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Prince · 12-06-2003, 11:48 PM

I was listening to Peter Gabriel's "We Do What We're Told" - which by the way is an amazing little song - and contemplating on whether or not to talk about one of my favourite series of all time. Definitely in the Top 5 on my list of personal faves. This show had a huge difference on television, fashion and even music back in the mid-80's. Those close to me have heard me talk about this show plenty in the past and are probably sick of it by now. I think it takes a person equipped with a certain kind of mentality to appreciate this show. This first thing is, you have to be able to see past the fact that it was made in the 80's. To say that it's just another 80's show is to undermine its significance, and leaves little room for understanding why I appreciate it so much.

I was very young when the show originally aired, only about 10-12 years old. I do not recall when it was that I first saw an episode, but I think it was thanks to my uncle. He would have us over on some weekends, and he'd let us watch television with him until the wee hours, if we wanted to. He had also taped a lot of shows. My mom did not really like the fact that we watched the show, but she usually did not mind. She watched an episode now and then, but she did not care for the fact that the show seemed to very seldom end well. In fact, most episodes were more or less sad, and dealt with a lot of emotional suffering, anxiety and violence.

I was enchanted by the combination of thrilling, gut-wrenching music written specifically for the show by Jan Hammer, and the amazingly cool, occasionally ingenious imagery of the show. I liked a lot of shows in the 80's, especially cop drama, but no other show came really close to this one.

I've had a few people completely disregard any such creative or "cool" aspect of the show, simply because of the fact that it was made in the 80's, and a lot of the fashion of the time looks tacky now. At times I do find some things amusing even when they're not intended to be, simply because time has torn into them, and turned a lot of things from cool to corny. But even these things do not, for me, overshadow the other factors that make the show so enjoyable.

Contrary to popular belief, Don Johnson can act. I've seen him in several movies, but the role of Sonny Crockett was something he fit better than anyone else could have. Not only is he a handsome bastard, but his work on the show, ranging from mediocre to applaudable, is for me rather unparalleled on television, excluding some talents such as James Gandolfini.

I was always a moody teenager, often a bit down, so the broody feel of the show was all the more compelling. I do wish they'd release the series in its entirety on digital video. This is one show that for me is hard to forget.

-

Oh...and do find "We Do What We're Told" by Peter Gabriel. Chances are you'll be glad you did.

12-06-2003, 11:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Prince /nɑndəsˈkrɪpt/ Location: LV-426	Miami Vice I was listening to Peter Gabriel's "We Do What We're Told" - which by the way is an amazing little song - and contemplating on whether or not to talk about one of my favourite series of all time. Definitely in the Top 5 on my list of personal faves. This show had a huge difference on television, fashion and even music back in the mid-80's. Those close to me have heard me talk about this show plenty in the past and are probably sick of it by now. I think it takes a person equipped with a certain kind of mentality to appreciate this show. This first thing is, you have to be able to see past the fact that it was made in the 80's. To say that it's just another 80's show is to undermine its significance, and leaves little room for understanding why I appreciate it so much. I was very young when the show originally aired, only about 10-12 years old. I do not recall when it was that I first saw an episode, but I think it was thanks to my uncle. He would have us over on some weekends, and he'd let us watch television with him until the wee hours, if we wanted to. He had also taped a lot of shows. My mom did not really like the fact that we watched the show, but she usually did not mind. She watched an episode now and then, but she did not care for the fact that the show seemed to very seldom end well. In fact, most episodes were more or less sad, and dealt with a lot of emotional suffering, anxiety and violence. I was enchanted by the combination of thrilling, gut-wrenching music written specifically for the show by Jan Hammer, and the amazingly cool, occasionally ingenious imagery of the show. I liked a lot of shows in the 80's, especially cop drama, but no other show came really close to this one. I've had a few people completely disregard any such creative or "cool" aspect of the show, simply because of the fact that it was made in the 80's, and a lot of the fashion of the time looks tacky now. At times I do find some things amusing even when they're not intended to be, simply because time has torn into them, and turned a lot of things from cool to corny. But even these things do not, for me, overshadow the other factors that make the show so enjoyable. Contrary to popular belief, Don Johnson can act. I've seen him in several movies, but the role of Sonny Crockett was something he fit better than anyone else could have. Not only is he a handsome bastard, but his work on the show, ranging from mediocre to applaudable, is for me rather unparalleled on television, excluding some talents such as James Gandolfini. I was always a moody teenager, often a bit down, so the broody feel of the show was all the more compelling. I do wish they'd release the series in its entirety on digital video. This is one show that for me is hard to forget. - Oh...and do find "We Do What We're Told" by Peter Gabriel. Chances are you'll be glad you did. __________________ Who is John Galt?