Hawaii Five-O: Any Fans?

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

A Touch of Guilt

Good episode. Hard episode to watch.

I fast forwarded the rape scene. Teared up a few times. I've said before I have two daughters and these types of episodes are very hard.

Quick story: When I was a teen I was shagging baseballs in the local park with a friend. We were the only one there. It was a Sunday morning. A girl was raped in the woods behind us. Still think about it to this day. If only we had heard her.

Anyways, a fine performance from Beverly Kushida (I could have sworn she was a Magnum guest star but it's not listed so maybe she just looks super similar to one of the actresses I was thinking of) as Lani.

The cultural angle was sad too. Lani's parents. Glad that has changed over the decades. Hopefully too in the Asian community.

The story was very interesting. The cleaner coming in. Rich and powerful protecting themselves.

Good other guest stars I recognized: Richard Masur, Adam Arkin as the scumballs.

Rest in Pieces BINK!

MPI: Seth Sakai

That's 2 episodes in a row that deal with rape, although in this one it's more prominent and more front-and-center. I always think of this episode in conjunction with the edgy season 4 episode "Skinhead". Both episodes deal with rape and the aftermath, and how the victim copes with the traumatic experience. In both episodes the victim is further traumatized by the response she receives from those around her, like the lawyer putting her on the stand in the former and suggesting that "she was asking for it" or the shameful way she's ostracized in this one by her father. Both victims are young Asian women (Japanese in fact) and I even feel the actresses themselves look very much alike. The anguish they express in both is very similar. That's why I feel like in some ways this is a remake of sorts of the earlier episode. Five-O has been known to rehash similar plots. The main difference of course is the culprit in the former is a skinhead who we find out at the end is impotent (fantastic twist!) while here the culprits are college jocks with some powerful connections. Both are very strong and edgy stories and I honestly don't know which I prefer. I'm tempted to lean towards "Skinhead" because Lee Paul is really good as the titular character there and I just love the twist at the end. But this one is equally strong so it's a tough call. But like I said, both follow the same basic premise.

That's a pretty haunting story you mentioned, T.Q. It's gotta feel a bit eerie knowing something terrible happened near you and you were totally oblivious to it.

[T.Q.]

Wooden Model of a Rat

First: Josie Over looked particularly fine in this episode outside the War Memorial at the first meeting.



Moving on... enjoyed the episode.

McGarrett's little collection hobby being used against him. He's gonna turn the tables boys.

Ed Asner did a great job as did "Lt. Tanaka" (becoming funny how many characters he's played).

Only critique: The being there hiding and then busting in at the end has been a bit overplayed.

MPI: John Fujioka, Josie Over, Kwan Hi Lim

[Mr. Mike]

Ivan the Terrible wrote (some time ago):

The only good thing "Horse Over Moon" has going for it is some nice aerial photography and skydiving scenes and some nice shots of the ocean. Ok, the execution in the phone booth was cool too. But that's it. The drug smuggling bit bores me and the infighting between the trio of smugglers I don't care for.

No, no, the main good thing it has going for it is Jo Ann Harris.

I even included an expanded Gallery with my episode review:

http://fiveohomepage.com/5-0log7.htm#164

I often wonder why Jack Lord hired Harris to appear in M Station Hawaii, the failed pilot he directed near the end of H5O's run. She only appeared in "Horse Over Moon."

Another actress in M Station, Dana Wyner was also only in one H5O show, "The Ninety-Second War, Part I" as Claudine. (Two MPI episodes)

Elissa Dulce (Hoopai), on the other hand, was in 9 H5O and 1 H50 episodes, as well as MPI (see http://fiveohomepage.com/elissa/).

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Wooden Model of a Rat

First: Josie Over looked particularly fine in this episode outside the War Memorial at the first meeting.



Moving on... enjoyed the episode.

McGarrett's little collection hobby being used against him. He's gonna turn the tables boys.

Ed Asner did a great job as did "Lt. Tanaka" (becoming funny how many characters he's played).

Only critique: The being there hiding and then busting in at the end has been a bit overplayed.

MPI: John Fujioka, Josie Over, Kwan Hi Lim

Gotta be honest that initially I didn't care much for this one. I didn't always appreciate the "cultured McGarrett" episodes. Here he's an art collector, a collector of rare pieces of "trinkets".

But on rewatches it has really grown on me, as have other "cultured McGarrett" episodes. To be honest though the 2 main factors of enjoyment here are Ed Asner as August March (who reprised this same role almost 4 decades later on the Five-0 reboot, twice!) and Kwan Hi Lim as his oily and sarcastic henchman/sidekick Suzari (love the name). Those 2 should have had their own comedy show together!

Oh, and an important MPI sighting - Kwan Hi Lim pulls up in his large boat-car to the Marks Estate, whose front exterior of course served as the entrance to the King Kamehameha Club. I believe this was the August March residence in this episode.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Ivan the Terrible wrote (some time ago):

The only good thing "Horse Over Moon" has going for it is some nice aerial photography and skydiving scenes and some nice shots of the ocean. Ok, the execution in the phone booth was cool too. But that's it. The drug smuggling bit bores me and the infighting between the trio of smugglers I don't care for.

