"Miami Vice" Miracle Man (TV Episode 1989) Poster

(TV Series)

(1989)

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8/10
A better than expected episode
Tweekums24 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Like many other episodes this one opens with Crockett and Tubbs working undercover to make a drugs bust but just as the deal is about to occur they are interrupted by the self-styled 'Miracle Man'. After this prologue we don't see any more of Crockett; he is giving evidence somewhere so Tubbs is partnered with Switek. The two of them are asked to work with a TV presenter but they are less than enthusiastic. When they attend the scene of a murder 'Miracle Man' turns up again and starts delivering a speech about the evils of the drug trade which gets the TV's attention. Soon he is a local celebrity but his actions continue to hamper police operations and make him dangerous enemies in the drug world. It turns out that 'Miracle Man' is Izzy's cousin and he has a tragic past; he lost his daughter to drugs and now suffers from manic depression.

I thought this might turn out to be one of the sillier episodes when we were first introduced to 'Miracle Man' and his chocolate machinegun! As the story progressed it turned to be a rather poignant episode as we first learned of how he had lost his daughter and later on how he was in fact a manic depressive. Even Izzy came a across as more than just comic relief as he attempted to protect his cousin from the TV producer who was clearly trying to use him. José Pérez put in a good performance as 'Miracle Man'; especially in the scene where he tells Gina about his daughter.
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8/10
Miracle Man Saves the City
Actriza7 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I was immediately taken aback by the premise of this episode. The idea of a superhero fighting crime was utterly unbelievable and severely cliché. I had prided Miami Vice on its authenticity and this was nothing short of illusory.

The episode begins with Miracle Man, played by the phenomenal Jose Perez, thwarting a drug deal between the undercover Tubbs and Switek and a couple of Hispanic drug dealers. Dressed in a undersized T-shirt with the letter "M" drawn across it and black "Matrix-like" sunglasses, Miracle Man shoots at the group, including Tubbs and Switek.

The episode unravels to be filled with a hidden television crew and a myriad of other distractions. However, the controlling character in this episode is Miracle Man or Gregory Esteban. A cloud of mystery surrounds the dual natured character. Some view him as a hero, and some view him as a lunatic. After getting shot at and running after the car unarmed, I was left asking myself "What is wrong with this guy?"

However, we soon learn the motive behind Gregory's actions. While pouring his heart out to Gina, he reveals that his daughter, Theresa, abused drugs and later died from this heavy drug use. He blames himself because he was heavily addicted to drugs. He believes that he caused her to emulate his actions. He reveals that his goal is to get drugs out of the city. I cried uncontrollably on this part of the episode. Undoubtedly, this is when the episode won me over.

Soon, we learn that Gregory suffers from manic depression. When he has his medicine, he believes he is invincible, but when he does not, he is hit with the acerbity of reality. Unfortunately, this episode ends with the death of Miracle Man. I believe that this was a very powerful episode that allowed the audience into the mind of someone heavily affected by drugs.

I give this episode an 8 out of ten because the television crew was a huge distraction and added no substance to the storyline.

PS: This is not a plot synopsis. There is a lot that happens in this episode, I was merely trying to capture the essence of Miracle Man.
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3/10
Extra episode which should have been omitted.
mm-3931 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There is a few episodes which should be omitted. What worked: There is a good counter story about mental illness and drugs. Miracle Man guilt is part of the main story line. There is a story about how ratings and how the media can cause real life trouble chasing ratings. The media handling of Miracle Man is tragic. What did not work: Miracle Man runs around hurting police work, and aggravating drug dealers. Un- believable how Miracle Man is neither dead and or incarcerated. Miracle Man character and story is over the top. Too silly for the viewer. A predictable tragic ending. Hard empty ending. Too much and too harsh too watch. 3 out of 10!
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