A Man. And His Blog.

I was very happy with how the finale went. Of course all stories would be fucked up at the end, and Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos) would be the most clever antagonist the series ever had, but I didn’t think that we would see him kill the Governor (Jean Smart), and such a cliffhanger. I was actually hoping for the case being closed. Instead the writers picked up some loose ends, which was really refreshing.

Which makes the upcoming season premiere very interesting. When Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) was on the run, I was believing it would end with him on the run, but at the end he was captured and will have to pay for the Governor’s murder. Of course Danny (Scott Caan), who seems to be the only one believing that it will be easy to get his friends out and blame Wo Fat for the murders, will find a way to get them out (I don’t believe the first episode will close with another cliffhanger, though it would be nice to shake up the task force during the first couple of episodes, until Steve and Kono are back), but for now the season ended on a promising note.

Just the return of the $10 million story was a bit annoying. I was expecting for it to return, but I think that happened a bit late. After such a long time, Honolulu Police found part of the burned money (it seems illogical that it would be still there, where it burned), and in such a short time they kinda found out with a witness that Kono (Grace Park) was part of the whole money deal. The story could have been a bit better, when the background would have been revealed to the police. There was no mention of why the money was stolen (to HPD), and how it actually got back into the vault – though the episode gave the answer of who brought the money back into the vault, the HPD should have asked themselves the same question: why was burned money from a bust lying around, but the vault is not missing anything? Maybe the season premiere will pick up on that end of the story.

The little side plot with Rachel (Claire van der Boom) was boring though. When she mentioned she is going to return to New York I knew Danny would follow. But it is obvious that Danny won’t return to New York – after all he is the main character of the show, and nobody is going to do without him. In addition I didn’t like the revelation of Rachel’s pregnancy. It might bring some family-related storylines in the future, but I don’t really need them in the series.

Other than that I hope the writers are giving answers in the season premiere: Why was the Governor working with Wo Fat? Why was she having the evidence from the toolbox in her office and didn’t destroy it? Why did Laura (Kelly Hu) never came forward to Steve and instead had to play a hide-and-seek game? Unfortunately both women are dead and can’t give answers anymore, but I’m still interested to know how and why… But it was a great episode. 8.5/10

Killing the consequences: Wo Fat

Facing the consequences: Kono

Was I talking about Kaye (Larisa Oleynik) having disappeared? Well, she returned. And with her the Wo Fat plot. And with her Sang Min (Will Yun Lee) came from Neverland as well. I have completely forgotten him and now all of a sudden he wants to kill Wo Fat, wants to reason with him, but has to learn he has a target on his back produced by Wo Fat. Can I ask why, and can I ask why this story was going so damn fast?

Other than that the episode was actually good. I was already thinking about an “x hours earlier” at the beginning, until I realized it’s HAWAII FIVE-0 and they don’t use this story device. Instead a body is accidentally found and a murder investigation is started from nowhere. But again, the case was not interesting at all, the conclusion was predictable (even a name like James Remar is too big to be the killer at the end, so it had to be his secretary), but at least the way to the finish line was good. I loved Kaye in the team, and wouldn’t it look like testing her character within the team to strengthen it in the second season (I agree that four agents in the task force are at least fifteen less than usual). But I know the writers and producers behind the series, and I don’t believe they wouldn’t shake up the cast between seasons. I still can dream though.

Danny’s (Scott Caan) little hospital arc was sweet. Of course he connected with Rachel (Claire van der Boom) again, and of course the writers just prepared his private storyline for the second season. So that Danny can be used for storylines outside of the crime genre (as he was used with Grace multiple times over the season), the writers bring back his ex-wife. Am I seeing a wedding on the horizon (a.k.a. second season finale)?

Not a spectacular episode, and the ending wasn’t really a thrilling cliffhanger, but it was an acceptable step into the season finale. 7/10

It's a nice picture of a family

It's not a goodbye forever. But the "I'll see you tonight" was missing anyway

Another case of “The credits give away the killer”. But this time it was even before then. I didn’t recognize Andrea Bowen in the opening scene, but already her hatred look to Renny (Rick Springfield), when he was flirting with his camera, was revealing everything. So, even those kind of scenes are in the script, and I don’t even know why. Isn’t it a primary thing to make at least half of the crime procedural episodes a nice Whodunit?

The episode itself was boring. Only Chin’s (Daniel Dae Kim) plot seemed fine, but here I absolutely hated the “cliffhanger”. Why is he risking his reputation again with lying his ass off in front of Internal Affairs, and why is he selling his house, just so he can protect his uncle? It surely is a nice story, but there is no explanation why Chin would go so far. He already lost his badge millions of years ago, and now he is basically doing the same mistake again? For what reason exactly?

