Miami Vice: Season One Review Score: 8/10 | Date Posted: February 16th 2005 In: DVD Reviews Created by: Anthony Yerkovich Starring: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Gregory Sierra, Edward James Olmos, Sandra Santiago, Olivia Brown, Michael Talbot, John Diehl, Martin Ferrero Directed by: Various Studio: Universal Studios DVD Release Date: February 8, 2005 DVD Features: Available subtitles: Spanish, French Available Audio Tracks: remixed (Dolby Digital 5.1) Includes all 22 episodes from the 1984-85 season, plus the two-hour pilot Series introduction by executive producer Michael Mann "The Vibe of Vice" "Back Story: Miami Vice "The Fashion" "The Music" Number of discs: 3 discs Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Box set, Dolby Miami Vice: Season One Review by Robert Falconer, HNR Senior Editor Cool clothes, cool cars, cool music…and two cool cops. Better still, innovative storytelling, quality writing and atmospheric cinematography. Miami Vice was the gold standard of 80’s crime drama; a groundbreaking series that helped define the fashion and music of the period while simultaneously telling a ripping good yarn week after week. I wonder if we’ll ever see such tearing enthusiasm for the “buddy cop” genre again. Coincidentally, last week I was going through memorabilia of one kind or another gathering dust at the old homestead, and happened to come across a January 1985 issue of Miami/South Florida Magazine. I’d picked up the magazine in 1984 on a Miami stopover while traveling to the Dominican Republic, and had completely forgotten I’d kept it. On the cover, the lead story read, “On Location with Miami Vice: The Good, The Bad & The Flashy,” with a typically pastel photo of Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas beaming with the kinds of smiles that actors get when they’re fortunate to have been cast as the leads in a landmark television series. In the piece, Florida reporter Nina Diamond sat and talked with both Johnson and Thomas about the show, their careers and how the city of Miami was as much a character as the cops, the clothes and the cars. These were two actors at the top of their game, and the grins and guffaws belied the travails that frequently plagued the show, as it held itself to high levels of production quality. The results paid off handsomely, however. When combined with innovative storytelling and film-like cinematography, the exotic locales, sultry mood, chic clothing and fast cars were, by themselves, intoxicating. Yet the producers didn’t stop there. Instead, in a flash of brilliance, they employed high-octane music as an element of the narrative itself, with songs carefully picked to evoke a particular emotion, or move the plot along more effectively than any dialogue could. It was bold, it was brash, but it was the pop that made the show “pop”…and the rock…and the soul…and the blues. Most Vancouverites will remember that the FOX radio station simulcast the episodes every Friday night. And we all stayed home to watch - it was that cool. Musicians frequently contributed not only music, but star power as well; both Glenn Fry—who appears in the first season episode “Smuggler’s Blues”—and Phil Collins immediately come to mind. Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” used during the last act of the pilot, sets the tone for one of the most atmospheric sequences in television history. And speaking of stars, the series was also a showcase for both established and emerging talent, like Pam Grier, Edward James Olmos, Dennis Farina, Bruce Willis, John Turturro, Jimmy Smits and Ving Rhames. Yeah, it’s a little dated in places. Besides the obvious changes in clothing and hairstyles, I was surprised to discover that the early episodes do contain some moments of awkward editing…and even more awkward dialogue (funny how time and cultural changes alter our perspectives and memory). But as it finds its cadence, season one contains some standout episodes. Ones to pay particular attention to include, the Pilot, “Calderone’s Return,” “No Exit,” “Milk Run,” “Smuggler’s Blues,” “Nobody Lives Forever,” “Evan” and “Lombard.” Vice worked best when it took itself seriously. Some shows—cop shows in particular—often rely on humor to add levity to serious circumstances. Miami Vice was filled with so many other “devices” which could easily distract you, that the more serious and somber stories always worked the best. That’s not to say that there aren’t some lighter moments in the show that are effective—there are—but they’re most homogeneous when they come out of the natural inclinations of the characters. The DVD is decently packaged, with a chromecoat slipcover. It also contains five documentaries