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Score: 8.9 Great 21 votes

Past Tense

Episode Number: 45    Season Num: 3    First Aired: Thursday October 21, 1982    Prod Code: n/a
Magnum is out for a morning jog when he is nearly hit by a truck, which moments later is involved in a fatal crash with a car. Meanwhile, T.C. has accidentally made a double booking of Higgins and two tourists, who both want to make flights that morning, and has to compromise by taking all three of them. But the tourist pair turn out to be armed and sky-jack the chopper, forcing T.C. to fly to a nearby prison for the daring break-out of an inmate. From there they head to a rendezvous point on a small nearby island, but the damage inflicted on the helicopter during the break-out sees them crash-landing. With the police short on leads, Thomas and Rick investigate, and the road accident that Thomas was witness to provides a key clue.

Cast and Crew

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Writer: Reuben Leder
Director: Michael O'Herlihy
Star: Tom Selleck (Thomas Magnum),  Roger E. Mosley (T.C. Calvin),  John Hillerman (Jonathan Higgins),  Larry Manetti (Rick Wright)
Recurring Role: Clay Wai (Ernie Cobb),  Kwan Hi Lim (Yoshi Tanaka),  Frank Atienza (Warden Gilmer)
Guest Star: Phil Sunada (Officer Keoli),  Jim Reynolds (Eugene Goorwitz),  Walter Chotzen (Ice Pick),  Drew Snyder (Jack Curry),  James Wainwright (Morgan Lyden),  Pat Studsill (Floyd Brice)

Notes

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In this episode, the character of Ice-Pick makes the first of many appearances, but is played by a different actor (Walter Chotzen) than would be seen in later episodes (Elisha Cook Jr.). (edit)
T.C. seems to suggest that he has been flying commercially for seven years. (edit)

Quotes

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"This morning in paradise was not much better than the one yesterday. In other words – it was perfect. And morning in paradise is the perfect time of day. A quiet run, then a swim; it's a time your truly alone; a time when you're allowed to fully appreciate the rhythms of living. Besides, Higgins was going to be gone all day, and that made me appreciate the rythms of living, even more" – Magnum (narration), moments before he is almost hit by a truck with is subsequently involved in a crash (edit)

Trivia

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Nit-pick: Following the destruction and subsequent re-appearance of the Ferrari a few episodes earlier in 'Did You See The Sunrise?', and the Audi (Robin-2) before that in the first season's 'No Need To Know', it is the turn of T.C.'s helicopter to undergo similar fate in this episode. It crashes and is practically wrecked in the story, yet goes on to appear as if nothing had happened (and with no mention of the crash or it's repairs) after this episode. With the Audi and the Ferrari, one might assume that millionaire Robin Master's merely bought ones to replace them; the story behind the choppers' reappearance is anyone's guess! The chopper is also wrecked in the fifth season's 'Under World', only to reappear in following episodes with no explanation! (edit)

Allusions

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Community Reviews (3)

 

marceber
Report Abuse 1 user agrees
with this review
9.0
Superb
Past Tense
"A very special episode"
Moral: We all need our own doofy "Rick" character around to make us look good.
Continue » Posted May 1, 2008 9:53 am PST

TV-Addicted
Report Abuse 1 user disagrees
with this review
9.0
Superb
Past Tense
"Fine example"
TC is skyjacked along with Higgins in order to break a prisoner out of jail.
Continue » Posted Aug 2, 2006 10:21 pm PST

nunomfilipe
Report Abuse 1 user disagrees
with this review
9.0
Superb
Past Tense
"Character development"
Friendship and Comradeship…
Continue » Posted Jun 22, 2006 8:50 am PST
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Episode Vital Stats

 
Episode: Past Tense
Season Number: 3
Episode Reviews: 3
Episode
Score:
8.9 Great 21 votes
Rating Statistics:
great: 9 (42.9%)
superb: 8 (38.1%)
perfect: 3 (14.3%)
good: 1 (4.8%)
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