A Closer Look at "Smuggler's Blues"

[@CoatiMundiWorld]

Someone on social media recently turned me on to this MV channel and now I’m doing a mini-binge. Nice one! You did an exemplary job breaking this episode down and pointing out how the various creative and technical elements team up to propel the story and create an arc. The mix of film styles indeed made this a special episode. P.M. Glaser was on his "A Game." In regards to the poster mentioned. Piñero along with fellow poet, the renowned Pedro Pietri was associated with the Puerto Rican revolutionary organization, Young Lords. The group in the 60s/70’s was in solidarity with other political and student groups in Latin America. Luis Colindres was prominent in the 70s for his political activities as a student. When he was assassinated in ’82 the news reverberated throughout the Latino community. My guess and it is only a guess, is that Piñero (or perhaps Pietri) had a copy of the poster and contributed it to the production as a tribute to the fallen activist. Paz

[@lazarusagame]

Thanks for your comments. To me, this episode, more than any other, is so fascinating when you peel back all the layers of creativity from top to bottom. Also, I truly appreciate your input on the Luis Colindres poster. It does add some very interesting history to the time and place. Thank you so much for watching!

[@lazarusagame]

@CoatiMundiWorld Good afternoon! I have been approached by one of the producers of the Miami Vice 40th Anniversary Reunion and they are looking for you. They would love to get you to be a part of it.

[@jeshkam]

I wasn't aware of 85% of that stuff, wow! You gotta pay real attention while watching MV. Thank you, please do more of that kind of stuff!

[@lazarusagame]

You're right, JM. It's no wonder fans of the show are still so passionate about it decades later. Thank you for watching!

[@jeshkam]

@@lazarusagame Exactly! Best wishes from Poland! 😎

[@craigkearns6425]

MV is my all time favorite show and Smuggler’s Blues my favorite episode. It always had the best “atmosphere” but now I’m seeing it in a whole new light and it just got better. The fact that Paul Michael Glaser directed it (MV was the spiritual successor to Starsky and Hutch) and written by Miguel Pinero (MV royalty) makes it even more special. Thankyou for this video from a lifelong fan of Vice.

[@lazarusagame]

Hi Craig. This is definitely my favorite episode of the entire series, as well. It's just so well put together and has such a great story. Speaking of Glaser, I've actually made a trailer for an episode of "Starsky and Hutch". I haven't released it, as I'm not real happy with the way it turned out. Anyway, thank you so much for watching this video. It's great to see fans of Miami Vice are still so passionate about the show. Thanks again!

[@AK-rp9dz]

Miami Vice was a piece of art. I missed not a single episode when the show appeared on german TV in 1987.

[@lazarusagame]

Oh, man! You're so right about it being art! It's great to see fans of the show from around the world! Thanks so much for watching!

[@ricksegal3065]

Truly excellent directing and a great script not to mention the acting was superb.

[@lazarusagame]

Absolutely. Such great talent all around on this episode! Thank you for watching, Rick!

[@kd4pba]

That espisode is absolute ledgend. What a team. MIchael Mann, and Paul Michael Glaser. Miguel created a masterpiece. Just damn.

[@lazarusagame]

Right on! It's still my favorite episode of the entire series. Thanks for watching, Christopher!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

VERY interesting link between the film version (2006) and this (of course the film version was based on this episode). I'd love to see a video about the links and 'nods' to the original series that were in the film, because there were many. My favourite is the track called A500 from the soundtrack of the film which was used when they were running the drugs in an Adam A500 aircraft. Try playing that track, then Crockett's Theme from the series, and then A500 again (both are on KZbin). You can actually hear Crockett's Theme running clearly through A500!

[@lazarusagame]

I'll have to check out those two tracks together! I did a film/series comparison video a while back (I should probably do an updated version). Here's that old one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGSXhKechrWnrbs Thanks so much for watching!

[@MOTAHOLIC]

@@lazarusagame That was excellent! (And I noticed that I commented on it 2 years ago!). You picked up many references that I missed. If you look in movie Trailer 2 you'll see a shot of the grey Ferrari F430 accelerating away from a tailing camera shot very similar to in Season 4 Death And The Lady. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3qloH-waJmqsLc

[@evanescapades2513]

Wow!!!!!! Even more of a superior show for me now!!!!!!!

