Did this series get too diluted after Season 1? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-27-2016, 05:10 AM

Season 1 still seemed to be grounded in its hard-boiled roots by having Thomas Magnum as being a lot more gritty, cocky and arrogant. Later he becomes more like a bum and arguably duller. And the main characters are more like man-children. Even the episode titles changed.

lj01 · 04-26-2017, 12:01 PM

I've watched through the first four seasons so far, and I was thinking mostly the same thing. Maybe is just a personal preference of how one likes their "crime drama" series, but, while I like a little comic relief in a serious crime story, the silly-type shows (which were somewhat fewer and far between in earlier seasons) begin to dominate, especially in the latter half of season 4.

For instance, the closer of season 4 ("I Witness") was the Rashomon theme, which had been covered earlier that 1983-84 season by...Diff'rent Strokes - to similar effect.

I guess, though, they were just giving the people what they wanted. The cast was superb, whether the material was serious or silly.

And I think, again, in tune with the times and the evolving nature of TV series, developed the personal stories and inter-relationships between the characters more - and in a way, involving (and hooking in) the viewer more. I'm sure it wasn't the first to do this, but kind of a forerunner I would say.

But yeah, I would agree for sure with your assessment.

lj01 · 06-06-2017, 04:12 PM

In an earlier S4 episode, "Operation Silent Night" there was a point where T.C. stated "What'chu talkin' about, Higgins?"

Perhaps an inside joke that MPI was covering a DS episode later in the season?

08-27-2016, 05:10 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,028	Did this series get too diluted after Season 1? Season 1 still seemed to be grounded in its hard-boiled roots by having Thomas Magnum as being a lot more gritty, cocky and arrogant. Later he becomes more like a bum and arguably duller. And the main characters are more like man-children. Even the episode titles changed.

04-26-2017, 12:01 PM	#2
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	I've watched through the first four seasons so far, and I was thinking mostly the same thing. Maybe is just a personal preference of how one likes their "crime drama" series, but, while I like a little comic relief in a serious crime story, the silly-type shows (which were somewhat fewer and far between in earlier seasons) begin to dominate, especially in the latter half of season 4. For instance, the closer of season 4 ("I Witness") was the Rashomon theme, which had been covered earlier that 1983-84 season by...Diff'rent Strokes - to similar effect. I guess, though, they were just giving the people what they wanted. The cast was superb, whether the material was serious or silly. And I think, again, in tune with the times and the evolving nature of TV series, developed the personal stories and inter-relationships between the characters more - and in a way, involving (and hooking in) the viewer more. I'm sure it wasn't the first to do this, but kind of a forerunner I would say. But yeah, I would agree for sure with your assessment.

06-06-2017, 04:12 PM	#3
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	In an earlier S4 episode, "Operation Silent Night" there was a point where T.C. stated "What'chu talkin' about, Higgins?" Perhaps an inside joke that MPI was covering a DS episode later in the season?