Miami Vice (TV Series) Duty and Honor (1987) User Reviews

A killer who has left a trail of bodies from Saigon to Miami

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 9 May 2012]

This episode opens with a flashback to Lt Castillo's time in Vietnam where he is investigating the murder of a Saigon prostitute... when we return to the present another girl has been murdered; this time in Miami... the two crimes may have taken place on opposite sites of the world but the MO was identical and Lt. Castillo is convinced that the same man killed both women. He is also convinced that the killer will strike again. It isn't long before an old friend turns up; Inspector Nguyn Van Trahn; the police officer who had worked alongside Castillo in Saigon and has been tracking the killer ever since. The initial assumption is that the killer is somebody who just likes killing prostitutes but as the team start looking into identical cases around the world they spot a pattern; they all happen in the run up to the assassination of a prominent individual. The evidence starts to point to somebody who was known as 'The Savage' who had killed numerous high profile communists during Operation Phoenix and had a particular reason to dislike prostitutes.

This season continues to impress with another fine episode. Any episode were Lt. Castillo takes centre stage seems to be good; Edward James Olmos is great in the role. The rest of the regulars performed well as expected. This episode is notable for two of the guest stars; Helena Bonham Carter appears briefly as a new woman in Crockett's life and the late Haing S. Ngor, best known for 'The Killing Fields' stars as Inspector Trahn. Not as well known but Michael Wright who appears as 'The Savage' also does well bringing an icy coolness to the role rather than playing him as a crazed psycho. The story has a couple of great twists including one real surprise where we learn that Castillo's friend isn't who he claimed to be... thankfully he doesn't turn out to be a bad guy though as that would have been somewhat cliché.

An iconic Miami Vice episode.

[brianjcavanaugh · 10/10 · 29 June 2010]

This episode easily ranks right up there with the best episodes of this series. I will go so far as to say it's iconic. It has a story where the setting makes the story possible, both in time and location, it has great cue music, it has 3 great guest roles by three terrific actors who really make their marks with their characters, it has two really great bad guys, good action including a good chase or two, suspense, international angles tied in with vice, the crimes are a bit shocking, Gina & Trudy dolled up real nice as hookers, it's tied in with Castillo's past, and it's thick with atmosphere.

Pretty much any episode involving Castillo's past is a great episode. The only exception is when his re-married Thai wife comes back when her husband is dealing drugs or something.

One scene I really like is when Gina & Trudy are out as bait and Crockett eyes the guy and sends Gina over to snag him, then a chase ensues. I really like it when the show got out there in the city and put the actors on the real streets instead of constantly being on the stage or closed sets.

This is probably a better basis for a feature film than what they did a few years ago with Colin Farrel and Jamie Foxx. What a waste of great characters & setting. And what's with that Castillo guy? Anyway, I always enjoy watching this one. My only question is why they retitled it "Duty and Honor" for syndication. Doesn't make sense.

The Savage is the Best Miami Vice Episode Ever!

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 13 December 2010]

