Evan

'Evan' opens up with a stylish MAC-10 demo and even an explosion, but that's no forecast for where this episode is headed. The tension isn't in the bust or the shootouts, it's in the friction between partners - both past and present. Crockett's faced with years of pent-up guilt when an old friend shows up during an arms deal (William Russ). The issue between them is ignorance, how they both dealt with it in their youth and how it cost a close friend his life. What really amazes about this episode is its sensitivity in addressing homophobia, especially for a macho cop show in the mid-'80s. Clearly uncharacteristic of the time and climate.

And what really elevates this episode is the excellent acting. Don Johnson is on fire here, and his scene with Philip Michael Thomas at the gas station might be their finest together on the show. Both sides are hurting on this issue and that makes for superb drama. There's one line that rings like an explosion and it comes from Tubbs:

"You've got the courage to do this job, every day. Have the courage to tell Evan what it is you have to say."

'Evan' really is something different for this show, and a tremendous effort. Gold star all the way.

10/10

As the first season of "Miami Vice" draws near, "Evan" demonstrates the show's ability to deliver gripping television cop drama with Hollywood production values.

The opening is explosive and dramatic with a failed police raid on a warehouse, accompanied by Peter Gabriel's "Rhythm Of The Heat". Stirring stuff, as you'd expect from director Rob Cohen.

The episode unfolds beautifully with a top drawer performance from Don Johnson, one of the most underestimated small screen actors. The tension from the previous episode between Crockett and Tubbs continues here as Ricardo desperately tries to understand what is haunting his troubled partner.

William Russ is excellent as the title character, the tortured Evan, a man on the very edge.

Jan Hammer's theme for Evan is one of his strongest pieces of music from the first series and adds yet more gloss to the proceedings.

Full marks for this episode. They just don't make shows with production values like this anymore. I love "Miami Vice" when a large proportion of the action takes place at night and this episode is full of atmospheric shots of Miami after-dark.

Evan Freed (William Russ) is a middle man for some deadly arms dealers. The latest gun for hire is the MAC-10 machine gun.

Crockett and Tubbs meet up with the criminals posing as buyers for the MAC-10.

The problem for Crockett, he knows Evan is a cop. In fact Evan was a close associate and there is bad blood between them.

Crockett is moody in this one and even Tubbs gets the brush off from him.

Directed by Rob Cohen, it has a stylish explosive opening. It also deals with the issue of homophobia.

Evan and Crockett could not deal with a colleague who came out of the closet. The man died, Evan seems to have a death wish by acting recklessly. Both are regretful of how they acted as Crockett feels he did not do enough to protect the man.

Again this is another episode from the first season with some great night shots and modernist production design. Two Peter Gabriel songs are used to enhance the mood as well as Jan Hammer's music.