Heartwarming / Magnum, P.I.

• "Lest We Forget", about the reunion of two lost lovers is one whole episode of heartwarming.
• "Don't Say Goodbye": A friend of the real Amy Crane took over Amy's identity after she had passed away, rather than tell her long-lost grandmother Agatha the truth, and had helped take care of Agatha ever since.

  Amy: It's not Amy, Agatha. I'm Carol. Carol Foster.

  Agatha: Oh, dear.

  Amy: And I am not your granddaughter.

  Agatha: Well, perhaps not of my blood, but you are my granddaughter.

  Amy: (sobbing) Why didn't you say anything?

  Agatha: Because all my life I dreamed about having a granddaughter.

• Every time Higgins expresses (and attempts to hide) his concern and fondness for Magnum. "Aw, Higgins, you were worried about me." "Nonsense!"
  • To get an idea of how much they've warmed to each other, compare earlier episodes like "J. 'Digger' Doyle" (where Magnum and Higgins really don't get along) to later ones like "I Never Wanted to Go to France, Anyway...", where at the end, Higgins, without hesitation, tries going back in to rescue Magnum from the fire set by the villain. It's only when Magnum's shown to have already escaped that Higgins stops.
• Higgins' interactions with Zeus and Apollo are likewise revealing. He cares for the lads as if they were the children he never had.
• "Rembrandt's Girl": Despite being trapped in a bank vault for the better part of a weekend, Magnum and Susan finding they have a lot in common and eventually adorably falling asleep together definitely counts. The great chemistry (and, at the end, unique laughs) of Tom Selleck and Carol Burnett is at least partly why.
• In "Mac's Back", Magnum's severe depression after Diane's suicide and the memory of Michelle, Rick's sister, and the death of Mac in a car bombing prompts Higgins' usual veiled concern. When Magnum appears to lose it after seeing Mac's double and is put to bed with a strong sedative by Dr. Ibold, Higgins, Rick and T.C. all spend the night in the guest house, unwilling to leave Magnum alone.
  • Of note in this scene is when Rick and T.C. are explaining Magnum's depression to Dr. Ibold. They tell him Mac was killed in a car bomb explosion. T.C. calls the Ferrari 'Magnum's car', and Higgins almost involuntarily corrects him, 'Mr. Master's car.' Rick snaps 'What difference does it make?' to which Higgins, with a vehemence that shocks everyone, shouts back 'None!'
  • Also from this episode, though rather small: Magnum is drinking himself into oblivion on the beach, and the lads are lying at his feet. They even let out a few whines. For all their growling and chasing, those lads really love Magnum.
• The final scene of "Going Home" crossed with Tearjerker, where Magnum visits the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to say goodbye to his half-brother Joey, who was killed in Vietnam, while Joe Cocker's rendition of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" plays, perfectly setting the mood, especially when Magnum says "Goodbye, Joey" in the end.
• "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" is one of those times where Higgins doesn't even try to hide his fondness for Magnum. Saying he's leaving the estate for good, he gives Magnum one of his belongings (a popsicle stick bridge).
  Higgins: Please take it as a gift.
  Magnum: But I don't have anything to give you.
  Higgins: You have been my friend.
  • Zeus and Apollo are devastated by Higgins leaving and just lie there on the beach, so Magnum tries to cheer them up by getting them to chase him. They don't move a muscle, but later, they begin following him around the estate and refuse to leave his side. Magnum is both irritated and sympathetic.
• "Way of the Stalking Horse": Magnum has shot dead Driscoll, the hitman who had killed Theo Wolf, but experiences Vengeance Feels Empty due to his indirect involvement in Theo's death. Theo's widow Kim arrives at Robin's Nest, and not only does she not blame Magnum for what happened, she gives Magnum a teddy bear belonging to her and Theo's young son, to give to "Mary Elizabeth", the street kid who had helped Magnum find Driscoll. Kim says she will help the girl whenever she stops by the Wolf home.
  • When Magnum is in the hospital, Icepick stops by and gives him valuable information about Driscoll:
  Icepick: Now, the "hitter"'s name is Driscoll. He's new in the business, looking to make a name for himself. He took on a contract that nobody has been able to fill for ten years. Now Theo Wolf, he's been a mark ever since he did a job in Miami.
  Magnum: Why are you doing this?
  Icepick: Ethics, that piece of dirt. He "hit" a friend of mine.
  Magnum: Theo Wolf?
  Icepick: I didn't know Theo. (beat) You never saw me. (He leaves)
• It's extremely crossed with Tearjerker, but Magnum's letter to his daughter Lily in "Unfinished Business", especially his last line, after letting Quang Ki go so the American P.O.W. in his prisoner exchange can come home.
  Magnum: And so, Lily Catherine, even though I know you will never read this, I needed to write this to tell you I once did something I think would have made you proud.
• Once he is finally reunited with Lily in "Resolutions", Magnum happily takes on the role of proud, doting dad pretty much immediately.