With the appearance of the TV series HAWAII FIVE-O
I was wondering if it would be any good or if it would be just another remake
that tossed out anything good in order to make a new familiar yet different
show for the network. I was pleasantly surprised when I found its new take to
take some of the best parts of the old series and modernize them. I mean when
looking back now at the original series there was no way it could have been
identical and remained interesting.
With each passing season the stories have gotten more
involved and the cast has become closer, not just behind the scenes but on
screen as well. Where some characters were actually family members others were
not. That's gradually changed each year as the folks from Five-O grow closer
and depend on one another more each year. They are indeed a family unit unto
themselves. That's become even more apparent in season 4.
Introduced into this family has been Grover (Chi McBride), a
tough as nails SWAT leader recently moved to the islands from Chicago. Seeing
his force as the one to deal with most crimes instead of McGarrett's, the two
butt heads often early on in the season. At the same time they begin to develop
a mutual respect for one another. By the end of the season Grover is offered a
place on the Five-O team, something that is earned and not given lightly.
McBride does a great job as a counter play to O'Loughlin's McGarrett. Both are
headstrong, both think they're always right and both have a sense of fun they keep
well hidden until the time is right.
McGarrett's girlfriend Catherine (Michelle Borth) also finds
herself in an odd situation this year. Now a regular cast member, she joins the
team early on after leaving the Navy. The affection shared between her and
McGarrett is on display throughout the season but apparently not enough for the
network to get behind her. By the end of this season she's off on a secret
mission seeking a friend in the Middle East and in season 5 off the cast
altogether. It would have been nice to keep her as the show is more
testosterone than estrogen.
But family continues to work its way into this season in
other forms. McGarrett's mother disappears but Danny's (Scott Caan) comes for
an extended visit in the form of Melanie Griffith. It turns out she's leaving
her husband after all these years and Danny is having problems dealing with
that. It does provide for some seriously funny moments though as she dates
while on the island much to Danny's chagrin. More is learned about Chin's (Daniel
Dae Kim) father and what went on with him. Kono (Grace Park) goes missing for
much of the season, on the run as the Yakuza try to find her fiancé. And in the
season finale Grover's daughter is held captive by cyber criminal Ian Wright
forcing him to make a decision that will affect everyone.
As I said, this season has revolved more around family than
any other. In doing so it didn't focus just on those family ties but also in
making the tie with each other that much stronger. And it wasn't something that
was a plot device in 2 or 3 episodes but slowly spooled out and developed which
made it more natural. It's added something to the show that wasn't so much
missing but makes it feel more complete.
I've been pleasantly surprised by this series. It offers
plenty of action, lots of heart and at the same time more laughs than you would
expect. Some might think of it as nothing more than a 1 hour commercial for
vacationing in Hawaii but that's not the case. It offers great storytelling,
solid acting and holds your interest from the start to the end of the season.
In short, its one of the better shows on TV right now. Having it on the shelf
to be enjoyed over and over again is just a side benefit.
Click here to order.
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