Thomas Magnum

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Thomas Magnum
Magnum, P.I. character
Magnumtomselleck.jpg
Tom Selleck (original)
Jay Hernandez (revived)
First appearance"Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" (1980)
Last appearance"Resolutions" (1988)
Created by Donald P. Bellisario
Glen A. Larson
Portrayed by Tom Selleck (original)
Jay Hernandez (reboot)
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Former Navy SEAL
  • Naval Intelligence
  • Private Investigator
Robin Master's White Knight (books and tapes)
Family
  • Thomas Sullivan Magnum III (father)
  • Katherine Magnum-Peterson, née Courier (mother)
  • Thomas Sullivan Magnum Jr. (grandfather)
  • Everett Wendell Courier (grandfather)
SpouseMichelle Hue (former)
ChildrenLily Catherine Hue (daughter)
Relatives
  • Phoebe Sullivan (aunt)
  • Frank Peterson (stepfather)
  • Joey Peterson (half-brother)

Thomas Magnum is the main character on the American television series Magnum, P.I. created by Donald P. Bellisario and Glen A. Larson. The titular private investigator was originally portrayed by actor Tom Selleck from 1980 to 1988, and later by Jay Hernandez in a reboot developed by Peter M. Lenkov.

Contents

Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)

Magnum is a former navy officer, turned private investigator and "beach bum" in Hawaii.

Despite irregular employment, he manages to secure a cushy job and live a comfortable existence as a security expert on the estate of celebrity author Robin Masters. The job perks included use of the guest house on Masters' Hawaii estate "Robin's Nest" and his red Ferrari 308 GTS in exchange for quality control of the estate security. This often puts him in conflict with the estate's more responsible and serious majordomo, Higgins.

In the course of the series, Magnum and his friends (former Vietnam comrades, Rick Wright and T.C. Calvin) become involved, not only in typical private investigator cases, but also a wide variety of adventures involving espionage, covert operations, paramilitary escapades, and "lifestyles of the rich and famous".

Often appearing in khaki pleated shorts or blue jeans, an Aloha shirt, Sperry boat shoes or white Puma Easy Rider Sneakers, ankle socks, and a battered baseball cap, Magnum was originally envisioned as a James Bond type character but, at Selleck's request, [1] was made into more of an average "everyman" with numerous character flaws.

Character

Early life

Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV [2] is around forty years old during the original series, although a variety of birthdates are given in at least 5 episodes, ranging from August 1943 to February 1946.

Magnum was born in Detroit but raised in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Both his father and grandfather were naval officers.

Magnum's father was a Naval Aviator killed in the Korean War when Magnum was only five. In the show, one of Magnum's most valued possessions is his father's Rolex GMT Master aviator's wristwatch. After Magnum's father's death, his mother Katherine married Frank Peterson. They had a son Joey, who died while serving in Vietnam.

Magnum also has an aunt, Phoebe Sullivan, a novelist, [3] and a cousin named Karen.

United States Navy career

Magnum attended the United States Naval Academy, in the class of '67 [4] or '68, depending on the episode referenced. While at the Naval Academy, he dated Ginger Grant who became a professional tennis player and re-entered his life in the episode "Mixed Doubles". [5]

In the episode, "From Moscow to Maui", Magnum states that he was the captain of the Annapolis football team during at least one Army–Navy game with Army scoring a touchdown early in the first quarter from a play he called.

Magnum served in the Navy for ten or more years as an officer, rising to the rank of lieutenant before resigning in disillusionment in 1979. [6] Magnum was a Vietnam War veteran and a former POW. He served in both the SEALs and Naval Intelligence during his Navy years. In the episode "Solo Flight", he is seen wearing the rank insignia for a lieutenant commander. By the final episode of Magnum P.I. in 1988, Thomas decides to return to active duty in the Navy at the rank of commander (O-5).

Military decorations and awards

On his Navy uniform, Magnum wears service ribbons for the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and Frame, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

United States Navy Special Warfare insignia.png
Navy Cross ribbon.svg Purple Heart ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png

Specifically, in the season 2 episodes 23/24, "Memories are Forever" parts 1 & 2, we see the uniform Magnum is to wear to Washington, D.C. The collar has the commander rank, with the Special Warfare insignia with the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 service star, Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and Frame, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

United States Navy SEALs who served in the Vietnam War would also have been entitled to wear the U.S. Naval Parachutist Insignia, however, Magnum doesn't wear one in the show.

Friendships

The theme of friendship run through many episodes of the show.

Magnums' most enduring friendships were with his former Vietnam comrades, Orville Wilbur Richard "Rick" Wright and Theodore "T.C." Calvin.

