Dirty cops, Santeria ritualistic homicides of two shady police officers, and the "confiscation" of Crockett's Ferrari Spyder--you just know that you are in for a treat with this much going on. We see that Olmos' Lt. Castillo has extensive knowledge regarding the religion of Santeria and how he wants to talk with the man who killed the two cops, who had left behind certain tell-tale signs of why he committed the murders. Castillo turns to a priestess(played by Eartha Kitt!)with expertise in Santeria, perhaps with the ability to arrange a meeting with the killer. Brue MacVittie is the ringleader, officer David Blakeney, behind the group of dirty cops who had been skimming from drug dealers, using the money to pay off debts/bills, waging a war with them when the kidnapping of a boy leads to multiple murders on both sides, escalating in a major shootout at the end. Martin Ferrero returns as Izzy, Crockett's go-to street snitch, who tries to help Sonny get his Ferrari back from department debt collector Robert Trebor(who nearly becomes alligator food when he meets Elvis while looking for the keys to Sonny's car while looking in the cabin of Crockett's boat!). This episode is a bit more lighthearted that others, following Crockett's tribulations retrieving his Ferrari and how he instigates a bar fight with Blakeney and his boys which results in fisticuffs. WHATEVER WORKS is yet another episode which reveals aspects of the enigma which is Lt. Martin Castillo.
6 Reviews
Voodoo Vice
Tweekums11 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Series two continues with another great episode containing plenty of action and a few good laughs. The story opens with two South Beach cops found dead in their car surrounded by voodoo paraphernalia. These items lead Castillo and his team to believe they were killed because they were corrupt after they consult an expert. With this going on everybody is jumpy, the crooks are opening fire on cops fearing revenge and the other South Beach cops are worried they will be next.
If this isn't enough to worry about Crockett has to contend with some petty official who wants to take his Ferrari and auction it as it is officially city property, this sub plot involves an appearance of Elvis the alligator and comedy relief Izzy Moreno who was more amusing than I recall him being in season one.
As well as the regulars this episode features guest appearances by Eartha Kitt as a voodoo priestess and Duran Duran's John Taylor as a singer in a local club.
If this isn't enough to worry about Crockett has to contend with some petty official who wants to take his Ferrari and auction it as it is officially city property, this sub plot involves an appearance of Elvis the alligator and comedy relief Izzy Moreno who was more amusing than I recall him being in season one.
As well as the regulars this episode features guest appearances by Eartha Kitt as a voodoo priestess and Duran Duran's John Taylor as a singer in a local club.
Lots Of Material & Characters In Here, But 'Izzy' Stands Out As The Most Entertaining
ccthemovieman-116 June 2007
Two cops are found murdered in their car in South Beach, away from their jurisdiction. It looks like a ritual killing with voodoo-type stuff left on the dashboard as a message. One dumb cop acts immature as vows quick revenge and Castillo has to tell him to calm down.
Meanwhile, in a funny scene aboard Sonny's boat, some "dork" comes with papers to confiscate his beloved Ferrari. Crockett's pet alligator "Elvis" scares the man away. Izzy comes by and hears what's going on and has a funny take on the situation. Izzy's dialog was always good stuff.
Eartha Kitt guest stars as a "santeria priestess." Why does Kitt always play some voodoo witch? I've seen her in this kind of role at least three times. Well, her character in this role lived well; her house was fabulous. Castillo (Edward James Olmos), of course, pays her great respect. He has total disdain for "organized religion," he says early on, yet takes voodoo seriously. What an idiot. If Hollywood promotes voodoo as something serious and real and the Bible as nonsense, what does that tell you?
Anyway, it turns out there is a possibility the good guys might be dealing with a case of crooked cops, too. Is that what this murder was all about? What's the voodoo connection? What's the story with these two young gung-ho cops that are pictured a few times bullying people? Will Sonny have to get a new car?
All these questions, and a few more, are answered in this pretty entertaining episode. I still think Martin Ferrerro as "Izzy" was easily the best character in this show, as he demonstrated in this week's episode.
This episode has some nice, stylish shots and good music, but that's par for the course. The action scenes looked hokey, though. I guess you can't have everything especially with this program which was a real mixed bag: great and stupid stuff, but usually entertaining, which is the name of the game.
