Thomas (Tom Selleck) finds his way into more trouble this week, with this double dose of the Hawaii detective (sorry, investigator).

The first episode, Never Again… Never Again, hit televisions on 22 January, 1981. It was written for the series by Babs Greyhosky, based on a story by Jim Carlson and Terrence McDonnell. It was directed by Robert Loggia (who of course was in the pilot).

Magnum and Rick (Larry Manetti) are upset to learn that an elderly Jewish couple who they have known for years, is getting ready to leave the island. When they find the shopped closed up, they go to visit the couple at home to say goodbye and settle their bills, they  discover that Saul Greenburg (Robert Ellenstein) has been kidnapped, and his wife, Lena (Hanna Hertelendy) is distraught, but refuses the help of the local police.

She tells Magnum that she believes her husband has been taken by Nazis, Tom is dubious at first, but the more he investigates, the more he starts to believe.

Thomas decides to help out, and arranges, with Higgins’ (John Hillerman) permission, for Lena to stay at the estate, while he tries to find her husband.

Going through their belongings, despite how uncomfortable it makes him, gives him a number of clues, and he and Rick, are a little upset themselves when they find out what is really going on, and what the dangers really are.

Sadly,for this episode, any twists and turns are widely telegraphed, so you can actually figure it out before Magnum does, but the charm of the show makes you happy to take things at their pace.

The second episode,The Ugliest Dog in Hawaii, aired 29 January, 1981, and was penned by Alan Cole, Chris Bunch and Frank Lupo.

It also features the wonderful little dog that would go on to play Jack in Tales of the Gold Monkey, as the titular dog, named Sir Algernon Farnsworth.

And, though it’s not the theme music yet, a very recognizable piece of music by Mike Post shows up in this episode!!

This episode is simply plaid for fun, Magnum is being chased by a group of dog-desperate to get Algernon back, as his ear tattoo contains some valuable information. Alongside him is a young animal worker, Sharon (Shawn Hoskins), who has a fear of dogs.

They are chased across the island, through a marijuana patch, and finally to an old pier, where they attempt to hide out and elude their pursuers until T.C. (Roger E. Mosley) can arrive in his chopper to rescue them, though you know he’ll slap Thomas with a bill for fuel, and probably bullet holes before the end of the episode as well.

The estate’s patrol dogs, Zeus and Apollo have an even bigger grudge to hold against Thomas now, because Algernon has to stay on the estate, in quarantine for the next few months, which means the lads have to be locked up as well…

… they didn’t seem happy about that.

This one was a light and fun episode, and enjoyable as such, and hearing that first hint of what will become the Magnum theme can’t help but make me smile!

Aloha!