If there wouldn’t be Kono’s (Grace Park) little “love birds” plot keeping the murder plot company, it could have been totally forgettable. I liked the moments between Fong (Brian Yang) and Kono, and there could be another recurring character in the mix, who is actually appearing more than once in the series (still remember Kaye? She disappeared already). HAWAII FIVE-0 could do some episodes with a love story, and Kono definitely needs some attention, when she can’t give it to Chin and his upcoming problems (separating the characters – would be a nice move for the coming two episodes).

Maybe I should start counting next year: How many crime shows I watch and how many times I could solve the murder case with the simple “I look at the credits”. Or maybe I just watch too much TV. After all, I only know Andrea Bowen from DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, which is why she was the most well-known name this time. Talk about predictability… 5.5/10

The weather is hot enough for some ice cream

Off off, run away

Talk about Sean Combs being a good actor. And talk about stunt casting. I obviously missed that news, since I was surprised to see him on the beach, but it as a nice surprise that he starred as an FBI agent and not the bad guy. Though in the middle of the episode I’ve had the feeling the writers were playing on a big turnaround-twist.

The episode was acceptable, but not really something I would remember for a while. Combs was alright, his character was edgy enough to not let him look bored while on the manhunt of his wife’s killer, and the conflict between him and the task force was interesting enough to think about how the episode would have looked like with this story device completely developed. I’m missing an episode, where Five-0 is the bad guy for once, and where Danny and Steve are messing up a case. This episode could have been it (plus focusing more on the guest star, telling an episode from a different angle for once), but instead the question rose if Cannon (Keith David) was the killer of Reggie’s family, or if this is a case of an unrelated case. The writers could have included the FBI more, instead of just Allison (Cara Buono) – here was another little conflict of interest between Five-0 and another party, but nothing was used of it.

Which is the reason why the episode was so full of non-highlights. Again no surprises, the usual humor, and another teasing of the season-final storyline with the envelopes coming under Steve’s (Alex O’Loughlin door. I’m waiting for a resolution of the season arc and I’m bored with the writers and their way of stalling that story. More than 6/10 is not in for Dirty Money.

The Parks Department is an enemy for Kono

Dirty money, loaded weapons, lethal force

I knew there would be an average and/or boring episode within the preparations for the season finale. This episode for example: interesting beginning, uninteresting case, promising B story, and some character development for half of the main characters. But at the end not satisfying enough, because the murder case couldn’t grab me at all.

At the end it was just all about “Your grandfather was a hero. Always remember that”. I was vomiting, when Kono said that to the kid, and I was rolling with my eyes before that moment, when Kono (Grace Park) was mentioning all the positive things about the victim to his family. It really was not a good moment at all, but it suited the murder case: not really developing, not thrilling, and since half of the episode was spent with other things than the murder (the episode needed eleven minutes to get back to HQ to start investigating), the other half was literally not worth being remembered.

The first act was good. Finally there was some danger for the characters, though I wondered why a hike expert like Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) – after all he is a Navy SEAL – was not able to secure the rope on his body, which is why he fell. First I was expecting Steve to disappear throughout the episode, letting Danny (Scott Caan) and either Kono or Chin (Daniel Dae Kim) have fun investigating (in the last episode there were a few moments between Danny and Kono). But instead Kono and Chin had a family matter, the writers revealed why Chin took the fall and lost his badge, and the auntie (Elizabeth Sung) died at the end. Though interesting, I was not satisfied. There we had a past for Chin, which was troubling for all the characters involved, but at the end it was just his uncle (Sab Shimono) who took the money to spend it on a kidney on the black market? Wow, I just hope the whole Wo Fat thing won’t be concluded like that.

It was definitely a forgettable episode. I even have the feeling the writers didn’t really want to go deep into Chin’s background again, which is why the reasons sound so lame. 5.5/10

One more inch and Alex would have another series on the ground

It's cry-time!

I’m always happy when a crime procedural is developing its main story arc and delivering an interesting closing scene, which basically teases up the last part of the season. Like in this case: The episode establishes the connection between Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos) and the murder of Steve’s (Alex O’Loughlin) parents, and now they have met each other. They are enemies now.

