Pilot double header has Thomas Magnum (the incomparable Tom Selleck), mustache, "borrowed" Ferrari, privileged pad, and PI job, a former Vietnam Navy Seal finding the mother lode in a novelist named Robin Masters who allows him to live comfortably in a lavish estate much to the chagrin of "security specialist" Higgins (John Hillerman, in the role of his career). Higgins is seemingly an uptight and snobbish English gent, always annoyed at Magnum, due to his "leeching off the wealth of Masters" (although Higgins does the same, really). When Magnum's Navy Nam comrade is beaten after returning from Japan, with cocaine baggies in his belly disrupted, and the drug absorbed into his system, he dies. Magnum's old nemesis, Coolly (Fritz Weaver), a commanding officer who had it out for the dead Naval Intelligence officer, considers him unworthy of military honors. Magnum is out to make damn sure his buddy's rep is vindicated. The dead officer's sis (Pamela Shoop, who was in a little bit of everything at this time) also wants vindication for her brother. Sparks fly between her and Magnum while they investigate. Flashbacks to Vietnam are interspersed with Magnum's investigation which includes his trip in a chopper with fellow Nam pilot, TC (Roger Mosely) to an island which might lead him to a smuggler known as La Bull and gaining insight about where he might be from a teenage "Queenpin" thanks to a meet orchestrated by another Nam pal, "Rick" (Larry Manetti). Rick ran a posh night club in the style of Casablanca. Will Magnum uncover who implicated his friend, restore his name, and see him get justice?
Review of Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii
