This Week In Miami Vice History...

[mvnyc]

November 4th - November 10th:"No Exit", the 7th episode of the 1st season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 9th, 1984 at 10 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* This episode was called "Three Eyed Turtle" when it originally aired, but the name was changed to "No Exit" when it went into syndication. This second title is now its official one and has been used on the show's VHS and DVD releases and online, although some DVD sets mention the original title as an alternate name for the episode. It is possible the name was changed due to "three-eyed turtle" being slang for a position during sexual intercourse.* The episode was repeated on three other occasions during Miami Vice's run, the most of any episode.* This is the first episode for which Michael Mann would be the only Executive Producer (listed at the end of the episode). Series creator Anthony Yerkovich was listed as a co-Executive Producer on the first six episodes.* When Crockett, Tubbs and Lester go to bug Amato's house, Lester says they have 30 seconds between the time he interrupts the burglar alarm circuit, until the alarm goes off. In real time, it takes Lester 55 seconds to shut off the alarm."Junk Love", the 6th episode of the 2nd season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 8th, 1985 at 10 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* During this week in 1985, the Miami Vice Theme would hit the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. No TV instrumental theme has done so since.* Radio Marti, (whose transmissions interfered with Switek's monitoring of Tubbs' wire when meeting with Ivory Jones), began transmitting on May 20, 1985 and still exists today (a TV version began in 1990)."El Viejo", the 7th episode of the 3rd season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 7th, 1986 at 9 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* This episode was originally set to be the season opener, but was held back as it was felt having the Ferrari Daytona blown up in "When Irish Eyes Are Crying" would make a better start to the third season. Don Johnson also held out for more money at the start of Season 3, delaying filming to a point where other commitments for guest star Willie Nelson meant the episode could not be finished in time for the premiere slot.* Instead of smoking, Switek likes to chew Red Man tobacco (and in "Back in the World" Switek was rubbing snuff/Skoal, or as he called it the "working man's caviar"). Smoking among the main characters (especially Crockett) was phased out during this season.* El Viejo means "The Old Man" in Spanish; Mendez calls Willie Nelson's character El Viejo several times during the episode.* Because of the delays in completing the episode, Crockett's Daytona makes a return after its destruction, causing a major continuity error."God's Work", the 6th episode of the 4th season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 6th, 1987 at 9 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* According to an interview with director Jan Eliasberg, the original story was to be about the Catholic Church refusing aid for gay AIDS patients, but after a meeting between the Church and NBC, the story was altered to its broadcast form.* It was never stated that Louie was dying of AIDS, but the story and circumstances of Louie and Felipe's relationship (and the fact that Louie was visiting Ernesto's AIDS hospice) implied this was the case.* In the scene with Castillo and Ernesto at the coffee shop, Castillo laughs and holds an extended conversation in Spanish. It is extremely unusual to see Castillo talk as much as he does in this scene (this being the only time in the entire series he laughs), in stark contrast to his normally gruff, emotionless character."Redemption In Blood", the 2nd episode of the 5th season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 11th, 1988 at 10PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* Steven Tyler made his acting debut as Reeves in this episode.* The idea of Burnett giving a pet panther to his lover is probably inspired by the 1983 movie Scarface, in which Al Pacino's drug lord buys his wife a Bengal tiger.* El Gato is wearing a necklace made from the hood ornament of a Mercury (shown by the cougar symbol).* Tim Truman's song "Everything Inside of Me" featured Truman himself on vocals and was used at the last minute in place of a John Mellencamp song that producers could not get clearance for.* El Gato's fate at the hands of a predatory jungle cat is foreshadowed by the zebra-designed coat he is wearing in the final scene

[miamijimf]

Excellent, I always learn something from these posts.

[Lar]

"No Exit" - What a great, great episode. Bruce Willis is terrific, the ending is classic MV, just very strong all-around. I'd love to find a copy with the original "Three-Eyed Turtle" title. Although, Bruce slapping Rita around is pretty uncomfortable to watch, though I guess that was the point, wasn't it?Although, I will say, that article that was posted here sometime back (A.V. Club, was it?) describing this as MV's "turning-point" episode, I agreed with it then, but after more recent viewings, I'll modify that opinion somewhat. "No Exit" is certainly an excellent 'first-half of the first season' episode, one of the strongest, IMO (beyond the pilot, I mean), but the show was still finding itself. Tubbs, for example, doesn't act quite like the Tubbs we'll come to know. Something about him screaming at the end of the intro and, later, his "Let's nail this pig" line, they just seem off somehow to me. I can't really explain it, they just don't seem quite right. Maybe it's just me. Then again, him forcefully patting down Bruce Willis later in the episode is an awesome Tubbs moment, so I don't know."Junk Love" - Gotta admit, this one is pretty forgettable to me. Can't think of much to say about it, really."El Viejo" - Aside from the continuity error of Crockett's car, this is an okay episode, though I've never thought it would have made a very good season premiere; in that respect, the switch to "When Irish Eyes Are Crying" was better, though I don't think that one was all that great of an opener, either. Feels too much like a 'regular' episode."God's Work" - Fair episode. Not a favorite, but okay."Redemption In Blood" - Good end to the Burnett saga, although it'll be referenced in later S5 episodes. I'll admit, I didn't lose sleep over El Gato's fate; way too obnoxious to me (plus, you know, he was a scumbag). I wonder what Mellencamp song they wanted to use?

