Episode #17 "The Maze"


Ferrariman

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  • 9 months later...

The story starts out sad with the young cop getting shot. Good action with Sonny chasing the punks in the mall. My favorite part is PMT singing, "Livin' the Book of My Life." He's got a good lead role in this episode. I rate it an 8 for the song! P.S. - A couple years ago, my wife & I stayed at a timeshare condo in Daytona Beach, and next door was an abandoned apt. building that looked like "The Maze"! We even saw cops searching it at night for homeless squatters or drug addicts. Needless to say we didn't get a timeshare!But what a Miami Vice experience I enjoyed!!!! :thumbsup::cool:

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This was obviously an attempt at a gritty episode and it wasn't very successful.The episode starts well. The intro is very good. I liked the dialogue about how the neighbourhood was a warzone six months earlier and now it's safe. That was a prevailing feeling in Miami at that time as the citizens waged a fight against the criminal enemy. The nighttime location in the intro is good and there's some nice action with the shootout. Crockett surveying the mall was also very tense. The good points about this episode; Tommy Vercetti wears the same suit in Vice City as Tubbs does in this episode. The club scene is good. 'Renegades of Funk' is a good song, I enjoyed seeing Switek and Zito engaged in a serious, albiet brief, scene with the hotel owner and there were some good Hammer tunes too. Outside the Blue Waters looked very nice and there was a good shootout there. Also a good scene between Crockett and Castillo. "I wish there was something I could do for Tubbs - There is". The weak points about this episode is it's very boring at times. Tubbs does his bad Miss Cleo impersonation for most of the ep. The villains are bland and unmemorable. The scenes with Tubbs posing as a hostage at the delapidated hotel are frankly boring, not to mention squalid and visually repetitive. And they're too long and drawnout. I really dislike those scenes. Although they do feature a young Ving Rhames. He had a better guest appearance in Child's Play. The climax with Crockett and the SWAT team infiltrating the hotel is undeniably good. But I thought it was cliched for him to start crying like a little girl upon arrest. This episode has good and weak points in equal measure so I'd consider it strictly average. 6/10

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The Maze is a pretty dire episode, in fact to be fair its awful. Its worse than I remembered it to be in fact. Before I watched it I though, hmmm this is going to be a 4/10 but unfortunately I’m going to have to give it even less than that, making it a candidate to be in my bottom 5 episodes of the whole series. Why? Apart from Crockett looking super cool in the intro slowly moving through the mall, and the nice shots of the palm trees before the camera focuses on the horrible ‘maze’ building there isn’t much to recommend about this episode. I suppose there is also a bit of action towards the end too. BUT, after a couple of episodes with spot on vice style, they completely destroy it in this episode. Also, if I wanted to see a bunch of young idiots messing around in run down flats, id go to central leeds and watch the chavs there. Jan Hammer’s score isn’t very good in this one, the acting by the supporting cast was also pretty poor, I didn’t like it when Tubbs was singing and it was a very dull episode colour wise. Also, Tea in the sahara is a good song shamefully wasted in this episode. Just on the side, wonder why more of the police wasn’t used in Vice, a lot of the songs would fit quite nicely, although I suppose they weren't made in the 80’s.So anyway overall, The Maze is the worst episode of season 1, one of the worst of the whole series and I don’t know how they could make such a bad episode this early on, destroy all the style they had worked up to create in the past few episodes and then follow it up with another poor episode, although it is an improvement on this.3/10

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When this episode was aired in germany for the first time I didn't tape it - or erased it at once, I don't remember clearly. The episode didn't please me at all. But in order to rate it, I watched it again - on DVD - for only one reason: Maybe the uncut original version would contain some relevant information, that were not shown in the German broadcasted version. But no: The epsiode doesn't please me - not back in 1989 and not today.Although the opening is terrific:Some banter between Sonny, Rico and their comrades, a fast-paced cat-and-mouse-game in a shopping mall and a weird dancing informant. Up to the moment when the actual mission at the Escobars maze starts I DO love the story. But then I get bored cause the story line loses its fast going, and there are too many unbelievable facts too.--> It is believable that Tubbs, dressed like a tramp, tries to warn the uninvolved residents of the maze. But I cannot believe that a police officer like Jim Duryea puts the whole mission at risk by rushing forward without order.Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild--> It's not plausible to me that the whole police unit go against the builing because their move attracts the Escobars attention more than ever. And all this happened although Lt. Jack Davis is called a specialist in situations like that ...Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild --> Raoul Escobar, who shot Jim Duryeas partner in cold blood, becomes a bag of nerves in the safe maze--> Sonny crawls through the mud dressed in a designer suit ... Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild But the most annoying fact is as follows:Crockett complains about crazy Jim Duyrea lying on the hood of his beloved Daytona. But then he leaves the car in the middle of the crossing to follow the Escobars on foot to the shopping mall though he could have been there even faster by car...? :confused:Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild Eingefügtes Bild

