The Ending Of Magnum P.I. Season 4 Explained - Looper (2024)

ByCalvin Carter/May 12, 2022 10:43 pm EST

Following "Hawaii Five-0" and "MacGyver," CBS premiered another fresh take on a classic series in 2018. A revamped version of "Magnum P.I." joined the reboot ranks. Much like its original predecessor, which initially starred Tom Selleck, the new series centers on ex-Navy SEAL Thomas Magnum (Jay Hernandez), who works as a security consultant for a mysterious millionaire novelist and as a private investigator in Hawaii. Magnum is often aided by former MI6 Agent Juliet Higgins (Perdita Weeks). In previous seasons, the two, along with their crew comprised of two former Marine veterans and a Hawaii Police Department Detective, often find themselves involved in some of the wildest cases the Aloha State can offer.

Season 4 didn't skimp on giving Magnum and his cohorts some worthwhile adventures to handle. The season includes Higgins dealing with her old agent past in "Devil On The Doorstep" and "A Fire In The Ashes." Meanwhile, some crossover fun with Sgt. Duke Lukela (Dennis Chun) of "Hawaii Five-0" occurs after he appears in the episode "Evil Walks Softly." The minor crossover event hits differently, considering that "Hawaii Five-0"and "MacGyver"are no longer around. But one of the main bubbling plot points throughout the season is the ongoing romantic tension between Magnum and Higgins, which seems to explode during the season finale. Let's take a deeper look into what happened between the two during the ending of "Magnum P.I." Season 4.

Magnum and Higgins confess their feelings for each other

The Ending Of Magnum P.I. Season 4 Explained - Looper (2)

CBS

The Season 4 finale, "Close to Home," has one of the most challenging cases for Magnum and his cohorts, as HPD Detective Gordon Katsumoto's (Tim Kang) ex-wife Beth (Shawna Christensen) is kidnapped. In return for her safety, the criminals want the detective to kill his imprisoned ex-partner Shane Whelan (Josh Stamberg). However, after narrowly busting Whelan out of prison, a planned ransom exchange becomes an explosive shootout. Magnum, Higgins, and Katsumoto rescue Beth and arrest the kidnapper, who turns out also to have been the one responsible for the murder of Katsumoto's sister. With that significant loose end tied up and Rick (Zachary Knighton) and Suzy (Betsy Phillips) welcoming a baby girl, "Close to Home" almost hits all the right notes for a happy ending. Fortunately, it has one more sweet scene up its sleeve.

In the final scene, Magnum and Higgins finally confess their feelings for each other. They both follow that admission by saying romantic feelings are a bad idea for their partnership and friendship. However, the feet-dragging soon goes away as they share a kiss. It's a nice moment that concludes what the writers had been cooking up for the two in Season 4 and potentially serves as the series' way to say goodbye properly.

Shortly after the episode aired, it was announced that CBS decided to cancel "Magnum P.I." despite the series still pulling in strong ratings (via The Hollywood Reporter). It's unclear if the show's writers knew a potential cancellation was on the horizon, as according to Deadline, negotiations for a new season had been going on for quite some time. If this was the show's way of ending the series just in case it knew what was coming, then it couldn't have chosen a happier way. Still, it would be nice to see how the Magnum and Higgins dynamic would have played out after the two confessed their feelings.

Recommended

The Ending Of Magnum P.I. Season 4 Explained - Looper (2024)

FAQs

Did Higgins end up being Robin Masters? ›

In the final episode of the series, Higgins tells Magnum that he really is Robin Masters. However, Higgins later recants at Rick's wedding.

Why did Magnum P.I. end so abruptly? ›

As reported late Friday, NBC — which stepped up one year ago to save Magnum after its CBS run got cut short after four seasons — opted not to order additional episodes beyond the second, 10-episode half of Season 5 (premiere date TBD), given that cast options expire June 30 and no end to the Hollywood writers' strike ...

