There are few things we can count on in life. The adage about death and taxes notwithstanding, one of the most wonderful things we can count on in life is the love and loyalty of a good dog. Those of us who are lucky enough to have or have had dogs that love us know the joy of having these incredible animals as members of our families.
Originally, when Steve took Eddie in, he intended to find him a good home. It didn’t take long, actually it seemed like only moments, before Eddie captured Steve’s heart. The big old softy that Steve is, his heart couldn’t help but go out to this canine broken toy, another addition to his ever growing Ohana.
Eddie has helped the team numerous times, starting with the very first bust he ever accompanied them on, when he saved Lou’s life. Eddie’s helped find an injured Junior, sniffed out drugs and hidden perps, he’s tracked down lost kids. He even helped Noelani meet her boyfriend. In every way possible, Eddie has become a valuable member of the team and a good and loyal friend. So, was anyone surprised that Eddie played such important roles in this episode?
New opening credits: This is the first time we’ve seen the opening credits without Jorge in them. It kind of made me a little sad. I’m really going to miss Jerry so much. But I do want to thank @racoon_sa on Twitter for capturing my favorite panel of the new opening credits. McDanno… speeding Camaro and.. Eddie with his very own square!! That was so great to see.
Photo Credit: @racoon_sa on Twitter
But the best thing to see at the beginning of this episode? Producer: Alex O’Loughlin! Sooooooo…. not only for the premiere and his 10.07 episode! How awesome is that!!! I am so happy for him I could cry. One thing they really have to do though. Whoever blocks out where the credits fall in a scene, needs to superimpose that producer credit over a moment in the scene when Alex is actually in the shot! It’s not important, but I need it!!!
Bomb in the Champ Box: When we first met Eddie, he was a drug detection dog for the DEA. But before that, he served his country with the military in Afghanistan where he was, more than likely, sniffing out IEDs. I don’t know anything about how dogs are trained for different types of detection or if it’s even possible for a dog to be cross trained to detect different things. But this is TV not real life so Eddie can detect drugs, detect explosives, sniff out hidden perps, track lost kids…. He’s “Eddie the Wonder Dog”. The perfect companion for “Steve the SuperSEAL” who we’ve also seen can do practically anything.
I do find it kind of funny though that when Steve arrived home to find Eddie barking at the back door (and after letting him out thinking he needed a potty break) that his mind immediately leaped to calling the bomb squad. I mean, he made the right call, of course, but how did he know Eddie wasn’t just barking because some animal got into the garage? Or, if Eddie is trained not to trigger on random animals, why didn’t Steve think, maybe, there was a person in there. Pull his gun, clear the place, then find the bomb and call the bomb squad?
But then again, Steve is a fantastic commander. A commander who knows and respects the abilities of his team. And Eddie is a part of that team. He knows what Eddie is capable of, what his trigger would be. Ultimately, Steve did exactly what he should have done.
I do wonder though if Steve and Lou (and later the rest of the team) are right and it’s Cullen who planted that bomb or hired someone to do so. Sure, he’s the bad guy from last weeks episode and fresh in everyone’s mind. It’s an easy conclusion to jump to. But, Lou asked a valid question. “Who’d you piss off now?” Steve is also right. “It’s a long list”. I’m curious to see if it really was Cullen or if it’s the mysterious bad guy we’ve been told is eventually coming. We were told this new bad guy as some connection to past events. Unless there are things about Cullen we don’t know yet, which is entirely possible, I don’t think he’s the new bad guy.
Bomb in the tunnel: I really liked how this part of the episode was done. First, I got a real kick out of the argument the married couple was having before the first cave in. They sounded so much like Steve and Danny for a moment, I couldn’t help but laugh.
It was also pretty rich for Steve to tell Tani to wait for the fire department to clear the scene before she and Junior went into the tunnel to try to help. Poor Steve. All these years of reckless behavior has it’s draw backs. His team can’t help but to always call him on it so they can be reckless too!
Once, what proved to be a second bomb went off, I really liked the way the scene was written. A great call back to when Steve and Danny were in the building collapse in Season 4. Tani waking up, covered in dust with her head buzzing from the blast and screaming for Junior! It’s exactly the way Steve woke up after that building blast, screaming for Danny all those years ago.
Photo Credit: @alohaspaceman on Twitter and IG
Junior the JrSuperSEAL: Even if he did have an overall really rough day. First he’s bummed out because Tani is a better surfer than he is. Then he gets blasted off his feet and slammed into a car by a blast of C4. But he’s still able to help the lady with the broken legs out of her car, pick her up and carry her to safety and take command to muster all the survivors into trying to dig them out. Then after overseeing the evacuation of everyone else, somehow, no one notices the rope being used to pull him from the tunnel is frayed so he ends up plummeting all the way back down to the bottom. Yet, somehow he ends up with only a mild concussion and a busted wrist. Is it a SEAL thing? Are they all pretty much indestructible??
