When Crockett and Tubbs bust the owner of a bordello (Miles Davis), they discover that one of his drug-addicted prostitutes is the object of a powerful drug dealer's twisted obsession.When Crockett and Tubbs bust the owner of a bordello (Miles Davis), they discover that one of his drug-addicted prostitutes is the object of a powerful drug dealer's twisted obsession.When Crockett and Tubbs bust the owner of a bordello (Miles Davis), they discover that one of his drug-addicted prostitutes is the object of a powerful drug dealer's twisted obsession.
José Pérez
- Juan Carlos Silva
- (as Jose Perez)
Manuel Cimadevilla
- Roberto Penaro
- (as Emanuel Cimadevilla)
Michael DeLorenzo
- Dogfight Gambler
- (uncredited)
Jodi Letizia
- Nina
- (uncredited)
Seth Steiger
- Edgy Eddie
- (uncredited)
7.2524
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This is one of my favourite episodes of Vice. It's also the only one I've had to watch twice to get the full picture-- this isn't actually a bad thing, as I'm the kind of viewer who likes a little depth in these pieces. I like TV to go a little further.
There's a deeper, more intricate plot here involving drug barons vying for supremacy, all wrapped around one unfortunate girl with a junk habit, hence the episode title. The plot is seedy, gritty and nihilistic, and just what the season needed.
Just when it doesn't get any better, Miles Davis appears in one of his few acting roles. Miles' voice alone is 110% perfect for Miami Vice, and he is excellently cast as the seedy ex-smuggler-turned-pimp Ivory Jones.
Everyone here has matured-- there's no more awkward jokes between Crockett and Tubbs, and even characters like the now-bearded Zito and Switek are slightly sobered, although not without occasional hints of comic relief. The episode turns up a couple of twists that show one of MV's strengths: it always had surprises up its sleeve. A dark, almost bleak episode, but definitely one watching.
There's a deeper, more intricate plot here involving drug barons vying for supremacy, all wrapped around one unfortunate girl with a junk habit, hence the episode title. The plot is seedy, gritty and nihilistic, and just what the season needed.
Just when it doesn't get any better, Miles Davis appears in one of his few acting roles. Miles' voice alone is 110% perfect for Miami Vice, and he is excellently cast as the seedy ex-smuggler-turned-pimp Ivory Jones.
Everyone here has matured-- there's no more awkward jokes between Crockett and Tubbs, and even characters like the now-bearded Zito and Switek are slightly sobered, although not without occasional hints of comic relief. The episode turns up a couple of twists that show one of MV's strengths: it always had surprises up its sleeve. A dark, almost bleak episode, but definitely one watching.
You cannot help but feel there is something very strange in the relationship between the ruthless drug dealer and the young woman he sports as his eye candy.In this episode the drug dealer is immediately exposed for his ruthlessness, even going to the extreme of disposing of what would appear to be his heir apparent.The young woman, initially revealed when the cops discover her in a brothel, is obviously disturbed in addition to fighting drug addiction.
The story line is not really about Crockett and Tubbs and the usual drug dealing but about the relationship between the Drug kingpin and the young woman. I will not reveal the conclusion, but the title of this review gives you a clue.
The story line is not really about Crockett and Tubbs and the usual drug dealing but about the relationship between the Drug kingpin and the young woman. I will not reveal the conclusion, but the title of this review gives you a clue.
Some of these drug-related stories were a little confusing in spots. Here we have two villains but they almost competitors. One is grooming the other to take over but the young one acts like he's going to do whatever he wants. Then we have a former girl of the boss, who is now a hooker but then gets transported back to the boss, thanks to the young guy. It does get confusing. Even more when Crockett thinks the girl could help break the case but Tubbs has zero confidence in here.
We also have some guy named Ivory, played by trumpet great Miles Davis. What's his connection? Once again, I wasn't exactly sure. I do know Davis is a lot better musician than actor. The program did this periodically: invited some singer or musician on the those as a guest actor. Most times they couldn't act.
