Tale of the Goat

A very bizarre, twisted, and goofy episode of Miami Vice. This episode continues the trend of very weak stories throughout Season 2. The whole story of this episode is very silly and unrealistic. Since when did vice cops deal with voodoo. This is one of the worst episodes of Vice ever and for those who like it there probably on what Tubbs was drugged with by the voodoo master Legba. Don Johnson plays this episode for laughs. So would I. Most of the episode Johnson sits in a car, constantly laughing and making faces at something so RIDICULOUSLY STUPID. This episode has really no idea where to go, EXCEPT DOWNHILL. If you want to See a thrilling, fun episode about voodoo watch THE WILD, WILD WEST from episode SEASON 3 OF THE NIGHT OF THE UNDEAD. No show can make bizarre, twisted episodes better than THE WILD, WILD WEST. VICE needs to stick with realism,not this bizarre CRAP.

How was this episode cleared for production? Lacking any substance or grit from the beginning, the storyline would be better served up by Scooby-Doo than Miami Vice. Canned jokes and action pulled directly from a tropes catalogue, with none of the pathos that made the show, as a whole, unique. The acting by the guests fell flatter than day old Pepsi. But then, perhaps the entirety of the episode was meta, a zombie itself. It certainly felt that way. It was a real stinker, limping along, beady eyed, mumbling, "This is Miami Vice," while in all ways except the pastiche, unrecognizable. How this got cleared and produced, I do not know. My guess would be that at this point in the show's success, Michael Mann could write his own ticket. This episode was pure zombie. 3/10 for the pastiche.

"Tale of the Goat" is an average episode of "Miami Vice" - while it is a relatively fast moving and good looking episode, it fails to fully engage the viewer. The premise, however, is an interesting one - the boss of a crime organisation who is apparently deceased is seen alive and kicking.

Tubbs has a larger part to play in this tale unlike some of the previous episodes where he has been overshadowed by his partner.

The music from Jan Hammer is excellent as always and there are accompanying tracks from Todd Rundgren, The Fixx, Nona Hendryx and Red Rider.

8 out of 10. Good but could have been so much better.

This episode could have been much better. Great music and good guest appearance acting, but the story was just too bizarre to be anything other than average. Trying to write voodoo into a Miami Vice episode was a challenge the writers should not have tried, especially when they were doing well with their current style of writing. I understand that they were trying to take risks with the show, but one look at the script should have let Mann know to scrap it. The episode might even have been a 7 or better if they had pulled the end together instead of letting it end so confusing, corny and just plain strange. Having said all that, it did have its highlights and it wasn't completely terrible, but a disappointment all the same.

This is a very engaging episode, with interesting characters.

The storyline is creepy as well as the location shots (the fog adds a nice touch).

In the teaser/opening sequence "Phantom Living" by The Fixx plays. This sets the tone right away.

There is even a bit of humor thrown in with one of the minor characters "Bobby Profile".

One of my favorite episodes of the series, and one of the few reasons I would actually stay home on Friday nights during the 80's.

Miami Vice was at its best when it got its moodiest. Michael Mann is a genius.