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Furthermore the chase to the mall is not properly edited in my book. You never know exactly, whether Crockett and Tubbs follow the Escobars or whether they approach them. First they run on the right side of the street, then on the left side and then back on the right side again. You can realize this quite clearly when Sonny and Rico take cover behind a parked car to avoid being shot by the furious Escobars. It seems that some of the scenes were flipped (like parts of the boat ride in "Calderones return").Eingefügtes BildEingefügtes BildEingefügtes BildEingefügtes Bild Because of all these inconsistent facts my rate is only a weak 4, sorry guys.Eingefügtes Bild

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Honestly I've soured a bit over the years on this episode. A bit too much melodramatic at times and more of a social commentary episode which are pretty much hit and miss for me. Did like the use of "Tea in the Sahara" by The Police.

Original Score: 8/10

Reflective Score: 5/10

Edited by agent 47
Update my thoughts.
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I have to say I liked this episode as well, even though it was a little one dimensional in the sense that most of the episode was filmed in a derelict building, and very little music was used in it.I love the scene that takes place at the beginning with Crockett going after the Escobar kid in the shopping precinct. I like the Jan Hammer music that accompanied it and the tension of the scene. Notice though that after Crockett is crouched on the pavement with Tubbs, he gets up and runs after the Escobar kid, flying round a right hand corner at the end of the pavement without even looking first. Escobar could have been round the corner at the time and have easily taken him out.I liked the Disco scene, a bit cheesy, but this was 1985.Took me a few years before I realised that this was Ving Rhames in the episode. By "Child's play", he looks and sounds a lot more like the Ving Rhames we all know. In this episode he looked completely different. I loved his "Boy wid de gon" line. Pity he got killed though.The site where "The Maze" used to be, today looks completely different. Needless to say the hotel has long since been torn down and a modern hotel, twice as high is now in it's place. I was surprised when I went to the USA how easily it is to get into derelict buildings. Over in England, every derelict building is tightly boarded up for "Health and Safety" reasons. But when my dad and I were in South beach we simply walked in the back of a derelict hotel from the alleyway just behind the Mansion (13th and Washington?), and had a look round (we're both too curious not to!). Anyway I digress...Bit of a goof in this episode at 19:50, Tubbs shouts to the uniformed police as they enter the building "you gonna blow my cover". As it turns out the Escobars and their hostages are about 40 feet away at the end of the corridor. When Tubbs walks in, I was half expecting them to say "cover?".The conversation with Crockett and Castillo outside the hotel is interesting because at the end of it, Crockett reads Castillo's mind by saying "yeah I know, stay cool", and smiles to himself afterwards. Here you see Crockett is starting to get used to Castillo already, Castillo having only still recently joined the team.Did anybody else notice that the baby of that Spanish speaking couple was wearing ear rings!At 34:00, when the Escobars release the children, you see them leave in two police vans. Right in the background at the end of the street you see what looks like a straw umbrella. This is where DanJ, Baron Samedi, and myself saw a scene from "Burn Notice" being filmed last year.I like how while Tubbs is getting Jaime to untie him, he manages to dodge a bullet AND return fire and hit his target, whilst still pretty much tied up. Good combination of luck and skill there!Finally I like how the episode ends with Crockett and Tubbs standing face to face with one another, reminds me of when they were standing in a similar position in "Redemption in Blood" after Cliff King sails off the edge of that steel walkway. Anyway, I'll still give this episode 7.5 out of 10.

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This episode was boring, couldn't stand the cheesiness in it at all. Don't have much to say for this episode, not going to waste my breath on it.5/10.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I rate this ep with a 10. It accurately depicted how the vice squad would access and tackle a hostage situation. I found it to be a very enjoyable episode, but the music score was lacking somewhat in my view.

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  • 3 months later...

One of my least favorite episodes in season one. Well, my least. 7/10. The stand off is so long. I really, for some reason, don't like hostage stories. Disturbs me .

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  • 3 weeks later...

Good episode. The setting of the story in the Blue Waters Hotel really makes the epsisode. PMT has a great voice. Jim Duryea is an annoying trigger happy cop. Rico hit it on the head when he tells him at the end that "you don't deserve to be a cop." I give this episode an 8.

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  • 10 months later...

