Hawaii Five-O: Any Fans?

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

A Sentence to Steal

Pretty weak. Just wasn't gripping or anything.

Inserting the Sergeant into the youth home was cool. I liked McGarrett balling him out for being disrespectful.

Not feeling great today so that's all I got.

MPI: Tommy Fujiwara, Remi Abellira (Moki), Sam Peters, Harry Chang, Ed Fernandez. I may have missed one. He was sitting around the table with the "boys" at the beginning.

It's weak alright. And a weak end to the season. Probably the weakest finale of them all. It's yet another "steal" episode which we've had before and which tend to leave me cold. I mean we just had "The Waterfront Steal" a few episodes back (which also had Fujiwara by the way). And here's another one focusing on warehouse thefts. Just not interesting. Of note is Barbara Baxley guest starring here again, if only to remind us what a powerhouse she was in "One Big Happy Family" where she played the disturbing matriarch of the murderous clan of rednecks.

So what did you think of the season overall? Let me have your top 5 for the season. Just no random picks, ok?

Wait a minute Ivan, you told me Hawaii Five-O was perfect in every way!

It IS perfect in every way. But some episodes are less perfect than others. But still perfect. "Imperfections" still have the word "perfect" in them!

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

EWW, I hate doing these. Plus you're too critical.

1. Retire in Sunny Hawai'i Forever
2. McGarrett Is Missing
3. The Case Against McGarrett
4. A Touch of Guilt
5. The Capsule Kidnapping

6. Anatomy of a Bribe
7. Deadly Persuasion
8. Target The Lady
9. Death's Name is Sam
10. Honor is an Unmarked Grave

By the by. Don't go back and say I didn't like it at first. This the best I can do from memory scrolling down the IMDb season page.

You have to remember, I'm watching a lot of episodes, first time ever seeing them, at a pretty fast pace.

That's more like it! Not a dud ("imperfect dud", that is ) in the bunch, nor any that you said you disliked. Unlike your season 7 list which was giving me an aneurysm.


Here's my ranking for the season:

1. McGarrett is Missing
2. Deadly Persuasion
3. The Capsule Kidnapping
4. Retire... in Sunny Hawaii... Forever
5. Death’s Name is SAM
6. The Case Against McGarrett
7. Turkey Shoot at Makapuu
8. Target? The Lady
9. Love Thy Neighbor, Take His Wife
10. Sing a Song of Suspense
11. Loose Ends Get Hit
12. Anatomy of a Bribe
13. Legacy of Terror
14. A Touch of Guilt
15. Wooden Model of a Rat
16. A Killer Grows Wings
17. Termination With Extreme Prejudice
18. Murder — Eyes Only
19. The Defector
20. Honor is an Unmarked Grave
21. How to Steal a Submarine
22. The Waterfront Steal
23. A Sentence to Steal

[Pahonu]

A Sentence to Steal

Pretty weak. Just wasn't gripping or anything.

Inserting the Sergeant into the youth home was cool. I liked McGarrett balling him out for being disrespectful.

Not feeling great today so that's all I got.

MPI: Tommy Fujiwara, Remi Abellira (Moki), Sam Peters, Harry Chang, Ed Fernandez. I may have missed one. He was sitting around the table with the "boys" at the beginning.

It's weak alright. And a weak end to the season. Probably the weakest finale of them all. It's yet another "steal" episode which we've had before and which tend to leave me cold. I mean we just had "The Waterfront Steal" a few episodes back (which also had Fujiwara by the way). And here's another one focusing on warehouse thefts. Just not interesting. Of note is Barbara Baxley guest starring here again, if only to remind us what a powerhouse she was in "One Big Happy Family" where she played the disturbing matriarch of the murderous clan of rednecks.

So what did you think of the season overall? Let me have your top 5 for the season. Just no random picks, ok?

Wait a minute Ivan, you told me Hawaii Five-O was perfect in every way!

It IS perfect in every way. But some episodes are less perfect than others. But still perfect. "Imperfections" still have the word "perfect" in them!

That sounds a little too much like Orwell’s rebuke of the hypocrisy in Stalinist Russia from Animal Farm: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

[T.Q.]

Nine Dragons

Epic.

Wasn't expecting a James Bondish movie to kick off season 9.

I think Lord did a great job in this double-episode. Saw some real action.

I loved the opening of McGarrett taking a plunge and being found treading water and how they brought it all together for us.

The security for the toxics were better than the Wuhan lab and still Wo Fat succeeded.

The hallucinations from the torture were intense for the mid-70s.

It all came together great with McGarrett's 'confession'. Was a good plot to topple the Chinese leaders and blame the good ol' USA.

I thought it was great.

Theme song changed and they added Duke.

MPI: Michael Anderson Jr., Robert Nelson, Yankee Chang, Harry Chang.

