Miami Vice (TV Series) Death and the Lady (1987) User Reviews

Very good episode that probes into Crockett's psyche

[frankenbenz · 8/10 · 9 August 2007]

I completely agree with the comments posted by burnett33160 regarding this episode and on Season 4 (so far). I'm only 3 episodes in and up until now I'm impressed by the producers attempts to go a lot deeper with their characters and with the show's plot lines.

It might even be argued that this episode reflects a certain amount of contempt the MV creative team may have had for it's audiences' appetite for violence that made the show successful in its first 3 seasons. Season 4, up until now, has distanced itself from the corny shootouts and violent denouements that had become clichéd by the end of season 3; in their place are slightly ambiguous endings that leave the audience with questions as opposed to black and white absolutes/resolution.

Death in the name of art

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 14 June 2012]

When an ex-con porn actor accuses prestigious artist Milton Glantz of actually killing a woman in his 'erotic masterpiece' 'Death and the Lady' he is considered to be a liar just out to stir up trouble. As an accusation of murder has been made it must be investigated though. They ask questions of everybody involved in the film and none of them know anything about a murder although the camera man does say the actual death scene wasn't filmed by him. When Crockett looks at the final close up of the girl he believes that her eyes are genuinely lifeless however it looks like that theory is wrong when he discovers the girl who starred in the film... although further investigation reveals her previous film called 'Twins' featured a look-alike and she is no longer around. It will still be hard if not impossible to link Glantz to any crime; he seems to have an answer to every question Crockett asks and has a cast iron alibi for the time of the supposed death.

This was another quality episode yet it didn't have much violence in it despite being about a particularly violent crime. For much of the episode it seemed as though there might not even have been a crime... although that was a little unlikely as few crime dramas feature a story without any real crime being committed! Without spoiling the end too much I thought it fitted with the downbeat feel to the episode. The acting was pretty solid, especially from Don Johnson who made me believe that Crockett really was deeply affected by the case; especially in a scene where he tells of how he felt ashamed that he did nothing when a girl he knew at school was wronged. If the episode has a fault it is a minor one... he are shown the dead girl's face and told that she must be dead rather than acting because of the look in her eyes... using that argument should we believe the Miami Vice production staff killed somebody to get the shot? I don't think so!

This isn't light material, but hello Penelope Ann Miller!

[Mr-Fusion · 8/10 · 14 February 2016]

"Death and the Lady" would pair nicely with something like the third season's "Shadow in the Dark"; it's an episode that sees an angst-ridden Crockett wrestling with a case involving a snuff film. A case that doesn't close easily and thoroughly gets under the man's skin. It's one of the higher points of season 4 and - between the slimy SoB "artiste" Paul Guilfoyle, a deeply moody night driving scene in the Ferrari, and a skillful long take early on in the episode - has plenty to offer.

Above all, it's not just Crockett's skin this gets under.

8/10

My favorite episode

[burnett33160 · 10/10 · 12 June 2007]

This is i think, an excellent example of what made the show unique. A character-driven story about exploitation and violence in media, nothing to do with the drug trade as many early vice eps did, and taking place in the middle of a much-maligned( i think unfairly) season four.

We learn a lot about the character of Sonny Crockett in this perfectly structured ep. Sonny is unconvinced at first that a murder scene in a pornographic film is in fact a real homicide as alleged by a two-bit porn actor. Slowly, scene-by-scene we see the idea of a genuine murder on film seeping into Sonny's awareness. This is nicely performed by Don Johnson, whose subtle, nuanced emotions are portrayed in many close-ups throughout the ep ( the director does a flawless job telling the story visually) and we the audience see that sonny is in fact, underneath the cynical world-weary exterior, a moralist. He is disgusted by the exploitation of women and the crass attitude of a filmmaker towards something sonny feels is sacred: life. this last thing is an attitude common to many protagonists in Michael Mann's films. The producer/directors TV forays deserve just as much respect.

The show is generally considered past its storytelling prime(seasons 1 & 2 are more highly praised) at this point but the mere presence of this ep is evidence that the show was telling stories of rare complexity well into its run. we are still learning about the characters and their world. Season four is hit or miss admittedly but one has to admire the experimental attitude of the show in a medium where every producer wants things done cheaply and quickly. Miami Vice is a show that reinvented itself every season, visually and thematically, not an easy thing to do from a creative or financial perspective.

The best episode of season 4

[dangkoen · 10/10 · 11 December 2007]

When I first saw this episode on TV a few months back, I thought it was pretty boring. But that was before I saw the other seasons and started to understand the style of the show in terms of storytelling. I came to appreciate the non-violent (action scenes) episodes.

