Following Magnum P.I.’s Latest Game-Changer, One Star Addresses That Miggy Development And Changes On The Way
Warning: Spoilers ahead for the March 12 episode MagnumPI on NBC entitled “Welcome To Paradise, Now Die!”
MagnumPI finally back on TV Premiere plan 2023 after its longest hiatus ever, but the drama hasn’t skipped a beat with its characters since canceled by CBS and then rescued by NBC. The latest installment had a few subplots to keep all of the show’s regulars busy; In an unexpected twist, it was the non-life or death stakes story that delivered the game changer. TC and Rick have officially revealed that Magnum and Higgins are in a secret relationship, and actor Stephen Hill has opened up about the storyline and what the Miggy revelation means for the group’s future development.
While Magnum and Gordon hunted down a missing man connected to the mafia, and while Higgins and Kumu hunted down a person who murdered a dog, Rick and TC conducted their own search of the guest house. Rick had emerged from his pillow fort to bake some pancakes and accidentally let Roberto II out of his cage. The two war heroes kept searching the house and found nothing except for a necklace under Magnum’s bed, which led them to suspect he was secretly dating someone.
Cue the reveal! After Roberto II was found safe and sound with some mouse-sized pancakes, Higgins claimed her necklace and TC and Rick connected the dots, with TC declaring it a “game changer”. While it’s possible this storyline will get more serious as we go along, there was plenty to laugh about in the TC/Rick conspiracy this week. Speaking to CinemaBlend, star Stephen Hill – who played the helicopter pilot from the start – first opened up about how he sometimes stars in lighter storylines versus some much darker developments. Hill explained that he calls it “turning the corner” or “playing the music,” then elaborated:
Even within a scene, I like to come up with, ‘Hey, what’s up, guys?’ Knowing I’m going dark I want to start with a smile, so there’s some layering and some texture, but it’s really cool how it goes – especially TC and Rick or Stephen and Zach [Knighton] – we have to do these little side quests, right? … We do these side quests, sort of like Scooby and Shaggy. [laughs]
The side quest for TC and Rick from Welcome To Paradise, Now Die! worked to not only provide some lightness to counteract the much more serious storylines elsewhere in the episode, but also to let Magnum’s longtime best friends discover the truth about Miggy to permit. They didn’t even need a Velma to lend a hand like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy would have! Although Stephen Hill’s comments made me wonder who would be Scooby and who would be Shaggy?
Both MagnumPI After all, the characters are much braver than the animated puzzle solvers! In all seriousness, Stephen Hill shared what he appreciates about the show and how it manages to strike a balance. The actor said:
We have these little funny moments, but we both also have very heartfelt emotional moments on the show. If we were all just weird relief, maybe I wouldn’t be enjoying this so much. But [with] The fact that we have the weird relief one moment and then another moment we have some heartfelt moments or a whole episode of that, I think we have a great balance. And since I’m Libra, I love that balance.
Of course, the character dynamic was a little different in Season 5, as Magnum and Higgins keep their relationship a secret. Kumu (played by Amy Hill, who recently revealed this She feels more connected to the fans this season) almost stumbled upon the truth a few times, first at the guest house in the premiere and then in this episode when she realized the boys were suddenly being friendly to Magnum. The actress did describe her as the show’s “voice of reason.” for a good reason! Now that Rick and TC are privy to the Miggy mystery, Stephen Hill opened up about the long-awaited twist:
I think TC and Rick definitely knew they felt each other. Everyone could see that. Even Kumu could see that, even Katsumoto could see that. Everyone could see that there was some chemistry between the two, but it’s really cool, especially for the fans who have been dying to finally get a little behind-the-scenes glimpse.
Stephen Hill has been open about appreciating the fans and even considered what their support is signified to him in the “darkest hour” afterwards MagnumPI‘s cancellation and save before NBC. According to him, it’s “really cool” that fans are finally seeing Magnum and Higgins together. Also, given their comments in previous seasons, Rick and TC undoubtedly qualify as in-universe fans! That doesn’t mean the status quo doesn’t have to change, however, and Hill addressed the changes along the way:
It fundamentally changes how we interact with them. It’s like you’re all hanging out at Robin’s Nest. Now it’s like, ‘Oh wait a minute, I think we might have to go home.’ [laughs] “Maybe it’s time to get up here!” Whenever [in] a group of guys, one of them getting married or [a relationship], this guys time goes from an everyday thing to a weekend thing to possibly every other weekend thing. I think we’ll see how this team handles this new information and this new relationship.
Will there be challenges on the Miggy front that could also cause some complications? Perdita Weeks shared her thoughts on how different the two characters are approached their relationship after the big kiss. Hopefully fans can enjoy the “guy time” between the three brothers in arms and the extra dose of romance this season as well.
Tune in to NBC Sundays at 9 p.m. ET for new episodes of MagnumPIto see the aftermath of TC and Rick’s discovery, plus more from Stephen Hill. You can also now rewatch all previous Season 5 episodes with a Peacock Premium Subscription.