This is one of the stand-out stories from season 3, a sharp departure from the sun-soaked, pastel-colored tones of the Miami Vice palette. Michael Mann created (in film) what would become the profiler absorbing too much of his subject's psychological processes, and becoming possessed, with William Petersen in Manhunter (and may have reached its contemporary zenith with NBC's Hannibal). This episode tried to condense the theme with Johnson becoming a profiler and going off the deep end, like the original detective (Jack Thibeau) who winds up in a mental institution. Unlike Manhunter that featured the pursuit of a serial killer, the insane criminal in this story is on his way to becoming one as he busts into houses and conducts bizarre OCD rituals. The daytime sequence when the team first investigates the opening burglary gives way to all night-time sequences. The cinematography is masterful, creating shadows even in the darkness of the homes and in the night-time street scenes. The bizarre mood of the story pulls Johnson in immediately as he inexplicably touches the lipstick drawing on the wall of the burglarized home then smells and licks his finger, something no one would do. This should have been a two-parter because Johnson's transition to obsessed profiler happens too quickly for one 50 minute episode. Thomas' role, and the rest of the cast, is reduced to being the voice of reason, without success. This is Johnson's show and Thibeau as the now-psychotic lieutenant channels Jack Nicholson on steroids before his mental breakdown. Hammer's music is perfect, boosting the eerie tone of the show. Johnson has played it obsessed before (especially in "Definitely, Miami" another top episode) but in this show, he proves his acting skills have always been underrated. While he won a Golden Globe in 1985, he never got an Emmy although nominated. Olmos won in 85 for supporting actor.
14 Reviews
Sonny gets into the mind of a criminal... or is it the other way round?
Tweekums29 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This episode opens with a rather strange man breaking into a house; he doesn't hurt anybody inside but he goes cover himself in flour and eat some raw steak before drawing a macabre picture with a lipstick and stealing a pair of trousers... clearly the guy, nicknamed 'The Shadow', is insane. Crockett and Tubbs are called in to assist Lt. Gilmore of the burglary squad but it soon becomes apparent that his obsession with the case is making him a candidate for the rubber gun squad... indeed it isn't long before he loses it and ends up on a psychiatric ward. The case now belongs to Crockett and it isn't long before he too is getting obsessed; if he doesn't catch the burger soon he may go the same way as Gilmore.
Anybody who was seen the film 'Manhunter', made by Miami Vice creator Michael Mann in the same year, will notice distinct similarities as both involve a detective getting into the mind of a home invader... While that was a great film this is a lesser episode... Crockett has dealt with worse cases so I didn't buy the idea of him getting so obsessed with this one. On the plus side I thought Don Johnson did a good job playing somebody obsessed and Vincent Caristi was genuinely creepy as the Shadow. There isn't a great deal of action to be seen but that is made up for by the tension.
Anybody who was seen the film 'Manhunter', made by Miami Vice creator Michael Mann in the same year, will notice distinct similarities as both involve a detective getting into the mind of a home invader... While that was a great film this is a lesser episode... Crockett has dealt with worse cases so I didn't buy the idea of him getting so obsessed with this one. On the plus side I thought Don Johnson did a good job playing somebody obsessed and Vincent Caristi was genuinely creepy as the Shadow. There isn't a great deal of action to be seen but that is made up for by the tension.
probably one of the best episodes of Miami Vice...
edwardjamessmith3 January 2008
I first started watching Miami Vice on ITV 4 in august 2006 and i have to say it's changed my life. By the time season three arrived, the tone & style changed (which didn't bother me) and the cool Ferrari Testarossa was the new car for the duo. This episode "Shadow In The Dark" is just brilliantly filmed, edited and the score composed by Jan Hammer is just creepy and sets the atmosphere and helps build up the suspense.This episode reminds me of Michael Mann's "Manhunter" (1986)which is a great film compared to its remake,"Red Dragon" (2002). If there wasn't Miami Vice, a lot of things in society and culture wouldn't feel the same. A brilliant episode. Rating 10/10
This episode is a piece of art.
This episode is a piece of art.
Tremendous.
buzznzipp199525 July 2006
From the time I saw the episode premiere on 'NBC' and watched the brief clip, I knew already that 'Vice' was great, but I also knew not all episodes where equal either. You see I really loved 'Vice' first, season, second, third season and even most of fourth, but did not like the fifth. At all. It was so watered down at that point, that there was no turning back, but I digress. "Shadow in th Dark" with Vincent Caristi,(1948-1990) was one of those unequaled episodes, kind of like The Pilot Episode and ...'Out Where The Buses Don't Run'... 'El Viejo' ..."Little Miss Dangerous", 'Phil the Shill' " Back in the World" 'Stone's War' -etc. But when 'Shadow in the Dark' aired I watched with just the street light from outside illuminating the apartment and this was a spooky good time, for me. The characters were believable in the in 'lacing' together of the story, as it started getting tighter, you could feel the strain from Don Johnson's character, a sort of sleepless fatigue was setting in on him. And the onset of the 'Shadow' getting bolder in his entrances of these expensive homes, and going further with his victims. The score created by that brilliant musician and composer 'Jan Hammer' was midnight eerie, original, the music would take you from one scene to the next sometimes raising your heart-rate and then others pulsing to the point that you felt as if your throat was swallowing dry. Reaching the hair on 'the back of the neck' sensation as you waited and watched, you see the whole team at O.C.B. going into a full load of hours with no days 'off'. I was fascinated by this one and I bought the third season of 'Vice' just after it became available. But to any fans of the series, I was deep into this one, it made me feel different, good, kind of freaked, but alas, it was a great series undoubtedly, Miami Unworthiness.
This felt like one of the best decades and the greatest times to be alive!!And not all episodes are equal.(*****)
This felt like one of the best decades and the greatest times to be alive!!And not all episodes are equal.(*****)
One of M V's best episode. In the top 3.
mm-3911 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Michael Man made the movie Man Hunter and Shadow in the Dark is the short version of the movie. Before A M C and H B O Miami Vice made movie quality T V shows. Un like years of predictable 2 sets sit coms Miami Vice brought the movie experience to T V. The settings, music, grainy dark camera work, and sets gives a macro exterior movie feel for Shadow in the Dark. The creepy exterior night shots with a strange man walking around, breaking into houses blends perfectly into the story. The micro is the deeper meaning for Shadow in the Dark! Solid script brings out the strong acting of Johnson who has to get into the mind of the killer; The supporting cast provides insight for each scene which the viewer asks will Crockett go mad just like the previous detective? The bad guy has almost no dialogue, but the crazy physical acting makes each sequence more tense. There is a few plot twists and scripts devices which makes the story creepy. Interviews, false leads and conversations builds a story which keeps the viewers asking what will happen next? A memorable ending, spliced with an emotional aftermath makes for a power expatiation point episode.
Perhaps the best episode of the series
Besmircher23 February 2022
If this episode isn't the best in the series, it's certainly in the top-3 as one reviewer here stated, no question. I'm always into psychological thrillers, or mindscrews as they say, and this one was so well done I don't know where to begin.
Certainly the writing was more than solid, the acting top-notch. Johnson, who will never be confused with an Oscar winner, did one his best roles ever as he took us down the path of obsession and psychosis. This might be the beginning of Crockett's arc which culminates in his amnesia toward the end of season 4 where he believes he is, or rather becomes, his alter-ego, the ruthless Sonny Burnett. If this episode isn't he beginning of his arc of mental problems, it's certainly a catapult to it, because Crockett clearly had lingering issues at the end.
A great movie or show always requires a top-notch supporting cast. Jack Thibeau's Lt. Gilmore was incredible, and Vincent Caristi's Shadow was outstanding. For as good as Johnson was here, this episode would never have been as good without Thibeau and Caristi. Only possible critique is that John Diehl's Zito wasn't in it. But Diehl was on his way out of the series so I suppose his absence is understandable.
We can also mention Jan Hammer's scores, they were perfect for this episode. Then again, Hammer rarely got it wrong, if ever. And the fact they aired this on Halloween, you can't get a more perfect timing.
Season 3 had a smattering few hints that the show was downgrading from the consistency of the first two seasons, but Shadow In The Dark isn't one of them. Not by a long shot.
Certainly the writing was more than solid, the acting top-notch. Johnson, who will never be confused with an Oscar winner, did one his best roles ever as he took us down the path of obsession and psychosis. This might be the beginning of Crockett's arc which culminates in his amnesia toward the end of season 4 where he believes he is, or rather becomes, his alter-ego, the ruthless Sonny Burnett. If this episode isn't he beginning of his arc of mental problems, it's certainly a catapult to it, because Crockett clearly had lingering issues at the end.
A great movie or show always requires a top-notch supporting cast. Jack Thibeau's Lt. Gilmore was incredible, and Vincent Caristi's Shadow was outstanding. For as good as Johnson was here, this episode would never have been as good without Thibeau and Caristi. Only possible critique is that John Diehl's Zito wasn't in it. But Diehl was on his way out of the series so I suppose his absence is understandable.
We can also mention Jan Hammer's scores, they were perfect for this episode. Then again, Hammer rarely got it wrong, if ever. And the fact they aired this on Halloween, you can't get a more perfect timing.
Season 3 had a smattering few hints that the show was downgrading from the consistency of the first two seasons, but Shadow In The Dark isn't one of them. Not by a long shot.