The episode features Sonny realizing a real murder has been committed on a porn film. At first Sonny has doubts, but he begins to realize something more is going on when the director of the film is obviously showing off and getting away with it. This frustrates Crockett and it's becoming very clear as the episode draws to a close.

This episode reminded me much of Manhunter and season 3's "Shadow in the dark". The focus is on a person being obsessed or determined to find the truth. It works well on all levels.

Top 2 episodes of the series!

[mm-39 · 9/10 · 4 March 2017]

In the top 2 of the Miami Vice stories. Death and the Lady is up there with Little Miss dangerous. What makes Death and the Lady a great episode: The environmental shots, clothes, and locations blend with the director's dark lighting and music-driven sequences. Death and the Lady has a riveting story: Miami Vice hits into the dark realms of human depravity with Crockett investigating famous director Glantz's porn film which is actually a snuff film.

Death and the Lady's story-line goes deeper into the character development of Crockett and Glantz. Crockett and company questions a witness of a murder. Is this a publicity stunt or a murder? The viewer experiences Crockett's cynical, sarcastic side (which is a defense mechanism for the cesspool) to the moralist with a heart! Crockett is outraged with Glantz's final film scene. As an experienced combat vet/detective, Crockett realizes the truth. Crockett delves deeper into the investigation the unravelling of the Glantz's arrogant, dark, sadistic character!

The juxtaposed characters conclude with a memorable ending of the inevitable conflict between Crockett and Glantz (the anti- Crockett) The empty dark ending reveals a memorable reflection of the inner workings of the Crockett character. 9 out of 10 stars.

Incredibly dark, presages the 90s

[mylkione · 9/10 · 31 January 2020]

Aside from the darker montage, use of primary colors and subdued mise-en-scene, season 4 also stands out for the descent the characters make. This episode sets the darkest tone aside the Burnett/Crockett storyline and, in many ways, predicts the indie noir scene of the 90s. Acting is tops here and Don Johnson's growth into the role becomes fully evident by the stsrt of the fourth season. Penelope Ann Miller, always highly capable and Paul Guilfoyle, add dimension to the episode. Nice cameo from Kelly Lynch of indie Drugstore Cowboy fame.

Disappointing.

[kitteninbritches · 6/10 · 15 February 2021]

This episode promises far more than it delivers. The premise is good and sounds pretty sinister, involving a real murder in a snuff film, though this isn't a new concept. I disagree with other reviewers who allege this provides a deep view of Crockett's psyche though. He was no more disgusted by the idea than any decent person would be and I've seen him face far worse emotional traumas so far. Without giving the ending away, I'll say it was a complete let down and anticlimax. I was more interested in the ginger kitten. Wonder if Crockett (or DJ) is a cat person?

What can i say,again another best episode of Miami Vice

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 16 January 2008]

Death and the Lady is the best episode,i liked,is just like shadow in the Dark,i really love this two episodes,in shadow in the dark they show cat burglar,here they show,a death lady with out a murder,some girl was brutal murdered on a set on pornography shooting movies,and only one witness and there is no murder,no body,nothing but a dead end,they not nail the pornographer producer on the end of the episode, but it was great episode,great plot and there was no shooting in this episode and in shadow in the dark was no shooting ether,both of this episodes where the best and they show,how the real cops can act.Cat burglar and murder of the lady was one of the best ideas.Miami Vice is one of the best shows,i don't like season 2 or 4 and 5,but this episodes beats every episode,because it's a great story and great plot,i'm curious if this episode is true. I hear that some episodes where on true cases and i'm really curious, if this two episodes where on the true cases.Shadow in the Dark and Death and the Lady are one of the best episodes ever made.

The Husk of a Hit Show

[soapytiger · 4/10 · 18 September 2023]

What happened?! Gone are the clean and cool that made this show, replaced by a soap opera with jaunty one-at-time quick dialogue, exposition, and unrealistic actions/motivations from the characters.

This isn't episode isn't the worst of the series, but it does mark this season as a distinct change in tone. Feels like Miami Vice was a victim of its own success, with storylines straggling further out into generic tropes (same with the previous episode, "Amen...Send Money").

I was a big fan of the show when it first aired, but my viewing dropped after season 2 (life got busier in 1986). The MV in my mind retained that cool patina. Watching now, 35 years hence, it's a bit embarrassing and off-putting. No Michael Mann, no Dick Wolf.

I will muscle through til the finale, but if it keeps up like this, it will be a slough.