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"Black on White" is the fifth episode of the third season of Magnum, P.I. which originally aired on October 28, 1982.

Plot[]

Higgins is quarantined in the guest house with Magnum because TM may have been exposed to a deadly African virus. Or, is it something else?

Synopsis[]

There is something in the air when Higgins is told that he must be quarantined with Magnum after they are exposed to a deadly African virus. But is this the real reason?

Cast[]

Main[]

Recurring[]

Guest[]

  • Ian McShane as Edwin Clutterbuck
  • Lynne Moody as Bebe Kiamonni
  • Glenn Cannon as Dr. Ibold

Trivia[]

  • Gillian Dobb made her first appearance as Agatha Chumley in this episode.
  • Future British star Ian McShane (Lovejoy, Deadwood) makes his second and final appearance on the show. He previously appeared in the early first season episode "Skin Deep"
  • The video game hand held being played by Magnum (and later Higgins) features the Pac Man soundtrack and is most likely the 1981 Tomytronic Pac Man Electronic Handheld Tomy Video Game, though it is only ever shown from the rear view of the console.

Quotes[]

Higgins: Oh, my God!
Magnum: What's wrong?
Higgins: The London Blitz didn't look this bad! How can you live in such filth?
Magnum: It's not "filthy". It's just a little messy.

Magnum: What was it like?
Higgins: It was bloody. The Mau Mau came from the Kikuyu tribe. And the Kikuyu could be a savage people ... but then, so could we. They take away our bowlers [hat] and school ties, remove us from our cities where others kill our meat, from our books and films, we vicariously live out our basery emotions, and set us down in the African bush where every living thing is killing or being killed. We could be as savage as any tribe on the face of the earth ... if you know what I mean.
Magnum: Yes, I've been there.
Higgins: Africa?
Magnum: Vietnam

T.C.: Kiamani ... Bibi Kiamani. Ain't that pretty.

(Higgins is playing the handheld Pac Man video game and slowly walks up to Magnum)
Higgins: I say, Magnum, this is most difficult.
Magnum: Not really, kid. Of course, it does take excellent peripheral vision, intense concentration and quick reflexes to score really well.
Higgins: I'm sure I'll do better with a little practice. So far I've only reached 24,000. How many points have you scored?
(Magnum slowly turns his head and breaks the "4th wall" staring directly into the camera)
  Season 3 (1980)
Did You See the Sunrise?Ki'is Don't LieThe Eighth Part of the VillagePast TenseBlack on WhiteFlashbackFoiled AgainMr. White DeathMixed DoublesAlmost HomeHeal ThyselfOf Sound MindThe Arrow That Is Not AimedBasket CaseBirdman of BudapestI Do?Forty Years from Sand IslandLegacy from a FriendTwo Birds of a Feather...By Its CoverThe Big BlowFaith and Begorrah
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