Might have come after Manhunter.. but feels like it was written before hand and was a practice run for Manhunter
PatrynXX4 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
What can i say,probably the best episode of Miami Vice ever,ever made
ivo-cobra825 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Shadow in the Dark is one of the best episodes of M.V.ever made,here they show us how stressful this job can't really be and they show that this case can't be real and true case and how the real cops can't act,in the real case of burglary,this show,not only focus on undercover an drugs,they show us how the real cops work's and this is the first and real case in Miami Vice they show.I'can say only one thing season 3 of Miami Vice is one the best seasons ever made.I like all episodes of season 3,not needer one of the episodes was i hate,they were all the best.I like season 1 and season 3 of Miami Vice,hated season 2,4,5.The first season was good,but not the best,season 3 was the best,season 2 was bad,but did not ruined the show,the characters were the same but the episodes were bad almost all.But season 4 ruined this show i mean what the hell happened,Sonny and Rico are acting like clowns in the show and they are not regularly here,they kill them both,i wonder only one thing how they convince the cast to stay in the last season,season 5 was so bad that nobody don't wont to watch this show.I'can say only one thing stay with this season you loved and do not watch the last seasons.
Highly Derivative and Uncharacteristic Vice Story
J_Leatherwood20 January 2009
Having closely watched the first two seasons of Vice in succession, I have found the third season to be a mixed kettle. "Shadow in the Dark" is so obviously a small-screen adaptation of "Manhunter," Michael Mann must have simply decided to use his television show as free publicity for the film he was then producing. I found Sonny Crockett so unlike his previous self, becoming an obsessive profiler instead of the Vice cop we have grown familiar with. While there were some suitably eerie scenes and good direction, it did not feel like Vice. I don't mind if Crockett gets his own spotlight, but this story did not feel right for his character. Moreover, this case should have been handed over to Robbery or Homicide instead of Vice -- a common failing with many later Vice episodes. The entire premise feels contrived if one looks closely. 5 out of 10 is being generous.
Over the Top Melodramatic Psychodrama
WYAdams25 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This has to be among the worst episodes, if not the worst episode, of the show. The long melodramatic scenes of the psychotic burglar are repetitive to the point of being tedious. Just to add to the artificial melodrama, the police lieutenant chasing him is also psychotic. Then like an infectious disease, somehow Sonny becomes psychotically obsessed with his capture.
For what? Some nut case who breaks into houses, covers himself with flour, steals nothing of consequence, and harms absolutely no one. There is no reason for Sonny to become psychotically obsessed except for the melodrama, and that fails because it is illogical, and Don Johnson is not that good of an actor.
Then we have the over the top nervous breakdown of the woman he actually had contact with. What did he do to her to cause a nervous breakdown? He made her lay on the kitchen table and then he spread flour all over her. What an atrocity, no wonder she broke down, imagine having flour spread on you (that's sarcasm).
Castillo was his usual wooden self, standing around facing sideways or backwards to the camera head bowed, grunting orders.
Tubbs was about the only character acting at all normal, that is within the limitations of the acting ability of Thomas.
In summary, the reactions of the characters are contrived, and illogical.
The show needs to stay within the boundaries of what makes it a good show, scenery, car chases, more scenery, and action, because strong dramatic acting is not one of it's strong points as is made painfully clear by this episode.
For what? Some nut case who breaks into houses, covers himself with flour, steals nothing of consequence, and harms absolutely no one. There is no reason for Sonny to become psychotically obsessed except for the melodrama, and that fails because it is illogical, and Don Johnson is not that good of an actor.
Then we have the over the top nervous breakdown of the woman he actually had contact with. What did he do to her to cause a nervous breakdown? He made her lay on the kitchen table and then he spread flour all over her. What an atrocity, no wonder she broke down, imagine having flour spread on you (that's sarcasm).
Castillo was his usual wooden self, standing around facing sideways or backwards to the camera head bowed, grunting orders.
Tubbs was about the only character acting at all normal, that is within the limitations of the acting ability of Thomas.
In summary, the reactions of the characters are contrived, and illogical.
The show needs to stay within the boundaries of what makes it a good show, scenery, car chases, more scenery, and action, because strong dramatic acting is not one of it's strong points as is made painfully clear by this episode.
All wrong
xbatgirl-3002913 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It seems this is a love it or hate it episode. I'm in the hate it camp. Or close to hating it. Like others have said, this just isn't about Sonny's usual character. It's also a perfect example of why old fashioned, episodic tv stopped working. Don't get me wrong - there's a ton of episodic tv I love. But this is why so many hate it. No continuity. The whole time you're watching, you're annoyed this guy is just not Sonny. He's a total different guy. Great point from another reviewer that this isn't even a vice department case. It's robbery. It's like a script for a different show about a different cop. Plus, the whole time you know that it will all be forgotten by the next episode. Like it never happened. You can't just reset the show so completely with every episode and have it still work in the 21st century.
