This Miami Vice episode was certainly entertaining of the one-hundred eleven total broadcast in the 1980's. The series was one of my very favorite programs. I would never rate any of the episodes lower than a seven as I considered the number equal to a B grade (above average) on a one to ten scale. I first saw this in 1985 as an original broadcast and then a number of times since including yesterday.
The premise being a mobster named Tony Arcarro was released on a technicality in1977 then disappeared while some think he surfaced and is conducting business as usual. There is a new mobster around named Freddy Costanza claimed to be working with Arcarro at least according to retired Detective Hank Weldon who walks into Vice headquarters offering help to Crockett and Tubbs in the hopeful capture of both drug kingpins. The look on Lieutenant Castillo's face when Weldon enters the squad room is priceless; skepticism and distrust are written on his face, especially due to Hank's behavior as being out where the buses don't run. Crockett acknowledges Weldon as being very good at his job when he worked the vice squad. From the start Hank Weldon is a unique individual continually showing signs of mental instability with his quips and actions around the detectives. He does help get the results Crockett and Tubbs were seeking getting Costanza and his cronies.
There are notable confrontations within the episode such as the takedown of the pusher on roller skates knocked to the ground by a woman serving preacher Marvelle Quinn's (Little Richard) efforts to collect cash offerings and the chase of an assassin at lunchtime with Crockett tracking the buffet table heading out of the restaurant. Very little dialogue is expressed by the guest cast members leaving speaking parts to Hank, Sonny and Ricardo for most of the program. Hank had a partner, now FBI agent Marty Lang, who explains to the detectives why Hank is no longer with the force. Hank was institutionalized for two years, his wife relocated changing her name from Lorraine. Hank's obsession with Tony Arcarro forced the detective into the psychiatric lockup after he had built a case with three years work against the mobster only to have him released on a technicality. Weldon named his personal computer after his wife and had a record of the Arcarro case file stored on it.
Weldon is certifiable yet with excellent detective skills predicting Freddy Costanza's demise at the restaurant. Weldon also tipped off Miami Vice of a drug deal going down at a house on stilts or pilings in the off-shore waters; the shootout is noteworthy. Hank also insists Arcarro is behind all this illegal activity but with no evidence to support his claim.
Weldon later calls for Tubbs to meet him at an abandoned house which he insists Arcarro is present. Crockett and Tubbs enter the empty room seeing nothing but graffiti walls until Weldon smashes the drywall revealing Arcarro's corpse entombed since 1977. Crockett confronts Marty Lang about knowing of Arcarro in the wall all along and Lang admits to his assistance because Hank was his partner; Lieutenant Castillo had arrived with Lang witnessing the open wall with Arcarro inside.
Kudos to Bruce McGill for his excellent portrayal of Weldon and a nice touch including preacher Little Richard.
The premise being a mobster named Tony Arcarro was released on a technicality in1977 then disappeared while some think he surfaced and is conducting business as usual. There is a new mobster around named Freddy Costanza claimed to be working with Arcarro at least according to retired Detective Hank Weldon who walks into Vice headquarters offering help to Crockett and Tubbs in the hopeful capture of both drug kingpins. The look on Lieutenant Castillo's face when Weldon enters the squad room is priceless; skepticism and distrust are written on his face, especially due to Hank's behavior as being out where the buses don't run. Crockett acknowledges Weldon as being very good at his job when he worked the vice squad. From the start Hank Weldon is a unique individual continually showing signs of mental instability with his quips and actions around the detectives. He does help get the results Crockett and Tubbs were seeking getting Costanza and his cronies.
There are notable confrontations within the episode such as the takedown of the pusher on roller skates knocked to the ground by a woman serving preacher Marvelle Quinn's (Little Richard) efforts to collect cash offerings and the chase of an assassin at lunchtime with Crockett tracking the buffet table heading out of the restaurant. Very little dialogue is expressed by the guest cast members leaving speaking parts to Hank, Sonny and Ricardo for most of the program. Hank had a partner, now FBI agent Marty Lang, who explains to the detectives why Hank is no longer with the force. Hank was institutionalized for two years, his wife relocated changing her name from Lorraine. Hank's obsession with Tony Arcarro forced the detective into the psychiatric lockup after he had built a case with three years work against the mobster only to have him released on a technicality. Weldon named his personal computer after his wife and had a record of the Arcarro case file stored on it.
Weldon is certifiable yet with excellent detective skills predicting Freddy Costanza's demise at the restaurant. Weldon also tipped off Miami Vice of a drug deal going down at a house on stilts or pilings in the off-shore waters; the shootout is noteworthy. Hank also insists Arcarro is behind all this illegal activity but with no evidence to support his claim.
Weldon later calls for Tubbs to meet him at an abandoned house which he insists Arcarro is present. Crockett and Tubbs enter the empty room seeing nothing but graffiti walls until Weldon smashes the drywall revealing Arcarro's corpse entombed since 1977. Crockett confronts Marty Lang about knowing of Arcarro in the wall all along and Lang admits to his assistance because Hank was his partner; Lieutenant Castillo had arrived with Lang witnessing the open wall with Arcarro inside.
Kudos to Bruce McGill for his excellent portrayal of Weldon and a nice touch including preacher Little Richard.