Episode #73 "Child's Play"


Ferrariman

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It captures the essence of the scene. Acting from DJ is amazing.

 

Great acting in this scene generally and the episode from Don  :D well directed from Vern Gillum ("Cows of October", "Borrasca", "Hard Knocks"  "Jack of all Trades") 

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  • 9 months later...

Does anyone know, why the rear bumper of the Testarossa is missing in this episode?

The German title of this episode is: The Killer

Edited by Pritt
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Does anyone know, why the rear bumper of the Testarossa is missing in this episode?

The German title of this episode is: The Killer

 

The bonnet (hood) is open also.

 

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There are several episodes where the rear bumper is missing.  In one of my favorite episodes, "Duty and Honor" or "The Savage", when Crockett is the chasing the Savage (and "Anything" by the Damned is playing) the rear bumper is missing before the Savage's car explodes.

 

I've read on Miami Vice Wikia that the stunt Testarossa was the one missing the rear bumper...

 

Oh, and I love this episode!  Very good!  Intense beginning sequence, and I love when Crockett talks with Castillo in his office!  

 

"The bullet left the gun, it was your gun, your finger on the trigger, you pulled the trigger, now, live with the responsibility. It's gonna scar you, eat you, burn you inside, and it should... But you've got work to do that you care about, people are depending on that, you've got people who care about you, Sonny, like me." - Castillo to Crockett

 

It's heartwrenching to think of "Freefall" when you hear that speech.  From what we gather on that episode, Crockett and Tubbs didn't even say goodbye to Castillo and their OCB family.

 

10/10 for "Child's Play"

Edited by AndrewRemington
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  • 3 weeks later...

While watching this series for the first time, at this point, I noticed that hardly any episodes elaborate on the families of Vice characters with "Heroes of the Revolution" and "Sons and Lovers" being exceptions (for Gina and Rico respectively), if we are also excluding former lovers and spouses (i.e. Castillo's former wife) of the Vice team, which is disappointing since showing a few episodes could add another layer of depth to all of the characters in how they navigate their lives with the concerns and weight of their families while working undercover in Vice.

 

This episode was particularly well-needed because with Crockett's concern for children and wayward youth (i.e. Glades, Milk Run, The Good Collar) it makes one to wonder about Crockett's own relationship to his own son, especially since Crockett has to be away from his son for long periods of time.  One substantial dilemma is that since the show leans more toward a procedural format (used in syndication, so it's easier for a new audience to jump in) rather than serial, so we can't see this specific relationship develop and build as organically as we would like, but this was before DVR and Tivo....lol

 

I noticed how the episode subtly included references to Zito, not just the snowglobe that Gina had on her desk, but also how Crockett argued with Tubbs in, "Hey man, if you don't like the way I work, why don't you get somebody else next time?  You can ask for Switek or..."  And how there's a heavy silence between them as they think about Zito, with Zito and Switek formerly being partners, and it snaps Crockett out of his anger.  In addition, this same scene is recalled when Tubbs said that he saved Crockett's life saying he doesn't want to say a eulogy about the "short but meaningful life of one Sonny Crockett in a collection of family and friends", referring to Switek struggling to say much about Zito at the funeral home in "Down For The Count (Part II)".

 

One significant moment was Castillo bluntly telling about Crockett's emotional situation, in how empty it is for Crockett to recluse himself in guilt and how that this event should not stop him from doing the good overall work he is doing for people.  Though it does beg questioning, how much experience Castillo has in this situation and is it possible hypocrisy that Castillo is giving this advice?  ...Considering how Castillo seems to live reclusively himself and something may have triggered that behavior though..   But meh, maybe Castillo is just naturally that reserved of a personality.  I wish they could have shown Gina's, Trudy's, and Switek's reactions, besides just Tubbs, through the glass windows from Castillo's office since I think it's the first time we (or his co-workers) see Crockett yell that loudly and furiously toward Castillo.

