T.Q. wrote: ↑Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:45 pm
Skinhead
Solid episode.
Bold for its time.
Rape episodes of shows make me so uneasy because I have two girls.
The subject matter itself so disturbing. They did it well though.
Good twists and turns on the bad guy and the story.
I loved Kono’s righteous indignation at what he said about the rape. Again, very bold for its time.
I’m gonna miss the Big Hawaiian.
Oops, sorry. Missed this one. I thought you were slacking so I was in the middle of building a newer stronger bamboo cage.
Agreed, a powerful and disturbing episode. Very bold for its time, especially when you still had BEWITCHED, THE BRADY BUNCH, PARTRIDGE FAMILY running on the other channels. Of course you also had ALL IN THE FAMILY and MARY TYLER MOORE so TV was definitely changing. We've had a few edgy episodes on this show up to this point but this one was definitely the edgiest one yet!! As you say, I love Kono losing it and lunging at the skinhead. Might be his best moment in the entire show! He honestly wasn't used much (mostly just a "yes, boss" type) which I think he resented but hey that's how the show was written. It wasn't a very character-driven show, especially for the supporting cast. Basically it was a "crime of the week" show. Which no one did better, by the way. But the emphasis was always going to be on McGarrett and the rest were just relegated to doing his "bidding" LOL. Though to be fair Danno got a few episodes that were centered on him. Even Chin got 3 important ones (seasons 2, 5, 10). But not poor Kono.

Ok, actually there was "The Ransom" in season 3 so maybe that one. But mostly he was used to break down doors.
Anyway, like I said earlier, season 4 is where the show got edgier as TV started to push the envelope as to what was acceptable. This episode is a prime example of this. There's another one coming up shortly about a transvestite.

I won't say more. And you already saw the one where Vic Morrow was trying to "molest" John Ritter.

Didn't Ritter call Morrow an "old queen"? Or is that from a later episode?

Anyhoo, I digress. Did you notice that Lee Paul who played the skinhead actually played a very sensitive peacenik in the season 1 episode "Not That Much Different"? He's barely recognizable there because he has a head of curly hair, not bald like here. But it's the same guy. Loved the twist when we find out the truth about the skinhead's condition and who the real rapist was!!! Also Kwan Hi Lim as a very oily lawyer - well done! He was a judge in real life. Second appearance by Glenn Cannon as D.A. John Manicote.