His also develops a love-hate relationship with Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, the majordomo of the estate where Magnum was a perennial guest or "moocher". Magnum persistently tries to foil Higgins' efforts to impose an orderly regimen on Magnum's disordered lifestyle, as they trade verbal jabs and one-upmanship games with each other.

Magnum lives in the guest house on Robin Masters' estate, Robin's Nest, as part of his being in-charge of security on the estate.

Magnum enjoys sneaking fine wines out of Robin Masters's wine cellar when he believes Higgins is not looking. He has free use of Masters' Ferrari 308 GTS, and he often barters with Higgins for the use of expensive cameras, the tennis courts, and other accoutrements of wealthy living.

Other friendships were woven throughout the series.

Magnum continuously took advantage of Lieutenant "Mac" MacReynolds, a Navy officer and intelligence source for many of his cases, but was devastated when Mac was killed in an assassination attempt on Magnum by "Ivan," a Soviet intelligence operative who had also overseen the torture of Magnum when he was a POW in Vietnam.

For almost every season in the series, Magnum's investigations paralleled and sometimes crossed over with those of Honolulu Police Lieutenant Tanaka.

Magnum also maintained friendships with Assistant District Attorney Carol Baldwin and Lieutenant Maggie Poole, MacReynolds' successor. Magnum was no less apt to exploit his friendship with Carol or Maggie as he was his male friends, and no less loyal.

Numerous episode plots featured "old friends" calling on Magnum for help, requests he always honored, even when helping conflicted with his best judgment.

Wife and child

While serving in South Vietnam, Magnum married a French-Eurasian nurse named Michelle Hue, the presumed widow of North Vietnamese General Nguyen Hue.

Magnum left Vietnam believing Michelle was killed during the 1975 evacuation of Saigon. However, her death was staged presumably because General Hue had resurfaced and Michelle knew Magnum wouldn't leave Vietnam without her.

In the episode "Memories Are Forever" (November 1981), Magnum was reunited with his wife and learned the truth behind her deception. Unbeknownst to Magnum, at the time, they had conceived a daughter, Lily Catherine. Lily Catherine appeared in five episodes of the show ("Little Girl Who", "Limbo", "Infinity and Jelly doughnuts", "Unfinished Business", and "Resolutions").

General Hue, Michelle, and Michelle's second husband, Edward Durant are killed by Hue's enemies who presume that Lily Catherine is also dead. Following her reunion with Magnum, he later returns to his career as a Naval Intelligence officer in a bid to protect her.

Magnum P.I. (2018–2024)

Thomas Magnum
Magnum P.I. character
Jay Hernandez by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Jay Hernandez portrays Thomas Magnum in the reboot
First appearance"I Saw the Sun Rise"
Last appearance"The Big Squeeze"
Created by Donald P. Bellisario
Glen A. Larson
Portrayed by Jay Hernandez
Developed by Peter M. Lenkov
Other appearances Hawaii Five-0
("Ihea 'oe i ka wa a ka ua e loku ana?")
In-universe information
Full nameThomas Sullivan Magnum IV
Occupation
  • Navy SEAL
  • Private Investigator
Family
  • Thomas Sullivan Magnum III (father)
  • Katherine Magnum-Peterson, née Courier (mother)
Relatives
  • Phoebe Sullivan (aunt)
  • Frank Peterson (stepfather)
  • Joey Peterson (half-brother)
NationalityAmerican

Jay Hernandez portrays Thomas Magnum in the 2018 reboot of the series.

In the new series, Thomas Magnum is a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who returns home from Afghanistan, where he spent time as a prisoner of war, to become a private investigator. [7] He gets help on cases from his two old friends, former Marines Theodore "TC" Calvin and Orville "Rick" Wright, [8] and from former MI6 agent Juliet Higgins. [9]

In season two, Higgins becomes Magnum's partner. Later in the season, Magnum asks Higgins to marry him in order for her to stay in the country after her visa expires. She initially accepts his offer but later reverses her decision. [10]

Hernandez also played Magnum in a crossover episode with Hawaii Five-0 .

Military decorations and awards

On his U.S. Navy uniform, Magnum wears the following medals and naval insignia in the 2018 reboot series:

United States Navy Special Warfare insignia.png
Navy Cross ribbon.svg
Valor device.svg
Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg
Combat Action Ribbon.svg Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg United States Navy Good Conduct Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg
United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png
Special Warfare insignia
Navy Cross Bronze Star with "V" device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with 1 5/16 inch stars Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 Service Stars Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Service Stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 3 Service Stars
Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 Service Stars Rifle Marksmanship Medal with Expert Device Pistol Marksmanship Medal with Expert Device
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Badge

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<i>Magnum P.I.</i> (2018 TV series) season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the crime and action drama Magnum P.I. premiered on September 24, 2018, on CBS, for the 2018–19 United States network television schedule. The series is a remake of the 1980 series of the same name and centers on Thomas Magnum, a former Navy SEAL who works as a private investigator and solves mysteries with the help of his friends. The season stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, and Stephen Hill. Amy Hill and Tim Kang also appear in the series and joined in the series third episode. CBS first announced the series on October 20, 2017; it was initially given a thirteen episode order but an additional seven were ordered bringing the total to twenty. Multiple Hawaii Five-0 stars appeared as their Hawaii Five-0 characters in guest roles throughout the season in minor crossover events.

