Hawaii 5-0 was part-James Bond, part-Sopranos last night

I just realized 45 minutes in why this show might succeed: it has the kitchen sink concerning production, writing, acting, and casting. While Moonlight had a great supporting cast, 80% of the show resided on O’Loughlin’s charisma, likewise with the unwatched-by-me Three Rivers. However, 5-0’s high production value and ensemble-driven script, doesn’t rely on Alex O’Loughlin. In fact, he almost isn’t necessary, which is healthy for the show (as reflected in this week’s ep). But that doesn’t mean I’m not glad he’s there.

Rather than focus on McGarrett, “Malama Ka Aina” intensified Danno’s child custody battle and Chin Ho’s corruption tar while introducing the Jersey mob as its case of the week. Here’s another reason I like this show. Although procedure-driven, it continues to augment its characters while slightly modifying the formula. Even if the informative, Writing Assistant-run blog didn’t provide insight, you can see it on a weekly basis. Although the last two weeks featured an international terrorist and the Danno-McGarrett bro-medy (bro-comedy) hour, this week broke away from that model, while raising Chin Ho and Danno’s family battles higher.

Although, technically, criminals infiltrating the island with public displays of violence count as terrorists, I assumed the local PD would handle the mob-driven case. But, as McGarrett’s task force takes precedence (and considering the connection), I understand he might pull it into his box. Although I enjoyed the Danno-McGarrett bits in the past, it took away from the ongoing plot and pushed the other characters to the side. This week felt more balanced regarding cast interaction. While NCIS:LA’s Callen is the strongest, baddest and the coolest, 5-0 spreads the responsibility without the “look how cool/smart/sexy” signposts. I liked Danno’s pizza box recognition, McGarrett’s science hour, Kona’s undercover gig, and Kona and Danno’s no nonsense makeout session (without the obligatory “maybe this kiss means more than it should” dialogue). I continue to love Chin Ho and Kona’s family connection. While I didn’t care about Chin Ho during week one, at week three, I love watching his facial anguish with each snub (augmented by this week’s final scene).

Another thing the show continues to improve is reality. The writers don’t pretend the actors are the same age. Each week reminds us that Chin Ho is the oldest (compared to McGarrett) and Kona the youngest. Although it’s creepy and slightly incestuous, the McGarrett-Chin Ho and Kona-Chin Ho relationships concretize the show’s family feel (although I wonder who Chin Ho/Kona aren’t related to). Plus, Danno’s daughter doesn’t fade into the background. The continuing influence of McGarrett Sr. (while almost like Hamlet’s father) further binds them. Keeping the reality-theme going, I like they stuck to their pilot-thesis, where clearly the team can’t go undercover without disastrous results. CBS could have made this a clone of NCIS:LA with hot, single, 20s-ish/20s-looking people. Luckily, it didn’t.

Random Thoughts:

• I wonder now if Sid is the dirty cop. He’s the one who easily went undercover with the gangs. In a place where everyone knows everyone, it’s interesting that Chin Ho, marked as dirty, can’t find gang acceptance while Sid can, with a similar ‘fired’ cover story. Sure, Sid’s built like a brick house, but he’s wicked fast and has a wife far prettier than he should pull.
• I’ll be generous this week regarding Grace Park. While I don’t buy the sports-obsessed, manly girl personae they’re selling, I felt the actress came alive during the undercover assignment. It’s the first time I saw her throw in miniature flourishes from the lip bite to the side giggles.
• OK, I have to rock the Danno NJ connection. They finally state where Danno comes from and hello, West Orange, although changing, is still one of the nicer suburbs. However, contrary to Danno’s description, it has NO skyscrapers (unless you go to NYC) and is firmly in the center of suburban land. Although Danno outed the pizza parlor guy as West Orange, their accents sounded more East Orange, West Orange’s urban stepsister (unless I misheard). In truth, I could see Danno’s upscale wife preferring West Orange, while he worked the gritty East Orange/Orange beat. I love when writer’s show geographic diversity, but sometimes I wonder about their familiarity.

Quotes (it’s no coincidence that half come from Danno):

Although I now use subtitles, I’m wondering if I tape the show and play it back later, I can still access the closed captions, so I can verify.

Danno: “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with tennis … it can be played on a table….”

McGarrett: “You want me to book him, Danno? ”

Danno: “That’s funny? ”

Danno: “There’s something wrong with you, you know that, right? ”

Danno: “Thick crust, extra bullets, please. ”

Danno: “You low-life, miserable money-suck … Hello? ”

McGarrett (to Danno): “How much of your soul did you just lose by appreciating me? ”

Danno: “You weren’t held when you were a baby were you? ”

. . .

McGarrett: “… I have photos if you want proof…. ”

Danno: “Photoshop.”

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Oct 05, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT