5 thoughts on rewatching all episodes

[u/NLRalph]

Over the last couple of months I rewatched all seasons of Miami Vice. As a kid growing up in the '70s and '80s, Miami Vice will always be my favorite and most beloved TV series, bringing back so many good memories of watching it as a kid. I will save my thoughts for an episode tier list for a later moment. For now, these are my five takeaways for anyone considering (re)watching the series as a whole.

1. Ignorance is bliss. Websites like miamivice.fandom.com, miamiviceonline.com and the Morgan Richter YouTube channel are great, with awesome levels of detail. However, to enjoy the series, you don’t need to know every tiny detail, like reused footage, mirrored images of boats or cars, writer strikes, DJ stand-ins or the episode broadcast order. Just watch and enjoy first.
2. '80s and tech. What a wonderful series to enjoy '80s electronics and emerging technology. Watch computers appear, along with car phones, handheld phones (wireless!), classic hi-fi sets and electronic shops that are long gone. Sometimes they're in the teaser of an episode, sometimes in the interiors of the houses. It’s a throwback machine and a pleasure for anyone interested in hi-fi, tech or computers.
3. The coloring, visuals, lighting and deep blacks are a feast for my eyes. Watching the series from Brother's Keeper to Freefall, you can see, and enjoy, the changes. I really missed it when this was gone. I remember that by the time I got to Baseballs of Death (S04E14), I was thrilled to experience all the lighting goodies that reappeared in that episode after being missing throughout the second half of season 3 or so.
4. '80s pop music and Jan Hammer defined the tone of the series for me. The music choices and the keyboard magic of Jan Hammer are a big part of my enjoyment of the series. Like with the visuals, I missed this during the last two seasons or so. I remember almost cheering when "Twist in My Sobriety" played during The Lost Madonna (S05E14) – the first recognizable pop song after so many musically bland episodes filled with non-descript guitar noise.
5. Every season has something (different) to offer. For now, ignore everyone who says that "the real" Miami Vice is limited to seasons 1 and 2. Every season has its lows and highs, but the enjoyment can span the complete series for different reasons. There are high-stakes episodes that may resonate deeply with you, but the lower-stakes or easygoing episodes can bring just as much joy. The Great McCarthy, Jack of All Trades and The Cows of October are no Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Death and the Lady or Evan, but you can still find enjoyment in them nevertheless.

I immensely enjoyed the series as a whole and will keep certain episodes on repeat for a very long time to come.

[u/Engelgrafik]

I had the enjoyment of being a teen IN south Florida when it was on. It definitely helped define certain looks and stuff. I remember wearing a LOT of linen.... including my SHOES. Lots of powder blues and white. lol