Okay, this is an episode that you'll either like it or hate it.There are a few boring scenes once inside the Blue Waters and that bizarre crying/howling squatter woman--what was up with that?? :confused:But, I love Tubbs' cover...and especially him singing his song while walking up to the old hotel. However, this may sound strange to many but the main reason I really like this episode is because of the Blue Waters Hotel itself!!I love it for the setting, and I love old art deco style of the 40's and 50's. I also love to explore and photograph old abandoned places--especially old schools, houses, or hotels. So, the Blue Waters Hotel fits perfectly for me with that aspect...and I soooo wish I could've explored and photographed the old hotel before it was torn down. But, I was too young at the time. :cry: I wish it could've been restored instead...but it was probably too far "gone" by even the time "The Maze" was filmed in it. But, because of the cool old hotel and getting to see the inside and ruins during the episode (even if I could never have been there), I gave "The Maze" a 7--despite some of the strange homeless characters and somewhat boring scenes with them and Tubbs. To go along with my "MV" memoribailia, I've purchased several vintage Blue Waters Hotel postcards from the mid-1950's to early 1960's. I've seen some old black-n-white ones that stated they were from the late 1940's (1947-1949). I figure the hotel was probably built in the late 40's and closed sometime in the late 60's or early 70's--as by 1985 it looked as if it'd been closed for 20 years or so. If anyone actually has the "when it was built" and "when it closed" dates on the old Blue Waters--that'd be awesome to let me know!! :)

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  • 2 months later...

God I hate this episode, it's Menudo with Guns.They're on par with the morons from Nobody Lives Forever in pure LAMEness.Ummmmmmmm, is that really a word?Killing off Guest Star Ving Rhames didn't help matters either, why not that stupid girl twirling around in circles?Stink...Stank...STUNK! :thumbsdown::thumbsdown::thumbsdown:2/10

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  • 2 months later...

The scene when Don Johnson is persueing the bad guy in the mall is really cool, cool enough to give this episode a good rating of: 10! It depicts the lonliness that one would feel when chasing after a bad guy in a mall late at night, in a town of crime! Come on now, it was the 80s don't forget!!! I love MV!

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  • 8 months later...

This episode is one of my favorit . The Story is good . But for me the best , i hear the real voice from PMT . His song Living the Book of my Life i Love it . I vote 9

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Although The Maze is often criticised because of few glamorous VICE look and too much dust and shabbiness - I like this episodes very very much.:happy::clap:The plot creates a loaded atmosphere and a tension which grows and grows continuously.:clap:Similar to episodes like Glades or Bad Timing, The Maze isn't set in the usual VICE locations, but in a teardown-house. I think already this circumstance causes that many fans don't like these episodes.I'm fond of these because of this fact. Here VICE can prove that not only the fashionable style and exotic locations form this wonderful show, but also linear plots.:glossy:The Maze begins with a strong dialogue between Sonny, Rico, Duryea and his partner. Then they notice a riotous youth gang and hothead Duryea means he has to play Rambo. So he endangers the others and is for his partner's death jointly responsible.It's obvious that Duryea reacts testily, but he must not adventure the whole police operation! And that's the difference between him and Sonny who also goes it alone sometimes, but he never adventures other people or a police operation.:cool:Remain of The Maze plays in the old Blue Waters Hotel and attends to the arrest of Escobar and his followers.I like the style of the villains - typical 80s. Mentionable is Jaime's Franchi SPAS-12, a very futuristic looking shotgun which is also used in Hit List by Jim Zubiena and in many popular movies, for example The Terminator.I cherish the end of the episode because it offers good action. Interesting is that Raul Escobar doesn't die - he is only arrested. Furthermore the roof-scene is perfectly displayed - in front of the green sea.:happy:Outfit from Sonny and Rico is - as always - fantastic.:happy: Especially Sonny's white suite combined with a pale-yellow shirt!:glossy:And Rico's black suite with white stripes - excellent!:thumbsup:Tea In The Sahara by The Police is very nice. It's a pity that they turned off the radio.:cry::radio:Renegades of Funk by Africa Bambaata is also belting and brings us back to the 80s clubs.:clap:10 of 10 points.

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  • 2 months later...

The Maze17. The MazeAlthough this was one of the low points of Season 1, it wasn’t that bad. The teaser was great. I liked the scenery and bright neon colors throughout the strip mall. Too bad Dickey died though. The problem with this episode was mainly that it progressed pretty slow and there wasn’t too much action besides the final storming of the hotel. Tubbs singing his song was cool but music should be more of a hobby for him. Crockett tries to keep cool in this episode but the sight of Duryea makes him want to implode. When Escobar gives up at the very end, it was a little ridiculous that he started crying. His younger brother seemed more tough that he was. “Tea in the Sahara†was a cool tune to insert in the episode. Hammer also had some interesting tunes. I liked the music playing when Crockett is going around town and trying to get the scoop on the Escobars. Again, not the best of Season 1, but its watchable. We get to see more of the tactical side of being a cop. 8/10

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  • 1 year later...