Thankfully, "Silva" made things a lot easier for me halfway through the show when he eliminated the competition and then Crocket went into his "Sonny Burnett" imitation.
Overall, this wasn't that good episode for the above reasons, and one other big one: nobody to get involved with. The only possible "decent" person was Silva's girlfriend but she was unlikable too, and weird-looking, hard-looking woman. At least I heard one of my favorite songs of the '80s: "Slave To Love" by Bryan Ferry.
We also have some guy named Ivory, played by trumpet great Miles Davis. What's his connection? Once again, I wasn't exactly sure. I do know Davis is a lot better musician than actor. The program did this periodically: invited some singer or musician on the those as a guest actor. Most times they couldn't act.
Thankfully, "Silva" made things a lot easier for me halfway through the show when he eliminated the competition and then Crocket went into his "Sonny Burnett" imitation.
Overall, this wasn't that good episode for the above reasons, and one other big one: nobody to get involved with. The only possible "decent" person was Silva's girlfriend but she was unlikable too, and weird-looking, hard-looking woman. At least I heard one of my favorite songs of the '80s: "Slave To Love" by Bryan Ferry.
This is one of the darker "Miami Vice" episodes featuring prostitution, drug abuse and murder. An ageing drug dealer's seedy passion for a beautiful young woman gives Crockett and Tubbs the opportunity to bust the bad guys.
As the credits were coming up on the screen, I found myself wondering just how many times the final screen shot shows just a close-up of Sonny Crockett. There's no doubt that Philip Michael Thomas' Tubbs is overshadowed by his partner in the majority of the stories. In this episode, Tubbs is actually a less sympathetic character than Crockett, showing little sympathy for the plight of the young addict who is helping the two detectives.
Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" is the strongest track from this episode.
8 out of 10 - this one leaves a sour taste in the viewer's mouth but it's quality drama.
As the credits were coming up on the screen, I found myself wondering just how many times the final screen shot shows just a close-up of Sonny Crockett. There's no doubt that Philip Michael Thomas' Tubbs is overshadowed by his partner in the majority of the stories. In this episode, Tubbs is actually a less sympathetic character than Crockett, showing little sympathy for the plight of the young addict who is helping the two detectives.
Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" is the strongest track from this episode.
8 out of 10 - this one leaves a sour taste in the viewer's mouth but it's quality drama.
Very little seems to happen in this episode and it's deadly slow. The writers seemed to put all their faith in setting up the "twist", which was easy to see coming from the start since the Rosella says she grew up in the drug dealer's house. Once again the show is hamstrung by hiring a model who absolutely cannot act. At one point it's really obvious her lines even had to be dubbed back in for some reason. Maybe the story could have worked with someone else in the role and all the scenes sped up to half their length. And maybe she took some acting lessons (and voice lessons) and got better with experience, because I see she went on to do a lot more. If so, good for her. It's not her fault she was so miscast.
The episode is all bad writing though and bad continuity- the character's face is cut in the opening scene, bloody and bandaged in the hospital, then the next scene she is good as new. I guess if you hire someone for their face, they have to look good. There's really very little else to make up the plot. Even the costumes in this episode are ugly and cheap looking. No reason to ever rewatch. Just some good music from Robert Plant and Bryan Ferry.
The episode is all bad writing though and bad continuity- the character's face is cut in the opening scene, bloody and bandaged in the hospital, then the next scene she is good as new. I guess if you hire someone for their face, they have to look good. There's really very little else to make up the plot. Even the costumes in this episode are ugly and cheap looking. No reason to ever rewatch. Just some good music from Robert Plant and Bryan Ferry.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring the week this episode aired,Jan Hammer's "Miami Vice Theme" would hit the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. No instrumental TV theme has done so since.
- GoofsThere is a camera cart and crew visible in the Ferrari door, just as Gina closes the door.
- Quotes
Detective James Crockett: Secret to success Rico, whether it's women or money, is knowing when to quit. I ought to know. I'm divorced and broke.
- ConnectionsReferencesThe Iceman Cometh (1973)
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