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Magnum, P.I. Season 2 Episode 14

Computer Date

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 1/14/82

While investigating a case of corporate computer espionage, Magnum is hired by one of the company's presidents to check out his wife, whom he suspects is having an affair. Meanwhile, Higgins is expecting a visit from his ex-fiancée and enlists Magnum's help in getting in shape before her arrival.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

While Higgins struggles to get in shape for the visit of an old flame, Magnum works on a case of computer espionage. But when the company president asks him investigate his wife's possible affair, Magnum finds that the woman is seeing Rick! Reasonable epmoreless

8.5

By Jay-Spacedust, Jun 07, 2010

At this point, things feel to be slowly maturing in the show, working away from the 'easy going' feel of the first season, and gradually gliding towards the more serious, character based stories that would feature more prominently in late seasons.

And indeed, 'Computer Date' does feel in many ways like one of those later episodes.

Thankfully, the opening trailer does not spoil the revelation that Rick is having an affair, leaving it to come as a surprise in the episode. (Unfortunately for me, I had already read about it before I saw this episode!)

The woman Rick is having an affair with, Claudia Randolph, is played by Larry Manetti's then-wife Nancy DeCarl. However, I never felt that their on-screen matching was totally convincing, and didn't fully buy that Rick would sink into a relationship with this woman.

Feeling betrayed by Magnum not telling him that he was working for Claudia's husband, Rick throws a punch at him – resulting all of the main co-stars having punched Magnum (T.C. in the first season's 'Thicker Than Blood', and Higgins in 'Tropical Madness' earlier this season).

The fact that one of the four main characters of the series is having an affair goes against the clean-cut feel of many of the other shows around at the time. Magnum himself embarks upon a brief affair in the sixth season's 'The Kona Winds'.

The episode is one of the few examples of the series where Magnum is torn by ethics, split between taking the case and telling his friend. It is a nice touch, and I like how he subtly sounds Higgins out for advice.

The subplot, of Higgins trying to get in shape, provides the comedy of the episode. In a mostly serious plot, it is welcome relief, even if the final scene, when Lady Ashley (also mentioned in a few other episodes) arrives, is rather strange.

This episode isn't one of my favourites, but it is one of the better of the season and a fair watch.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Tom Selleck	Thomas Magnum
Larry Manetti	Rick Wright
Roger E. Mosley	Theodore "T.C." Calvin
John Hillerman	Jonathan Higgins

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Charles Aidman	James Randolph	Guest Star
Nancy DeCarl	Claudia Randolph	Guest Star
Edward Bell	J. Weston Reese	Guest Star
Jeff MacKay	Mac MacReynolds	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (2)
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- Magnum: (narrating) Normally, the chance to make Higgins sweat would have seemed like a lot of fun. Today, it barely raised a smile.
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- Rick: (to Magnum) This is a private club. Unless you've got membership money, pal, I suggest you leave, and leave now.
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NOTES (2)
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- The German episode titles are "Der Spion im Computer" ("The Spy in the Computer") and "Der Computer-Trick". The French title is "Un ordinateur pour deux", meaning "A Computer for Two". The Italian episode title is "Appuntamento con il computer", meaning "Dating with a Computer".
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- Nancy DeCarl, who plays Claudia Randolph, is Larry Manetti's wife.
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