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Vice was a crime drama TV series that premiered on HBO in 1984 and ran for five seasons until 1989. Set in Miami, Florida, the show follows the exploits of an elite squad of undercover detectives known as the Vice team, as they tackle some of the city's most heinous crimes.

The show stars a talented cast of veteran actors, including Don Johnson as detective Sonny Crockett, and Edward James Olmos as Lieutenant Martin Castillo. Saundra Santiago played Detective Gina Calabrese, while Olivia Brown starred as Detective Trudy Joplin. Other members of the Vice team included John Diehl as Detective Larry Zito, Michael Talbott as Detective Stan Switek, and Philip Michael Thomas as Detective Ricardo Tubbs.

At its core, Vice was a gritty and violent show that tackled some of the seedier aspects of life in Miami, including drug trafficking, prostitution, and organized crime. The show's themes were often dark and complex, with storylines that frequently blurred the lines between good and evil.

One of the things that set Vice apart from other crime dramas of the time was its use of music. The show's soundtrack featured a mix of contemporary pop music and original compositions by well-known artists like Phil Collins and Jan Hammer. The show's main theme song, "Miami Vice," by Jan Hammer, became an instant classic and remains one of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time.

The show's stunning visual style was another hallmark of Vice. The series made innovative use of color and lighting, often shooting scenes with a heavy emphasis on neon lights and pastel colors. The show's many aerial shots of Miami at night were also visually stunning, capturing the glamor and danger of the city's nightlife.

Over the course of its five seasons, Vice tackled many controversial subjects that were considered taboo for network TV at the time. The show was praised for its bold storytelling and its ability to take on difficult issues like drug addiction and police corruption with sensitivity and nuance.

Vice also had a wide range of notable guest stars throughout its run. Actress Helena Bonham Carter appeared in a memorable episode, as did Martin Ferrero and Belinda Montgomery. Parris Buckner played the recurring role of drug lord Esteban Calderone, a character who became a thorn in the Vice team's side throughout the series.

Although Vice was ultimately cancelled in 1989, it had a lasting impact on the crime drama genre. The show's visual style and approach to storytelling influenced many other TV shows and movies that followed, and its popularity helped pave the way for other seminal shows like The Sopranos and The Wire.

In conclusion, Vice was a groundbreaking crime drama that pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable on TV at the time. With its stunning visual style, memorable characters, and bold storytelling, the show remains a classic example of the best that TV has to offer. Despite being over 30 years old, it still holds up today and remains a favorite among fans of the genre.

Vice is a series that is currently running and has 10 seasons (172 episodes). The series first aired on April 5, 2013.