When "Laura" began, I got slightly carried away by the coincidence of happening to be watching a Christmas episode just two days before Christmas. I thought it would be a jolly old time. In fact, the rest of the episode isn't set in the festive season and it turns out to have the darkest backstory of the entire series. But it's still well worth watching.
For a start, it provides the first occasion for me to see Frank Sinatra act, as I've never watched any of his films. He does a pretty good job, in my humble opinion. His age and obvious weariness suit the character of Doheny and what he's been through. He runs the show, with Magnum and Rick always being one step behind.
The bad guys are very much secondary - even tertiary - characters who are only onscreen for a few minutes, which is probably for the best. Given the unspeakable nature of their crime, I certainly don't feel any desire for more face time or character development. And even as someone who disagrees strongly with vigilantism and personal justice, I can't help but feel that they get exactly what they deserve.
So, not the cheery Xmas treat I was expecting, but a solid, downbeat episode, featuring a true legend. According to his filmography, this is the last time that Sinatra played a fictional character in something rather than appearing as himself. A very respectable way to go out.
For a start, it provides the first occasion for me to see Frank Sinatra act, as I've never watched any of his films. He does a pretty good job, in my humble opinion. His age and obvious weariness suit the character of Doheny and what he's been through. He runs the show, with Magnum and Rick always being one step behind.
The bad guys are very much secondary - even tertiary - characters who are only onscreen for a few minutes, which is probably for the best. Given the unspeakable nature of their crime, I certainly don't feel any desire for more face time or character development. And even as someone who disagrees strongly with vigilantism and personal justice, I can't help but feel that they get exactly what they deserve.
So, not the cheery Xmas treat I was expecting, but a solid, downbeat episode, featuring a true legend. According to his filmography, this is the last time that Sinatra played a fictional character in something rather than appearing as himself. A very respectable way to go out.