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After a perfect, superior, and gritty opening where a young Vice cop is bleeding to death in the arms of Tubbs after an explosion of a rigged hotel room, accompanied in the background of an awesome and striking tune of Thinkman's Best Adventures. The episode then focuses on a Tubbs that we haven't seen before. Tubbs who shocks the audience, quits the force and tosses his badge away and gives Crockett, Castillo, and Switek the cold shoulder and teams up with the bad guys. Is Tubbs really now going over to the other side or is this a game he is playing to snuff out the leak of this major problem?This is the riveting story that is told in yet another perfect episode from 3 and is thrilling and exciting than any episode from the first two seasons or last two. Nothing beats 3. NOTHING! Another gem! Red Tape tells another great story, with superb characters, sizzling music, perfect and slick action set pieces, along with beautiful and moody cinematic cinematography from the master Oliver Wood. The episode has many first's of Miami Vice, that include the character Tubbs. It's usually Crockett who gets most of the spotlight, but in 3 it was the only time where Tubbs was included in many juicy story lines. The other seasons of Vice which were very weak, had many thin and uninteresting stories that involved Tubbs. Not 3! This story really showcases Tubbs, I mean Philip Michael Thomas talent as an actor.There are so many great scenes in this episode that involve Tubbs that you don't see the other characters ever perform in the show. Memorable scenes such as:1. Tubbs throwing his badge on the ground in rage in front of Castillo and walking away with satisfaction. The line he tells him is classic, "I rather play the lottery in New York City, than Russian Rollutte in Miami. I quit." 2. Tubbs going insane at a loan business office and throwing a chair against a glass panel and breaking it in pieces and screaming, "I want my damn money and I want it now!!! CLASSIC! 3. Another memorable scene of Crockett and Tubbs having a discussion in the interrogation room about Tubbs mishap. A great moment in the scene is when Tubbs pushes Crockett's arm away and yells out, "I don't have a partner anymore". Then Crockett says to him, "Let me tell you something pal. You start dealing with loan sharks and Castillo will do more than suspend you. Tubbs replies, "Who's Castillo."All these great moments tells us one thing. Has Tubbs really gone over the edge? Are the Producers intention is to kill off Tubbs? Has Philip Michael Thomas had enough of this show? That was hotter than ever. What's happening here? All these questions would be answered as the episode progressed with an all out thrilling and emotional climax. The climax that is highlighted by the Alan Parson's Project's gripping and great song "Closer to Heaven" which is used to pace the climax and editing together so perfectly and emotionally. What a climax! Pure Vice! Pure classic. You won't be able to take your eyes off this episode. A lot of surprises and another reason why 3 is the greatest of Vice!
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