While working as an intermediary between two rival drug lords, Crockett loses his memory in a boat explosion. Upon awakening he has amnesia, and is led to believe he is Sonny Burnett- a cold blooded, ruthless, menacing killer who now works for Manolo (one of the drug lords he was pursuing). When time passes and Sonny's body is never found, certain clues lead Tubbs to Manolo- and his new right hand man.
Review: The strength of the final two episodes of this season ending cliffhanger almost make the viewer forget how uneven the fourth season of Miami Vice really was. The writers truly saved their best for last as you become immersed in the storyline and all of the events leading up to its stunning conclusion. The "reunion" of sorts between Crockett and Tubbs is probably the most shocking moment of the entire series. There are plenty of plot twists here, but nothing to where you lose sight of what is going on in the story (sometimes a problem in Miami Vice episodes). Miami Vice was always known not only for its A-list of guest stars, but also for its impressive list of future stars. A young Julia Roberts and Chris Cooper (long before their Academy Award wins) highlight the supporting cast. And we can't forget Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear-Starsky and Hutch) as the two-timing, ruthless Alejandro Gutierrez. It really doesn't get much better than this as far as Miami Vice goes. A MUST SEE episode.
5 out of 5 stars
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Episode 89- Deliver Us From Evil- 4/29/88
When a home invasion leaves three people dead in Miami, Crockett has reason to believe it is the work of Frank Hackman, the murderer of Crockett's former partner who lied about his alibi in order to be released from prison. When Sonny supposedly kills Hackman's girlfriend during a raid, Hackman seeks revenge against Sonny- which brings deadly results.
Review: For fans who were less than satisfied with the fourth season of Miami Vice, you are rewarded here beyond your wildest imagination. "Deliver Us From Evil" is not only one of the season's high points, but for the entire series as well. Miami Vice was always very good at resolving loose ends. Originally seen in "Forgive Us Our Debts" from season three, Frank Hackman was released from prison when a string of lies and false alibis found him removed from death row and back on the street. This was particularly grueling for Crockett due to the fact that supposedly overwhelming evidence led Crockett to believe Hackman in fact did not kill his former partner. As a result, Crockett was the one formally responsible for letting him get out of jail. Irony again is a factor in this episode when the bullet that killed Hackman's girlfriend was not even from Crockett's gun, but with Hackman's. Also ironic was the fact that Caitlin avoided death at the hands of the record executives, but met an untimely end when she was caught in Hackman's crossfire. Finally, Hackman states at the end of the episode that he is an unarmed man to Crockett. However, the scene then shifts to his dead body in which a pistol is held in his hand. This was concealed by the book Hackman was reading.
The writer's definately found a interesting way to kill off Caitlin in the storyline, although Tubbs had reached a similar fate when Calderone's son killed his sister (Tubbs former lover) and (supposedly) his son in "Sons and Lovers." In closing, this is an episode that is essential to every true Miami Vice fan, and sets the stage for the even more dramatic season ending cliffhanger.
5 out of 5 stars
Review: For fans who were less than satisfied with the fourth season of Miami Vice, you are rewarded here beyond your wildest imagination. "Deliver Us From Evil" is not only one of the season's high points, but for the entire series as well. Miami Vice was always very good at resolving loose ends. Originally seen in "Forgive Us Our Debts" from season three, Frank Hackman was released from prison when a string of lies and false alibis found him removed from death row and back on the street. This was particularly grueling for Crockett due to the fact that supposedly overwhelming evidence led Crockett to believe Hackman in fact did not kill his former partner. As a result, Crockett was the one formally responsible for letting him get out of jail. Irony again is a factor in this episode when the bullet that killed Hackman's girlfriend was not even from Crockett's gun, but with Hackman's. Also ironic was the fact that Caitlin avoided death at the hands of the record executives, but met an untimely end when she was caught in Hackman's crossfire. Finally, Hackman states at the end of the episode that he is an unarmed man to Crockett. However, the scene then shifts to his dead body in which a pistol is held in his hand. This was concealed by the book Hackman was reading.
The writer's definately found a interesting way to kill off Caitlin in the storyline, although Tubbs had reached a similar fate when Calderone's son killed his sister (Tubbs former lover) and (supposedly) his son in "Sons and Lovers." In closing, this is an episode that is essential to every true Miami Vice fan, and sets the stage for the even more dramatic season ending cliffhanger.