I think I saw "Cappie" AGAIN from Way of the Stalking Horse but I ran into this problem before if you remember. He's not listed in the episode and I don't know who the actor is: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0639767/fu ... _=tt_cl_sm

[Mr. Mike]

Nine Dragons is my favorite Classic H50 episode. It's one of the few shows I remember from seeing it when it was "originally on," though I don't know if this was when it was broadcast in 1976, or in reruns, or in the 1990s when I was chronically unemployed and watched the show regularly, which resulted in my creating my H50 WWW site.

Although I redid reviews of almost all 278 H50 episodes during the last few years, I still haven't finished the one for Nine Dragons. I will hopefully work on this after I have completed various other tasks connected with the site.

I own a copy of the script for this show (not the finished one), and there are some interesting things about this script which are not reflected in the broadcast version. You might like to check these out, they are in the current review after the paragraph which starts "There are numerous differences..."

http://fiveohomepage.com/5-0log9.htm#192

[T.Q.]

Nine Dragons is my favorite Classic H50 episode. It's one of the few shows I remember from seeing it when it was "originally on," though I don't know if this was when it was broadcast in 1976, or in reruns, or in the 1990s when I was chronically unemployed and watched the show regularly, which resulted in my creating my H50 WWW site.

Although I redid reviews of almost all 278 H50 episodes during the last few years, I still haven't finished the one for Nine Dragons. I will hopefully work on this after I have completed various other tasks connected with the site.

I own a copy of the script for this show (not the finished one), and there are some interesting things about this script which are not reflected in the broadcast version. You might like to check these out, they are in the current review after the paragraph which starts "There are numerous differences..."

http://fiveohomepage.com/5-0log9.htm#192

You've got a great site Mike.

Was perusing yesterday. So detailed.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Nine Dragons

Epic.

Wasn't expecting a James Bondish movie to kick off season 9.

I think Lord did a great job in this double-episode. Saw some real action.

I loved the opening of McGarrett taking a plunge and being found treading water and how they brought it all together for us.

The security for the toxics were better than the Wuhan lab and still Wo Fat succeeded.

The hallucinations from the torture were intense for the mid-70s.

It all came together great with McGarrett's 'confession'. Was a good plot to topple the Chinese leaders and blame the good ol' USA.

I thought it was great.

Theme song changed and they added Duke.

MPI: Michael Anderson Jr., Robert Nelson, Yankee Chang, Harry Chang.

I think I saw "Cappie" AGAIN from Way of the Stalking Horse but I ran into this problem before if you remember. He's not listed in the episode and I don't know who the actor is: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0639767/fu ... _=tt_cl_sm

Epic is correct indeed. It does play out like a James Bond adventure, with international travel and large-scale stakes. Great Morton Stevens score too, which opens the episode with an almost Bondian sound. It's definitely one of the better season openers and is superior to the Wo Fat opener for season 8. More excitement and suspense this time around! That said, it doesn't crack my all-time list of favorite episodes. I know it's Mr. Mike's personal favorite. Maybe it's precisely because it's too Bondish or too "international" that I feel it loses some of that local Five-O flavor. I like it when they play on their home turf in the Aloha state. If I were to introduce someone new to this series this definitely would not be the episode that I would direct them to. To me it's not quintessential Five-O. It's funny but the pilot "Cocoon" also has a Bondish type of feel (again with Wo Fat) but for some reason that one works better for me. I guess it helps that it's all shot in Hawaii and McGarrett is investigating on his home turf. I like both but I like "Cocoon" just a little more. That cocoon brain-drain chamber is just really creepy and I love it! But "Nine Dragons" certainly has its tense moments too. As you mention, Jack Lord really gave it his all in this one - really going through a wide range of emotions! The torture and hallucinations were REALLY intense too!! I still shudder at those snakes and frogs. I do feel the ending was rushed though, like they really had to wrap things up quickly. Of note - this is the final episode directed by long-timer Michael O'Herlihy, THE director of the show. He directed more episodes than anyone else and he certainly went out on a high note.

Ultimately this one doesn't make my top 5 for the season (yeah, I know, I know) but it's still an excellent episode and among the very best with Wo Fat.

Not sure what you mean by theme song changed. You mean the actual music or just adding Duke in the opening titles? The only change in the music I noticed was during the end credits where they added that epic fanfare before the actual Five-O theme kicks in. But that was only done for this one episode. I liked it!

Not sure who you mean by "Cappie". I see no one credited under that name in "Stalking Horse".

MPI connection: Michael O'Herlihy directed just one episode "Past Tense". I know we weren't doing directors but maybe we should.

[T.Q.]

Not sure what you mean by theme song changed. You mean the actual music or just adding Duke in the opening titles? The only change in the music I noticed was during the end credits where they added that epic fanfare before the actual Five-O theme kicks in. But that was only done for this one episode. I liked it!

Not sure who you mean by "Cappie". I see no one credited under that name in "Stalking Horse".

MPI connection: Michael O'Herlihy directed just one episode "Past Tense". I know we weren't doing directors but maybe we should.

Pretty sure the theme song changed a bit.

"Cappie" is an character who appeared in The Way of The Stalking Horse. I can't figure out who the actor is. He was the hotel manager in the episode. I think I see him him in some H50 episodes.

