A madman on a suicide mission. A hero in personal crisis. An early, strong stance for gay rights. A prolonged shoot-out in slow-motion to music by Peter Gabriel in the finale. I really don’t know how it’s possible to do a more complete episode of a tv series than »Miami Vice« season 01 episode 21, »Evan«.
It’s easy to make fun of Miami Vice. The colour matching takes, the absurdity of Sonny Crocket’s living on a boat with an alligator pet. The series often became a parody of itself and you sometimes wonder how it could be so important at the time.
Well, re-watching »Evan« you realize it’s not that strange.
»Evan« may the best episode that’s ever been done for a tv series. It’s more intense than »The City That Bleeds« from »Homicide: Life on the Streets« when Bolander, Howard and Felton are gunned down in a raid. It’s more moving than »Two Cathedrals« in »West Wing« when president Bartlet announces he’s going to run for a second term. It beats »My Boss’ Free Hair Cut« in »Scrubs« and the Facebook episode of »IT Crowd«.
And everything about »Evan« is about the scene at the gas station.
I get goosebumps just by writing that: The scene at the gas station. Not only was it arguably the best performance by Don Johnson throughout the series but also allowed for the issue of discrimination of gay police. It’s notable that it was recorded in 1985.
It’s all about Evan Freed, a psychopat who drinks whiskey for breakfast and is portrayed in all insanity by a brilliant William Russ. When Tubbs and Crocket go undercover, they meet Evan, who works as a gunrunner’s right hand. He questions their motives, argues over money and you get the feeling that this deal is going to go down badly.
On their way back, Tubbs is not impressed.
»Talkin’ about baaad chemistry. I’m gonna enjoy poppin’ that dude Evan.«
Sonny doesn’t even look at him.
»We’re not gonna pop him. He’s a cop.«
You should watch the whole episode, but if you won’t, you should miss the gas station scene. With Jan Hammer’s music, it’s just one of the best there is.
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