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for watching, Evan!

[@pcproducti0ns]

Please do more of these. That was fantastic!

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for your kind words, Paul. It's great to know fans of the show still have so much passion for the series. Thanks for watching!

[@tube7673]

Thank you. Makes me appreciate Miami Vice and the genus mind of Michael Mann.

[@lazarusagame]

I absolutely agree. It's amazing these episodes were made for network television! Mann definitely changed TV forever. Thank you so much for watching!

[@SIKE01]

one of the best episodes of the greatest TV series of all-time!!

[@lazarusagame]

It's definitely my favorite episode of the series. Thanks so much for watching, Sike01!

[@chrism5792]

I love Miami Vice. True groundbreaking television. This video is an eye opener into one of my favorite episodes.

[@lazarusagame]

It's great to see fans are still so passionate about the show still today. Thanks so much for watching, Chris. Much appreciated!

[@retro-dademusic6403]

Absolutely superb work! Thanks for letting me be apart of it! 😎

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much, Dadrian! You are the man!

[@retro-dademusic6403]

@@lazarusagame *gif of Crockett giving Tubbs the high five in “Child’s Play” when Tubbs says “Look, I love you, Man”. 😎

[@slantfish65sd]

I remember watching this back in the day the show Miami vice and this particular episode smugglers blues One thing I never did completely grasp and fully get what's with the kid dancing in the nightclub on that little stage over to the right hand side of the nightclub when they go in and you see the scene and there's Crockett tubs. They're going to meet this guy to talk to him and here's this kid over here dancing. Maybe it's an artistic thing??????????

[@lazarusagame]

Hi Sam. That is a great question. I have my theory on the what the young boy symbolizes, but I was not confident enough to put it into the video. Every so often, Paul Michael Glaser has Zoom calls where he talks about his art and people can ask him questions. I registered too late for the last one and missed that opportunity, but if I ever get an answer from him, I will be sure to pass it along. Thanks so much for watching!

[@CincoDave27]

And I thought I was a fan... this is awesome!!

[@lazarusagame]

Haaa! 😀 Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks so much for watching, Evil Betty!

[@10.11.9]

Superbly narrated. I have watched this episode several times but did not pick up on any of the foreshadowing and cryptic themes. 'Smuggler's Blues' by Glenn Frey is one of my favorite tracks from the 1980s. There are about a half-dozen from 'Miami Vice' in total.

[@lazarusagame]

Thanks for the kind words, Mode85. I love Frey's song, as well! There was so much great music throughout the series! Thank you for watching!

[@10.11.9]

@@lazarusagame My pleasure.

[@dangarza4348]

Well done. Thanks for sharing!

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for the kind words, Dan. Thanks so much for watching!

[@sonnyblack5253]

I had no idea it went thus deep.Great work.

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you Sonny! I think Glaser's directing is something really special on this episode. Thanks for watching!

[@vinced5741]

Great analysis. I'm happy to still hear new details of my favourite show. Thank you.

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for the kind words, Vince. To this day, it still amazes me that Miami Vice was on network television. It's a truly wonderful series. Thanks for watching!

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

This channel should have 100,000 subs easy

[@lazarusagame]

Thanks so much for those kind words!

[@tmn8547]

Wow! Character placement is so important in this episode. Plays a big part. 👏👏

[@lazarusagame]

Paul Michael Glaser's direction really turned this into something special. Thanks so much for watching! Much appreciated!

[@carliekween]

Dawg, I’m only at the beginning of this video and I’m already loving it! I don’t usually pay attention to the camera blocking stuff unless it’s really obvious, I analyze the fashion and backgrounds more. Can’t wait to watch the rest of this vid

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for your kind words! It's great to see fans of the show enjoy this episode as much as I do. It's creative on so many levels. Thanks for watching, Carlie! Much appreciated!

[@isaachaze1]

I never even thought anything about he mustang, but now that you pointed it out, I'll add it wasn't just a mustang, but a white mustang (man on the white horse). great breakdown! Hard to imagine the other scene with who do you love playing.