Together with the introduction of Kaye (Larisa Oleynik) and her part in the game against Wo Fat makes it the best part of the episode, though the murder case of the week was interesting too, but boring and not unpredictable at the end. When I already saw Perrey Reeves‘ name listed in the credits I knew she would have a bigger part in the episode, but only having a stint as a robbed wife… No way. So there was no surprise that she killed the woman in 2008 and she hired the muscle who killed the one who couldn’t fly. Nevertheless the investigation was nice this time, and it didn’t waste a lot of time. Okay, the part at the beginning with the angry husband was for nothing, but the rest was actually good, even the motive. In addition, Max (Masi Oka) is back again, which is good for the show (he could be a comic or geek relief in the second season), and I loved the moment between Kono (Grace Park) and Danny (Scott Caan) in front of the strip club. Though the series is still missing a bit of chemistry between the two groups Kono/Chin and Steve/Danny, I like that the writers are at least trying.

Despite all of that, I was actually expecting more from the comic-con angle. When I first heard about this story device in a spoiler, I was thinking to have an episode completely situated during such a convention. But then the Wo Fat story came, and the task force was out of the nerd business. It was a bit devastating; I really wanted to see what the writers were thinking about the convention genre.

Another solid episode, hopefully it wasn’t Kaye’s only appearance. She could be the first one killed by Wo Fat on-screen in the season finale for example… 7.5/10

Danno and Steve are gonna have some fun

There's no chance for escape in front of the Five-0 task force

When I’ve heard about the casting news that Dane Cook would have an appearance as Danny’s (Scott Caan) brother, I was instantly screaming “Nooooooo” – I’m one of the people, who don’t like Dane Cook, but at the end of the episode, I was surprised that he wasn’t annoying at all. Despite his story being crappy and not likable.

The episode was okay. It was nice that the writers have decided to tell two separate stories again, but this time they surprised with the B plot actually being the regular “catch the villain” arc. But I wasn’t disappointed that Brian’s (Oliver Krstic) trip for revenge wasn’t the main plot, since it didn’t show enough to be the main arc. His reasons were understandable, he got his emotional moment in the car, shortly before he was arrested, and the background story with the death of his son was totally okay. I just wonder why Five-0 didn’t realize sooner that the judge and attorney were involved in a case about a boy, who went in for 18 months, basically for nothing? So, it had to come nearly to the end, until Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) and Danny were on Brian’s tail, which was a bit too late for me.

The real main arc was not really my cup of tea though. Again, somebody from Danny’s close family (remember: two episodes ago it was Rachel’s new husband) is into some deep shit, doing some illegal things, already with one foot in prison or dead. Matt’s story was lame, because it wasn’t surprising, and it wasn’t thrilling. It was good that Danny was in an emotional conflict – either taking his brother in, or letting him flee the country in front of the FBI’s noses -, but the episode could have shown so much more with the story, instead of just… “this”. A lot of opportunities were left out to make this story more worth my time. And I’m pretty sure that the whole situation won’t keep Danny busy for the remaining episodes of the season (no wonder that HAWAII FIVE-0 went to a month-long hiatus after this episode – for everybody to forget what happened here).

Well, not really a solid episode, and not really surprising that I won’t like it as much as the last couple of episodes – not even HAWAII FIVE-0 manages to pull off one solid episode after another. 5.5/10

When there were still happy times

A father, making his final decision

Another solid episode, another uncomplicated crime story, another episode of a crime procedural, which practically was completely predictable from the beginning, and some nice action during the end. And even though I realize that HAWAII FIVE-0 is turning to be boring in an eventual second season, when the writers continue with that pace, I still have fun with the show. And I don’t know why I still love it, except Grace Park, all the establishing shots, and the fact that Alex O’Loughlin is growing to be more likable as an actor.

The kidnapping story began interesting at first, and I already suspected that the Nick Lachey character was involved in this whole mess, since TV producers still haven’t learned to cast no-names in the role of the villain. But it was the minute 20, when I figured out the whole kidnapping case for myself. And a bit later, I even knew that Susan (Vanessa Minnillo) was behind the kidnapping as well, when the kidnapper wanted her to give him the money. I was just waiting for the conclusion during the final act, always thinking that Susan and her boyfriend are behind it, and then I just moaned, when he said “Told you this would work.”

The investigation part during the first half was interesting though. When anybody realized that the dead pirate was killed a day earlier, the story surprisingly grew better, though I ask myself why the kidnappers weren’t clever enough to think that nobody from the HP would realize that the pirate was killed a day earlier. But then again, I blame the writers for that, because the pirate twist was rather one of the stupid ones, trying to get the story forward without giving the villains of the episode any intelligence points. Furthermore, the episode lost itself during the first half – the information the cops got, especially from Kamekona (Taylor Wily) or Big Lono (Kale Chang) were literally unimportant for the second half.

And at the end I wondered where all the explosions were coming from and that no one from the kidnappers was noticing that the HP was already in the warehouse. I thought that Susan only brought one bag to the kidnappers, and yet I saw at least four different spots exploding right in their faces. At least the stunts with Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) were nice – first the jump out the window, and then the jump in the bus, though the action sometimes really is over the top.