Photo credit: CBS
Photo Credit: @alohaspaceman on Twitter and IG
A one-story episode: I really loved the way the team worked the case this week. Once again just like the premiere, there was only one case even though there were, technically, two stories. This is the way I like it best. There was the story in the tunnel and the story of the crime of the week, but they were intertwined with each other to form one cohesive episode. Kudos to writers Talia Gonzalez and Bisanne Masound. This one was done perfectly.
It also shows how, when an episode is written well, Alex can have a more restful work week and the episode doesn’t suffer in the least. Steve spent the entire episode running the investigation while supervising the rescue efforts at the tunnel. Lou took over the magic table duties this week, while Danny, Adam and Quinn handled all the leg work in the field. Everyone fully contributed, no one was pushed to the side or given something to do just for the sake of giving them something to do. This distribution was perfect.
Photo credits: CBS
Eddie the Wonder Dog: Part Deux: This episode totally belonged to Eddie. First he saves Steve’s life by alerting him to the bomb in the garage and then he ups the heroism ten-fold by saving everyone trapped in the tunnel. Just like at his house, Steve knows and respects Eddie’s abilities. He understands the risks of sending him into that small space, the danger if he should get trapped as well. But Steve also knows Eddie and he has no doubts that he will get the job done. After all, Eddie spent years serving in Afghanistan. This can’t be the first search and rescue he’s done after a bomb blast.
Photo credit: @alohaspaceman on Twitter and IG
I couldn’t wait for the moment with Eddie would make it through to Junior and Tani. Their reaction was priceless as was that among the others in the tunnel. Was there ever a doubt Eddie would save the day?? Of course not.
And was there anything cuter than watching Eddie lifted out of that hole?? I’m sorry, but I could watch an entire episode of nothing but Eddie.
Oh… and by the way…. it looks like we’re going to be getting just that sometime in the future. Can you spell E-X-C-I-T-E-D????
I do have one question though: The ventilation shaft they pulled everyone up through was there the entire time? If it was, why was everyone on both sides of the cave in, busting their asses clearing rock when all they had to do was shut down the power, turn off the fan and bring everyone up through that huge, humongous hole in the ceiling…. that was there the entire time??? Oh well, one of those “suspension of belief” moments, I guess! LOL
Quinn Liu: You know, there are times when something happens and you immediately know exactly what reaction it’s going to get even without having to look for that reaction. The moment Steve asked Quinn for a favor, I couldn’t help the spontaneous eye roll and chuckle it caused. I don’t have to see it to know what the reaction of some was going to immediately be.
But you know what? People who know Steve, I mean really know him for who he is and not for who they want him to be, know that Steve always uses the resources he has available to him at any given moment. Quinn was a convenient source at that moment. Just like when he’s gone to others over the years for help when their expertise would be useful.
I can remember when Lou was still SWAT and his relationship with Steve was just beginning to change from animosity to friendship. Steve called upon him for help with those homegrown college terrorists. (S4E20 – Peʻepeʻe Kanaka – Those Among Us). It means nothing more than that, in my opinion.
Photo credit: CBS
Besides, the prisoner transport vehicle was registered to the Department of Defense, who Quinn works for. Steve was probably obligated to inform the DOD of the incident eventually anyway. In order to track the vehicle, he could have called an official DOD office where he would have had to request assistance. It’s probably something he would have done if he had no other option.
But he did have another option. He had a personal contact. Quinn. Why waste time with government bureaucracy when you can simply cut to the chase? Quinn didn’t even hesitate a second to try to track the vehicle the moment Steve said it was DOD registered. I really don’t see it as a “favor” even if that’s the word Steve chose to use. I see it more as the fastest means to an end.
Quinn was an awesome fit throughout the entire episode. I love the way she jumped right in to help after Steve called her and how she had the team’s back the whole day. And she saved Danny’s life in that jungle. That puts her very…. very…. high in my “I love her” book! So far, I can’t find one thing I don’t love about her. And I absolutely love her sense of humor. Her sarcasm is knife sharp but not mean or condescending. And it looks like I’m not the only one who finds her wit razor sharp either! LOL
I can’t wait to learn more about her and I’m really looking forward to when she joins the team full time.
Photo credit: @alohaspaceman on Twitter and IG
Fan fiction heaven: A full Ohana BBQ at Casa McG at the close of a big case is a fan fiction staple but one we’ve never actually seen in the show. And it was fantastic. It was such a great change from having everyone gather at Kamekona’s and besides, Kame doesn’t serve steak on that truck of his. I couldn’t help but squeeee just a little bit because I totally called that sirloin dinner for Eddie way before that scene! Yeah… I know.. not a huge stretch to call it but I still couldn’t help but be just a teeny bit excited! LOL
If they were at the shrimp truck, how would Eddie have gotten his hero’s treat of a sirloin dinner? And Eddie sure as hell deserved that steak!