Meanwhile, in a funny scene aboard Sonny's boat, some "dork" comes with papers to confiscate his beloved Ferrari. Crockett's pet alligator "Elvis" scares the man away. Izzy comes by and hears what's going on and has a funny take on the situation. Izzy's dialog was always good stuff.
Eartha Kitt guest stars as a "santeria priestess." Why does Kitt always play some voodoo witch? I've seen her in this kind of role at least three times. Well, her character in this role lived well; her house was fabulous. Castillo (Edward James Olmos), of course, pays her great respect. He has total disdain for "organized religion," he says early on, yet takes voodoo seriously. What an idiot. If Hollywood promotes voodoo as something serious and real and the Bible as nonsense, what does that tell you?
Anyway, it turns out there is a possibility the good guys might be dealing with a case of crooked cops, too. Is that what this murder was all about? What's the voodoo connection? What's the story with these two young gung-ho cops that are pictured a few times bullying people? Will Sonny have to get a new car?
All these questions, and a few more, are answered in this pretty entertaining episode. I still think Martin Ferrerro as "Izzy" was easily the best character in this show, as he demonstrated in this week's episode.
This episode has some nice, stylish shots and good music, but that's par for the course. The action scenes looked hokey, though. I guess you can't have everything especially with this program which was a real mixed bag: great and stupid stuff, but usually entertaining, which is the name of the game.
Top drawer episode of "Vice" with style and substance
DVD_Connoisseur24 May 2007
"Whatever Works" starts with the atmospheric, voodoo-like, ritualistic killing of a police officer. This causes tensions to run high and Castillo is as calmly detached as always.
The episode is well-paced, well-scripted and amazingly good to watch. Crockett shows his casualness towards the female of the species, caring only for his beloved Ferrari which has been repossessed by the local authorities to balance the books.
To lighten things up, Martin Ferrero's Izzy Moreno is back, now accompanied by a new sidekick.
For fans of Duran Duran's John Taylor, there's an appearance from the man himself and a performance from The Power Station, playing "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" with Michael Des Barres replacing Robert Palmer. All good stuff.
On the guest star front, Eartha Kitt plays the mysterious Priestess Chata.
Full marks for this one. It's action packed, exciting and amusing. 10 out of 10.
The episode is well-paced, well-scripted and amazingly good to watch. Crockett shows his casualness towards the female of the species, caring only for his beloved Ferrari which has been repossessed by the local authorities to balance the books.
To lighten things up, Martin Ferrero's Izzy Moreno is back, now accompanied by a new sidekick.
For fans of Duran Duran's John Taylor, there's an appearance from the man himself and a performance from The Power Station, playing "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" with Michael Des Barres replacing Robert Palmer. All good stuff.
On the guest star front, Eartha Kitt plays the mysterious Priestess Chata.
Full marks for this one. It's action packed, exciting and amusing. 10 out of 10.
Love this one!
xbatgirl-300291 June 2021
This might be one of my favorite episodes so far in the series, written by the great Maurice Hurley. There's so much going on here to make it stand out (some episodes have a little too much generic, faceless gang shootouts in my opinion). Of course I loved the surprise cameo by Power Station, not just John Taylor and Michael Des Barres, but also Andy Taylor and Tony Thompson who are not credited. The inclusion of Santeria was surprisingly respectful for the time, and seems to imply the Captain may, at least at one time, may have been a practitioner. I love whenever background is added to the main characters. Of course Eartha Kitt is always divine. I do wish the bad guys were a bit more developed because final confrontation would have had more emotional impact, but there's just so much you can do in 45-50 minutes.
Season 2 was a bit of a let down!
mm-3921 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Season 2 was a bit of a let down! Whatever Works well when I was 15 was exciting but lame at the same time. Well there is a shake down by cops on drug dealers and there is hell to pay for the cop via voodoo style. Watching this episode at Tony's when I was fifteen we all got a laugh. The over the top video M T V meeting with LT Costeo and the shoot out which lead to the meeting was too much in an 80's way. I believe season 2 was trying to spices the series up in a M T V way! Entertains myself at 15 years of age but now in my old age I find Whatever Works looks silly. Well directed and acted, but just a little too much on the M T V side. Liked in my teenage years, but now as an adult not so much. I will split the difference and give Whatever Works' 5 stars.
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