Miami Vice (TV Series) Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List (1984) User Reviews

A stunning episode - thrills, spills and unexpected twists for the show

[DVD_Connoisseur · 9/10 · 2 March 2007]

"Calderone's Return" starts in an undramatic fashion with a light-hearted pre-titles sequence involving Zito and Switek on surveillance duties. As soon as the theme tune and credits have ended, the show shifts gear and the action begins. When the men that Zito and Switek are assassinated by a professional hit-man, a list turns up with Crockett's name as a future target. Crockett's life is never a simple one - he is faced with the double whammy of a potential divorce or the possibility of a swift death from an assassin's bullet. To make matters worse, it transpires that Calderone himself has requested the hits.

Jan Hammer recognises the need for some first-class music in this episode and we are provided with the first appearance of the excellent "Crockett's Theme". Even the Pointer Sisters are "So Excited" at the ensuing action that unfolds.

Ending on a dramatic freeze frame and the sound of squealing tyres, we are advised that this tale is "To Be Continued".

9 out of 10. A genuinely exciting and emotional episode.

Calderone's Return Part 1

[Scarecrow-88 · 9/10 · 19 February 2010]

In this haunting episode of Miami Vice(..of a two-parter), Crockett is the target of a hit-man, his name part of a hit list arranged by Colombian gangster Calderone who is living it up in the Bahamas. Crockett's attempts at building a reconciliation with his wife are interrupted by the whole situation regarding being marked for death. Tragedy strikes when an attempted assassination fails as Rodriguez took a bullet aimed for Crockett, placing him in critical care with little hope for recovery. What makes this particular episode so strong is that Crockett is unsure of the identity of the man hired to kill him and the knowledge that he could be anywhere(..notice a great scene where Crockett peers at buildings' windows, on edge, even pulling a gun on a man handing him his dropped cigarette pack). Also, the idea that this killer endangers his family(..while also intruding on a last ditch effort to defy divorce proceedings)has Crockett concerned. With car chases(..including a memorable finale as Tubbs races against time, putting pedal to metal, to make it to Crockett's house in order to inform him of impending doom)and gunplay, this episode has plenty of suspense and action. Most people always remember Edward James Olmos as the boss of Crockett and Tubbs, but it wasn't because Gregory Sierra wasn't capable as Lt. Lou Rodriguez, in fact, right the opposite..it's just that he's only in three and a half episodes. Too bad Sierra couldn't have remained a vital part of the show a little while longer, because I think his work opposite Johnson, despite plenty of heated exchanges, you see that they cared for each other and were dedicated in catching the bad guys. Startling revelation concludes this episode as Crockett and Tubbs plan to take a trip to the Bahamas, tending to some unfinished business.

Sonny is on a hit list!

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 10 March 2012]

The episode opens with a couple of drug dealers who were under surveillance getting shot and killed; the police give chase and find the place he was staying. They don't catch him but they find a list of names; six are dead and number eight is Sonny Crockett! This happens just as it looks as though Sonny might be working things out with his estranged wife. As he is collecting his gear from his boat the hit man takes a shot at him but instead hits and seriously wounds Lt. Rodriguez. When they catch up with number seven on the list they get an opportunity to catch the killer; indeed it looks as if they have their man in custody until there is another death; they must get to Sonny before the killer does!

This was a top notch episode with plenty of action; including several shootings and a great brawl in a nightclub. While the title suggests the episode will be about Calderone he doesn't actually appear in this episode; it is however believed that he was the one who hired the killer. I had feared that all the personal stuff between Sonny and his wife would distract from the main story but in fact it fitted in well as she was almost caught in the crossfire. Talking of crossfire I was surprised when the Lieutenant was shot and even more surprised with the revelation that he had died at the end; when I first saw this I hadn't expected a major character to be killed off so soon. If part one contained this much action I can't wait to see how much there is in part two!

Vice gets real

[Mr-Fusion · 8/10 · 26 October 2016]

Action scenes and character drama; 'The Hit List' has both, and it's a great ride from start to finish. The fact that Calderone's making his big return isn't a spoiler, but nevertheless, this first part's focus on Crockett keeps the larger story shrouded in secret. Sonny's the target of an assassin, while at the same time dealing with his own crumbling marriage. This sets the stage for the show's penchant for putting Crockett under the microscope and watching him squirm.

It's a twisty, bullet-ridden episode throughout, and it saves its main bad guy for the back half. That, together with a classic freeze frame make for a great cliffhanger ending.

8/10

awesome episode

[Yiannis-T · 10/10 · 20 December 2020]

One of the best episodes.the team is after an assasin ,who has Sonny under his hitlist.super action,awesome music in this awesome episode!

Great "kill" early on...

[filmklassik · 8/10 · 16 July 2016]

-- featuring an assassin who's faster than the Sundance Kid gunning down a Miami drug dealer's armed bodyguard. The shooting is quick, stylish, and scary -- worthy of something you might see in a well-directed feature film.

But the episode has its wonky moments, too, like the brash Lieutenant who's no sooner ordered Crockett to join his family in protective custody for his own safety (Crockett's on the "Sundance assassin"'s hit list, y'see) then he tells him to swing by his houseboat to grab some clean clothes.

Riiiiiiight. As if a rookie cop couldn't have stopped by and picked up the clothes instead.

But no, even though Crockett is being targeted by the greatest assassin in the Western Hemisphere, his Lieutentant still has him go home to get some fresh underwear.

Insane.

One of the better episodes!

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 7 August 2018]

Calderone's return is a solid episode. Reasons for a solid episode which cemented me as a regular viewer are: The story of a hit man who likes black coffee and sprinkles donuts is the hook which keeps the viewer watching. Surveillance, a silly smile and wham the hit man hits in surprise attack unravels before the viewers eyes. Character development comes together for the vice squad, which the viewers learns about the new series characters as the squad tracks the hit man. The viewer experience a blend of 80's Miami, gritty characters, and music videos. The twist in Calderone's Return's story is when Crockett learns that he himself is on the hit list. A surprise hit and someone saves Crockett's life, and we learn why Crockett's marriages dissolves. Quite the memorable ending. 8 stars out of 10.

Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 28 October 2022]

The episode is a bit of a game changer. It marks the end of Lieutenant Lou Rodriguez who is shot dead as he tries to push Crockett out of the way.

In reality actor Gregory Sierra had difficulties in settling down in Miami and departed from the series.

It also marks the end of Sonny Crockett and Caroline's marriage. They seem to have reconciled but here it seems a cop's life is just too dangerous.

There is an assassin on the loose in Miami. A dealer called Felix Castranova and who is being watched by Miami police is shot down.

It comes to light that Crockett is also on the hit list and needs to go on protective custody with his family. However they are still not safe.

After Rodriguez's death. Crockett and Tubbs find out that Calderone is behind it all and they go after him in the Bahamas.

It is only the fourth episode and it shakes things up. Crockett is going to be single and footloose that allows him to womanize. There will be a new boss for the vice squad.

The episode also marks the debut of Crockett's theme. Once again showing how important music is to the series.