User Reviews

Typical police investigation show with a twist. Crockett gets sucked into an investigation for a death row inmate Crockett put in jail. This is the reason police do not investigated assignments with personal baggage. A few twists and surprises. What I felt from the start was Crockett do not do this, which made me wanting to watch more. Something is not right here. Listen to the D A Crockett. The bad guy is just slime with a prison psychopath con act. Strong acting, music and style blends Forgive Us Our Debts with a twist from the typical police investigation episode. What the viewer learns and drives the story for Forgives Us Our Debts is the Crockett character lives by a moral code, with Crockett's strong personality which makes Crockett a great detective; and personality which can be used by an evil mind. The ending with the song We do what we're told to do is memorable.

This episode opens in 1980 where we see Crockett's old partner being gunned down by a masked assailant. After the title credits we learn that Hackman, the man convicted of the crime, is due to be executed and Crockett isn't exactly upset. Somebody however has told his priest that Hackman couldn't be guilty as they were together in Daytona at the time of the killing. They manage to find the man but DA refuses to grant a stay of execution as it suits his political goals to see Hackman die. If they are to save Hackman they must find further witnesses; there is one but he is in federal custody and doesn't want to talk.

This was a cracking episode; it might not have had shootouts, car chases or explosions but it was just as tense as Crockett worked against the clock to save the life of the man he'd put on death row. The system is clearly conspiring against him as the DA wants to execute Hackman; not because he believes he committed the murder but because it suits his political goals to be seen as tough on law and order. Don Johnson gives one of his best performances yet as Crockett works to get a man out of prison rather then put one in and Guy Boyd does well as Hackman; a character we know is a killer whether he was guilty this time or not. As the end approached we get constant reminders of the fate that awaits Hackman; we see his head being shaved in readiness and repeated shots of the electric chair. There are a few nice twists along the way and it builds up to one of the best endings yet; I won't spoil it but it does come as a real sucker punch.

I had feared that the politics of the episode would lead to it preaching either for or against the death penalty; thankfully it didn't... not that I don't have opinions on the matter; I just think the episode would have been weaker had it been overly preachy rather than concentrating on telling a good story.

I can't believe nobody has written a review on this masterpiece. So I guess I'll have to do it. I don't know where to start, except that only 3 can make an episode like this. Only 3! The other crappy seasons couldn't make an episode like this in a million years. This episode along with 3 was the only time Vice was a gritty, dark, realistic, and fascinating show. There's nothing special about the other seasons.

Forgive Us Our Debts is one of those many many episodes from 3 that is pure perfection. Just amazing to watch. The episode has such a strong, powerful story, unforgettable characters, slick, film noir cinematography and music that is sizzling as ever. Also two songs that heightens the suspense and atmosphere of the episode. This is the most realistic Vice episode ever. Crockett and Tubbs go against the most ruthless, sleaziest, and just downright dirty characters that's right out of real life.

The performances of Guy Boyd, Val Bisoglio, Bill Raymond, and DW Moffet are so realistic and amazing. Of course 3 has so many episodes that feature powerful performances by many great actors. Episodes such as When Irish Eyes Are Crying, Stone's War, The Good Collar, Shadow in the Dark, Streetwise, Down for the Count Part 1-2, and The Savage. Also many many more. You can't be 3. It's so PERFECT! The other seasons are garbage compared to 3.

This episode is one not to be missed. It's also got the biggest surprise upset I've ever seen in the history of film or television. The cinematography of the episode by Tom Priestley is gritty and very realistic stuff. Watching this episode you keep saying to yourself, " This is amazing stuff. The kind of the thing you don't ever see in the other four crappy seasons. Ever! This episode feels like and looks like a film noir/ murder mystery that deals with our hero's looking for missing evidence of a crime that took place six years before. The accused is also a few hours away from being permanently extincted by the electric chair. Like I said before amazing stuff.

The climax of this episode is the best ever in a Vice episode. Even though every climax in 3 is so great. This episode has the best climax. It starts off with a fade in of the prison and Boyd's character receiving his last meal, head being shaved all while thinking about the chair that waits him. You can feel the tension in him and on yourself watching this masterpiece. I can go on and on, but I don't want to give it all away. The entire climax lasts for a thrilling, pulse pounding 8 minutes. Another thing that makes the climax so perfect is the soundtrack that brings shivers down my spine. The song "Standing on the Outside", by Meatloaf from his Bad Attitude album in 84 is gripping and WOW!!

To sum it all up. This is the real Miami VICE. All of 3 is Miami VICE. The rest of the seasons are a bunch of colorful, kiddish, MTV Cops seasons. Stuff for the kids. 3 are for adults and people who respect stories and characters over cheesy, crappy stories that feature endless and endless of scenes of color and rock starts. That's what the other seasons are about and that's why they SUCK! Stick 3 with and only 3 and you will be shocked at how PERFECT it is, just like Forgive Us Our Debts. Amazing stuff!