5 out of 5 stars
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Episode 88- A Bullet For Crockett- 4/15/88
Sonny fights for his life when he is gunned down during a drug bust. As they await the news of his condition, the vice squad recounts their memories of Sonny, and Tubbs helps to track down the woman who shot him with help from Izzy.
Review: When Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" plays in the background of the opening scene, you may ask yourself "Haven't I seen this episode before?" So it's only fitting that "A Bullet For Crockett" would be filled with flashbacks from Miami Vice's better days (including the pilot episode, in which the song had been previously featured). I then asked myself why would the writer's want to try and recreate a scene and a soundtrack that to this day, has such powerful magnitude with Miami Vice fans and casual viewers alike? I still can't completely put my finger on it, but at the end I'll take a guess.
More than half of the episode includes scenes from other episodes, which usually means that: 1. Writers are really struggling to find story lines at this particular point in the season. 2. The budget is low, so they need an episode of stock footage to fill sixty minutes (almost every long running TV series has an episode where this takes place), or 3. They are saving the budget for an awesome, two-part season finale! If you break it down that way, all three of the above kind of make sense. The episode is worth a look more than anything to really see what once was, and now is no longer.
But anyhow, back to the episode. Yeah, yeah Crockett doesn't die, Tubbs tracks down Angel, and in the end everybody's happy (an oddity for season four). However, all is not well for too long. Come to think of it, the reappearance of Mr. Collins kind of brings the show to the end of an era, and into the the most famous storyline of the entire series. What was an up and down season for Miami Vice will soon end with a bang (or should I say explosion) in the next two episodes. And like it or not, for better or for worse, things will never be the same down in Miami ever again.
3 out of 5 stars
Review: When Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" plays in the background of the opening scene, you may ask yourself "Haven't I seen this episode before?" So it's only fitting that "A Bullet For Crockett" would be filled with flashbacks from Miami Vice's better days (including the pilot episode, in which the song had been previously featured). I then asked myself why would the writer's want to try and recreate a scene and a soundtrack that to this day, has such powerful magnitude with Miami Vice fans and casual viewers alike? I still can't completely put my finger on it, but at the end I'll take a guess.
More than half of the episode includes scenes from other episodes, which usually means that: 1. Writers are really struggling to find story lines at this particular point in the season. 2. The budget is low, so they need an episode of stock footage to fill sixty minutes (almost every long running TV series has an episode where this takes place), or 3. They are saving the budget for an awesome, two-part season finale! If you break it down that way, all three of the above kind of make sense. The episode is worth a look more than anything to really see what once was, and now is no longer.
But anyhow, back to the episode. Yeah, yeah Crockett doesn't die, Tubbs tracks down Angel, and in the end everybody's happy (an oddity for season four). However, all is not well for too long. Come to think of it, the reappearance of Mr. Collins kind of brings the show to the end of an era, and into the the most famous storyline of the entire series. What was an up and down season for Miami Vice will soon end with a bang (or should I say explosion) in the next two episodes. And like it or not, for better or for worse, things will never be the same down in Miami ever again.
3 out of 5 stars
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Episode 87- Blood And Roses- 4/1/88
Gina encounters Frank Mosca- the mobster who once had Crockett's friend murdered, at a local Miami party. Sensing an opportunity to finally put Mosca away for good, Gina goes undercover and quickly takes to Mosca- much to the chagrin of Sonny.
Review: The sequel to the season opener "Contempt Of Court." Ok, by season four, Gina has slept with four men. Three of them (with the exception of Sonny) wind up dead at the end of each episode with Gina herself pulling the trigger! Talk about bad luck! The Sonny/Gina storyline from season one comes to the surface again (as it does from time to time), and Gina gets her customary story for the season (although she was the focal point of season three's opener and finale). This episode has more of a feel from the previous seasons than that of season four, although this is Stanley Tucci's second appearance this season as Frank Mosca and third overall in the series. Not to fret, there are the customary dead body and a violent death by starngulation here as well. It truly wouldn't be a fourth season episode without it (LOL). Decent episode if only to see the return and demise of Mosca. Would have liked to see a little more intense ending for a bad guy who took up two episodes, but that's Miami Vice for ya. Frank Stallone (Sly's little brother) makes a cameo as one of Mosca's right hand men.