I'll have to change the rating I gave this episode originally. The scenes inside the Blue Waters are horrible and completely unwatchable and they really drag the whole episode down. A bad one. 3/10

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the main reason I really like this episode is because of the Blue Waters Hotel itself!!I love it for the setting, and I love old art deco style of the 40's and 50's. I also love to explore and photograph old abandoned places--especially old schools, houses, or hotels. So, the Blue Waters Hotel fits perfectly for me with that aspect...and I soooo wish I could've explored and photographed the old hotel before it was torn down. But, I was too young at the time. :cry: I wish it could've been restored instead...but it was probably too far "gone" by even the time "The Maze" was filmed in it. But, because of the cool old hotel and getting to see the inside and ruins during the episode (even if I could never have been there), I gave "The Maze" a 7--despite some of the strange homeless characters and somewhat boring scenes with them and Tubbs. To go along with my "MV" memoribailia, I've purchased several vintage Blue Waters Hotel postcards from the mid-1950's to early 1960's. I've seen some old black-n-white ones that stated they were from the late 1940's (1947-1949). I figure the hotel was probably built in the late 40's and closed sometime in the late 60's or early 70's--as by 1985 it looked as if it'd been closed for 20 years or so. If anyone actually has the "when it was built" and "when it closed" dates on the old Blue Waters--that'd be awesome to let me know!! :)

I'm sorry but I really like this episode! Above is my original statement and rating for "The Maze", and I still stand by it. :thumbsup:
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  • 3 months later...

Watched "The Maze" again last night...still love the old abandoned art deco Blue Waters Hotel! :thumbsup: I'm still not sure when it was built or exactly when it closed (but judging by what we saw I would think a good 15 years at least before "MV")...but I did learn it was demolished in May of 1987. This was about a year after the episode "French Twist" used it for Bandi's hideout.

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  • 2 years later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I like this episode. It was the first I ever taped. I liked the occasional gritty episode like this or "Glades". Anybody want to know what the Vice look is to me, look at the club scene with Crockett in the white jacket & Tubbs in the pinstrip jacket with no tie. That is my absolute favorite look for both!

I know the hostage parts were slower but no different than any hostage episode on another show. Remember, Vice was being mentioned in the same breath as HILL STREET BLUES with regards to gritty storytelling. I remember that comparison being made in the TIME article at the time. This was a standard hostage story albeit more stylish. Hammer's score for the climax is awesome!! One of his best! People call the scene of Escobar breaking down a cliche but at the time, I'd never seen anything like that. The end with Crockett & Tubbs standing there with Hanmer's score & the seagulls flying by is classic. A solid 7 /10 for me. I might even go as high as 8.

This episode also demonstrates the good balance between Crockett & Tubbs with each having key moments. This would be totally lost in season 4.

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An excellent episode in my book. I really enjoyed the contrast in this one, of the upscale Miami vibe placed against the abandoned hotel decay. The Escobar brothers' flashy clothing and somewhat conflicting personalities in the backdrop of the gutted crumbling resort.  The desperation of the homeless families, the fact they argue even placed at level where they should be working together more to survive. The extended baby screaming was quite disturbing, no doubt the intention of the scene. There's much going on in this episode in the realm of analyzing or portraying primitive human nature. I found Raul crying at the end to be intriguing, and perhaps perfect, as throughout the episode his insecurity was evident, hidden only slightly by his manic criminal desperation and a shaky firearm. Ving's character was well done, though he was a bit underutilized. Tubb's undercover jaunt worked for me for the most part, I've always liked how PMT got in singing a song from his music solo album here. ( I often ponder if he insisted on doing this.) Crockett's moves were solid in this entire story. I also liked Lieutenant Davis in his hostage negotiation moments, he seemed natural and well versed in the tactic, especially when discussing the helicopter.

Is "The Maze" perfect? No, there were some choppy spots of sub par acting sprinkled throughout. I also thought the police entry team could have used a bit more protective gear while storming into the building in a situation such as that. And the song "Tea in the Sahara", as a huge fan of The Police I was pleased to hear this one.I don't think I would have placed the track in the scene it plays, however, to openly contradict myself ... perhaps it is perfect that way. I give "The Maze" a a 9/10

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