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for the kind words, Isaac. I'm so glad fans of the show appreciate this episode as much as I do. Thanks for watching!

[@TheRealKiDJ]

Really good video man!

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much, MrCrockett! I appreciate your kind words!

[@WFO.]

Excellent breakdown and learn a lot. Thank you 🏝️

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad people enjoy this episode as much as I do. Thanks so much for watching!

[@lindacollins903]

The director's job is very important. Interesting that Don Johnson directed the episodes with Melanie Griffith and Patti D'Arbanville

[@manufrancq4622]

Excellent ! Thank you !

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much for watching, Manu! Much appreciated!

[@manufrancq4622]

@@lazarusagame Great job! I mean it!

[@saleemwaheed9956]

Wonderful insight!

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much for watching, Saleem!

[@yabbadabba1975]

Colindras was a leader of one of the many movements to return control of Guatemala and other central American countries to the control of the citizens.. He was an "anti drug trafficking" candidate. The people considered that time to be a period of revolution to retake their country. There were quite a few of these revolutionaries at that time.

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much for the information. I truly appreciate it. It's always interesting to hear about these little pieces of history that are not well-known. Thanks so much for watching!

[@cameraman655]

Wow, Paul “Starsky” Glaser directed this penultimate Miami Vice episode, I never knew.👍

[@lazarusagame]

Yes, it's my favorite episode of the entire series. I'm obsessed with Glaser's direction and music choices. Absolutely stunning. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Olivira210]

Miami Vice и через сто лет будут пересматривать! Это великолепная работа всех, кто создавал его❤❤❤👍👍

[@lazarusagame]

Благодарю вас за ваши добрые слова. Я рад, что тебе нравится мое видео. Большое спасибо за просмотр, Ольга!

[@Victory1507ci]

1:30- Gina needs to be shielded at the station???

[@clarissawestbrook2203]

My favorite episodes of Miami Vice are a three way tie between Calderone's Return's Parts 1 and 2, The Maze and Sons and Lovers. This was a nice breakdown of your favorite episode of the series. Have you thought about doing a ranking video of your favorite episodes of Miami Vice? #80sforever #MiamiViceforever 🦩🦩🌊🌊🏖️🏖️🐚🐚👙👙🩴🩴🌴🌴🥥🥥

[@lazarusagame]

Hi Clarissa! You list some great episodes! I've never really thought about making a ranking video. It's definitely something to consider. Thanks so much for watching!

[@markmorris76]

Excellent

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for your kind words. I felt this episode deserved a little more attention. Thanks so much for watching, Mark! I truly appreciate it!

[@joeharris2082]

How much of the imagery/concept is attributed to Glaser vs Pinero vs John Nicollela ?

[@lazarusagame]

Hi Joe! That's a great question. A few people on miamiviceonline.com had similar questions. I wish I had all the answers. It's a shame these things are being discussed decades after the series. After reading Piñero's script, he really did not have any instruction for blocking and he wrote very few movements of the camera, so I would GUESS that it was mostly some combination of Glaser/Mann/Nicollela. Thanks so much for watching!

[@trenttrueblood7881]

Awesome.

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you for your kind word. I'm so glad fans of the show love this episode as much as I do. Thanks so much for watching, Trent! Much appreciated!

[@enjoyingrailroading1013]

Thanks...

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@mariamery7025]

Vi toda la serie completa la música increíble actores phill collins

[@lazarusagame]

Estoy muy contento de que los fanáticos del programa estén disfrutando de mis videos. Muchas gracias por ver, María.

[@jordangarrick669]

Luis Colindres bears a close physical resemblance to Pablo Escobar....maybe that is why the posters were so prominent? Escobar was at the height of his powers in the mid to late eighties; although he is associated more with Medellin than Cartagena.

[@lazarusagame]

Hi Jordan! That's an interesting observation. Thank you for watching!

[@DeboniousMaximus]

Oops thought this was a glen frey video

[@lazarusagame]

😆 I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

[@shantoreywilkins651]

#1st 🌏🌎🌍 #loveit

[@lazarusagame]

Thank you so much, Shantorey!