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The Worst Episodes of Magnum P.I.

Every episode of Magnum P.I. ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Magnum P.I.!

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Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL, returns home from Afghanistan and applies his military skills to become a private investigator in Hawaii taking jobs no one else will—with the help of fellow vets T.C.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Magnum P.I. Season 3 Episode 11 - The Lies We Tell
    4.6/10(5 votes)

    #1 - The Lies We Tell

    S3:E11

    When a married woman asks Magnum and Higgins to find her lover’s killer because she doesn’t want to expose the affair to the police, they find that the victim wasn’t who he claimed to be. Also, Rick visits Icepick, whose health has taken a turn for the worse.

    Director:Ruba Nadda
    Writer:Katie Varney

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  2. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 10 - Dream Lover
    5.5/10(6 votes)

    #2 - Dream Lover

    S4:E10

    When a woman hires Magnum and Higgins to locate a man she met briefly at a coffee shop and felt a spark with, they learn that he is hiding a big secret. Also, Higgins keeps a secret of her own after she has a romantic dream about Magnum.

    Director:Avi Youabian
    Writer:David Wolkove

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  3. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 4 - NSFW
    5.6/10(8 votes)

    #3 - NSFW

    S5:E4

    Magnum and Higgins search for a CEO who has mysteriously vanished. Rick braces for a visit from his wild-child little sister, Ruthie.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:David Slack

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  4. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 1 - Island Vibes
    6.4/10(5 votes)

    #4 - Island Vibes

    S4:E1

    As Magnum tries to keep his new relationship a secret and handles cases solo while Higgins is away, he is tasked with finding a single mom being hunted by two very dangerous gangs. Also, while Higgins is abroad with Ethan, a misstep forces her to assist an old employer, and Rick gets some bad, but also very, very good news.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Gene Hong

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  5. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 3 - The Woman Who Never Died
    6.6/10(7 votes)

    #5 - The Woman Who Never Died

    S1:E3

    Magnum takes a case from fellow private investigator Luther Gillis to find the true identity of a man’s comatose fiancée when he learns that she’s had extensive facial surgery.

    Director:Sylvain White
    Writer:Joe Gazzam

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  6. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 7 - The Cat Who Cried Wolf
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #6 - The Cat Who Cried Wolf

    S1:E7

    Magnum takes the case of a little girl’s missing cat and, in the process, stumbles upon another cat’s murdered owner who happens to be an FBI agent.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Neil Tolkin

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  7. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 13 - Day of the Viper
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #7 - Day of the Viper

    S1:E13

    Magnum and Higgins are shocked when one of her former MI6 teammates shows up with a fresh gunshot wound and news that "the Viper," the assassin who killed Higgins' true love, has surfaced on Oahu. Also, while Magnum's busy helping Higgins track down the Viper, he asks Rick to take over a case, a task that Rick relishes until it goes sideways.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 3 - Texas Wedge
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Texas Wedge

    S4:E3

    Magnum, Higgins and Rick go undercover at a ritzy country club when a young caddie is fired after being accused of stealing a member’s golf clubs. Also, Jin’s niece, unaware of her uncle’s shady past, asks him to speak at her school.

    Director:Antonio Negret
    Writer:Gene Hong

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  9. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 6 - Devil on the Doorstep
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #9 - Devil on the Doorstep

    S4:E6

    A journalist hires Magnum to track down his anonymous source after they mysteriously go dark, and Higgins receives a new assignment from MI-6. Also, Rick’s old friend comes to the island, but TC is suspicious of his motives.

    Director:Claudia Yarmy
    Writer:Tera Tolentino

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  10. Magnum P.I. Season 4 Episode 8 - A Fire in the Ashes
    6.6/10(5 votes)

    #10 - A Fire in the Ashes

    S4:E8

    Magnum starts following Higgins to discover what she’s been hiding, as she’s secretly assigned to infiltrate a group threatening to take down MI-6. Rick struggles after an explosion takes the life of someone important to him.

    Director:Lisa Robinson
    Writer:David Slack

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  11. Magnum P.I. Season 3 Episode 13 - Cry Murder
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Cry Murder

    S3:E13

    As Magnum and Higgins work a case to recover valuable stolen truffles, they also must care for a baby left abandoned at the gates of their estate, while Kumu tries to locate the infant’s mother.

    Director:Peter Weller
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 4 - Six Paintings, One Frame
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Six Paintings, One Frame

    S1:E4

    A close friend of Higgins, an art connoisseur who recently hired Magnum to test his security, is murdered, and Thomas is arrested as the main suspect.

