‘Magnum P.I.’ Recap: ‘Appetite for Danger’

10/19/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

MAGNUM P.I. -- "Appetite for Danger" Episode 513 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, Perdita Weeks as Juliet Higgins -- (Photo by: Zack Dougan/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 513 of ‘Magnum P.I.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

There are a great many reasons that people fell in love with the NBC series, Magnum P.I. For some, it was the sheer fact that an iconic series was being resurrected and handled in a quality manner. Since this iteration of Thomas Magnum’s adventures do indeed hold a flame to the original series. For others, the action and adventure and beautiful visuals of Hawaii are hard to pass up. But of the many reasons that people have tuned in faithfully for the past five season, there are a couple that we all share in. In that, we all love the show’s dynamic and realistic characters, and we love the show’s outright humanity. For this really is a series that speaks to our better angels and what makes humanity worth celebrating and well… those latter aspects of the show are top of mind today, for they were once again on display during last night’s episode of the show.

For ‘Appetite for Danger’ showcased an investigation that was about helping people in trouble out and in between that… were some beautiful moments with the rest of the characters. In fact, let’s talk about those now. Because they were so uplifting and so wondrous. Such as how… Rick used the little league team that T.C. coached, to help T.C. find internal strength again. Because he was struggling to get some of his physical therapy done and he needed a real boost and Rick made that happen. By having the team cheer him on and inspire him the way he inspired them, and for his efforts… T.C. made great progress. Courtesy of a plot that reminded us of what we can accomplish when those we care about support us, and how important it is that we step in and help our friends when they are in need.

But the majesty of this story didn’t end there. For Kumu and Cade were conducting interviews regarding the Japanese Internment Camps that the United States set up during World War II, to preserve history and in this case, help a man find peace. For dear George told his heartbreaking story about how his Japanese American family was rounded up mere days after the Day of Infamy and put into those very camps. Wherein he lost track of his sister, and never saw her again, and he also spoke to how he put the pieces of his life back together after being seen as an enemy by the very nation he was a citizen of. And what he said about his sister impacted Cade deeply and he worked to find George’s sister, and the extended family George never knew… to give him that closure. Which made for a powerful ending to this plot, one that really did speak to how beauty can come out of tragedy, when we as a people inject kindness into the mix.

MAGNUM P.I. -- "Appetite for Danger" Episode 513 -- Pictured: Amy Hill as Teuila “Kumu” Tuileta -- (Photo by: NBC)

Yet, the show still had more uplifting stuff to send our way, courtesy of this week’s big case. Because Thomas and Juliet were hired to find out why a star chef named Kanoa had suddenly disappeared from the kitchen at one of Hawaii’s most prestigious restaurants. Which meant our heroes needed Gordon to help out as an interim chef to quietly get intelligence on Konoa’s activities inside and outside of work. To paint a picture of the man and to see what kind of trouble he found and/or caused. As it turned out, there was little to show that Konoa had done anything wrong, he was just missing, and this was indeed out of character for a man that really did take great pride in his work. Which forced Magnum and Higgins to widen the net and speak to other people he knew and that… brought forth quite the uncomfortable surprise for this duo.

In that, people Konoa knew were being kidnapped and taken to heaven knows where, and thanks to Gordon, they were able to trace and track a car that picked up Konoa’s girlfriend to a big event at the museum. Wherein they figured out what happened to Konoa. In that… he was ‘recruited’ by a shockingly well-organized group of thieves. Who posed as caterers and used top-name local chefs (at gunpoint) to gain access to places to rob, and once they had full access, they would knock the attendees out, steal everything that wasn’t nailed down and move onto their next target. But of course, this group didn’t count on Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins coming to their latest event, and that was bad news for them. Since they were able to neutralize the ring and save a good man that was caught up in the middle of a mess that wasn’t his doing.

Which is a plot that spoke deeply to the importance of just being there for people in need and going the extra mile to help them. Because that can do so much, especially to someone who is struggling and in danger and well, all of these elements made for one incredible episode. One that really did tug at our heartstrings and left us feeling pretty good about our day when all is said and done. Because you cannot go wrong with a story that showcases the best of us and what we can do, and it was just lovely to see the series in touch with its core roots again, and that could not have come at a better time. Since it helps to remind us perhaps one last time, why we love this show and how much we will miss it, and it will be interesting to see what other ‘greatest hits’ and surprises this show sends our way, as we continue our farewell tour of this magnificent and fulfilling series. Until next time.

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