 

It was clever how the writing revealed the parallels between Crockett's relationship to his son and Gordon's father to Gordon that although they were from two radically different ends of society, a common theme was the abandonment/neglect that both Billy and Gordon were experiencing.  This type of skillful writing I value because it makes the characters reflect upon their own lives after witnessing these experiences within the criminal underworld, when on the surface, it seems like these two extreme ends of society would have nothing in common.

 

...A very good episode.

Edited by Vice Immersion
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  • 1 year later...

Honestly, this episode isn't one of my favorites.

The pros include Ving Rhames, getting to see Caroline and Billy, and the scene between Crockett and Castillo. Probably their best scene together.

However, the plot is just too dramatic for me. The fact that the kid Crockett shot was some badass who deserved the bullet didn't help.

There are some good scenes with Tubbs though.

So basically if they had gotten rid of a few plot points and tones downed the drama this would've been a great episodes.

I'll still enjoy it.

7/10

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  • 1 year later...

A fantastic episode, I don't have any problems with it. The scene in Castillo's office was captivating..."what does he want me to say!?" Great U2 song for the climax as well, wasn't aware of that B-side!

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Yes, great ep with the future Marcellus Wallace (again).  Race Against Time is from the Joshua Tree era.  There were several good b-sides and unreleased stuff from that time.  I recommend one of the anniversary box sets of the album.  I like Tubbs' look in this ep too.  The Castillo office scene is a highlight of the series and one I'd put on a greatest hits reel to show someone what the show is.   I also like the counselling scene where nothing is said.  Most don't mention that.

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  • 1 month later...

I just watched this ep again, and it is still one of the best.  I'm going thru the dreaded S4 and seeing how I feel about it now.  Nice use of a U2 b-side.  Also gotta love the clothing of Issac Hayes' henchmen at the meet.   It looks like members of The Revolution are gun-running.  There's a couple of trademark Mann-ish things too.  One is the bedside signs of life in the hospital.  The other is the cut to slo-mo in the middle of action during the final chase up the tower-very remniscient of Russell Means in LOTM when he sees his son being killed.

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  • 1 year later...

This is such a powerful episode.  Even in Season 4 there is still greatness, surrounded by some crap mind you.  Great to see Belinda back as "Caroline".  The part that gets me is Rico and Sonny in the Caddy when Rico says he loves him.  Sonny puts up his hand and they give eachother a little high-five.  Emotional scene for sure.  And of course, Sonny bearing his soul to Castillo.  Probably one of the most powerful moments of the series.  After suffering "The Big Thaw" this was a much-needed episode!!

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  • 1 year later...

10/10.  Why ? The HUGE emotion, the characters that make a return here (Billy, Caroline), the famous Crockett-Castillo scene, very intresting plot, sattisfying ending, we can see that Testarossa gem of a car again, we also have some character development and fighting scenes. Not to mention classic MV scenes, like that bust of dealers.

Crockett shoots a young boy that nearly dies in the beggining out of the addrenaline. Later that episode, we can see the huge remorse (Especially in the Crockett-Castillo scene) and we also get Billy, and this character amplyfies Crockett's guilt even more. He also went berserk as Sonny Burnett on those goons. And in the end, he drops that crackhead, while thinking and we also have a heartwarming final scene in the hostpital with that "stolen" wounded child. 

There may be another detail I've missed, but I really consider this to be one of the only 3 episodes of S4 that deserves a 10. Evan, Out where the buses don't run, Deffinitely Miami, Down for the count, Forgive us our debts, Child's play and Deliver us from evil all have one strong aspect in common that set them up appart. The strong emotional side, that is portrayed in diffrent ways.

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  • 2 months later...

Plus the Testarossa is a bit sketchy near the roof in the interior in the final scene.

An MV classic, one of the best for acting from the main cast and the guest stars and one of the best directed and edited also. Music is terrific. Drama and suspense are high. A lot going on between the community intervention and the police supporting Crockett (!) plus the neat tie-in between the domestic violence incident and the arms dealing.

