Hello friends! So, this coming week, Hubs and I will be celebrating our anniversary. Because it falls on a Tuesday, we decided to celebrate a bit early so we went to a lovely little B&B not far from here for a couple days. Why am I telling you this? Well, because the English translation of this week’s episode perfectly describes my plan for the rest of my weekend. My “best laid plans” involved trying to get all my normal Thursday and Friday household chores done early on Saturday so I could work on this review and get it done by Saturday night at the very latest.

Unfortunately, like our COTW, my plans didn’t work out as well as I thought and my Saturday was lost to wave after wave of food shopping, laundry, house cleaning, etc. Doesn’t it just suck when real life interferes with all the fun? Oh well, I suppose Sunday is better than never, right? I hope it meets with your approval.

OK…let’s get to it! I really liked this episode (so what else is new?). Let’s start with the COTW. This week the case managed to keep my attention better than last weeks. Not that last week’s crime wasn’t a good one, it was, but I was so involved with the Steve and Catherine show I missed a lot of the intricacies of the case. This week, without the distractions, I was able to really concentrate on the crime and yet, it still managed to keep me guessing from start to finish. I hate it when a crime is easy to solve right off the bat which is one of the reasons I adore Five-0 so much. They always manage to keep me off my feet. A murder that ends up being a hunting accident, counterfeiting, art theft and illegal sales, kidnapping. Ahhhh yes, this is the Five-0 I know and adore.

Willie Garson was wonderful in his return as Gerard Hirsch. I thought the Hirsch character added just the right touch and I really liked how having him there tied into not only his previous appearance from last season but also into last week’s episode about Miko Mosley and the counterfeit money. I always like it when the writers reach back and add elements from past episodes into current ones. On a personal level, as a long time viewer, it makes me feel more connected to the show.  I mean, I know it sounds silly, but it kind of feels like when you’re in on an inside joke, how you get it when no one else does. I sometimes wonder if casual viewers remember when something happened a year ago or several years ago, if they “get it” when there is a connection from the past in a current episode.  I don’t know, I just like the way it feels when it happens. Does that even make sense? Anyway, I have the feeling we may end up seeing Hirsch again eventually. I really hope we do.

   

I am both loving and hating this new storyline for Adam. I am not happy that Adam is being forced to delve into his dark side because I have never believed Adam had a dark side. No matter how hard he tried, after Hiro died and he took over the business, Adam always sucked at being a bad guy. On the other hand, I am loving the idea of Ian Anthony Dale getting more meaty material to work with other than being Kono’s love sick puppy (even though I do love him in that role as well).  Ian was incredible in every scene in this episode and as much as I don’t really like the direction this story line is going in, I can’t wait to see Ian really shine.  Did you notice how the whole time he’s sitting talking to Aaron James in that warehouse he keeps subconsciously fingering his wedding band?  How Kono is always in this thoughts even when he, himself, isn’t even aware of it?

   

  

   

I don’t know what Adam is going to be forced to do. I’m a little scared actually. He loves Kono so much and I know he will do anything to protect her. The look on his face as they were standing on their back porch was heartbreaking. The self-loathing as he thought back over what he had just done. The sad realization that he is already an accessory to the murder of James and that it’s only the beginning.  The grim determination that he will protect Kono at all costs. Yeah…I’m a little afraid about where this is going. I just hope that whatever it ends up being, whatever he ends up having to do, Kono can forgive him for it.

   

   

   

   

The scene at the beginning of the episode with Steve sitting alone and dejected on the edge of his bed brought a lump to my throat.  He just looked so alone, so crushed.  And when he looked back at Catherine’s toothbrush on the sink, sitting next to his, my heart broke for him. I know there are those who are thrilled she is gone and while I’m not upset about her leaving one bit, part of me hopes that someday we, and Steve, do learn the truth about why she left. Maybe in the final year of the series…. many years from now. Yeah, that would work for me.

   

   

   

I also loved the way Alex played every one of his scenes in this episode. Not that I don’t always love everything he does, because obviously I do, but I felt a subtle current of deep seated emotion running through him in this one. The bitter disappointment and sadness over Catherine in that first scene seemed to permeate throughout. He tried to cavalierly dismiss how he was feeling to Lou, saying this is not the first time she’s left him and that he’ll get over it just like he did before. But Lou wasn’t buying it one bit. Yes, it’s not the first time she’s left but this time she’s not coming back. I agreed 100% with Lou when he suggested the best way to begin to heal “involves you, me and that bar!”

   

But Steve just continued to seem so sad to me. He was much less animated than usual in his body language and speech for the whole episode. He seemed more frustrated than necessary when the COTW investigation hit snags. As if he subconsciously was letting the frustration over his inability to understand what happened with Catherine seep into his daily activities. You know how it feels, right? When something has happened in your personal life? Try as you might to not let it affect you at work, you just can’t help being a human being. Even if what’s bothering you isn’t obviously front and center, it’s always there, in the back of your mind, in your heart. The hardest thing in the world is pretending something isn’t bothering you when it’s the only thing you can think about! Alex played Steve’s mood, his silent suffering, if you will, to perfection. In almost every close up you could literally see the sadness in his eyes.