No, no, the main good thing it has going for it is Jo Ann Harris.

I even included an expanded Gallery with my episode review:

http://fiveohomepage.com/5-0log7.htm#164

I often wonder why Jack Lord hired Harris to appear in M Station Hawaii, the failed pilot he directed near the end of H5O's run. She only appeared in "Horse Over Moon."

Another actress in M Station, Dana Wyner was also only in one H5O show, "The Ninety-Second War, Part I" as Claudine. (Two MPI episodes)

Elissa Dulce (Hoopai), on the other hand, was in 9 H5O and 1 H50 episodes, as well as MPI (see http://fiveohomepage.com/elissa/).

Yes, I forgot about Miss Harris!

Welcome, Mr. Mike! To the uninitiated around here, I present to you the great MR. MIKE, whose Five-O website (http://fiveohomepage.com) is a treasure trove of information - big, small, and absolutely miniscule. If his website doesn't have it then no other website has it either. Trust me!

But wait... there's more! His site has the most expanded and detailed episode guide you will find anywhere. Everybody who watches a Five-O episode immediately runs over there to read the review of the episode, myself and T.Q. included.

Mike, I've been going back and forth with T.Q. who's a Five-O newbie, starting at the very beginning. Little Garwood is lurking around here too (he started this thread a long time back) who's an old vet from the Five-O discussion forum.

[T.Q.]

Deadly Persuasion

Liked it.

Revenge for a perceived injustice and a lot of demons inside.

Bit of overacting by Kario Salem (recognized from MASH) but a good job as a disturbed confused 'bad' guy.

Enjoyed the set-up of Danno.

The Byodo-In scenes were good (still to this day surprises me they allowed so much filming in that peaceful place) and I liked the swap with the cops playing the Royals.

MPI: None new that I saw.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Deadly Persuasion

Liked it.

Revenge for a perceived injustice and a lot of demons inside.

Bit of overacting by Kario Salem (recognized from MASH) but a good job as a disturbed confused 'bad' guy.

Enjoyed the set-up of Danno.

The Byodo-In scenes were good (still to this day surprises me they allowed so much filming in that peaceful place) and I liked the swap with the cops playing the Royals.

MPI: None new that I saw.

I always find it perplexing about this episode that it doesn't seem to be on anyone's favorites list. In fact most fans regard this as average or even below average. Which to me is odd. Because I place it right alongside "McGarrett is Missing" as my favorite from season 8. It's another suspenseful psycho episode where Danno is in the crosshairs this time, being set up real good as a patsy for a murder. I'll admit that targeting the visiting royals seemed irrelevant to the psycho's revenge scheme against Danno (unless I'm misremembering something) but overall it's a strong and suspenseful episode! Kario Salem does overact a bit but he's still pretty solid and his weirdness comes through just fine. He's not among the very best of the Five-O psychos but then not everybody is as memorable as Eddie Josephs from "I'll Kill 'Em Again" or Arthur from "Draw Me a Killer". Still, he's an effective creep.

Location shooting at Byodo-In is always a plus and I also enjoy the score by Don Ray, especially the opening during the crane climb sequence. Very suspenseful!

Bit of overacting by Kario Salem (recognized from MASH)

Haha, recognized from MASH but not from MPI?

MPI: None new that I saw.

MPI: Kario Salem, who played the creep reporter whom Magnum punched out into the pool in "Heal Thyself".

[T.Q.]

MPI: None new that I saw.

MPI: Kario Salem, who played the creep reporter whom Magnum punched out into the pool in "Heal Thyself".

Yep, completely missed that one.



Can't get 'em all.

[T.Q.]

Two* yesterday.

Loose Ends Get Hit

Okay episode. Kinda seen similar stories before.

Bringing in the female officer brought a new angle to the show we haven't seen. Liked that part of it. She was a go getter.

MPI: Amanda McBroom (worst lip-sync in TV history), Henry Darrow, Jimmy Borges

Anatomy of a Bribe

I liked this one.

Not because super exciting or anything but I love Allan Arbus and he did great. Total meek and calm guy but capable of unemotional evil stuff.

I did not understanding throwing in the mental breakdown at the end. No explanation. Out of nowhere. Found that weird.

* Skipped one by accident and will need to go back.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Two* yesterday.

Loose Ends Get Hit

Okay episode. Kinda seen similar stories before.

Bringing in the female officer brought a new angle to the show we haven't seen. Liked that part of it. She was a go getter.

MPI: Amanda McBroom (worst lip-sync in TV history), Henry Darrow, Jimmy Borges

Anatomy of a Bribe

I liked this one.

Not because super exciting or anything but I love Allan Arbus and he did great. Total meek and calm guy but capable of unemotional evil stuff.

I did not understanding throwing in the mental breakdown at the end. No explanation. Out of nowhere. Found that weird.