10+

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  • 2 months later...

This is a superb episode for season 4! Very emotional and heart-wrenching one for Crockett! ;( The beginning is somewhat humorous...with the punk kids going around kicking, vandalizing, and robbing everything in sight. Then they try to "roll" Switek posing as a bum sleeping on the bench. Love it when he pops up finally and says to get lost...that he's trying to catch a few Z's. :)

Then the episode takes a very drastic, "dark" and tragic turn...as the domestic abuse gets out of hand in the apartment next to Crockett and Tubbs. Crockett rushes in to find guest-star Ving Rhames as drug dealer, punk Walker Monroe holding a knife to some lady's throat. After pulling his gun Sonny suddenly sees someone else with a gun in a room off to the side...he shoots. It turns out to be a kid! :eek:

The acting in this one is outstanding...especially by Don Johnson! :clap: But, right after the shooting I love how Gina is talking to Castillo about whether Sonny could maybe get some help or have someone to talk to, and Castillo says he'll take care of it. Again, this shows that despite the very eclectic group of Vice members, they all still love and care about each other like family. Also love Sonny's fish shirt...what was up with that? :p Kind of like it but it's definitely different than the normal fashion on the show.

But, Crockett was very stereotypical about—everything would be okay if he'd just be left alone to work and it would all go away...when everyone, including himself, knew that wasn't really true. Interesting and realistic aspects that make this episode awesome! Love the later scene between Crockett and Castillo...where Marty just lays it all down, saying of course shooting the kid will eat you up but you have to learn to live with it...that people love and care about him and he needs to let them help him get through it. Wonderful scene that really shows how much Castillo cares for Crockett! :clap: 

Interesting how Crockett tries to deal with the shooting by throwing himself back into work, but almost in a "blind" rage...and Tubbs has to try and hold him back. Wonderful scene between Sonny and Rico...where at first Crockett is mad but realizes that Tubbs was right. Tubbs then says he's with Sonny and will be there for him no matter what. Again the comradery and chemistry between the Vice members is also another amazing aspect that truly made this show special...not just the music, clothes, and cars. ;)

I also really loved how Crockett suddenly takes on the responsibility of helping the kid he shot...telling the doctor to treat him like the president of the U.S. Then he feels like he needs to see his son after looking at a picture of him on his boat one night. Clayton Barclay Jones now takes on the role of Billy Crockett...do we know why there was the change from Ryan St. Leon?

Anyway, the scenes between Sonny and Billy were outstanding and truly heart-felt...Billy is mad because his father is never around, now mom is marrying some new guy named Bob, who wants to adopt him. Crockett truly realizes that the little or less time he's spending with Billy is actually worse for him than the possibility of job-danger...and needs to be a better father.

This is just an amazing father-and-son episode, and it gets to me every time!! The scenes between Sonny and Billy are beautiful! :glossy: (A bizarre footnote...what is it with this show and totally un-original names with "side" characters? We have Billy, now we have Bob...I'm surprised some other occasional character wasn't named Billy Bob. :p However, I would hope that Billy's actual name might be William James Crockett...the James from Sonny's actual first name, and Billy is the traditional nick-name for William.)

Anyway, the music in this one was fantastic!! :radio: The different variations of Crockett's Theme, as well as Forever Tonight, by Jan Hammer were superb! :thumbsup: I also liked the U2 song, Race Against Time, that was also included. But Crockett's Theme just ruled this episode and really brought it home, so-to-speak! :radio:

Again, the acting in this is amazing and captivating--outstanding performances by everyone, but especially Don Johnson! Very powerful episode!! With an amazing plot, acting jobs, music, etc...this is another of my favorites of the season. I originally gave it a 10...still do! :thumbsup: 

917F74FC-9FAA-4C00-8560-4E305D191B94.jpeg

Edited by ViceFanMan
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1 hour ago, ViceFanMan said:

