72 The Big Thaw

Miami Vice

Episode 72

The Big Thaw

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Original air date: 10/23/1987

Original working title: Soul On Ice.

Principal filming dates: 08/24/1987 thru 09/01/1987

The teaser opens with Crockett and Tubbs waiting outside the Fountain of Youth Nursing Home. They await the arrival of Stan who pulls up to the front (west side). This was filmed on location at the former South Beach Elementary School, 1050 4th Street, Miami Beach. Thanks to miamijimf who figured out where this scene was filmed.

South Pointe Elementary School has since been constructed on the site. It has been reported that the new school was constructed on the foundation of the old school but that is not true. They were built on the same lot but not in the exact same spot.

C+T

2011

1986

2011

They go inside and discover a cryo lab. Filmed on location inside the old school.

Then we see the standard season 4 opening montage.

Act 1 opens inside the OCB. Filmed on set at Greenwich Studios.

Then we see Crockett and Tubbs return to the lab. Filmed on location at South Beach Elementary School, 1050 4th Street, Miami Beach.

As they walk out of the building we se the Miami Beach Housing Authority Building in the background. This building helped to locate this filming location.

Then we return to the OCB, filmed on set at the studio.

Then we see Crockett and Tubbs on the road. They are driving by the Lindsley Home Center which was located at 2160 SW 27th Avenue, in Miami. Thanks to DanJ for sussing out this location and for the use of his re-creation photo.

Then we see them arrive back at the lab. Filmed on location at the South Beach Elementary School.

Then we return to the OCB, filmed on studio set.

Then we go to “Odette’s house”, or at least that’s who’s house it was in episode 31, Bought and Paid For. They are at 3516 Plaza Street in Coconut Grove.

Then we head to the back of the house. Only the color of the house changes from gold to green and the neighbors house changes appearance completely. That is because we have changed locations. We are no longer at 3516 Plaza Street. It appears we are very close by but I have not tracked down the exact location yet. Location unknown.

Then we see Crockett and Tubbs at a street cafe. You may recognize this cafe from episode 48, Kill Shot. Filmed on location at La Libertad Cafe, West Flagler Street by NW 7th Ave.

While there, Stan calls from the OCB (set) which causes the gang to return to the OCB.

Then we see Izzy stuck in traffic by the studio. This was filmed on NE 121st Street at Biscayne Blvd. Steve’s Pizza is seen in the background and still exist at that location.

While stuck in traffic, Izzy calls into the lab (South Beach Elementary).

Then we return to the OCB (set).

Then we see Crockett and Tubbs driving southbound on Collins Ave past the Haulover Park Marina.

Tubbs is talking via phone to the t.v. studio. The t.v. studio was likely a set at Greenwich Studios but I have not confirmed this yet.

Then location unknown.

Then back to Collins Avenue, southbound by Haulover Park Marina.

Then we cut to Izzy. Filmed on set at Greenwich Studios.

Then we see Crockett and Tubbs at the t.v. studio. Likely a set at Greenwich.

Intercut, we see Stan at the lab, filmed inside South Beach Elementary.

Then we see Esther and her attorney in a room. Location unknown.

From there we cut back to Izzy. This was filmed on Key Biscayne at No Name Harbor.

Then we see Izzy arrive at “Odette’s house”, located at 3516 Plaza Street, Coconut Grove.

Then we go back to the OCB (studio set).

Before returning to Izzy at “Odette’s”.

Then we see Crockett talking with Trudy, who is inside the OCB (set). I believe C+T are parked at South Beach Elementary School but I have not been able to confirm this 100% since the building has been torn down. So far pictures of the old school have proven to be elusive.

Then we see a couple of shots of the Testarossa on what appears to be 27. These are likely re-used footage from earlier in the series. Location unknown.

Then we see C+T driving westbound along the MacArthur Causeway.

Then it cuts and they are eastbound on the Rickenbacker Causeway at the U-turn under the bridge.

Then we see Izzy and crew arrive at No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne.

This is where we saw Tubbs get caught at the end of his joy ride in episode 48, Walk Alone.

Walk Alone

There C+T arrive on the scene as the story climaxes. Then we see the cryo-coffin floating off the NW tip of Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay with the Four Ambassadors in the background.