Intriguing Twist: Magnum PI Season 5 Wraps Up with an Unforgettable Finale, Assures Showrunner

Summary

Magnum P.I. season 5 won't end with a cliffhanger, serving as a satisfying series finale without the need for changes or edits.

Showrunner Eric Guggenheim takes pride in the finale and considers it a satisfactory conclusion, even though there are certain unresolved aspects that would have been addressed in a hypothetical sixth season. Guggenheim's intention was to avoid cliffhangers, as they have often caused backlash for other shows. He acknowledges that although it may not be his preferred ending, it still achieves its purpose effectively.

Magnum P.I. showrunner Eric Guggenheim assures fans that season 5 will not conclude with a cliffhanger, and instead, it can serve as a satisfactory series finale. The reboot of the beloved Tom Selleck action series, led by Jay Hernandez and Perdita Weeks, recently returned to NBC with its final ten episodes. While the teasers for Magnum P.I. season 5 part 2 hinted at a significant announcement for Thomas Magnum (Hernandez) and Juliet Higgins (Weeks), audiences can rest assured that the show will provide resolution.

In a conversation with TVLine, Guggenheim discusses the conclusion of Magnum P.I. The showrunner firmly dismisses the possibility of making any edits or reintroducing familiar characters once the SAG-AFTRA strike concludes. Guggenheim acknowledges that the ending may not align with his original vision for the reboot. However, he asserts that the last episode "undoubtedly fulfills" the role of a series finale without requiring any alterations. Guggenheim's statement is as follows:

I find it quite satisfying and I am genuinely proud of the finale. Although there are a few loose ends that would have been addressed in Season 6, I opted not to leave it on a cliffhanger. To be honest, I wanted to be cautious since many shows have suffered from unresolved plotlines. While it may not be my ideal ending, I believe it works perfectly as the final episode of the series. Therefore, there is no need to revisit and revise.

Why Magnum P.I. Was Cancelled By NBC

The cancellation of Magnum P.I. was determined by the expiration of the cast's contracts on June 30. NBC's Universal TV, the producer of the reboot with CBS Studios, had to decide whether to extend the contracts or end the series completely. Given the uncertainty of when production could resume due to the writers strike and subsequent actors strike, NBC chose to cancel the show. It is worth mentioning that the writers strike has since ended, and the actors are currently negotiating for a fair contract.

Although Magnum P.I. season 5 performed well for NBC, it experienced a decline compared to its numbers on CBS. When considering the delayed viewing and non-live viewership, the reboot has an average of 5 million viewers. This represents a 30 percent decrease in total viewership compared to its time on CBS and a 43 percent decline in the important 18-49 age demographic. However, it should be noted that Magnum P.I. season 5 part 1 aired on Sundays after reruns, which may have influenced its performance.

The conclusion of Magnum P.I. can be attributed to the decline in original scripted programming. In 2022, there were 599 scripted originals, excluding animated shows and non-US series. However, this number is expected to decrease by about half in the future as studios and streamers produce fewer programs. Given this context, it is reassuring to know that the reboot of Magnum P.I. will not leave its viewers with unanswered questions.