As series conclusions go, this was not not very good. It would appear that a goal was to include as many familiar faces as possible, and then tie some things up, but one can only assume that the writers strike of 1988 got in the way.
Many threads are laid out, ready to be tied off, but most are abruptly dropped. Odd things are thrown in, such as the love interest and the grandfather, then given an unceremonious heave-ho. And some things simply do not make sense.
Extreme measures are taken to protect Magnum's daughter because the villain and his thugs are still out there, but once the reunion takes place, not only is the daughter at a major social event, but Magnum does a 180º on his adamant refusal to re-up (seen in part I) and, now that he's back in the Navy, he will not have the freedom to protect her.
This finale is a huge mess and a major disappointment, especially considering the popularity of the show and its impressive eight-year-run. The fact that a Magnum reboot appeared doesn't help, because it is weak, bland, and generally unappealing. Perhaps it would have been better not to have a series finale, but it is better than the "series finale" at the end of season 7, which was yanked out of the fire by a surprise eighth season. So, how does in end up for everybody? Magnum's now a single parent in the military with an enemy still gunning for his daughter. Rick has what looks like an uneasy marriage. T.C. is sort-of back with his combative wife and he's clearly keeping her at arm's length. Higgins keeps doing what he's always done. Ironically, it is like the last audio tape from Magnum's dad: running out of tape, rush to finish up, then take a beat, and then it's too late. Very unsatisfying.
Many threads are laid out, ready to be tied off, but most are abruptly dropped. Odd things are thrown in, such as the love interest and the grandfather, then given an unceremonious heave-ho. And some things simply do not make sense.
Extreme measures are taken to protect Magnum's daughter because the villain and his thugs are still out there, but once the reunion takes place, not only is the daughter at a major social event, but Magnum does a 180º on his adamant refusal to re-up (seen in part I) and, now that he's back in the Navy, he will not have the freedom to protect her.
This finale is a huge mess and a major disappointment, especially considering the popularity of the show and its impressive eight-year-run. The fact that a Magnum reboot appeared doesn't help, because it is weak, bland, and generally unappealing. Perhaps it would have been better not to have a series finale, but it is better than the "series finale" at the end of season 7, which was yanked out of the fire by a surprise eighth season. So, how does in end up for everybody? Magnum's now a single parent in the military with an enemy still gunning for his daughter. Rick has what looks like an uneasy marriage. T.C. is sort-of back with his combative wife and he's clearly keeping her at arm's length. Higgins keeps doing what he's always done. Ironically, it is like the last audio tape from Magnum's dad: running out of tape, rush to finish up, then take a beat, and then it's too late. Very unsatisfying.