Well, we all know what the core of a piece of fruit is, of course. But other than that…what is the definition of “core”? Merriam‑Webster defines core (among others definitions) as:
“A central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature (like the core of a city)”
OR
“The central part of a celestial body (as the earth or sun) usually having different physical properties from the surrounding parts”
OR
“A basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity) <the staff had a core of experts> <the core of her beliefs>”
So basically a “core” is the central most important structure, that which holds the rest together and gives it strength or that which the rest revolve around. Sounds very logical.
With Season 5 of Hawaii Five-0 just a couple of weeks away there is again much discussion over the concept of the “Core 4” of Five-0. There are those who despise the term while there are others who love and embrace it as the continuing basis of what makes the show what it is.
My feelings on the term have changed over the years. In the beginning it was easy to embrace the term because there WERE only the original four of Five-0. But as the years passed and more characters came and stayed or came and went, I began to really hate the term. Well, maybe not the term itself, but the way it was used by some to rationalize their dislike for any character who wasn’t Steve, Danny, Chin or Kono. Whenever they wanted to show displeasure at the amount of time someone got on screen or if they felt certain new characters were taking the scenes that should have belonged to one of the originals, they’d whip out the old “they don’t count…they’re not one of the “Core 4”. It began to leave a sour taste in my mouth every time I heard it.
But we’re entering our 5th season now and I’m beginning to think more kindly about the term again. Yes, the team has now expanded from four to five and with Max and the addition of Jerry on the canvas, to seven but the original concept of the “Core 4” is still valid.
If we look at the definitions from above and apply them to Five-0 I hope you can understand my point. The “basic, essential, enduring part” of Five-0 is still Steve, Danny, Chin and Kono. There is no getting around that. It is still the dynamic between these four people, the Ohana they have forged and built over the years that give the entire structure of this show its stability. They are, without a doubt in my mind the “central and foundational part” of what makes this show work. In that respect they have been and remain the “Core 4” of Five-0.
But what of the others? Again, using the definitions above, they are the “enveloping part” of the equation. They are the outlying areas of the city. They are the “celestial bodies” revolving around the sun. Does that make them less important than the core? Absolutely not. Can the core function without them? Sure it can. But with them, the core becomes stronger. I mean, could Five-0 function with an unknown medical examiner we never see? Sure it can. Did they really NEED Jenna, Lori, Catherine, Lou, Jerry or even Max? But like the neighborhoods of a city, they give depth.
With these characters the fabric of the quilt that is Five-0 becomes more complex, stronger, with more possibilities for stories and interactions and, yes, Ohana than with just the “Core 4”. After 4 seasons, going on 5 and hopefully many more, there are only so many stories to tell if you’re only going to have 4 people involved. It makes it more interesting because these people are “different in nature” and have “different physical properties from the surrounding parts”. They are not cookie cutter versions of the original members but individuals bringing with them unique perspective and insight. They make it more diverse and more interesting. I haven’t liked every additional member to the cast over the last four years but each one added to the story and, in my opinion, each one made the show better by being there, adding that depth.
So yeah, I am beginning again to embrace the term “Core 4” because no matter what others see or say, I don’t see it as a competition between the original four and others coming in to steal their air time or impose on the established friendships. These seven are going to be a great team, full of intelligent, brave, dedicated people committed to their island home and to each other. And at their center, the four pillars on which the team is built on and around. The “Core 4”.
Hawaii Five-0 Kool-Aid 
Thanks for an interesting new post, Linda! When I look over your illustration, I can see exactly what you’re talking about. Alex and Scott are slightly forward of everyone else, and they are framing Daniel and Grace. Your eye is immediately drawn to those four. The Core 4, so to speak. Masi, Chi and Jorge are clustered on the outskirts of the scene – the revolving planets, or the neighborhoods to the city center!
It’s become apparent, over 4 seasons now, that Hawaii Five-0 IS Steve, Danny, Chin and Kono. Without that dynamic, this series would melt into the the sand and wash out to sea. But because it has survived for four seasons, the Core 4 needs to be fleshed out with revolving characters because that IS real life! No one goes through life interacting with just three or four other persons. How bored would we, as viewers be, if we only heard about Grace’s latest antics, or only heard the Core 4 talk about having lunch at Kamekona’s shrimp truck, but never saw any of those interactions because that would take away valuable screen time for “the Core 4?”
There’s a fine line balancing Core 4 time and revolving characters interactions, and as the seasons progress, it makes sense that more characters will be drawn in to the Ohana. After 4 years together, the Core 4 needs some new people to look at and interact with…or Steve and Danny will have strangled each other out of total frustration! That’s what the H50 writers are required to accomplish – meshing new characters in with the Core.
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Exactly! Those who say the “Core 4” is dead because there are now 7 miss the point. The “Core 4” will always BE…. there is no getting away from that. But these other characters, whether part of Five-0 or a “consultant” or family or friends, whatever they are, are necessary to make it real. Thanks for reading and commenting! ♥
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You know, Linda, I find your interpretation of that word very interesting. No, I’m not gonna use it. I despise it with all my heart. Not so much the word, but what’s associated with it. How most people interpret it.
I find it kind of offensive to say those four will forever be the most important people of Five-0.
They are family, right? Well, if there came a new member to your family would you not love him or her just the same as the three you were with the last years of your life? Can’t your family be expanded? Wouldn’t the new member just be as important, and not just be a blimp on the outskirts of your family? Denying that is I think is not a positive outlook on Ohana.
For me, Catherine, Lou, Adam (who we never see) and Max are an integral part of Five-0. They have shaped these people. And all of them can become (or already have become) a part of the main characters.
Like you, I never felt the additional characters have taken any time from these four. On the contrary, they made them shine, gave them depth and breathed in life.
Only having four people on Five-0 would be boring and uninteresting, and I wouldn’t have stopped watching a long time ago.
Thank you for giving people another view at what they are really talking about when they talk about their stupid favorite term. I just wish they would stop using it, and see that a family changes, new members come to it all the time. Get used to it.
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Where is the edit button when you need it? 😉
Of course, it needs to say, ‘would have stopped a long time ago’.
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Actually, you and I are pretty much saying the very same thing. Like you, I came to really hate the term until I really thought about it. I think we are pretty much on the same page here. Thanks for reading and commenting!
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They certainly caught lightning in a bottle when they cast these four actors in their four essential roles. In all of their cases they have surrounded them with interesting friends and loved ones.
But as was also mentioned here, adding new characters and fleshing them out … Max (with the story about his mother and also with gf Sabrina) and Lou (with his backstory and showing his family) also expands the ohana too.
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Totally agree Ed. Each character adds something to the overall mix making the show so much better. Thanks for reading
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