[mvnyc]

Excellent' date=' I always learn something from these posts.[/quote']Thanks MiamiJimF, I wasn't sure if these were informational this time around, glad you appreciate them...

[mvnyc]

"No Exit" - What a great' date=' great episode. Bruce Willis is terrific, the ending is classic MV, just very strong all-around. I'd love to find a copy with the original "Three-Eyed Turtle" title. Although, Bruce slapping Rita around is pretty uncomfortable to watch, though I guess that was the point, wasn't it?Although, I will say, that article that was posted here sometime back (A.V. Club, was it?) describing this as MV's "turning-point" episode, I agreed with it then, but after more recent viewings, I'll modify that opinion somewhat. "No Exit" is certainly an excellent 'first-half of the first season' episode, one of the strongest, IMO (beyond the pilot, I mean), but the show was still finding itself. Tubbs, for example, doesn't act quite like the Tubbs we'll come to know. Something about him screaming at the end of the intro and, later, his "Let's nail this pig" line, they just seem off somehow to me. I can't really explain it, they just don't seem quite right. Maybe it's just me. Then again, him forcefully patting down Bruce Willis later in the episode is an awesome Tubbs moment, so I don't know."Junk Love" - Gotta admit, this one is pretty forgettable to me. Can't think of much to say about it, really."El Viejo" - Aside from the continuity error of Crockett's car, this is an okay episode, though I've never thought it would have made a very good season premiere; in that respect, the switch to "When Irish Eyes Are Crying" was better, though I don't think that one was all that great of an opener, either. Feels too much like a 'regular' episode."God's Work" - Fair episode. Not a favorite, but okay."Redemption In Blood" - Good end to the Burnett saga, although it'll be referenced in later S5 episodes. I'll admit, I didn't lose sleep over El Gato's fate; way too obnoxious to me (plus, you know, he was a scumbag). I wonder what Mellencamp song they wanted to use?[/quote']I keep missing Steven Tyler in "Redemption In Blood", I'll have to look more closely..."Junk Love" was a throw-away, IMO..."El Viejo", it was ok, Willie Nelson added as much as he could to that episode..."God's Work", nothing spectacular..."No Exit" was the series building to what it became, IMO...

[Matt5]

No Exit"" data-date=" the 7th episode of the 1st season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 9th, 1984 at 10 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* This episode was called "Three Eyed Turtle" when it originally aired, but the name was changed to "No Exit" when it went into syndication. This second title is now its official one and has been used on the show">

Junk Love", the 6th episode of the 2nd season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 8th, 1985 at 10 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* During this week in 1985, the Miami Vice Theme would hit the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. No TV instrumental theme has done so since.* Radio Marti, (whose transmissions interfered with Switek's monitoring of Tubbs' wire when meeting with Ivory Jones), began transmitting on May 20, 1985 and still exists today (a TV version began in 1990)."El Viejo", the 7th episode of the 3rd season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 7th, 1986 at 9 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* This episode was originally set to be the season opener, but was held back as it was felt having the Ferrari Daytona blown up in "When Irish Eyes Are Crying" would make a better start to the third season. Don Johnson also held out for more money at the start of Season 3, delaying filming to a point where other commitments for guest star Willie Nelson meant the episode could not be finished in time for the premiere slot.* Instead of smoking, Switek likes to chew Red Man tobacco (and in "Back in the World" Switek was rubbing snuff/Skoal, or as he called it the "working man's caviar"). Smoking among the main characters (especially Crockett) was phased out during this season.* El Viejo means "The Old Man" in Spanish; Mendez calls Willie Nelson's character El Viejo several times during the episode.* Because of the delays in completing the episode, Crockett's Daytona makes a return after its destruction, causing a major continuity error."God's Work", the 6th episode of the 4th season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 6th, 1987 at 9 PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* According to an interview with director Jan Eliasberg, the original story was to be about the Catholic Church refusing aid for gay AIDS patients, but after a meeting between the Church and NBC, the story was altered to its broadcast form.* It was never stated that Louie was dying of AIDS, but the story and circumstances of Louie and Felipe's relationship (and the fact that Louie was visiting Ernesto's AIDS hospice) implied this was the case.* In the scene with Castillo and Ernesto at the coffee shop, Castillo laughs and holds an extended conversation in Spanish. It is extremely unusual to see Castillo talk as much as he does in this scene (this being the only time in the entire series he laughs), in stark contrast to his normally gruff, emotionless character."Redemption In Blood", the 2nd episode of the 5th season, premiered on NBC on Friday, November 11th, 1988 at 10PM EST. Some notes on this episode (from Miami Vice Wiki):* Steven Tyler made his acting debut as Reeves in this episode.* The idea of Burnett giving a pet panther to his lover is probably inspired by the 1983 movie Scarface, in which Al Pacino's drug lord buys his wife a Bengal tiger.* El Gato is wearing a necklace made from the hood ornament of a Mercury (shown by the cougar symbol).* Tim Truman's song "Everything Inside of Me" featured Truman himself on vocals and was used at the last minute in place of a John Mellencamp song that producers could not get clearance for.* El Gato's fate at the hands of a predatory jungle cat is foreshadowed by the zebra-designed coat he is wearing in the final scene

Great week again