Thanks to the creative vision and steady guidance of writer-producer Donald Bellisario, this above-average detective drama really hit its stride during the 22 episodes of its second season (1981-82), as Tom Selleck settled comfortably into his star-making role, and John Hillerman became an increasingly able second banana. “The Woman on the Beach” finds Magnum's pal Rick (Larry Manetti) meeting an attractive young woman who confesses that her life is in danger, before he learns that she actually died 35 years ago--supposedly a suicide. Did Rick encounter the ghost of a murder victim? “Memories Are Forever,” a two-parter, reunites Magnum with the wife he has long believed dead; now she is married to a Vietnamese big-shot negotiating with the U.S. government for the return of our soldiers' remains (this powerfully poignant type of storyline would become less common in subsequent seasons). “The Sixth Position” guest stars Andrea Marcovicci as a famous ballerina whom Magnum is hired to guard, while “Try to Remember” finds the P.I. amnesia-struck after crashing his car while searching for a missing woman--when she turns up dead, Magnum becomes the chief suspect in her murder. “Double Jeopardy” is a clever whodunit in which Magnum's home base, the estate of thriller writer Robin Masters, becomes a location for moviemakers (where one of the stars is shot “accidentally,” launching an investigation). The season-ending “Three Minus Two” is another first-rate whodunit, involving the murder of a partner in an exclusive fashion-designing firm, and guest stars Beverly Garland and Jill St. John. DVD extras include two episodes from other shows, The A-Team's “Diamonds ‘n' Dust” and Knight Rider's “Brother's Keeper.” Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)
Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Second Season
Universal, 3 discs, 1,083 min., not rated, DVD: $49.98 May 16, 2005
Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Second Season
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