* Skipped one by accident and will need to go back.

Both episodes are good.

"Loose Ends" was similar to previous episodes where McGarrett has to protect a witness from testifying against a mob boss. But unlike those previous episodes there's the cool twist here where it's revealed to be all a setup between the witness and his mob boss employer to screw up the DA's case. I really liked that part of it. Amanda McBroom makes her first of FOUR (!!) appearances as Off. Sandi Welles of the HPD. Can't say I'm too crazy about her character (most fans seem to like her more than me) but she's alright. As McGarrett's driver in this one she works just fine and some of the sparks that fly between them are well done. But in some of the future episodes I find her kind of redundant.

"Bribe" is another good episode with a pretty interesting and original story. Allan Arbus (there's your MASH connection) does a good job in the role, though him suffering a psychotic breakdown at the end does come out of nowhere and doesn't really make any sense. There were no signs of him being weird in any way earlier in the story. Well, aside from being a murderer. When he kills the guy at the construction site and tosses him down below that was pretty cold-blooded. You missed an MPI connection - Robert Hogan was in "Don Luis, Higgins".

[T.Q.]

Both episodes are good.

"Loose Ends" was similar to previous episodes where McGarrett has to protect a witness from testifying against a mob boss. But unlike those previous episodes there's the cool twist here where it's revealed to be all a setup between the witness and his mob boss employer to screw up the DA's case. I really liked that part of it. Amanda McBroom makes her first of FOUR (!!) appearances as Off. Sandi Welles of the HPD. Can't say I'm too crazy about her character (most fans seem to like her more than me) but she's alright. As McGarrett's driver in this one she works just fine and some of the sparks that fly between them are well done. But in some of the future episodes I find her kind of redundant.

"Bribe" is another good episode with a pretty interesting and original story. Allan Arbus (there's your MASH connection) does a good job in the role, though him suffering a psychotic breakdown at the end does come out of nowhere and doesn't really make any sense. There were no signs of him being weird in any way earlier in the story. Well, aside from being a murderer. When he kills the guy at the construction site and tosses him down below that was pretty cold-blooded. You missed an MPI connection - Robert Hogan was in "Don Luis, Higgins".

I liked Loose Ends and you're right about super cool when they turned the tables.

"Who told you they'd break every bone in your body?"
McGARRETT!

That was a good one.

MPI: Robert Hogan. Missed it. When I read your post it clicked. Ahh, yes.

[T.Q.]

Legacy of Terror

A good episode. Interesting.

Lots went on and son Kazuo stayed a mystery for a good chunk of the episode. Mako did a good job.

I liked the Pearl Harbor connection and the history part.

Good ending with Commander Reginald Blackwell and McGarrett. Gold used for scholarships and helping elderly Americans of Japanese descent. It satisfied Steve.

MPI: A plethora. Lew Ayres. Mako, Haunani Minn, Moe Keale, Robert Apisa

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Legacy of Terror

A good episode. Interesting.

Lots went on and son Kazuo stayed a mystery for a good chunk of the episode. Mako did a good job.

I liked the Pearl Harbor connection and the history part.

Good ending with Commander Reginald Blackwell and McGarrett. Gold used for scholarships and helping elderly Americans of Japanese descent. It satisfied Steve.

MPI: A plethora. Lew Ayres. Mako, Haunani Minn, Moe Keale, Robert Apisa

Yep, it's a good one! Don Porter is back again playing a murderer (a lawyer, I believe). He previously played the murderous IRS agent tracking a suitcase full of money in the excellent "Murder is a Taxing Affair". Then there's Mako who goes all karate (LOL!) on Porter and kicks him off the high-rise! Lew Ayres was a welcome addition as the elderly commander who I think had some ties to the Pearl Harbor attack. It's been a while since I've seen the episode but I remember it being a good one.

Back when they had the discussion forums on IMDB for TV shows/movies and some of us fans were doing an episode elimination game, season by season, to determine what's the best episode of each season... this episode ended up as the best from season 8. Which I thought was a pretty interesting outcome because it's not an episode that most fans pick as their single best from season 8. Maybe Mr. Mike has this list saved somewhere. The picks for the other seasons were pretty standard, meaning what you'd expect the picks for best episode to be. But season 8 was the surprise one.

[T.Q.]

Turkey Shoot at Makapuu

Not great. Okay.

Cool aerial footage and interesting idea.

Couldn’t stand the girl though. Her stunt at the end to draw out the killers was a good idea but kinda silly at the same time.

I liked to two baddie locals Blooey and Tonker (?)

MPI: Joe Moore, Wallace W. Landford

[T.Q.]

Funny sidenote.

Not sure if it's Makapuu or Kamehame Ridge but we drove all the way up to that drop off over Waimānalo a few years ago because I wanted to see the view and the Robin's Nest property.

We dragged one of our Hawaiian friends.

We got up there and there was a fence. Dejected... We turned around and drove back.

After watching this episode I Google Earthed it just for fun and...

DOH!

We were so close.