Magnum, p.i. Seasons 1 and 2 re-releases (1 Viewer)

I know a lot of folks, including myself, have lamented the fact that Universal used the DVD-18 format for seasons 1 through 4. Well, early this month seasons 1 and 2 were re-released in 6-disc sets (no more double-sided discs ).
My local target had both seasons for $9.99 apeice. They are now packaged inside a single sized DVD case. Previously, season one came in a large foldout style box, while season 2 came in a sleeve with 3 slim DVD cases. The slimmer size for season one is appreciated, but I actually preferred the latter season's choice of packaging.
I have yet to open either of these, but one concern I had has to do with season one. The backside of the DVD case does not mention any extras. Those of us who know Magnum well know that season one contained the crossover episode from Simon and Simon. Perhaps Universal just decided to drop these special features for this new re-release? If so, 'tis a shame. Conversely, Season two lists the identical bonus episodes from the original set....

I was actually just watching this set the other day (the original season 1, that is), and it was a four disc set, with three double sided discs and one single sided one (which contained two season five episodes, and the Magnum/Simon& Simon crossover)... so unless there are seven discs, they likely cut out that bonus disc. I know that other Universal sets which have been changed to single-sided discs have just put one side on each disc. Both parts of the episode do appear, though, on Shout! Factory's release of Simon & Simon Season 2. They really should have went ahead and included both parts on season 3 of Magnum PI when they did that one though, since that is the season where the episode aired...

The Region 2 season sets of Magnum, p.i. from Universal Playback have been re-released with the discs in a single DVD case (in a local music store, most of or all of the eight seasons were in single DVD cases), rather than three slipcases inside an outer cardboard case. The same has been done with Murder, She Wrote as well.

Corey, David, do you have any particular favourite episodes from the first season of Magnum p.i.?

WaveCrest said:

Corey, David, do you have any particular favourite episodes from the first season of Magnum p.i.?

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Sorry for the late response. You know, one of my favorites has always been Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii. Even though it was the pilot, I always enjoyed the story and how it introduced all the characters. Both parts of Memories are Forever were excellent as well. I even got a kick out of One Last Summer where Magnum and T.C. join the local football team

One of my favorites from Season 1 was the episode with Erin ("Buck Rogers") Gray towards the latter part of the season. She looked great in it in her role as a security expert, and had great chemistry with Selleck. Great scenery, too, especially in the scene where they rescued Higgins. Fun episode overall, and the fun episodes were always my favorites, compared to the darker ones.
BTW, I upgraded my Magnum collection to the single-sided S1 and S2 sets at Target. Thanks for the tip! $10 each, can't beat that.

all for one is my favorite magnum p.i. two part episode from season 5. magnum and co return to nam to look for pow's.

Jeff*H said:

/t/322330/magnum-p-i-seasons-1-and-2-re-releases#post_3975661
Sorry for the late response. You know, one of my favorites has always been Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii. Even though it was the pilot, I always enjoyed the story and how it introduced all the characters. Both parts of Memories are Forever were excellent as well. I even got a kick out of One Last Summer where Magnum and T.C. join the local football team

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There doesn't seem to have been much discussion here of Magnum, p.i., so any discussion is welcome. The pilot episodes of TV series don't always work (with some tinkering needed to make the series better), and there are those pilot episodes which work very well. "Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii", I thought started Magnum p.i. off very well (it wasn't until I think the third season where they added the comma into the title of the series), bearing in mind they had taken over Hawaii Five-O's timeslot. The feature-length pilot (Magnum, p.i. had a few feature length episodes during it's eight season run) had a James Bond feel to it. The different theme tune at the start of the series was good, but then a few episodes before the end of the first season you hear those first few notes of the familiar theme tune, and you get that early sense of this being a memorable series (for the right reasons).

Had watched as far as around the halfway point in the third season, as I wanted to catch up with the series Simon & Simon before resuming where I left off with Magnum, p.i.

The episode with Erin Gray guest starring (which was a pilot for a potential spin-off series) should have been the season finale of the first season. Agree, that the chemistry was easily there between her and Tom Selleck. Was very impressed by this episode and it was easily my favourite from the opening season (clips from the Higgins rescue scene would be used in the show's title sequence later on in the show's run).

I liked the first episode of season 4, which featured Magnum's backstory origins.

Has anyone heard if Universal plans on re-releasing Season 3 and 4 on DVD as single sided DVD's like they did Season 1 and Season 2? I haven't heard anything and I'm waiting to purchase the remaining seasons. The first four seasons were released originally on double sided disks. Any info would be appreciated.

UniversalPhan said:

Has anyone heard if Universal plans on re-releasing Season 3 and 4 on DVD as single sided DVD's like they did Season 1 and Season 2? I haven't heard anything and I'm waiting to purchase the remaining seasons. The first four seasons were released originally on double sided disks. Any info would be appreciated.

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good point. i was hoping for seasons 3 and 4 on single sided dvds.

bump. i managed to pick up seasons 1 and 2 at my local BJ's for 8 dollars a piece.

if only universal would release the original battlestar galactica on single sided dvd.

finally any word on the rest of black sheep squadron. i can't believe universal dropped the ball on this one.

I've just ordered the newer versions of seasons 1 and 2. I picked up 3 and 4 some time ago for a good price at Target - however those are the double sided discs. I understand that those are changing (or changed already).

I may rebuy those. Question though, is there a point where they were released in the standard dvd packaging (like a movie) rather than those fatter sets? I'm asking in reference to later seasons and also whether or not they already switched to single sided discs at all in original releases...?

albert_m2 said:

I've just ordered the newer versions of seasons 1 and 2. I picked up 3 and 4 some time ago for a good price at Target - however those are the double sided discs. I understand that those are changing (or changed already).

I may rebuy those. Question though, is there a point where they were released in the standard dvd packaging (like a movie) rather than those fatter sets? I'm asking in reference to later seasons and also whether or not they already switched to single sided discs at all in original releases...?

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That's why I bought the complete series. Single-sided disks in standard dvd packaging by season. The price ($109 on Amazon) made the season cost $28 to replace the four flipper seasons. It also saved shelf space on all seasons.

Thanks Rick. I still haven't seen a lot of the show. I saw it some as a kid in the 80s and random reruns since.

Is it consistent through the years?

The first four years are the best. After that, things get a bit less reliable for years five and six. They got a bit of a second wind with the seventh year, as it was meant to be their final season and it has a great series finale with "Limbo". Sadly, they came back for an abbreviated eighth season, which meant they had to undo the finale. There are a couple of good eps in that last run, but I'm happier calling it a day with "Limbo".

Thanks for the info. I've been watching some season one and enjoying it.

The first four years are the best. After that, things get a bit less reliable for years five and six. They got a bit of a second wind with the seventh year, as it was meant to be their final season and it has a great series finale with "Limbo". Sadly, they came back for an abbreviated eighth season, which meant they had to undo the finale. There are a couple of good eps in that last run, but I'm happier calling it a day with "Limbo".

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Not me, I was pissed! I'm glad they came back with that last season and ended it right.