<i>Magnum P.I.</i> (2018 TV series) season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the crime and action drama Magnum P.I. premiered on September 27, 2019, on CBS, for the 2019–20 United States network television schedule. The series is a remake of the 1980 series of the same name and centers on Thomas Magnum, a former Navy SEAL who works as a private investigator and solves mysteries with his business partner Juliet Higgins and other friends. It stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Amy Hill, and Tim Kang. The season was ordered on January 25, 2019, for a twenty episode season. Multiple Hawaii Five-0 stars appeared as their Hawaii Five-0 characters in a two-part crossover event as well as in guest roles throughout the season in minor crossover events.

<i>Magnum P.I.</i> (2018 TV series) season 3 Third season of the crime and action drama Magnum P.I. on CBS

The third season of the crime and action drama Magnum P.I. premiered on December 4, 2020, on CBS, for the 2020–21 United States network television schedule. The series is a remake of the 1980 series of the same name and centers on Thomas Magnum, a former Navy SEAL who works as a private investigator and solves mysteries with his business partner Juliet Higgins and other friends. It stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Amy Hill, and Tim Kang. The season was ordered on May 8, 2020. It was later revealed that the season would only consist of 16 episodes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Multiple Hawaii Five-0 stars appeared as their Hawaii Five-0 characters in minor crossover events throughout the season and a possible crossover between the series and MacGyver was discussed by the writers. Magnum P.I., Hawaii Five-0, and MacGyver are collectively referred to as the Lenkov-verse.

<i>Magnum P.I.</i> (2018 TV series) season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the American crime and action drama Magnum P.I. premiered on October 1, 2021, on CBS, for the 2021–22 television season. It concluded on May 6, 2022. The series is a remake of the 1980 series of the same name and centers on Thomas Magnum, a former Navy SEAL who works as a private investigator and solves mysteries with his business partner Juliet Higgins and other friends. It stars Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill, Amy Hill, and Tim Kang. The season was ordered on April 15, 2021, and consisted of twenty episodes. On May 12, 2022, it was announced that CBS had canceled the series after four seasons, however, on June 30, 2022, the series was picked up by NBC for a fifth and sixth seasons, consisting of twenty episodes. Dennis Chun appeared in the sixteenth episode of the season as his Hawaii Five-0 character in a minor crossover event. The season premiere, "Island Vibes", was watched by 5.23 million viewers.

<i>Magnum P.I.</i> (2018 TV series) season 5 Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the American crime and action drama Magnum P.I. premiered on February 19, 2023 and ended on January 3, 2024, on NBC. It is the only season of the series to air on NBC after it was canceled by CBS following the conclusion of the previous season.

References

  1. Sivan, Dana (March 19, 2017). "29 facts about Tom Selleck and Magnum P.I." Kiwi Report. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  2. The series final episode, including a memorial to his father Thomas Sullivan Magnum III, and an appearance by his grandfather Thomas Sullivan Magnum Jr., establishes the character's full name as Thomas Sullivan Magnun IV. "Magnum Mania! - Episode Guide - Resolutions (1)".
  3. "The Aunt Who Came to Dinner". Magnum, P.I. Season 7. Episode 147. March 18, 1987. CBS. Guest starring Barbara Rush as Phoebe Sullivan.
  4. "Lest We Forget", Episode 1/10
  5. "Mixed Doubles". Magnum, P.I.. Season 3. Episode 9. December 2, 1982. CBS.
  6. "I Witness" In Magnum's opening narration he mentions the year he resigned and started as private investigator.
  7. Dziemianowicz, Joe (February 27, 2023). "Higgins, Hawaii, The Iconic Shirt, And More — All The Ways Magnum P.I. Is Like The Original". NBC . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  8. Burbidge, Wendie (December 4, 2018). "Magnum Reloaded: Halfway through 1st season, 'Magnum P.I.' finds rhythm". Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (February 20, 2018). "'Magnum P.I.': Jay Hernandez Cast As Thomas Magnum In CBS' Reboot Pilot". Deadline . Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  10. Halterman, Jim (May 7, 2020). "Jay Hernandez on What 'Magnum P.I.'s Finale Wedding Means for Magnum & Higgins". TV Insider. Retrieved June 1, 2020.