3 out of 5 stars
Review: The sequel to the season opener "Contempt Of Court." Ok, by season four, Gina has slept with four men. Three of them (with the exception of Sonny) wind up dead at the end of each episode with Gina herself pulling the trigger! Talk about bad luck! The Sonny/Gina storyline from season one comes to the surface again (as it does from time to time), and Gina gets her customary story for the season (although she was the focal point of season three's opener and finale). This episode has more of a feel from the previous seasons than that of season four, although this is Stanley Tucci's second appearance this season as Frank Mosca and third overall in the series. Not to fret, there are the customary dead body and a violent death by starngulation here as well. It truly wouldn't be a fourth season episode without it (LOL). Decent episode if only to see the return and demise of Mosca. Would have liked to see a little more intense ending for a bad guy who took up two episodes, but that's Miami Vice for ya. Frank Stallone (Sly's little brother) makes a cameo as one of Mosca's right hand men.
3 out of 5 stars
Monday, November 5, 2007
Episode 86- Badge Of Dishonor- 3/18/88
A series of botched drug deals ending in murder has the vice squad suspecting that there may be a leak involving the department.
Review: Very strong episode in which Philip Michael Thomas gives a solid performance. Except the bloody violence which is a staple of season four, nothing really stands out here. Just strong acting all around and a semi-believable script. The only weak point in the whole episode occurs at the end when the last crooked cop shows up and immediately recognizes Tubbs from the department. I even saw that one coming. He at least could have shaved his beard! I know that's being nit picky, but definitely not an episode to miss.
4 out of 5 stars
Review: Very strong episode in which Philip Michael Thomas gives a solid performance. Except the bloody violence which is a staple of season four, nothing really stands out here. Just strong acting all around and a semi-believable script. The only weak point in the whole episode occurs at the end when the last crooked cop shows up and immediately recognizes Tubbs from the department. I even saw that one coming. He at least could have shaved his beard! I know that's being nit picky, but definitely not an episode to miss.
4 out of 5 stars
Episode 85- Hell Hath No Fury...- 3/11/88
A rape victim who Trudy befriends fears for her life when the man who raped her is released from jail, possibly seeking revenge on his former victim.
Review: This episode could have been much better, but at least Trudy gets a better story line. The viewer is completely convinced that the rapist is indeed out for revenge on Ellen up until the very end of the episode, which once again delivers an ironic twist. If you notice something different in this episode, it is the first episode of Miami Vice to not have featured pop songs from any musical artist. A disappointment comapred to the episodes of the previous weeks, but not unwatchable. Just average.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Review: This episode could have been much better, but at least Trudy gets a better story line. The viewer is completely convinced that the rapist is indeed out for revenge on Ellen up until the very end of the episode, which once again delivers an ironic twist. If you notice something different in this episode, it is the first episode of Miami Vice to not have featured pop songs from any musical artist. A disappointment comapred to the episodes of the previous weeks, but not unwatchable. Just average.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Episode 84- Honor Among Thieves?- 3/4/88
As Crockett and Tubbs go undercover to close in on a local drug lord, teenage girls are found murdered in Miami with the drug lord's coccaine in their body. The cops are reluctant to pursue the case for fear of blowing their operation, but the killer is closer to them than they think.
Review: Creepy, ironic (again), and action packed, "Honor Among Thieves?" is also one of season four's best offerings. Rock and a Hard Place could also be used as the title of this episode, due to the fact that Sonny and Rico's source for their case is the killer himself! Sonny must preside over Delgado's trial because both of them will be killed if he can't get him off the hook. It's also nice to see Tubbs finally lay out an ass whooping on that racist guy from Georgia as well. The only problem with this episode is the ending, which is almost a carbon copy of "Indian Wars," with both antagonists falling to their deaths (in the same fashion), and Vice getting their drug lord unintentionally.
4 out of 5 stars
Review: Creepy, ironic (again), and action packed, "Honor Among Thieves?" is also one of season four's best offerings. Rock and a Hard Place could also be used as the title of this episode, due to the fact that Sonny and Rico's source for their case is the killer himself! Sonny must preside over Delgado's trial because both of them will be killed if he can't get him off the hook. It's also nice to see Tubbs finally lay out an ass whooping on that racist guy from Georgia as well. The only problem with this episode is the ending, which is almost a carbon copy of "Indian Wars," with both antagonists falling to their deaths (in the same fashion), and Vice getting their drug lord unintentionally.
4 out of 5 stars
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