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Reviews
Tour of Duty: The Good, the Bad, and the Dead (1987)
The Grim Fortunes of War
This is a heartbreaking episode; it shows you what can happen to those who have served in war and have tasted the bitter fruit of it's elements. Watch this and you will have a new respect for the warriors who have gone before us---bled, died and survived----but not without lasting life consequences that never go away.
Pay respect to our veterans---for the sacrifices they have made.
Hawaii Five-O: A Lion in the Streets (1979)
Not worth the watch---
This episode is not one of the best...the Andy character spends his whole time throwing tantrums, shouting at everyone and causing violence...and never held accountable for it!...and to boot, he does not even look Hawaiian with a Hawaiian name! What's up with that? The Carew character seems out of place...the writers must have wanted a 'De Niro' vibe, and they got it with this guy, but he does not fit in at all. McGarrett preaches peace in speeches about the 'Rule of Law' and justice all throughout, but to no avail...Andy keeps throwing tantrums nonetheless. Not a great episode, and not worth watching. The only one worth watching is Barbara Luna...she is very easy on the eyes!
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: Running Ghost (1993)
A Villanous Episode
Good episode----Don Stroud plays one of the meanest, most violent characters in the series in a very intense performance between he and Sully----don't let your kids see this alone, for it's got some very violent scenes.
Touched by an Angel: Indigo Angel (1996)
An 'Angel' episode not to miss
This is one of the best 'Angel' episodes ever---Hal Linden gives a stellar performance. You can bet that the cast had a wonderful time in this production----I'm sure the Producers spared no cost in doing it
An episode not to be missed...you will love it and the Message it brings.
Combat!: The First Day (1965)
More truth of war here that you realize
This is one of the best episodes----showing the reality of war in how young some of these raw recruits were. In the Battle of the Bulge, many were of the age of these teenagers---poorly trained, thrust into the fight. And on their first day in that battle, they were immediately killed by the scores.
A sobering but thoughtful episode.
Hawaii Five-O: Elegy in a Rain Forest (1977)
William Watson the perfect psycho
William Watson gives great performance as the perfect psycho; the high altitude locations at the end are stunning....one slip and any cast member would be gone!
What is curious is at the beginning, the scenes with McGarrett seem to be photographed with a soft focus filter---either that or condensation got on the lens. Not sure why they did this. McGarrett's Hawaiian tan outfit and hat is kind of kitschy.
The part of the DA 'taking the law into his own hands' with his own gun at the end was kind of predictable and has been overdone. Still a good episode.
Hawaii Five-O: Savage Sunday (1969)
McGarrett all in white for this episode
This episode is a bit campy---McGarret is all dressed in white---even his tennis shoes---(was he on a Sunday outing when this happened?), ready to take on the revolutionaries! I'm sure his clothes don't get dirtied up at all. Also a bit much to think that little snub-nosed revolvers from Hawaii5-0's team can outgun all the M1 Carbines and M1 Garands that the revolutionaries are shooting back with from the armory.
Not one of the best episodes.
Touched by an Angel: The Christmas Watch (2002)
One of the best episodes of Touched by an Angel
What a great episode----they must have spent a lot of money on this one. Interesting were the sounds of the clocks throughout the episode and the realism of the old store----reminded me of old downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square.
Stellar acting from the shop owner---he pulls it all together with his emotions and warmth in the face of his world changing overnight---with one last challenge to accomplish.
Well worth viewing---especially during the Christmas Season.
Collector's Call: Meet Mancow (2020)
Barry Williams was a self-promoter who hijacked the show. Not fun to watch.
This was the worst 'Collector's Call'----the guy who was supposed to offer the trade gets upstaged by Barry Williams---who obviously loves being Mancow's friend! Even Lisa said that she did not expect something like this to happen---the appraiser guy was speechless and obviously offended and taken aback at Williams selfish hijacking of the offer the other guy was supposed to be asked to make.
Lisa should have let the other guy do his offer---or really should have said, "Barry, this is my show and you are not the one that gets to make the offer! ---Sorry!"
