This week’s Hawaii 5-0 was a little meh

This week’s episode focused on the kidnapping of the daughters of an American ambassador to the Philippines (Kyle Secor) and uncovering a “white slavery” ring. Although I didn’t feel it was the best, bright spots included Masi Oka (Heroes) guest starring as the genius Medical Examiner Max Bergman, Chin Ho’s two line appearance, and the Danno-McGarrett bromance.

Hawaii 5-0 has multiple fail-safes for “meh” episodes. Between the writing, the charismatic cast, the strong production values, and engaging cinematography, if the writing’s off, you know the actors, etc. will keep the show running. But this week, with Chin Ho and Kona even farther off the script, an unnecessary girlfriend-little sister cat fight (unrelated to the plot or main characters), and a low energy opening, the show basically relied on Danno and McGarrett’s “bromationship.”

Considering Hawaii 5-0 had three strong episodes right out the gate, watching the show slowly taper off is slightly unexpected. With the show’s developers Peter M. Lenkov, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci sharing writing credits on the pilot’s story (and all subsequent episodes); Sarah Goldfinger and Paul Zbyszewski primarily writing “Ohana”; and Carol Barbee and Kyle Harimoto mainly penning “Malama Ka Aina,” the show maintained consistency throughout. Ironically, “Lanakila,” with Lenkov, Kurtzman, and Orci typing, went slightly off the fabulous path, but this week’s episode, “Nalowale,” veered off even more.

Examples? I didn’t see that much Mr. Science/Sherlock Holmes awareness this week. The sister’s dialogue remains too one-dimensionally unrealistic. Describing your future plans of competing with your brothers sexual partners? Creepy. Finding pictures of dead bodies in a house shared by two obsessive cops then calling your anti-terrorist taskforce brother while he’s on the job, rather than waiting to figure out if he’s a psychopath? Understandable, yet childish. Walking to the next room to find batteries, but not to the TV to change the channel? Human laziness knows no bounds, but my patience with her character does.

The good spots included Chin Ho’s subtle aggression with the security consultant, Grace Park’s coming alive when playing the undercover party girl character, Kona getting the job done without McGarrett’s usual interrogation style, Caan’s various cane lounging poses, and Masi as the quirky genius (without fully breaking out into Hiro). The old standby of the Danno and McGarrett Odd Couple featuring the two fighting over Ms. Pacman’s triple pretzel level, showed a lot about the writers and the characters. I didn’t even know the triple pretzel level existed. And, football jock McGarrett was a Ms. Pacman geek? Awesome. What’d you guys think of McGarrett’s play of the week? While I wish every state had a crime-fighting GPS center, I expected someone slightly more intense.

Quotes:

“You got into some Barry White last night.” – Danno

“Book him, Danno.” – McGarrett
“You know. I got to be honest. I didn’t mind that one.”- Danno

“You could’ve told us this on the phone.” – McGarrett
“I don’t trust phones.” – Max, the medical examiner

“Yeah, it’s called the internet. People have been doing it since the ’90s.”- Danno (in response to McGarrett’s compliment on his search abilities)

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Oct 20, 2010 @ 09:00 EST5EDT