Magnum P.I. - The Complete First Season (2004, DVD)

Okay...the concept was a bit far-fetched: A former decorated Navy Seal resigns from the military, impresses a famous novelist and is given free reign to live on the novelist's seashore estate in Hawaii. Yeah...it's a tough life. Did I mention that he also virtually has ownership of the novelist's Ferrari 308 GTS? Red, no less.

Anyway, that is just the concept given to the viewer by Donald Bellisario and Glen Larson.

The Characters
Thomas Sullivan Magnum is the main character living the good life in Hawaii. He's a former Navy Seal turned private investigator (don't call him a 'private eye', if you know what's good for you!). He has stumbled into a sweet deal...living on the seldom-used Hawaiian seashore estate of the famous novelist, Robin Masters. Magnum (can you possibly have a cooler name than that?) is the ultimate guy's guy. He is good-looking enough to where you want to be his buddy...if just to get the leftover girls. He lives in a cozy guest house on some of the most-beautiful property you'll ever see. His life is perfect, you see. Did I say 'perfect'? Well, other than the fact that Mr. Masters' major domo Jonathon Higgins sees to it that Magnum doesn't have full accessibility to everything at the estate. It doesn't hurt any that Higgins has two 'lads' to help keep Magnum in line. Zeus and Apollo are two well-behaved dobermans...at least when Higgins gives them orders. Of course, Magnum has emotional baggage...losing his father at a young age, losing his wife (but you really don't find out about this the first season). He is also part of a small, yet close group of friends that includes fellow Vietnam veterans Theodore Calvin ("T.C.") and Orville Wright("Rick").

Robin Masters is sort of like "Charlie" from 'Charlie's Angels'. He exists as more of a shadow figure than anything else. In later seasons, there is some conjecture as to whether or not Higgins is really Robin Masters.

Jonathon Quayle Higgins is the caretaker of the Masters estate in Hawaii. He has sort of a unique relationship with Magnum...he comes of as brash, but is willing to help Magnum with cases and truly seems to care about Magnum's welfare. He sort of fills a fatherly role for Magnum, too.

T.C. is probably my favorite character outside of Magnum himself. He is an ace helicopter pilot and all-around good guy. He always takes time to spend with kids as a mentor.

Rick is the playboy of the group. He has some dubious connections with organized crime that come in handy sometimes getting information for Magnum.

Of course, there are various other characters that serve smaller roles: Chief Tanaka, Carole (a district attorney) and Mac (a Naval Intelligence officer).

But this review is really about the first season DVD set, right?

This was a long-awaited DVD release for me. As a big Magnum, P.I. fan, once I learned of this release, I circled the date on my calendar. And when I took possession of my set, I watched them almost constantly.

Well, I wasn't disappointed. I have fully enjoyed watching the old episodes.

Packaging

The discs come in a fold-out cardboard and plastic unit with images from the show emblazoned on the packaging. It slides into a covering sleeve with raised lettering to really make the name stand out.

Discs

The discs are two-sides and therefore have no labels other than small lettering around the center ring to identify side A and side B.

Navigation

Each disc takes you to a main menu with the famous Magnum, P.I. theme music cycling in the background. Selecting an episode takes you to another page with information about the episode, such as the original air date and a short synopsis of the episode. You can choose to either watch all episodes in order or select the one you want.

Bonuses

Disc four includes bonus episodes from later seasons.

There are companion crossover episodes from Magnum, P.I. and Simon and Simon from season three. They ran on the same night originally back to back. Now you can see them without any commercial interruption. And you get to hear that great music from the opening theme of Simon and Simon.

Also, there is a two part Magnum, P.I. from season five that featured Sharon Stone in a dual role.

I found it sort of odd that these episodes were included since there will obviously be later releases of other seasons. But I guess you're hard pressed to find much to include as a bonus for such an old TV show.

Errors?

I've had a few problems with some of the discs freezing. This has happened in more than one DVD player, so it leads me to believe that there are some manufacturing defects. Over all, they work very well, though.