This is a superb episode for season 4! Very emotional and heart-wrenching one for Crockett! ;( The beginning is somewhat humorous...with the punk kids going around kicking, vandalizing, and robbing everything in sight. Then they try to "roll" Switek posing as a bum sleeping on the bench. Love it when he pops up finally and says to get lost...that he's trying to catch a few Z's. :)

Then the episode takes a very drastic, "dark" and tragic turn...as the domestic abuse gets out of hand in the apartment next to Crockett and Tubbs. Crockett rushes in to find guest-star Ving Rhames as drug dealer, punk Walker Monroe holding a knife to some lady's throat. After pulling his gun Sonny suddenly sees someone else with a gun in a room off to the side...he shoots. It turns out to be a kid! :eek:

The acting in this one is outstanding...especially by Don Johnson! :clap: But, right after the shooting I love how Gina is talking to Castillo about whether Sonny could maybe get some help or have someone to talk to, and Castillo says he'll take care of it. Again, this shows that despite the very eclectic group of Vice members, they all still love and care about each other like family. Also love Sonny's fish shirt...what was up with that? :p Kind of like it but it's definitely different than the normal fashion on the show.

But, Crockett was very stereotypical about—everything would be okay if he'd just be left alone to work and it would all go away...when everyone, including himself, knew that wasn't really true. Interesting and realistic aspects that make this episode awesome! Love the later scene between Crockett and Castillo...where Marty just lays it all down, saying of course shooting the kid will eat you up but you have to learn to live with it...that people love and care about him and he needs to let them help him get through it. Wonderful scene that really shows how much Castillo cares for Crockett! :clap: 

Interesting how Crockett tries to deal with the shooting by throwing himself back into work, but almost in a "blind" rage...and Tubbs has to try and hold him back. Wonderful scene between Sonny and Rico...where at first Crockett is mad but realizes that Tubbs was right. Tubbs then says he's with Sonny and will be there for him no matter what. Again the comradery and chemistry between the Vice members is also another amazing aspect that truly made this show special...not just the music, clothes, and cars. ;)

I also really loved how Crockett suddenly takes on the responsibility of helping the kid he shot...telling the doctor to treat him like the president of the U.S. Then he feels like he needs to see his son after looking at a picture of him on his boat one night. Clayton Barclay Jones now takes on the role of Billy Crockett...do we know why there was the change from Ryan St. Leon?

Anyway, the scenes between Sonny and Billy were outstanding and truly heart-felt...Billy is mad because his father is never around, now mom is marrying some new guy named Bob, who wants to adopt him. Crockett truly realizes that the little or less time he's spending with Billy is actually worse for him than the possibility of job-danger...and needs to be a better father.

This is just an amazing father-and-son episode, and it gets to me every time!! The scenes between Sonny and Billy are beautiful! :glossy: (A bizarre footnote...what is it with this show and totally un-original names with "side" characters? We have Billy, now we have Bob...I'm surprised some other occasional character wasn't named Billy Bob. :p However, I would hope that Billy's actual name might be William James Crockett...the James from Sonny's actual first name, and Billy is the traditional nick-name for William.)

Anyway, the music in this one was fantastic!! :radio: The different variations of Crockett's Theme, as well as Forever Tonight, by Jan Hammer were superb! :thumbsup: I also liked the U2 song, Race Against Time, that was also included. But Crockett's Theme just ruled this episode and really brought it home, so-to-speak! :radio:

Again, the acting in this is amazing and captivating--outstanding performances by everyone, but especially Don Johnson! Very powerful episode!! With an amazing plot, acting jobs, music, etc...this is another of my favorites of the season. I originally gave it a 10...still do! :thumbsup: 

917F74FC-9FAA-4C00-8560-4E305D191B94.jpeg

I agree, the best!

