That episode demonstrates another Vice element: often the whole was far greater than the sum of its parts. The episode's script was weak (a common problem during Vice's second season), but between the music and cinematography, it's salvaged by an example of high style. Between the extensive sunbaked location photography and the soft-porn cheesecake shots of bikini-clad Arielle Dombasle, you could make a pretty good case that this was the best-photographed episode in the best-photographed show on television.
A Few Minor Flaws Don't Diminish Overall Impact
Sadly, unlike the first season DVD of Vice, there are no bonus features on these discs; it's strictly the episodes themselves. However, happily, all of the outside music appears to have been retained, which must have cost Universal a pretty penny in licensing fees.
But that wall-to-wall original music, and the sound overall is fantastic, as Jan Hammer's score and the show's MTV-era rock soundtrack is gloriously remixed in 5.1 sound. The explosions, car chases and gunfire all have added oomph, as the soundtrack routes a surprising amount of power to a home theater's subwoofer.
And like that first season DVD of Vice, Universal never lets you forget who's show it is: every disc begins with 30 seconds or so of the current Universal logo, and every episode begins with that same Universal logo. We get it guys, we get it!
There are few scratches on the frames of the disc, and some dust, but all in all, this is pretty good looking footage.
But then, it was even more so 20 years ago, when its dramatic cinematography left the typical flat, washed-out low-res visuals of TV in the dust. If you want to see how history will record the look of the '80s, or simply want to see cool cops, hot visuals, and fun--if often vacuous plots--put on your Wayfarers and pop-in Miami Vice's second season.
Article comments
1 - Barry Stoller
When this show finally gets its big screen "remake," someone's gonna make a boatload of money.
2 - Brent McKee
It's strange but true that the one real breakout star of this series was Edward James Olmos. He'd done quite a bit of work before this but it was "Miami Vice" where he became a truly rcognisable figure.
3 - J. Pitts
Best description of Miami Vice ever written.
4 - strangewings
I agree that there were "often vacuous plots" but Bushido was not one of them (and not that you said it was). That episode seemed the peculiarity of season two and featured a stellar performance from Olmos. I just caught it on Sleuth TV. The Cold War, "pinkos," Hagakure, and a samurai sword.
"Surf's up, pal!" Now I have a new catch-phrase for the office. Thanks, Crockett.