that provide some behind-the-scenes interview footage from the period, though there’s little in the way of “making of” documentaries, save lengthy segments with series creator, Anthony Yerkovich. Unfortunately, there are no retrospective interviews with Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas or any of the other cast members, except for some period interviews where Johnson and Thomas spoke on talk shows like Dinah Shore, or Today. It would also have been nice to see an interview with Michael Mann, now that he is working on the Miami Vice feature film, but it didn’t happen for this first season release. Season one was probably Vice’s best. Season two definitely had some standout episodes as well, but after that the show’s signature look began to change; earthy clothes, a different car, etc, and the series seemed to lose its jeu de la vie. But for the most part, season one doesn’t disappoint, and you can see where much of the stylistic elements we take for granted in television today had their origins. Miami Vice rocked, literally, and we will always love it because of that! Or, as Don Johnson said in closing for the January, 1985 interview in Miami/South Florida Magazine, “We combine the most talented group of people I’ve ever worked with. Our show is a cut above all the other shows on television, I believe, because we don’t settle for regular stuff. We go for good, stirring drama, fast pace, hot music, a great look and feature film quality. We’re pretty proud of it.” Couldn’t have summed it up better, myself, Don. The episodes: Miami Vice Pilot Miami police detective Sonny Crockett reluctantly teams with New York bred newcomer Ricardo Tubbs to stop a Colombian drug lord. Heart of Darkness Crockett & Tubbs are skeptical of rumors that an undercover FBI agent has gone bad and betrayed their operation. Cool Runnin' Crockett & Tubbs must enlist the help of an unreliable petty thief to bust a drug operation run by a trio of homicidal Jamaicans. Calderone’s Return (Part I) Tubbs fights to save Crockett and his family from becoming the next victims of an Argentinean assassin hired by Calderone. Calderone's Return (Part II) While on the trail of Calderone in Bimini, Tubbs falls in love with a woman and is consequently forced to consider his loyalties. One Eyed Jack While Crockett tries to help an old flame free herself from a racketeer, he is framed for taking bribes; Castillo (Edward James Olmos) becomes new Lieutenant. No Exit Federal agents join Crockett & Tubbs in trying to stop a dealer from selling Stinger missiles. The Great McCarthy Crockett's renovated cigarette boat helps to stop a man who uses his speedboat-racing hobby as a cover for drug smuggling. Glades Crockett & Tubbs enter the Florida marshes to find a smuggler whose daughter has been abducted to prevent him from testifying. Give A Little, Take A Little When Crockett goes to jail for refusing to name an informant tied to a crime boss, Gina risks everything to nab the mobster. Little Prince The detectives arrest a drug dealer's son, hoping the young man will reveal information about his father's operations. Milk Run Two college students find trouble while trying to make a quick buck smuggling cocaine-filled statues into the country for a gangster. Golden Triangle (Part I) Posing as hotel security, Crockett & Tubbs enlist a prostitute to help them capture a pair of safecrackers. Golden Triangle (Part II) Castillo asks Crockett & Tubbs to help him find an old adversary, a drug smuggler who has kidnapped his former wife. Smuggler's Blues A bush pilot agrees to fly Crockett & Tubbs to Colombia so they can search for the people responsible for hijacking drug smugglers. Rites of Passage Tubbs tries to help a former girlfriend convince her drug-addicted sister to get out of prostitution and away from her dangerous pimp. The Maze During an undercover assignment, gangs trap Tubbs in their heavily guarded and besieged apartment building. Made For Each Other Zito temporarily moves in with Switek and his girlfriend, but their personal conflicts endanger a plan to trap an ambitious fence. The Home Invaders Crockett resents Castillo's attack on his mentor during an investigation into a series of brutal burglaries in wealthy neighborhoods. Nobody Lives Forever Crockett's latest love affair could cost him his life after he and Tubbs team up with the homicide squad to catch a trio of drug-crazed teens on a rampage. Evan Crockett asks to be taken off a case after he learns the identity of the undercover agent trying to nab an arms supplier. Lombard Crockett & Tubbs protect a crime kingpin whose testimony could convict a mob chieftain.

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