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1 hour ago, ViceFanMan said:

(snipped)

(A bizarre footnote...what is it with this show and totally un-original names with "side" characters? We have Billy, now we have Bob...I'm surprised some other occasional character wasn't named Billy Bob. :p However, I would hope that Billy's actual name might be William James Crockett...the James from Sonny's actual first name, and Billy is the traditional nick-name for William.)

(snipped)

Agree that this is a great episode, and for all the reasons you mention.  Just to comment on the name of Crockett's son--absolutely "Billy" is a nickname and agree that his full name is probably William James.  Sonny's name may also actually be William James (so Billy could be Jr.), although more likely James William since his police ID gives his first name as James.

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4 minutes ago, vicegirl85 said:

Agree that this is a great episode, and for all the reasons you mention.  Just to comment on the name of Crockett's son--absolutely "Billy" is a nickname and agree that his full name is probably William James.  Sonny's name may also actually be William James (so Billy could be Jr.), although more likely James William since his police ID gives his first name as James.

He's also always introduced as James Crockett, with the Sonny added as a nickname. In the context of his background, Sonny just indicates he was the first-born son. I don't recall there ever being a middle initial, let alone a middle name.

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I’ve always figured James was Crockett’s actual first name, and Sonny was a long-time nickname. However, maybe Sonny actually was his middle name and he just went by that? But, it still comes across as more of a nickname given at some point...probably by family.

This show had some interesting, if not eclectic, main character names (Tubbs, Calabrese, Castillo...Switek & Zito created their own, lol). On the other hand then they had Crockett’s son named ‘Billy’ and Caroline eventually married to a guy named ‘Bob’. One end of the spectrum to the other. :D

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3 hours ago, Robbie C. said:

He's also always introduced as James Crockett, with the Sonny added as a nickname. In the context of his background, Sonny just indicates he was the first-born son. I don't recall there ever being a middle initial, let alone a middle name.

If  I remember correctly,  Sonny has a older brother. He tells to Billy about him, how his brother protected him once.

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vor 39 Minuten schrieb Glades:

If  I remember correctly,  Sonny has a older brother. He tells to Billy about him, how his brother protected him once.

Correct. His older brother‘s name is Jake. He told Billy that in the theater scene in „to have and to hold“. 

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9 hours ago, Robbie C. said:

He's also always introduced as James Crockett, with the Sonny added as a nickname. In the context of his background, Sonny just indicates he was the first-born son. I don't recall there ever being a middle initial, let alone a middle name.

True that a middle name or initial was never mentioned.  Still, most people do have middle names.  Sonny isn't the first-born son, he has an older brother as we learn in To Have and To Hold (although never mentioned before, so may well NOT have been part of the original character backstory!)  I'm talking about my head-canon :)

Interesting point about "older brother Jake"--we aren't told if Jake is a nickname or his actual name, but it's most often a nickname for Jacob, which is derived from the name James.  While I'm not often in agreement with ViceFanMan, I do think he has a point about the non-imaginative names for some of the secondary characters, LOL.  Other characters with the same name:  Robbie Caan (or however he spells it) and Bob Ballard--Bob being a nickname for Robert.  However, both Billy and Bob were quite common names/nicknames for guys in Sonny's age group in the 80s--and more people back then went by shortened names/ nicknames compared to young people today. 

When I was a kid it was unusual to be called Michael, Stephen, or Joseph; it was almost always Mike, Steve, or Joe.  The mom of a classmate of mine called all 7 of her children by their full first name all the time, not just when they were "in trouble."  Today if a kid had one of those names, they would most likely be called by the full name always instead of the nickname.

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Yeah, I was just talking about the roots of the nickname Sonny. Vice had bland names, but so did most shows of that era (and before honestly). Most people do have middle names, but there’s also good old NMI. And even the prop IDs never showed a middle initial that I can recall. If there’s a clue it might be on the envelopes we see briefly in Back In the World. 

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I definitely get the impression Sonny was a nickname, and if Crockett had a middle name it wasn’t important enough to mention. I think they started out with some background info for the main characters at the beginning...but more was added or created as the show went on.

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