If I would only get some logical episodes of HAWAII FIVE-0… I actually should crucify the episodes. And yet they entertain me. 7/10

There's a silhouette of a kidnapper

Some things explode...

HAWAII FIVE-0 obviously continues to be fast-paced, without telling a proper story, instead relying on Hawaii (which I don’t have a problem with), the beautiful action (which I don’t have a problem with), and a non-complicated story about villains trying to kill the good guys, or just somebody on the run (which I don’t have a problem with). This episode showed why I love this series, though I’m still not so far to say that it’s the best new show of the year: It just wants to be a cheap, but good-looking action show, and it works.

The story was simple as hell, and despite the minor and some major flaws, I liked it. First it was a bit ridiculous that Julie (Mariana Klaveno) could run away from her two, obviously well-trained, killers, while she was jumping out of a window. And even more, it was ridiculous that the to dumbheads weren’t able to find her in such a short time, which brought enough time for Steve (Alex O’Loughlin) and Chin (Daniel Dae Kim) to go look for Julie for themselves. In addition, the episode was missing some more background information about the court case, as well as a well-defined villain. The two short scenes with Brenner (Robert Prescott) were uninteresting and didn’t show me that he is the big bad-ass the writers wanted to tell me. But the little manhunt in the jungle was nice and had some cool moments, beginning with Chin protecting Julia, and Steve’s little trunk stunt to one of the guys. I was laughing.

At the end, it was cool to see that Kono (Grace Park) got the last and most utilizable part of the action in the episode. It was predictable that somebody in the attorney’s office was the last killer. And even though it looked so simple for Kono to kick her through the offices and knock her out, it was a cool scene.

The B story was alright. I was expecting for the carjacking to be somehow connected with Julia’s case, so consider me surprised that it was a stand-alone story in the episode. But more than just Danny (Scott Caan) trying to save his family and get him closer to Rachel’s (Claire van der Boom) new husband Stan (Mark Deklin), there was nothing behind it. Okay, Danny could go haywire on the man behind the car jacking, but that was it already. The story was neither entertaining me, nor was it good for any kind of good character development for Danny. It was just “there” to show that the writers could tell two storylines in an episode too, like most of the crime procedurals on TV.

The episode was good, and at the end, I didn’t even care about the flaws anymore. 7/10

Beware: Julia has a splinter of glass to kill you with

Beware: If Kono's behind you, you are out of every misery in your life

Slotted behind a football game, with a tsunami warning a story, which I was waiting for, and again a nice pace. The episode was faster than anything seen in the final season of LOST. Literally and totally true. I even have to say that it was the best episode of the series so far. Sometimes it helps, when a crime episode is faster than the speed of light.

It was actually the best episode so far, and it didn’t even had to deliver much. The story really was fast-paced, which I liked; there wasn’t much character development, except Danny’s (Scott Caan) fatherly relationship with his daughter Grace (Teilor Grubbs), since the writing only focused on the case and the threatening tsunami warning, and the episode even went back to the $10 million, which Steve stole to save Chin’s life. The “cliffhanger” at the end was intriguing, and I actually can’t await a continuation of this story arc, though I believe to be waiting until the season finale.

The kidnapping of Dr. Russell (John Sullivan) was intriguing too, though it was a bit predictable during the beginning. That the warning was a hoax was clear, when it was revealed that the scientist was missing, and it seemed ridiculous that a whole team of scientists is confused with a whole bunch of data coming in and without their lead scientist and boss. After all, Russell wasn’t the only scientist on Hawaii, and when the producers already gave Joel Moore (give this guy an own TV show, I loved him in AVATAR and BONES) a role in this episode, he could have been given a character on the same level as Russell – or the whole tsunami warning center is even more ridiculous than the writers wanted to show.

Apart from that, of course this episode reminded me of another one: The “hoax to rob something” storyline was already used during the triathlon episode, and there wasn’t really much new to tell for the writers here. The only interesting thing was the continuation of the money plot, and the possibility that Wo Fat is involved in it (I just want to know how deep he is involved in all of this, and how he knew). And I have to say I didn’t really see it coming that the money was accounted for. On one side, the writers found an easy way out of this mess with the $10 million, without explaining anything (kinda like expected), but on the other side the writers managed to connect this one with the ongoing storyline now, which is good enough to hope for great episodes in the future, and a great season finale.

A really great episode, and with every episode I’m having more fun with this show. 8/10

Danno is always in luck to hate the criminal he is sitting besides

Grace just ripped off all the Hawaiians in 5-card-stud