Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 518 of ‘Magnum P.I.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One important lesson that people in positions of power and in positions of trust struggle to learn, is that they should not ever abuse their standing and their power. And we are able to ascertain the difficulties of learning that, by how so many in those positions, are humiliated in the public eye when they do indeed abuse their power. Because for some reason, reaching that point in life somehow clouds judgment and boosts ego and the end result is scandal upon scandal and well, it does leave us wondering how exactly we can hammer that lesson home and return some respect to leadership and power and believe it or not, storytelling is trying its best to help with that. For this week’s episode of Magnum P.I. on NBC took the time to ponder upon the harshest consequences that could come out of an abuse of power, to send out the right message regarding this problem, and ‘Extracurricular Activities’ accomplished that feat, by sending Magnum and Higgins… back to school. For the University of Oahu had concerns about some of the allegations that were suddenly being made regarding a prestigious professor. For someone made claim that he was something of a lothario and abusing his position in the process and it was up to Higgy and Mags to find out for sure if that was the case and of course… it was. He was indeed sleeping with a student, who expected some favors in return for the romance that was being indulged in. But not for the reasons that one might think. Because it turned out… that the woman involved with the professor, was in fact, a spy for the Chinese government. For the work of said professor, was designed to do wonders with crops and food supplies around the world, and in the wrong hands… that science could do some serious damage and all the data regarding this, is what the spy wanted. Which brought about a mad dash to stop her, and of course… our heroes did. But what mattered more, was the lesson inherent for those in power who think they can do as they please and indulge accordingly. Because eventually, it will come back to bite them, and if they meet the wrong person that claps back… so much more could be ruined than just a reputation. Life’s work could be destroyed, and people could get hurt if the circumstances are right. Which really was a fine lesson to inject into this tale, and hopefully… people listen. However, while it was nice to see a show try to influence a little change on such matters, and remind us of how far we have to go, courtesy of how that plot thread ended, what would an episode of this show be… without a little heart? Which was handled by an epic camping trip with just the boys. Wherein we learned that Rick sounds akin to a chainsaw when he sleeps and remains eager to help those in need since supplies were swiped by someone unhoused and hungry folks, and Rick let them keep that because he’s a good guy. And we also learned that unlike Dennis, who decided to head to Michigan for college, Cade had no desire to go to school. Instead, he wanted to follow in TC’s footsteps and enlist. Something that took TC off guard since he thought a different path awaited him. But Cade really wanted to be like his adoptive dad, and with a little insight from Rick, TC embraced this and encouraged it. All of which spoke to unity and understanding and the majesty of supporting one another, and those types of themes have been central to this fifth and final season of the show, and that served as the perfect bookend to a perfect story about… being decent to one another. For decency would have solved a lot of problems for that professor in this tale, but alas… what’s done and done, and hopefully the character and others at home watching… learned from that experience. One that was masterfully assembled by Perdita Weeks, who plays Juliet Higgins on the show, and had the chance to get into the Director’s Chair this week for her directorial debut, and she knocked it out of the park, and truly gave life to an important story, with an important message. Until next time. Watch ‘Magnum P.I.’
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