While Magnum visits cantankerous Viet Nam veteran Bob, Higgins works with twelve-year-old Ella to solve the triple homicide case that obsessed her deceased mother. Meanwhile, Rick is excited by Suzy's return.
Tropes:
- Big Damn Heroes: Katsumoto saves Higgins from being gassed.
- Cordon Bleugh Chef: Rick is making healthy smoothies in preparation for Suzy's arrival. They're revolting.T.C.: Uh... not to stifle your creativity, but, uh, is there fish in this smoothie?
Rick: Fish oil. Rich in omega-3s. Plus we got leafy greens, antioxidants. That right there is a tall glass of pure health.
T.C.: Yeah, you can't put that on the menu.
Rick: Oh, no, no, that's not for the menu. That's for Suzy. She gets back today, so I gotta, you know, step it up. That smoothie has all the nutrients that she and the baby need.
T.C.: It ain't gonna help if she throws it up.
Rick: Oh, come on. It can't be that bad. [Takes a gulp] Good God, man! How can you let me drink that? - Determinator: Ella Vaughn intends to solve her mother's case and that's that. Her father tries to stop her? Fine, she'll just hire a detective to help. She even pays a guy twenty dollars to pose as her father on the phone and tell Higgins Ella has his permission.Higgins: I'm truly sorry for this morning. I assure you that I don't normally let children ride shotgun on triple-homicide investigations.
- Draft Dodging: Bob hasn't spoken to his brother since the The Vietnam War because Bob enlisted while went to Canada.
- Due to the Dead: Bob cites a variation to get Magnum to drink with him after they bond. You can't let a dying man drink alone!Higgins: Okay, what has gotten into you? Have you been drinking?
Magnum: What?
Higgins: You have! In the middle of the day whilst I'm here, hard at work.
Magnum: Well, n-no, technically, you're unemployed. But, uh, unrelated, what are you doing later? Any chance you can pick me up? - Gossipy Hens: Clara Bolton, the Akamu's neighbour who tells Higgins that Mrs Akamu was having an affair. In fact, Mr. Akamu was having an affair, with her, and this is her way of deflecting suspicion while also trash-talking her dead love rival.
- Insistent Terminology: When Ella's father Cole learns that she hired Higgins and puts his foot down, she and Magnum have this exchange:Magnum: Hey, uh, Higgy, did I misread that text, or did you just get fired?
Higgins: Uh... not fired, uh, exactly. Just temporarily un-hired.
Magnum: See, this is what happens when I'm not there. - It's Personal: Higgins' conclusion when she learns that the valuables stolen from the Akamu house were dumped somewhere, suggesting the robbery was a smokescreen and the true motive was personal.
- Let's Just Be Friends: Risk is thrown that Suzy wants to get her own place and doesn't think it's a good idea to start a real romantic relationship as they're about to have a baby. Later, he accepts her decision as the baby's welfare has to come first.
- Parting-Words Regret: Ella is fixated on solving her mother's case as atonement for snapping at her the last time they spoke before her mother died.
- Shout-Out: Bob refers to his nurse as "Nurse Ratched."
- Tap on the Head: Clara, the murderer, clobbers Higgins from behind when she realises the game's up and tries to gas them both.
- Tastes Like Friendship: Bob is ornery with everyone; the nurse who feeds him vegan substitute steak, and definitely the young idiot sent by the veteran's charity to keep him company. After he hounds Magnum out of his room, Magnum finds the perfect way to befriend him; smuggling in a real steak from a nearby restaurant.
- That One Case: The Akamu case consumed Ella's mother's final years, even after her diagnosis with cancer. Her father Cole is not happy that Ella's heading down the same path.Cole: I don't believe this.
Higgins: Look, I promise, I-I won't keep Ella involved, but if I could just take a look at your wife's early work with fresh eyes...
Cole: No. When my wife was diagnosed with cancer, we were told she had a year to live. One year. We didn't even get that. Why? This case. She was obsessed with it 'til the bitter end. This case stole my wife from me. I'm not about to lose Ella down that same rabbit hole.
Higgins: With all due respect, have you asked your daughter why this means so much to her? I think if you did, you'd find that she's not just looking for answers. She wants to make amends, to get closure, and not just for herself. Adam Akamu lost his whole family five years ago. And to this day, no one's told him why. Please.
