I really like Black on White the Magnum Halloween episode. There is a Sherlock Holmes beginning. The middle has a humorous part where Magnum and Higgens share Magnum's quarantine guest room. The odd couple at best. There is a full moon, the hunt, and a stalker which gives the director's creativity full liberty. Like all horror movies Higgens retells the story of revenge which is the details of any good 80's horror movie. I will not give the ending away, but there is a 80's shocker style ending with Black on White. Any 80's horror fan will like this episode. 8 stars.
5 Reviews
It speaks to the lengths that they would go to protect each other....
dd-6605629 June 2023
In episodes like this it speaks to the lengths that Magnum, Higgins, Rick & T. C. would go to watch out for and protect one another. That's what true love and friendship for each other is all about, and when given an opportunity they'll go to those necessary links. I always enjoyed this episode as well for the part Ian McShane played and then as well the lovely, lovely African Woman. Both played remarkable parts and should be commended for their work. The musical score and the acting is excellent and they all played their parts well together. The back and forth between Higgins and Magnum is great as well!
Not always black or white
safenoe13 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
British (or English) actor Ian McShane guest stars in this third season episode, Black on White, and it delves into some serious stuff about the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya and kind of has a Naked Prey or Roots feel to it. There aren't many guest stars in this episode, although Gillian Dobb makes her debut playing Agatha Chumley, although Gillian did appear a few episodes earlier as a hotel receptionist.
Anyway, the Black African tropes in this episode were a bit predictable and bordering on the contentious, but anyway this episode debuted in 1982 so that's over four decades ago. This episode isn't for everyone.
Anyway, the Black African tropes in this episode were a bit predictable and bordering on the contentious, but anyway this episode debuted in 1982 so that's over four decades ago. This episode isn't for everyone.
Atmospheric tale with Ian McShane making another guest appearance
DVD_Connoisseur18 November 2018
Whilst by no means a perfect episode, I really like "Black on White". As a result, I've scored it the elusive 10/10.
The tale begins in a romanticised Hollywood version of London - horse and carts, top hats and tails, etc. A full moon hangs over Big Ben like an outtake from "Curse of the Werewolf" and the beautiful Lynne Moody delivers the worst cockney impersonation since Dick Van Dyke playing Caractacus Potts. The feeling of the opening scene is therefore more Hammer Horror than Hawaii.
Ian McShane plays a haunted man, Edwin Clutterbuck. This is McShane's second (and last) appearance in the series and he throws everything into his role as a racist, thoroughly unpleasant soldier who is tormented by the demons of his past.
The fascinating Gillian Dobb appears in the series again, this time playing Higgins' number one fan and fellow Brit, Agatha Chumley.
I like this episode a lot. It's rich in atmosphere and there's great chemistry between the main cast. The only elements that leave a sour taste are the racist language used by the character Clutterbuck and the rather unusual title for this episode. Very '80s but not politically correct and it's difficult to imagine this episode being aired uncut today.
Overall, a very different type of tale for "Magnum, P.I." and worthy of a viewing. It's a spooky treat with great humour to break the tension.
The tale begins in a romanticised Hollywood version of London - horse and carts, top hats and tails, etc. A full moon hangs over Big Ben like an outtake from "Curse of the Werewolf" and the beautiful Lynne Moody delivers the worst cockney impersonation since Dick Van Dyke playing Caractacus Potts. The feeling of the opening scene is therefore more Hammer Horror than Hawaii.
Ian McShane plays a haunted man, Edwin Clutterbuck. This is McShane's second (and last) appearance in the series and he throws everything into his role as a racist, thoroughly unpleasant soldier who is tormented by the demons of his past.
The fascinating Gillian Dobb appears in the series again, this time playing Higgins' number one fan and fellow Brit, Agatha Chumley.
I like this episode a lot. It's rich in atmosphere and there's great chemistry between the main cast. The only elements that leave a sour taste are the racist language used by the character Clutterbuck and the rather unusual title for this episode. Very '80s but not politically correct and it's difficult to imagine this episode being aired uncut today.
Overall, a very different type of tale for "Magnum, P.I." and worthy of a viewing. It's a spooky treat with great humour to break the tension.
Strangely a dud
Mr-Fusion22 April 2016
I'm not sure what to make of 'Black on White'. There were various parts that were fun; Thomas being quarantined with Higgins (the shouting match was funny); Rick house sitting with the dogs; and TC putting the moves on a British journalist. And it guest starts Ian McShane, that guy is always fascinating.
But then it moves away from the fun stuff and into a dark story involving Higgins' and McShane's past amid an uprising in Kenya. At this point, it was flat for me - and even the "you can't escape your past" theme is a recurring one on this show, it wasn't nearly as resonant here as in other episodes.
5/10
But then it moves away from the fun stuff and into a dark story involving Higgins' and McShane's past amid an uprising in Kenya. At this point, it was flat for me - and even the "you can't escape your past" theme is a recurring one on this show, it wasn't nearly as resonant here as in other episodes.
5/10
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