The Home Invaders

'The Home Invaders' is a Castillo episode, but not the kind you'd expect (no drama from his past to flesh out his character). The absence of Tubbs means he steps in as a quasi-partner for Crockett, and it actually takes on sort of a Driving Miss Daisy vibe in a couple of scenes. But it also puts a novel spin on what could've been a routine procedural. The Mustache is actually hitting the streets. And when the man actually works the case (and schools everyone), you almost get a buzz off of it. It's good stuff.

Great episode all around; there's tension, the brutality of the burglaries stands out and great Jan Hammer themes throughout.

9/10

With Tubbs spending quality time with Valerie in Manhatten, Crockett and Castillo become involved with robbery division as violent and sadistic intruders strike the wealthy homes of Miami. This is a quality, atmospheric episode that is a marked contrast to the lighter mood of the previous tale.

Don Johnson is always excellent in this type of story, having the opportunity to show growing concern and tension as the case starts to take its toll on his nerves. However, the story itself is nothing special and fails to really excite, ending somewhat anti-climatically.

Jack Kehoe plays the robbery lieutenant whose approach to detective work causes a clash with Castillo.

Music-wise, Sheila E's "The Glamorous Life" is the notable track of this episode.

8 out of 10. A good episode but lacking the power of future Crockett-driven episodes, for example, "Shadow In The Dark" and "Death And The Lady".

When I watch Miami Vice I remind myself to keep the viewing experience relative to the times. For a network show in 1985 to look, feel and sound the way many of these first season episodes do, is a miracle. I was pulled in from the opening sequence of this episode. A very dark episode that has the vice squad assisting the robbery squad with a series of violent home invasions. Abel Ferrara directs and the bad guys include Esai Morales and Paul Calderon.

The main storyline is that the robbery squad lieutenant is not up to the task and lieutenant Castillo has to do the real investigative work. There's a great scene where the robbery guys and Sonny watch Castillo figure out the common thread between all the invasions. As always, Olmos is cool as ice throughout.

Once again, a very dark episode with a great supporting cast and director. I liked this one.

This is one of the best episodes of the series. The viciousness of the villains captures you from the outset. The real tension interestingly enough comes from within the team itself. When vice is called in to help the robbery division solve a string of home invasions, the emotions are kicked up a notch as Castillo's cool and meticulous police work clashes with the robbery squads methods and top officer.

The middle of the episode is an amazing piece of film work. Watching Castillo's methods and his control of his emotions makes this an absolute joy to watch. I get goosebumps every time I watch this episode.

Crockett's attempt to bride the two worlds of his past mentor and the respect for his current leader make this one of the top ten episodes to watch.

There is a low budget 1980s B movie feel to this episode. No wonder it is directed by video nasty bad boy Abel Ferrera.

The Home invaders are a bunch of nasty crooks who steal from the wealthy and leave some physical damage behind.

The vice team are assisting the robbery division led by Lt John Malone who was one of Crockett's mentor. However Castillo is not impressed how the investigation is being handled and is making his own enquiries. He quickly finds a common link with the victims.

With Philip Michael Thomas out of this episode due to an injury. There is an enlarged role for Castillo who gets a lot more dialogue. Noted character actor Jack Kehoe plays Malone who might be over the hill.

Even edited it is strong on violence and implied violence. The cast of thugs include David Patrick Kelly who was almost typecast for these kind of roles in the 1980s, rising actors Esai Morales and Paul Calderon.

Comic relief is provided by Sylvia Miles who plays a potential victim who neglects to tell the cops who her car belongs to.