Also, I know the first woman who was attacked couldn't describe the guy while still in the hospital. But it's totally a plot hole that she's never given a chance to ID the first guy arrested in a line up. That's a no brainer. They arrest him and tell Sonny there's no way to prove they have the wrong guy? He wasn't even wearing a mask. And please, crazy people only act like this guy on tv. The director should have told the actor to tone it down a tad, with all his comical teeth chomping. But then he had the guy playing the crazy cop go too far over the top also, so yeah, it's all the director's choice I guess. I'd blame him even for what Don Johnson was doing that was so out of character. A whole bunch of bad choices.
Also, I know the first woman who was attacked couldn't describe the guy while still in the hospital. But it's totally a plot hole that she's never given a chance to ID the first guy arrested in a line up. That's a no brainer. They arrest him and tell Sonny there's no way to prove they have the wrong guy? He wasn't even wearing a mask. And please, crazy people only act like this guy on tv. The director should have told the actor to tone it down a tad, with all his comical teeth chomping. But then he had the guy playing the crazy cop go too far over the top also, so yeah, it's all the director's choice I guess. I'd blame him even for what Don Johnson was doing that was so out of character. A whole bunch of bad choices.
No believability whatsoever, mentally insulting
BRamsey17764 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Miami Vice does a lot of crazy stuff that stretches belief, and I'm usually okay with it. But this, this is just dumb, and it's a slap in the face to the viewer. There is no reason, none whatsoever, for Crockett to go crazy like he does. It doesn't make any sense. So he stares at the pictures all night and puts some flour on his nose and cheeks, and suddenly he becomes clairvoyant and can predict which night and which house the serial weirdo will strike next? WHATEVER, MAN!!! There have been some laughably bad moments here and there in the first 2+ seasons, but this is the first time I felt pained to have to watch the rest of the episode - it couldn't be over with soon enough! This is also the first time after an episode that I ran to IMDb to post a review, as a common courtesy warning to my fellow man. Do your brain a favor and skip this one.
The only episode I was tempted to skip through
kitteninbritches8 February 2021
I agree with other reviewers that MV episodes can be a mixed bag but this one hit a definite low. People form impressions of a character (as I'm sure the actors playing them do, even more so) and if you reach a point where you're thinking NO!!! This character is literally unrecognisable as Sonny...then the writers have gone completely off track. If I was DJ I'd have hated playing this role. As a one off in some single film, fair enough. Not here. He can act well but not with this unconvincing rubbish.
Real-world police work replaced by paranormal nonsense.
v-266402 January 2024
This episode went totally wrong in the end although it started fine.
It's unbelievable to think that in real world prowler wouldn't encounter house occupants that have either silent panic button connected to security agency, or gun under their pillow.
Then victim would use on of these and boom, prowler is caught or dead.
Give me a break. We're watching that all prowler's victims lived in grandiose houses / penthouse. They afforded to buy it so they couldn't have afforded even basic security installed???
A dog would also hear and spot the prowler immediately and alarm everyone by barking, and once it happened I don't think prowler would continue further.
To make things worse Lt Gilmore is portrait like some kind of cop that hurries up to catch the prowler without any disregard to shared collaboration with Vice. What would be the point of such hurry? Police can't be everywhere and can't protect every house. It takes time to find the offender.
Last final minutes when Gilmore use "paranormal skills" to point to the target house is absolutely nothing that intelligent person can buy. I believe episode director realised three quarters of already filmed episode went totally in wrong direction therefore tried to rescue it, which made the whole episode even worse. In real world you don't solve cases this way. You engage with informants, set traps, set up hidden areas surveillance, inform local residents in discretion to have guns under pillow or advise them to set up alarms in their houses.
None of this happened in this episode.
It's unbelievable to think that in real world prowler wouldn't encounter house occupants that have either silent panic button connected to security agency, or gun under their pillow.
Then victim would use on of these and boom, prowler is caught or dead.
Give me a break. We're watching that all prowler's victims lived in grandiose houses / penthouse. They afforded to buy it so they couldn't have afforded even basic security installed???
A dog would also hear and spot the prowler immediately and alarm everyone by barking, and once it happened I don't think prowler would continue further.
To make things worse Lt Gilmore is portrait like some kind of cop that hurries up to catch the prowler without any disregard to shared collaboration with Vice. What would be the point of such hurry? Police can't be everywhere and can't protect every house. It takes time to find the offender.
Last final minutes when Gilmore use "paranormal skills" to point to the target house is absolutely nothing that intelligent person can buy. I believe episode director realised three quarters of already filmed episode went totally in wrong direction therefore tried to rescue it, which made the whole episode even worse. In real world you don't solve cases this way. You engage with informants, set traps, set up hidden areas surveillance, inform local residents in discretion to have guns under pillow or advise them to set up alarms in their houses.
None of this happened in this episode.
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