[T.Q.]

Not sure what you mean by theme song changed. You mean the actual music or just adding Duke in the opening titles? The only change in the music I noticed was during the end credits where they added that epic fanfare before the actual Five-O theme kicks in. But that was only done for this one episode. I liked it!

Not sure who you mean by "Cappie". I see no one credited under that name in "Stalking Horse".

MPI connection: Michael O'Herlihy directed just one episode "Past Tense". I know we weren't doing directors but maybe we should.

Pretty sure the theme song changed a bit.

"Cappie" is a character who appeared in The Way of The Stalking Horse. I can't figure out who the actor is. He was the hotel manager in the episode. I think I see him him in some H50 episodes but can't identify the actor.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Not sure what you mean by theme song changed. You mean the actual music or just adding Duke in the opening titles? The only change in the music I noticed was during the end credits where they added that epic fanfare before the actual Five-O theme kicks in. But that was only done for this one episode. I liked it!

Not sure who you mean by "Cappie". I see no one credited under that name in "Stalking Horse".

MPI connection: Michael O'Herlihy directed just one episode "Past Tense". I know we weren't doing directors but maybe we should.

Pretty sure the theme song changed a bit.

"Cappie" is a character who appeared in The Way of The Stalking Horse. I can't figure out who the actor is. He was the hotel manager in the episode. I think I see him him in some H50 episodes but can't identify the actor.

This guy looks like Walter Omori. I think Mr. Mike can confirm. He's been tracking down this "mystery actor" all through HFO. He even has a page dedicated to him.

Isn't he one of Wo Fat's goons who helps to turn on the gas at the university to steal the Wuhan toxin?

[T.Q.]

This guy looks like Walter Omori. I think Mr. Mike can confirm. He's been tracking down this "mystery actor" all through HFO. He even has a page dedicated to him.

Isn't he one of Wo Fat's goons who helps to turn on the gas at the university to steal the Wuhan toxin?

I think so. I see him every once in a while.

That is very cool it was a mystery to Mr. Mike too. Might be him.

Mystery solved. Amazing sleuthing. Thanks.

[T.Q.]

Assault on the Palace

Enjoyed it.

Interesting scenario.

Good plan.

Pretty cool swapping out the rebellion actors with criminals for the King Kamehameha Day Parade.

Mr. Lambert the museum operator stayed cool as a cucumber throughout. 'Til he got busted. Book 'em!

Blooey was back! Another bad guy.

MPI: Clu Gulager (Way of the Stalking Horse coming up again), David Palmer, Jack Hisatake, Jack Hisatake

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Assault on the Palace

Enjoyed it.

Interesting scenario.

Good plan.

Pretty cool swapping out the rebellion actors with criminals for the King Kamehameha Day Parade.

Mr. Lambert the museum operator stayed cool as a cucumber throughout. 'Til he got busted. Book 'em!

Blooey was back! Another bad guy.

MPI: Clu Gulager (Way of the Stalking Horse coming up again), David Palmer, Jack Hisatake, Jack Hisatake

Ok, now we're back in familiar Five-O territory. No more international Bond adventures. Can't believe I'm saying this - being a big Bond fan and all. While I can't say that this is a better episode than "Nine Dragons", I'm more likely to watch this one. Just personal preference I guess. 1 hour vs. 2 hours. Local vs. international. I prefer the smaller-scale local cases. This is a good one! But perhaps not too small-scale. The recreation of the Wilcox rebellion during the King Kam Day Parade - a clever front for a heist. Clu Gulager is back as the baddie. He's always a baddie. Pretty cold him bashing in the skull of his buddy with a shovel at the start! Yes, Blooey (Billy Roessler) is back. He has that distinct look - looks like Paul Williams, who will appear in season 11.

Not sure if you noticed that the Five-O HQ has moved from the Iolani Palace (which was undergoing renovations for real at the time, as I recall) to the Territorial Building across the street, to the left of the Ali'iolani Hale and the King Kam statue.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

Speaking of Clu Gulager, looks like today is his birthday. He turned 93.

[Mr. Mike]

Ivan, thanks for your kind words above, but my recent posting was actually not the first time I have posted here; I posted three times before that, a long time ago.

Lee Purcell was definitely a "person of interest" in the hang-gliding episodes.

When re-viewing episodes last year, I had some questions about these shows which I knew could be answered by stuntman John Thorp, who was involved with them, and I was able to contact him. You can read these questions and his responses in my review: http://fiveohomepage.com/5-0log8.htm#187

You can hear excerpts from the Turkey Shoot score (by Stevens) here, by the way: http://fiveohomepage.com/music/turkeyshoot.mp3

Based on the picture above which might be Walter Omori, I don't think that is him, but I will get a copy of the show and check it out. Of course, he is not in the cast, just like with H50!

There is a detailed anal-ysis of the Five-O office moves in the 9th season explained here, courtesy of IMDb user alpha18: http://fiveohomepage.com/season9/offices.htm