Do Magnum and Higgins end up together? ›

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. “Once we committed to it, it allowed us to sort of chart the course for the rest of Season 4. Getting them together, at least getting them to kiss and declare their feelings for each other, we knew that was the endgame.

How did the final episode of Magnum P.I. end? ›

The series ends as the father and daughter walk hand-in-hand down the beach to begin a new chapter. Decades later, Magnum's daughter nearly had a series of her own. In 2016, Deadline reported that ABC planned to launch a Magnum P.I. sequel starring his daughter, Lily “Tommy” Magnum, and her friends.

What happened to Rick's girlfriend in Magnum? ›

Things take a dramatic turn at the end of the fourth season when Suzy almost dies after complications from labor. She's rushed into emergency surgery after the birth of their daughter and while things are touch and go for while, Suzy ultimately survives. She and Rick decide to name their daughter Joy.

Did John Hillerman get married? ›

After Magnum ended in 1988, he made few screen appearances on screen, one exception being as Dr Watson to Edward Woodward's Holmes in a 1990 TV movie, Hands of a Murderer. He retired in 1999. Hillerman never married and died on November 9, 2017.

Will there be a season 5 of Magnum P.I. reboot? ›

The show was initially taken off the air in May 2022, over licensing fees that NBC pays to the franchise's original network CBS. Eventually Magnum P.I. got renewed for season 5 in July 2022, with rumors of a possible season 6 at the time.

Is Magnum P.I. going for Season 5? ›

Magnum P.I. Season 5 returns Wednesday, October 4 at 10/9c on NBC and next day on Peaco*ck.

Is Magnum P.I. cancelled 2023? ›

'Magnum P.I. ' to End With Season 5 at NBC - Variety.

Is Thomas Magnum in love with Higgins? ›

After repeatedly denying their feelings for each other for years, Magnum and Higgins—television's ultimate dynamic duo of private investigators—have finally decided to pursue a romantic relationship, helping to kickstart a new chapter of the action crime drama.

Who is the new Higgins? ›

The new Magnum P.I. puts an inspired twist on the show by having the character of Higgins be a badass woman named Juliet Higgins. Better yet, the role is perfectly played by the ultra-talented Perdita Weeks. Here's everything you need to know about her as Season 5 of Magnum P.I.

Who is Rick on Magnum P.I. 2023? ›

(TV Series 2018–2023) - Zachary Knighton as Rick - IMDb.

Who betrayed Magnum? ›

For a reason that Magnum discovers only years later, Hannah betrayed his trust, which led to his capture and time spent as a POW. He was held captive by the Taliban in the Korangal Valley together with TC, Rick, and Sebastian Nuzo for more than 18 months.

Has Magnum P.I. been saved? ›

Deadline reported back in June that the show had been saved with a deal to have it air on NBC with 20 episodes to air over two seasons, with an option for more. “'Magnum' is going to start up this month so we're in good company,” said Donne Dawson, state film commissioner.

Did Magnum have a daughter? ›

Magnum's daughter almost made her own television appearance decades later after Deadline reported in 2016 that ABC planned to launch a sequel to Magnum P.I. starring his daughter, Lily “Tommy” Magnum.

How did Magnum end up on Robin's estate? ›

Question: Why do you think Robin Masters let Magnum stay on his estate? The show's narrative stated that Magnum had met Robin Masters and that Master's was impressed by Magnum and his military record, so he decided to allow him to live on his estate in Hawaii.

Is Higgins in Season 4 of Magnum? ›

Season 4 didn't skimp on giving Magnum and his cohorts some worthwhile adventures to handle. The season includes Higgins dealing with her old agent past in "Devil On The Doorstep" and "A Fire In The Ashes." Meanwhile, some crossover fun with Sgt.

Did Higgins on Magnum P.I. have a daughter? ›

He has never been married and has no known children. The new cast member Perdita Weeks is the female regular series as Juliet Higgins. In the reboot he might be the grandfather of Juliet taking over Robin's Nest.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated:

Views: 6124

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.