“When Irish Eyes Are Crying” was the first episode of season 3 of Miami Vice which originally aired on September 26, 1986.
The episode opens with Gina attending a fundraiser for Northern Irish Children run by former IRA member Sean Carroon. After the presentation a masked gunman bursts in and points a gun at Carroon. Gina orders him to put the gun down but he refuses and she shoots him. When the mask is taken off it’s revealed that the shooter was most likely a teenager. The bureau believes that Carroon was a target because he knew about future terrorists operations. Gina is taken off the street because of the shooting and proceeds to get intimate with Carroon. Carroon tells Gina of his violent past but convinces her that now he only wants peace. The bureau gets a call from a Scotland Yard counter-terrorism agents who confirms that the shooter was a member of the Provos agent (Provos is a splinter group of the IRA). The Scotland Yard agent believes that Carroom is up to something beyond the Provos capability. Two agents follow a lead to discover that Carroom has been dealing with an arms supplier. Carroon has been planning to shoot down the Concorde departing for Great Britain. After Carroom becomes aware that the police know about his plan he switches the plan around and tries to take out the plane on the tarmac. Gina arrives before he can shoot the plane and demands that he drops his weapon so she doesn’t have to shoot him. He refuses and she is forced to shoot him.
This episode depicts an IRA member who is very suave and convincing. Gina easily falls for his sweet words and empty promises. He is unmasked revealing his true nature, a cold blooded killer with no remorse. This is a common trend for American television programs, creating a charming Irish figure who is capable of horrible actions. American television producers found an appealing villain figure with the IRA. The shows can discuss terrorism without having to use any figures that would be threatening to the American public. The Irish are recognizable and relatable in their struggle against the British but the United States is far enough removed where it isn’t concerned with becoming caught in the cross fire by casting them as a stereotypical villain.
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