Definitely Miami

"You attract some of the weirdest women in the Western hemisphere." - Ricardo Tubbs "Miami Vice"'s second season is full of episodes with dubious women for Crockett to fall for, but 'Definitely Miami' is the sharpest example. Ted Nugent (in a surprisingly effective performance) might be the credited guest star, but the real one is the sweltering heat. After a while, you can almost feel your TV start to sweat. And the heat's put to great use with the mirage theme; we see what we want to see. And the Godley & Creme music video makes for a perfect blend of music and imagery.

Our favorite Vice cops might be idling in the sun, but this one packs the tension, not to mention the show's classic distrust of federal law enforcement. Fantastic episode.

10/10

One of the top3 episodes of Miami Vice!it's a must watch!

An excellent show like Miami Vice has plenty of ways for newcomers to discover its unique blend of entertainment, smart drama, high production values, and the best side of 80s style. So I'm surprised that this of all episodes currently holds such a top rating on IMDb. I'd advise newcomers to start with a different one, lest you get the wrong impression.

"Definitely Miami" jams two plots into the same hour. Either one had the potential to be excellent in its own episode, but since they're compressed into less time here, they both get short shrift.

The sluggish direction falls short of Vice's high standards, and features a rough opening scene for the heroes. While sitting poolside at some sort of country club, waiting for a contact from the underworld, an undercover Sonny ogles a stranger. Yeah, Sonny has an eye for the ladies, but his blatant lechery here is out of character, over-the-top; and the direction matches it, capped off by what may be the goofiest shot of Don Johnson in the entire series. The seconds drag on as the camera pans over the woman's body, and a grinning Sonny stares and stares.

The woman he's ogling, Callie Basset, is another weak link. The character is supposed to be Sonny's vulnerable, yet mysterious and perhaps untrustworthy object of affection. Vice is known for its star-studded guest casts and their strong acting, but the model playing Callie doesn't impress, and she fails to bring depth to the role.

The episode's 2nd main guest actor does better. Best known for playing Phillips, chief of the boat in Apocalypse Now, Albert Hall cuts a dash as a pushy federal agent trying to convince a mobster to testify. His final scene with Castillo is very well-directed, unlike most of the episode.

I would direct newcomers towards a different episode instead. There are so many to choose from, and I haven't even finished the series yet, but perhaps "Knock, Knock... Who's There?", "Fruit of the Poison Tree", or "Child's Play". I haven't seen "Brother's Keeper," the double-length pilot, for a while, but that one might be a good general introduction.

Yo-yo-yo-yo!!!!!!! I just this episode of Miami Vice on cable and I was totally shocked to see one of my favorite actors playing a Ted Nugent crone.

Actor Jim Fitzpatrick (IV) was in the beginning of the episode supposedly dropping some money or drugs or both and Ted Nugent shot him and then covered Jim with sand.

I don't know if you've ever watched Star Trek Enterprise, but Jim Fitzpatrick whom played the characters of Commander Williams would've been such a great Captain.

But it seems that Paramount felt the show needed a pseudo star to prop-up the dying genre'.

You go Jim Fitzpatrick! Love seeing my heroes in anything.

CC

"Miami Vice" was, and is, fantastic escapist entertainment. This stylish episode remains one of the series' finest tales and watching it again last night made me more than a little nostalgic for the '80s.

Beginning with the death of a drug dealer at the hands of mad, bad and dangerous-to-know Charlie Basset (Ted Nugent), "Definitely Miami" is gripping television from start to finish. Rob Cohen's direction is as excellent as always and the beginning sequence oozes style, with an accompanying soundtrack from Ted Nugent himself with "Angry Young Man".

Kamala Lopez-Dawson makes her acting debut as the frightened sister of a wanted drugs warlord and the delectable Arielle Dombasle plays the wife of Nugent's psychotic Basset character. Dombasle is probably the most memorable femme fatale to appear in the series. The scene at the pool with Crockett gazing upon her perfect figure is unforgettable.

This is one of the best episodes of "Vice" as it has it all - a gripping script, beautiful visuals and a big budget, fast cars, a great looking cast, a superb soundtrack, and so on. "Definitely Miami" gels perfectly.

10 out of 10. The ending, accompanied by Godley & Creme's "Cry", is glorious stuff. I simply love this episode.