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Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Woman Who Never Died

Critic's Rating: 4 / 5.0
4

Magnum knows how to play the game!

He may stink at golf, but he definitely knows what makes Higgins tick!

Magnum didn't have to try very hard to get Higgins to help out with his case on Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3, and his method of manipulation was incredibly adorable.

Golf Buddies - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(Karen Neal/ CBS)

He didn't want to ask for Higgins' help outright but knew testing her patience with bad typing would get him what he wanted.

Great minds think alike, and like we speculated in our Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 2 review, Magnum knows that Higgins needs some action in her life. And he's the one who can give it to her.

He definitely needs (and wants) her expertise, but there's more at play here. 

Related: Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 1: I Saw the Sun Rise

That typing move made me wonder if his bad golfing was just another ruse as well.

He probably didn't know that Higgins even knew how to golf, but he had to have known that hitting golf balls towards the house would cause her to react the way she did, especially the second time he did it.

Higgins: Why do I get the distinct impression that you’re toying with me?

Magnum: I’m afraid you’d be wrong.

🔗 permalink: I’m afraid you’d be wrong.

He wants to be around her, and she wants to be around him. It's as simple as that. Even Kumu knows it exists!

Girl Power - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(CBS)

And, yes, my heart nearly exploded when she came out and showed him her swing. If that isn't enough proof that this team needs a ship name, then I don't know what is.

Magnum: You just can’t do it can you?

Higgins: Do what?

Magnum: Just be a normal human being and say, ‘Hey Magnum, I wanted to help.’

🔗 permalink: Just be a normal human being and say, ‘Hey Magnum, I wanted to help.’

Perdita Weeks didn't have as prominent a role this hour as she has in previous episodes (no Higgins kicking ass all over), but what that did was give Jay Hernandez an opportunity to shine and show us all why he's a perfect fit for the role of Magnum.

This guy is irresistibly charming which makes it easy to get drawn into Magnum's story.

Related: Get CBS All Access via Prime Video Channels for Hit Shows, Exclusive Originals & Live TV!

Magnum took on another case that hit close to his heart even though it was given to him by Luther Gillis (another nod to OG Magnum) who was hoping to earn back some of the poker money Magnum owed him. 

He didn't have to take it on, but once he learned that Neil Crawford may have been betrayed by his fiancee, that's all Magnum needed to know to start his investigation.

Higgins and Magnum on the Case - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(CBS)

Whatever Hannah did to Magnum, it hurt him deeply, but whatever happened also affected the whole team, at least TC and Rick.

Rick didn't want Magnum to blame himself for what happened, but it's obvious that Magnum isn't quite over the situation which is understandable considering he was engaged to Hannah.

Rick: You have the look of a guy who identifies with your client. But here’s what’s different. Hannah didn’t just betray you, she hurt all of us. And I’m going to keep telling you this until you believe it. TC and I have never blamed you for it.

Magnum: Thanks.

🔗 permalink: You have the look

Magnum seemed somewhat happy that Neil was able to forgive Tara (Emily) for her deception, but it didn't offer many clues about the Hannah mystery except that Magnum doesn't appear to be too keen on forgiving her anytime soon. 

Or maybe he can't forgive himself. 

Related: Magnum P.I.: What's New, What's Not, and Why You Should be Watching

Eventually, we'll learn more about Hannah, and I'm going to speculate that somewhere down the line, Hannah will come back into Magnum's life — probably at the point when he and Higgins will have decided to move beyond a working relationship.

New Partnerships? - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(CBS)

Speaking about working relationships, Magnum made a new one — for better or worse — in Detective Katsumoto who was working a different angle on Emily's case.

Magnum wasn't too thrilled about having to work with a cop, but he needed Katsumoto's help before the situation at Emily's mom's house went south.

We all know that if push came to shove that Higgins would have been able to handle the bad guy by herself, but having Magnum be the one to take the bad guy down was fun. 

Sometimes, you've just got to let the guy handle it.

Calm Down - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(CBS)

Still, I like seeing Higgins in action, and I hope it's not something that will be put on the backburner though I get that we don't need to see her busting chops every week.

Magnum: People can change their name or the way they look, but they can’t change who they are inside.

🔗 permalink: People can change their name or the way they look, but they can’t change who they are inside.

I can't remember if I already mentioned this in earlier articles, but I want to see more TC and Rick.

I know it's only the third episode, but there has to be more to TC than him just plucking Magnum out of a traffic jam.

And how did Rick become the guy to go to if you need something on the island?

Distractions - Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3
(CBS)

I hope that as we move through the season, there will be backstories that will be shared about both those guys.

Over to you!

What did you think of "The Woman Who Never Died"?

Frank Reagan - Blue Bloods

Were you disappointed Higgins didn't take out the bad guy? What are your theories on Hannah?

What do you like best about the new Magnum?

Hit the comments and share your thoughts!

If you need to catch up, you can watch Magnum P.I. online right here via TV Fanatic!

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