   

   

The episode drew to a close the way I always love it.  With a true Ohana get together. How wonderful was it that Lou let the word spread and they were all there to support Steve? The look of sadness on Steve’s face as he approached the table spoke volumes. In that one short moment, the last place he wanted to be was there, the center of attention, having people feeling sorry for him. But it only took that one moment for him to realize that’s not what this was. Yes, they were there for him but not to feel sorry for him but to show him that no matter what he is loved, he has family, and no matter what, they will always have his back.

   

   

   

The addition of Jerry Rice in the scene was fun and I liked how they mentioned how Pro Bowl was coming back to Hawaii. It was so cute how Steve went all fan boy and got an autograph for Danny and the group picture was an exceptionally nice touch. Danny is going to be so jealous!

   

   

And speaking of Danny, I thought the writers did a great job in using Danny and Charlie’s procedure as the reason why Danny wasn’t in this episode. Not only does it make perfect sense but it helps so much in making Scott’s absence easier to deal with. I hate it when Danny isn’t in an episode but I hate it even more when there is no mention as to why, like it matters so little that he’s not there it doesn’t warrant an explanation. Well, it does matter when he’s not there and I want to know why because Danny is an extremely important part of the team and the Ohana, and Scott is an intrinsic, irreplaceable part of the show.

I have absolutely no problem with Scott doing a few less episodes a season so he can spend more time with his family in LA. Actually, if you really think about it, Scott and Danny are very much alike. Both will do whatever they can to spend as much time as possible with their kids. I love Danny for it and I admire Scott for it as well. That the writers are able to produce valid reasons for Danny’s absence just makes it much easier to bear.

This time, not only was Danny mentioned but he was in the episode without having to actually be in the episode. Steve and Lou heading into the hospital to visit Danny and Charlie at the beginning.  Lou telling Steve to “go make sure our boy is ok” when the call came in for the case. At the end, Steve was coming from the hospital and Danny when he arrived at Rumfire and then, getting Jerry Rice’s autograph, not for himself, but for Danny. All wonderful ways to show that even though Danny wasn’t with them all day, Steve had spent time with him and he wasn’t far from all their thoughts. To the writers….bravo. Keep it up for the next four episodes when Scott/Danny isn’t there.

A couple of favorite moments:

• As much as I love Steve and Lou teaming up, I really enjoyed the way the team mixed it up this week. Chin and Lou work really well together and, well, I’ve loved Steve and Kono teaming up since Season 1.

   

   

• Chin passing Steve’s truck in the car chase and the funny banter between Kono and Steve. “Is your foot even on the gas?” – “There’s a reason we always take Danny’s car, okay?” – “I see why.” Chin’s face as they passed the Silverado was priceless!

   

   

   

• Steve dodging cars to retrieve the painting.

   

   

   

   

   

    

• That car crash!! I was sitting watching the scene unfold, watching as Steve and Chin chased down the kidnapper on foot as he jumped into the car.  I was about to comment on how the bad guy was going to get away (as has happened a few times so far this season) when I was literally jolted out of my seat. Damn that crash scared the crap out of me!

   

   

   

   

• Max and his use of reverse Age Progression Software to help ID the “homeless” man found in the jungle. Lou: “Can it bring back my afro? I think my old lady would dig it” LOL

   

   

•I can’t image how terrifying it would be to be in the predicaments many of the victims on this show find themselves in.  Kidnapping always seems to be the preferred crime on this show time and time again.  But ohhhhh…..  to be the rescued victim and be on the receiving end of a patented McGarrett hug!

   

• I love how they always seem to find a way to work Jerry into a case. It would bother me if it wasn’t appropriate but each time he’s been involved it’s been completely appropriate. I loved him walking around Crane’s house taking pictures for his personal files. I suppose he’s still trying to rebuild his files from when they were all stolen last year.

   

   

• Lou can’t wait for Danny to get back on his feet so he can drive his own truck! Oh Steve….. you are nothing if not a consistent control freak! LOL

   

• Loved the caricatures Hirsch made for everyone. They were all incredibly funny but come on, you just gotta love “Rambo Steve”. OMG…those abs! LOL

   

    

   

There were many more really great moments in this episode, I could probably go on for several more pages but you get the idea that I really enjoyed this episode a lot.  Another really good week for our favorite show.  Now we get to look forward to next week when our favorite team competes in the Tough Mudder’s event.  Ahhhhhhhh muddy Ohana! Can’t get much better than that! Can’t wait!

Have a great week my friends. Aloha. Malama Pono

All photos are my own. Screencaps taken from iTunes