T.Q. wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 11:42 pm
No Bottles... No Cans... No People
Just okay.
Wasn’t a favourite.
Wow, I think it's great! I think it's better than the previous episode. The trash disposal of the baddies was actually based on a true story if I recall correctly. I think Mike Quigley mentions this in his review. I think it even happened in Hawaii. I'm guessing organized crime isn't your favorite story-line, T.Q. Get ready for those because starting with season 4 there's a lot of them coming. Some of them are really great, in particular a 3-parter in season 5 which many consider to be the highlight of the series! You will soon notice also that the show becomes a bit more violent and seedy starting with season 4. You'll see a lot more downtown Honolulu and the seedy urban jungle of the Hotel Street area. Pimps, prostitution, extortion - that type of thing. I like to think seasons 1-3 are more "island-flavored" whereas 4-6 are more on the seedy/gritty urban side. Of course that's not to say that you won't get anymore ocean or mountain views. You'll still get plenty of those!

But being as this was 1971 and ALL IN THE FAMILY became the #1 show in America and as more controversial TV programs began to air and push the limits I think FIVE-O followed suit. In fact the show got some flack for its violence (other crime dramas did too during this time, like MANNIX) until in the latter half of the 70s there was a conscious push to tone down the violence on TV, ushering in more light-hearted fare like CHARLIE'S ANGELS and CHiPs and DUKES OF HAZZARD and stuff like that. Or should I say "fluff" like that. That's why the last 3 seasons of FIVE-O feel watered down and lack the bite of the earlier seasons. Anyway, that's a little history for ya.

Over on the FIVE-O boards there have been many discussions about which seasons are better and it seems that many gravitate more towards seasons 4-6. Of course the show peaked in the ratings during seasons 5 and 6. Me personally? I love the first 6 seasons pretty evenly. It's like choosing between your children. You can't pick a favorite. After that I would probably go with 7, 9, 8. Though overall the show was really strong for 9 seasons, before a noticeable decline starting with season 10.
Anyway, hope you noticed Henry Darrow playing the sleazy Johnny Oporta. He was on MPI. And another pre-good guy appearance by Al Harrington as one of Oporta's goons!