And all for a silly-looking jacket that Williams wore in 'Brady Bunch' and knew Mancow wanted soooo badly.
Not a good episode from an ethical standpoint...it left a bad taste to the viewing audience.
Tour of Duty: Doc Hock (1989)
The debut of John Dye...and tragedy all around
This is the first episode that John Dye was in...and he plays his part well. One of the saddest episodes of Tour of Duty----all the way to the last scenes. showing the futility, incompetence and sadness of war and how it affects it's participants forever.
M*A*S*H: Say No More (1983)
One of the best MASH episodes with Alan Alda and John Anderson
This to me was one of the best MASH episodes...well done juxtapositions of serious plot issues and the comedic banter between Winchester(who can't stand Margaret's worship of the surgeon she's dying to meet, yet he's reluctantly helping her make it happen with his voice, not hers!) and the serious tone in the scenario of the badly wounded soldier and his Two-Star General Dad, skillfully played by John Anderson. The son in the episode played his part very well---you could feel the pain he was experiencing with his wounds and the desire to have that approval from his father to know that he, the son had "given his all".
What struck me to make this episode one of the best was the fact that Hawkeye showed humility and respect for the General---not at the beginning, but near the end, which was refreshing since many of the episodes had him mostly over-the-top disrespectful and sarcastic to military authority figures he would encounter who had an impossible job to do.
They end up at the end having respect for each other, even though they come from two different worlds...if only for a moment, sharing a drink in honor of the fallen one's that they never get to know...then back to their respective worlds of tragedy and the horrors of war.
Touched by an Angel: I Will Walk with You: Part 2 (2003)
Well done finale with a bittersweet legacy of great actors that have passed on
One of the best 'Angel' episodes...David Ogden Stiers perfectly captured the 'Devil' in his role...well photographed and lit.
It's amazing and emotional to see the ending scene to know that so many of the characters have passed on in real life....Della Reese, Marion Ross, Patty Duke, John Dye, David Ogden Stiers....great performances by them all.
I cannot imagine how hard it must be if Roma Downey has seen this episode since Della and John's passing...it's a genuine tearful goodbye from her as she gets promoted and leaves for her new assignment. I know if I were her I could not get through watching this.
So worth viewing.
Touched by an Angel: Monica's Bad Day (2000)
The Actors must have had fun with this episode
The Actors must have had fun with this episode, in how they get to play the same scenes in anger and the scenes again in kindness(don't want to give the storyline away).
Also well done was the scene on the bridge---they must have used the 'green screen' technique, but it looked very realistic on the big NY high-rise bridge.
Touched by an Angel: The Journalist (1996)
Fake news journalist from 20+ years ago
This episode was so applicable to today....a journalist driven by emotions, a personal agenda and forget the facts----until the real truth gets her in the end.
And she apologizes on her own report----that rarely happens today in a mainstream media void of conscience.
Excellent episode and performance by John Randolph.
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: Portraits (1993)
A touching epsisode well done.
As a photographer myself, I liked the story line and character played by Kenny Rogers....Predictably, the townsfolk go nuts over having 'everyone' in the picture, and Dr. Mike has to save the day to get everyone together.
A good piece of writing in the story is when the camera gets destroyed, Sully saves the lens from destruction(how did he know to do that?) and the final scene is set to bring everyone together.
A well-written sensitive story about life, tragedy, and a positive outcome(even thought the main character will lose his eyesight---but not before he's rewarded with one last great portrait---of the whole town.
Touched by an Angel: The Compass (1999)
One of the best Touched by an Angel Episodes---a must see for a fan
I was intrigued by the synopsis info when this episode started; it held my attention throughout the whole show. Very well written with many issues going on of raw emotion, good and evil conflicts with the main character, who is not likeable(until the end)...
They spent a lot of $$ on this particular episode, and the production qualities are superb. The different personalities in the squad of American soldiers, in wartime conflict and personal conflict with each other in dire times of death and fear are gripping. I will not reveal the ending, but it was one that I did not expect. I was moved with emotion all throughout.
Kudos to Martha Williamson for a superbly written story.