for just one. But I'll put the Thomas Magnum character as portrayed by Tom Selleck up against any character in TV history.

And let's face it, Jay Hernandez just can't hold his jockstrap. It's not his fault. Who among us would have turned down the job? I sure as hell would have taken the money and run as far as possible with it if the role had been offered to me.

[T.Q.]

Side note: Despite my love of Tom Selleck (and Magnum, P.I.) I never actually thought he was the greatest actor out there but he was so believable/relatable in the role.

When Tom Selleck spoke to us I really felt Thomas Magnum, a friend, was speaking to us*.

All part of the magic of the one and only MPI.

* Edit: Epiphany... Maybe that makes him a great actor. My brain hurts now.

I will go to my grave with a deep and abiding affection for Tom Selleck, but I've never thought he was a great actor except in one role: Tom Selleck. I think it is more than coincidence that Magnum and Selleck share a first name. They are one in the same. He has only one character, but it's a great one. I think Harrison Ford is the same way, he's great at playing one character: Harrison Ford.

I believe you can see this in the evolution of his roles too. Jesse Stone is middle-age Tom Selleck, and Frank Reagan is Tom Selleck as he veers into "get off my lawn" territory.

Is it any less brilliant watching Raiders of the Lost Ark, or original Magnum, just because they're playing themselves? Absolutely not. Magic happens when an actor perfectly inhabits a role. Some (Tom Hanks, for example) can do it for a variety of characters, some for just one. But I'll put the Thomas Magnum character as portrayed by Tom Selleck up against any character in TV history.

And let's face it, Jay Hernandez just can't hold his jockstrap. It's not his fault. Who among us would have turned down the job? I sure as hell would have taken the money and run as far as possible with it if the role had been offered to me.

That’s hilarious. Was gonna mention Harrison Ford too. Love.. love... loved him growing up... never thought he was that great an actor.

[Steve]

I believe you can see this in the evolution of his roles too. Jesse Stone is middle-age Tom Selleck, and Frank Reagan is Tom Selleck as he veers into "get off my lawn" territory.

I love that statement, so true and hilarious! By the way, I am on the side that Selleck is a good and sometimes brilliant actor. There are many quiet, reflective scenes in Magnum, p.i., The Jesse Stone stories and Blue Bloods where he can blow me away with just a very slight cringing of the eyes and slightly arching an eyebrow.......
As far as the new cast goes, I am going to let them grow into the roles (some are doing it faster than others) as they are under a tremendous amount of pressure so I don't want to find fault on any of them thrust into this position........

[MagnumsLeftShoulder]

I will go to my grave with a deep and abiding affection for Tom Selleck, but I've never thought he was a great actor except in one role: Tom Selleck.

There's some truth in what you say, but you could say the same thing about John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Clark Cable, Henry Fonda, and Gregory Peck! I think you can say the same about Tom Hanks. Has he ever really played a villain? He almost always plays a like-able every man type. He just varies the accent!

By the way, I am on the side that Selleck is a good and sometimes brilliant actor.

I agree. He's so good (especially as TM), he's not acting.

Did I just contradict myself? LOL!

[ENSHealy]

Maybe I'm just being dense, but what is the title referring to?

[T.Q.]

Maybe I'm just being dense, but what is the title referring to?

The fish...






... Stinks

“From the Head Down”

[ENSHealy]

Huh, that's a new one on me.

[308GUY]

I will go to my grave with a deep and abiding affection for Tom Selleck, but I've never thought he was a great actor except in one role: Tom Selleck.

There's some truth in what you say, but you could say the same thing about John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Clark Cable, Henry Fonda, and Gregory Peck! I think you can say the same about Tom Hanks. Has he ever really played a villain? He almost always plays a like-able every man type. He just varies the accent!

By the way, I am on the side that Selleck is a good and sometimes brilliant actor.

I agree. He's so good (especially as TM), he's not acting.

Did I just contradict myself? LOL!

If you haven't already, check out TS in "Ike" about the days leading up to the Normandy invasion.....you have to squint a little to even tell it's Selleck at first...but he does an amazing job as Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Then there's "In and Out"....

TS got better at his craft as he did it more/longer. He does always seem to bring at least a little bit of himself to every role I've ever seen him play, but he's not what I would consider a "character actor"....but he's not a method actor either....he's Tom Selleck.....kind of like all the other guys you mentioned above.

"Mr. Baseball" is pretty good too, and "Folks" is one of my favorites...but you know what they say...."There's no accounting for taste"....