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Everything to Know About Magnum P.I. Season 5
The action-packed final season of Magnum P.I. was a rollercoaster ride of thrills.
Season 5 of Magnum P.I. was a wild ride. The action-packed final season definitely lived up to fans' expectations as they waved goodbye to their favorite island friends.
We saw everyone’s favorite private investigator, Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez), tackle some hard-hitting cases with his partner, Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks), while balancing their newfound romance. Meanwhile, T.C. (Stephen Hill) and Rick (Zachary Knighton) also enjoyed happily ever afters of their own with loved ones. Between the action-packed mysteries and the relaxed island vibes, fans loved kicking back with Magnum and his dedicated crew and are sad to see the team head toward new shores.
Here’s everything you need to know about Season 5 of Magnum P.I.
Magnum and Higgins became official
After four seasons of will-they-won’t-they tension, Magnum and Higgins finally sealed the deal during Magnum P.I.'s eleventh hour. While they originally kept the status of their romance on the DL (per Higgins' request), Magnum eventually couldn’t keep it to himself anymore and spilled the beans to Rick (Zachary Knighton), T.C. (Stephen Hill), and Gordon (Tim Kang). Everyone was happy for the pair, as they have been encouraging this from the sidelines for years.
In an interview with NBC Insider, showrunner Eric Guggenheim explained why he and the writers chose to get Magnum and Higgins together during Season 5.
"I have to say, it is, I think, really one of the best decisions we've ever made on the show. It’s really taking us to some interesting places. It has added a whole new dimension to the show that has been incredibly satisfying,” he told us.
However, the newfound relationship between the two has made their working dynamic more complicated. The always-practical Higgins is more worried about Magnum getting in danger now that the two are emotionally involved. Meanwhile, Magnum remains equally protective over Higgins in life-or-death situations.
“I'm just trying to make little tweaks to massage how those moments play out because it is something different,” Hernandez explained to NBC Insider. “Say we're about to get into a gunfight; do I want my woman to go in and potentially take a bullet? It's, like, no, I think Magnum is a chivalrous guy; he's going to want to go first, right? So those kind of things we gotta talk through and figure out the best way forward.”
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In the Season 5 midseason premiere, Miggins took their relationship took the next level after Magnum and Higgins exchanged their first "I love you." The relationship continued to be taken to new heights, with the couple sharing complex conversations about life, parenting, finances, and more. Despite their action-packed lifestyles, Magnum and Higgins have settled into a delightful new normal as partners. In the series finale, Higgins even told Magnum that she'd marry him someday if he ever asked.
Gordon Katsumoto got his badge back
At the end of Season 4, we saw fan-favorite Gordon Katsumoto get fired from the HPD, much to his devastation. Gordon was blackmailed into nearly killing a former officer named Whelan after a group of men kidnapped Gordon’s ex-wife and threatened to murder her. While Gordon didn’t kill Whelan, he had to kill the kidnappers to free the mother of his children.
When the situation was unveiled to HPD, Gordon was suspended without pay. Although he acknowledged what he did was highly illegal, his back was against a wall. Therefore, he decided to contest the decision and fight to get his badge back in Season 5.
Although multiple people warned him that his odds were unlikely, he stuck to his guns and ended up getting his wish. As of Season 5, Gordon Katusmoto is now officially a detective in the Hawaii Police Department again.
Magnum avenged the death of Captain Buck Greene
In Season 5, Magnum and his friends were devastated to learn that his former navy officer, Captain Buck Greene, was missing. After finding Greene's body and discovering he was tortured to death, Magnum realized that he and his friends had a target on their backs.
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The mystery of Greene's murder was solved in Season 5's midseason finale. Former CIA Agent Nadine Amherst was responsible, as she acted in revenge for the death of Aman Hadid, who died seven years prior. Rick, Magnum, and T.C. killed Hadid under Greene’s orders. Furious over the loss, Nadine became the mastermind behind the team who killed Captain Buck Greene. Then, she sought after the deaths of Magnum, Rick, and T.C., as they were all part of the team that took down Hadid.
Nadine's efforts came to a halt after Magnum connected the dots, learning she had gone as far as faking her death to stir confusion about her connection to Hadid. Nadine and her posse of criminals were swiftly arrested but did some hefty damage to Magnum and his friends amid the chaos. Rick was tortured, and T.C. was in a fight that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
An injury inspired T.C. to work on his relationship with Mahina
T.C. was horrifically injured as a result of Nadine's actions in the first half of Season 5. Fans were heartbroken to learn the attack caused T.C. to lose feelings in his legs. As T.C. entered a veteran's rehab in Episode 11 ("Hit and Run"), he found himself staring at a long road to recovery. However, the downtime provided the ticket to some overdue growth for T.C.
T.C. has historically had an issue with isolating himself in times of stress. His injury put him in a vulnerable place, and when faced with needing those around him, T.C. initially pulled away from his closest friends. The distance even jeopardized his relationship with his girlfriend, Mahina (Emily Alabi). After regaining his strength and getting out of rehab, T.C. swiftly began working on himself and opening up to become a better friend and partner for Mahina. Fans watched T.C. become stronger and more emotionally fulfilled in Season 5, and it's gratifying to see his relationship thrive as the sun sets on Magnum P.I.
Rick and Suzy got engaged
Speaking of second-chance romances, Rick and Suzy are another unexpected couple to come from Magnum P.I.'s final season. Rick began Season 5 in a successful co-parenting arrangement with Suzy after she gave birth to their daughter in Season 4. Their desire to keep things platonic became increasingly difficult as their mutual attraction to each other grew. In Episode 10 ("Charlie Foxtrot"), Rick believed he might die, recording a heartfelt voicemail to Suzy confessing his feelings for her. The voicemail was deleted before she could hear it; prompting Magnum P.I. fans to wonder if he'd eventually confess in person.
As time went on, Rick contemplated dates with other people but ultimately found himself still thinking of Suzy. After agreeing to go on a date, he ended up on Suzy's doorstep instead. Rick admitted he had done his best to keep their relationship friendly, so much so that he tried going on a date, but wanted to ask her one final time if she thought he should. In a heartwarming moment, Suzy told Rick not to go, telling him he shouldn't date anyone but her.
After their shared confessions, Suzy and Rick instantly began riding the waves as a couple, both elated to finally officialize their family of three. Rick chose to take their relationship to the next level in the Magnum P.I. series finale ("The Big Squeeze") by proposing to Suzy with a dazzling engagement ring, which she happily accepted. Joined by their ecstatic friends, the soon-to-be newlyweds celebrated their engagement at La Mariana, the place where their love story began.
To contribute to the relief efforts for those affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui, please visit Aloha United Way at UAW.org.
Originally published Sep 25, 2023.
