(Magnum, P. I.) is a great TV show. I selected it as number one in my list for the best 10 TV shows ever, and that was for objective as well as subjective reasons, knowing that these shows, which can fulfill it both ways, are quite few.. very few.
(Home from the Sea) was the first episode of the fourth season; aired for the first time on 29 September 1983. It's perfect example for this show's quality, its hero's uniqueness, and the immortality of them. Let's see why..
Firstly, the plot was so new. (Magnum) was locked up in the sea, after his fall over the waterskiing board, while nobody knew anything about his place, or what was happening to him. Then, he got carried by the sea's current, suffering the absence of any boats near him, and living the danger of a shark so close to him too. So he should swim and swim with no sleep at all, otherwise would be drowned or eaten. WAW, this is "new" for TV or even Cinema!
Somehow it seems affected by Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, but while having its own characters, structure and meaning. And even if you want to question its originality, you have to admit that the mere idea of mixing the shadow of that memorable short novel, with what's supposed to be another diverting detective show makes the latter something else another diverting detective show. Namely something higher and better.
Secondly, I was impressed by the sudden worry of the lead's 3 friends about him, and the way it was embodied as a telepathic relationship between them; where they sensed, every one by his own way, the unseen danger around (Mag). I won't forget the moment in which (Higgins) felt strange while the sunset. That was incredible scene, and as romantic and transparency as their friendship.
Thirdly, the way how the script utilized its basic situation to make thrilling time, and review some sad sides in (Magnum)'s life as well. Sides that maybe were out of his depth. And that was done through very touching and smart flashbacks. Like the story of (Magnum)'s late wife as his sole love, and how the Vietnam war murdered her, scaring him emotionally, to hate war altogether. But there were deeper wounds, like the story of his beloved father, who taught him swimming and fearlessness. And that father's death in Korea as an American soldier on 4/7/1951, when (Magnum) was only 6 years old. That reveals why (Magnum) always lives the fourth of July alone in seclusion.
Moreover, how (Magnum) finds out, during his crisis, that while feeling sorrow over his late father, he must live with that father's soul and instructions. To remember the life of the man, not his death. And that was part of the main message of the whole (Magnum, P. I.) concerning solemnizing life itself as the designed innermost meaning behind the show's fine entertainment. So the breathtaking story wasn't about drowning into the sea, or being eaten by a shark; that was the good surface. It was essentially a story about a man who should face his problems to know about himself, and challenge his own torments, so he wouldn't be drowned by his heartaches, or killed by his fears.
Fourthly, in what seemed as just flashy pastime show, there was a satire for the American policy, through the death of the lead's father in the Korean war, then the lost of his love in the Vietnam war, which - both - played big part in the lead's psychological deformation. The very deformation which led him - as an early episode referred - to sanatorium for psychotherapy right after his returning from Vietnam. So as you see, it was all because of war. Therefore, the choice of The Fourth of July as the hard memory of his father was not random at all!
That specific day is the American Independence Day, where the American citizens celebrate their ascendants' revolution against the British occupation. Hence that choice condemns America's policy after this independence anyway, especially - and how ironic - when it went to occupy other places in the world, and fought for more power in nations like Korea, Vietnam, or else.
Further than that, look at the ways of celebrating the day, which differ according to every character: watching a baseball match (TC), playing a polo match (Higgins), and a night with a girl on a yacht (Rick). But on the other hand, you'll see (Magnum)'s inclination to a spiritual solitude with the sea, only to cry alone out of sorrows that this day excites. This shows us - even in implied way - the ugly face of the American history to decry it, and shows us - also - the other painful side of the lead character / hero to balance him as a human being who had too many dimensions just like its series. In my opinion, this serious side was one of (Magnum, P. I.) most important secrets of success, charm, and immortality.
SO, we have thrilling time, romantic moments, psychological dimension, and political satire.. Actually who needs more than that?! Putting in mind that it managed, in the same time, to have a good intro for the fourth season, which presented - for any fresh viewer - a lot about the title character, and the show. And really, what a character and what a show.
PS: I wrote a review about the entire show entitled (I've Always Believed That Happiness Was All About Watching "Magnum" Continually Without Commercials!). You can find it on the show's IMDb page.
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