I know haven't comment for the past 3.years any IMDb title movie.i'm a huge fan of Miami Vice and still haven't stopped been one! i comment a lot of M.V. Eps# from Season 3, but i never comment this one! So i will do it now! Duty and Honor (a.k.a. The Savage)the title of the Ep#,' is the best episode of Miami Vice ever! Season 3 is the best-one ever there ever is in Miami Vice! Season 3 & 1 simple rocks and they are still my favorite and the best-one's ever there is! In here we have action, drama ,love scenes, music, great clothes, womens etc... that's what i like ever. Season 3 isn't focusing only on Drug busts like was in season 2, they are focusing on other actually cases that happened! Miami Vice Squad isn't only about drugs, but is about other true cases Oswell! Season 3 is the best-one ever there is! This season is not for kids is only for adults! You need to understand what is all about here!This Ep# is well written and acted really great! Great songs and theme! The Savage a.k.a. Duty and Honor is about Serial Killer who is killing prostitutes in Miami! It begins in Saigon Republic of Vietnam 1972 a assassin name the Savage was killing Vietnam prostitutes and left his mark on the wall actually his card and he did not stopped killing those girls! Now present day, 13 Years Later after those murders ; he's back in Miami and he is pursuing those girls again. Lieutenant Martin Castillo was working on that case without success, now he has too go trough that case again and stop the "Killer" before is too late! His friend from the Vietnam an Ex cop from Saigon Inspector Nguyn Van Trahn shows up again and pay him a visit too help him to catch this killer.He was waiting for thirteen years on that day that come, to finally finished what he started and he's not going anywhere until he finishes the job once and for all! (Haing S. Ngor actor who portrayed " Inspector Nguyn Van Trahn ") i did not know he was a doctor, was a brilliant actor portraying Inspector from Saigon , i did not know about him that much and i was never interested in him as a actor , i only know him from Vanishing Son movies and is really horrible that he was killed in 1996! Michael Wright was amazing, brilliant and awesome as The Killer Vietnam war vet and operative from Asia assassin The "Savage"! Frank a.k.a. The "Savage" is Vietnam war vet and operative from Asia his journey begins in Japan , he was a smart boy but when a hooker he was with her hurt and insult and miscalled him, he killed her , but she scared him for life and is now hunting him forever! He joined U.S. army and traveled to Vietnam when he was starting his killing spree " unknown " who it was! He bring the girls to himself and than kill them with his knife! He killed more and more people in Vietnam even when they were sleeping! He was dangerous and psychotic and no one knew in his unit what he is capable off it! Lieutenant Martin Castillo was an army police officer (i don't know how you guys called in The U.S.) he was investigating those murders and now the past come back to hunt him. The Savage was really young and good looking and i hardly believe that he was so young after so many years later.Portrayed by One and Only actor Michael Wright. The story was really awesome and exciting and really great. You don't know how this Episode is gonna End! It was great End, great Episode! We even found out why The " Savage" come to Miami. He was assignment to kill Felix Lawson some important person, but he left bloody trail behind him and a Miami cop and Inspector from Saigon were on his trail. He become sloppy. Jack Colman was his operative and he was giving him assignments and he knew his secret! Colman was from C.I.A. On The end of the Episode Castillo gets wounded and hurt by the " Savage " and Trahn killed him on the end and than he goes on the revenge and he kills Colman. He get them both of them,cause Colman would walked free and there was no evidence he had anything to do with The " Savage" and he was also responsible for these killings! Trahn took justice in his own hands, than he flees and left a note for Martin. We also found out on the end that Nguyn Van Trahn isn't his real name he chose that name after a Saigon cop he meet during Vietnam - war when he was Lieutenant in the army.Nguyn Van Trahn was a Saigon cop who died in 1968 in Saigon and he was Inspector since 1967 - 1968 but he died. He's name isn't really important but he is a General in a Veitnam army now and he said Goodbye to Martin. He was Castillo's friend and always will be,but he had to Leave. Like i said again this episode is the best-one ever. It is my numb 1 Episode ever!!! I Vote 10 out of 10! Cause that episode deserved! If you haven't watched yet you should buy Season 3 and watch that Ep# i have whole Season 3 on DVD! Befero i forget Crockett and Tubbs did not stopped that killer, Castillo and Trahn did! They did not had a material and the role in here! No one of the cast did! Except Olmos and Ngor! Again special guests ; Haing S. Ngor and Michael Wright were both excellent as a good guy and the bad guy! i loved them both! This episode epic rocks and the best best best one ever in years!!!

Perfect in every way

[yarborough · 10/10 · 28 August 2006]

This episode from the greatest season ever of Vice SEASON 3 is so great. The episode alone has more plot and character substance than the entire Season 2. The Savage is very detailed story that is cleverly written and that is very intense. The episode also features probably the greatest actors that ever appeared in a Vice episode. The acting is flawless and features some great performances, especially from Micheal Wright who turns in a chilling performance as the serial killer/assassin known as The Savage. I don't want to give away any of the plot, because it's very exciting and it's just superb story. This episode is something none of the other seasons could of ever made. All the other seasons are very kiddish and no matter what everybody says SEASON 3, is the greatest of all time. Whoever doesn't like it, doesn't understand the importance of plot and characters. SEASON 3 is for adults, and this episode is no exception. It's a very gritty episode, that is highlighted with a dark and seamy tone. Just a perfect episode. Pure Vice, pure entertainment. Skip the other seasons, and watch SEASON 3. It's the only one that really matters.

Did not mind it, but not a classic!

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 24 December 2023]

Duty and Honor did not mind it, but not a classic! What works: well a good story of a contract killer who kills prostitutes' which puts Vice unit on it! The Marty and old friend from Vietnam was a good side character story. The ending plot twist was a surprise. The bad guy characters were good. What did not work: Not an over the top bad guy character. The music mix with sequences was not the M T V 80's style memorable as other episodes.. A good run of the mill murder investigation story, but nothing special. Worth watching. The viewer will remember Duty and Honor ending. One of the series best ending episodes. I give Duty and Honor 7 stars.