    Director:Antonio Negret
    Writer:Ashley Gable

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  13. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 6 - Death is Only Temporary
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Death is Only Temporary

    S1:E6

    An aging tycoon asks Magnum to find his lost love who he says just recently contacted him; the only problem is she died 30 years ago. Also, Rick and TC meet a fellow vet who is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writers:Gene Hong, Scarlett Lacey

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  14. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 8 - Die He Said
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #14 - Die He Said

    S1:E8

    A man dying of lymphoma hires Magnum to find his estranged, bone-marrow-compatible brother who turns out to need Magnum’s help as well. Also, Magnum’s case brings back haunted memories for the guys of a past SEAL team mission that went sideways.

    Director:Peter Weller
    Writer:Joe Gazzam

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  15. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 14 - I, The Deceased
    6.8/10(5 votes)

    #15 - I, The Deceased

    S1:E14

    A man hires Magnum to investigate his own murder before he is killed. Kumu reconnects with an old friend.

    Director:Krishna Rao
    Writer:Scarlett Lacey

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  16. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 1 - I Saw the Sun Rise
    7.0/10(8 votes)

    #16 - I Saw the Sun Rise

    S1:E1

    A decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator in Hawaii.

    Director:Justin Lin
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Peter M. Lenkov

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  17. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 2 - From the Head Down
    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #17 - From the Head Down

    S1:E2

    Magnum helps Dan, a struggling fisherman and fellow veteran, when his 300-pound tuna worth $350,000 is stolen, and he discovers that the thief needs Magnum's help as well.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Peter M. Lenkov

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  18. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 5 - Sudden Death
    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #18 - Sudden Death

    S1:E5

    TC asks Magnum to take on a case to help acquit the father of one of his young football players, who is accused of murder.

    Director:David Grossman
    Writer:David Fury

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  19. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 10 - Bad Day to be a Hero
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Bad Day to be a Hero

    S1:E10

    Magnum must help Rick’s crush, Toni, after her illegal poker game, organized to pay back a mob debt, is robbed by masked gunmen.

    Director:Lin Oeding
    Writer:Ashley Charbonnet

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  20. Magnum P.I. Season 1 Episode 11 - Nowhere to Hide
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Nowhere to Hide

    S1:E11

    As Magnum helps a woman find her missing cousin, Sergei, a Russian fugitive, Higgins' and Kumu's lives are put in danger when they get too close to the case.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 1 - Payback for Beginners
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Payback for Beginners

    S2:E1

    While Magnum waits for Higgins to decide if she’ll officially become his partner, he takes the case of a missing wife who witnessed her boss’ murder during a bank robbery. Also, Rick makes a big decision about his career.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Eric Guggenheim, Peter M. Lenkov

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  22. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 2 - Honor Among Thieves
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #22 - Honor Among Thieves

    S2:E2

    An incorrigible pickpocket, Jin, asks Magnum for help when a cell phone he recently lifted receives a very suspicious text message. Also, Magnum is frustrated when Higgins still won’t give him an answer to whether or not she will become his partner, and when Rick decides to make a bold career move, T.C. comes to the rescue.

    Director:Carlos Bernard
    Writer:Gene Hong

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  23. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 3 - Knight Lasts Forever
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #23 - Knight Lasts Forever

    S2:E3

    Kumu and Higgins are in danger when Robin's Nest is under siege by mercenaries storming the estate in order to find out the true identity of the White Knight, Robin's muse and literary hero. Also, Rick and T.C. helps one of Rick's employees when his car is stolen, and Higgins finally gives Magnum an answer about if she'll become his partner.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Neil Tolkin

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  24. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 4 - Dead Inside
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Dead Inside

    S2:E4

    When Katsumoto suspects that one of his fellow cops is dirty and has stolen evidence, he begrudgingly asks Magnum and Higgins for help. Also, Rick and TC help Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald when his tablet, that contains the Rams’ playbook is stolen.

    Director:Krishna Rao
    Writer:Barbie Kligman

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  25. Magnum P.I. Season 2 Episode 5 - Make It 'Til Dawn
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Make It 'Til Dawn

    S2:E5

    On Halloween, Magnum and Jin search for a skip-tracer at a Halloween bash, just as Katsumoto tracks an escaped killer who is headed to that same party. Also, Higgins and Rick must spend the night at an allegedly haunted house in order to debunk the notion, and TC and Kumu protect a sacred Hawaiian burial ground.

    Director:Bryan Spicer
    Writers:Gene Hong, Tera Tolentino

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Lies We Tell" is the worst rated episode of "Magnum P.I.". It scored 4.6/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Ruba Nadda and written by Katie Varney, it aired on 3/26/2021. This episode scored 0.9 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Dream Lover".