I think this has got to be one of my favorite Ohana scenes we’ve ever had. First off, just having Steve manning that grill is pure gold. But also because everyone was there and they were all so relaxed. Maybe even a bit too relaxed, when it came to the idea that Cullen (or whoever) could be plotting to have another go at Casa McG. But that couldn’t dampen their mood. They were obviously enjoying each others company in a way only true families can. And having Quinn be a part of it only made it that much better.
Photo credit: @alohaspaceman on Twitter and IG
So far, Season 10 is getting off to a fantastic start. The first two episodes have been full of everything that makes H50 such a fantastic show. And, the addition of Katrina Law as Quinn has been a total success. I know I keep repeating myself, but I really can’t wait to see more.
That’s it for this week, my friends! Have a fantastic rest of your weekend. See you next week. Aloha. Malama Pono
All screen caps are mine unless otherwise noted.
Hawaii Five-0 Kool-Aid 
Great review, Linda! In my mind, Eddie cemented his status as a member of the team with his heroics! I loved the way he looked at Steve before he went into the tunnel-it was like he was saying,”I know what I have to do, Boss, I’m ready,let’s do this”! Of course, having smelled Junior & Tani’s scent from their stuff Steve got from their car didn’t hurt! Using the ventilator shaft to bring everyone up was great, but I agree with you that it could have been done sooner. How Junior survived that fall with only a mild concussion is incredible! When Quinn showed up at the halfway house or whatever it was and surprised Danny & Adam, I loved it when Danny told her she was taking years off his life that way-sounds like something he once said to Steve! As for the Ohana BBQ, I thought it was so sweet that Steve called Eddie,”Edward”-I just loved that. I had to wonder, though,why Danny had to argue about it. Leave it to Steve to tell Danny to go in the house and fix himself a PB&J sandwich-so funny! However, Steve did not get any answers about the bomb from his house,although they all think Cullen had something to do with it. Looking forward to next week’s episode-I think Quinn may become a member of H50 then-can’t wait to see if it happens!
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I loved that whole exchange about the steak but I have to say… I didn’t see it as Danny arguing about it. It wasn’t like Danny was begrudging Eddie that steak or that he didn’t think Eddie deserved it but that he felt that the job he and everyone else did also deserved a good steak. Everyone, including Danny, agreed that Eddie had definitely earned it!
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I also liked the episode, but not as much as last week. Although, I liked how Tani was so worried about Junior. I loved how she kept screaming “Junior”. These two are so cute together. Eddie saved the day. I loved him in his goggles. Poor Danny. He was told he could make a peanut butter sandwich. He is adorable when he is whining. I’m glad that Eddie got his steak. He earned it. Next week can’t come soon
enough. Thanks for the great review.
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I have to agree with most of what you said here. Many many plot holes and discrepancies but always fun. I feel this season is a little bland. The first two episodes where different versions of a story we have seen before and it makes me wonder if the writers have run out of original plots. The new girl is fine and the jury is still out on her. She really hasn’t done much to differentiate her from anyone else yet. I wish she wasn’t military. I wish Mcgarrett didn’t ask her for the favor in the way he did. Even you have to admit it was the exact language he used with Rollins. His favors from Lou were not the same. It made me wonder if Quinn is going to be another Rollins type character. Being a McG favor girl will diminish her character because unlike McRoll they aren’t playing a sexual game. I did hear she was taking the place of Danny since he is getting even more time off this season. I hope Junior and Tani don’t go into a full blown romance. Like you have repeatedly said loves should be in the background and work romance is a no no. Except McDanno. They can love on each other all day long.
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Thank you so much for your comment and welcome to the blog. There really are only so many story themes in the world and pretty much all stories are variations of those themes. I knew I’d heard that phrase in the past but to be sure I looked it up.
“Many academics, most notably author Christopher Booker, believe that there are only seven basic plot structures in all of storytelling – frameworks that are recycled again and again in fiction but populated by different settings, characters, and conflicts.
Those seven plots are:
Overcoming the Monster
Rags to Riches
The Quest
Voyage and Return
Rebirth
Comedy
Tragedy”
Here’s the link to the information I found: https://www.autocrit.com/blog/7-stories-world/
So the fact that, after 9+ years, some stories are going to look a little familiar with only the names or locations changed is not all that surprising. It’s not something that keeps me up at night, as long as the stories are fun.
As for Quinn…. I have no fear the writers are going to make her a ‘Cath 2.0′. Yes, she’s military and she has brown hair. I’m sure there are more than two woman in the military who have brown hair. I’m sure all women in the fighting military are hard working, tough as nails and extremely competent. That makes Catherine AND Quinn a copy of those amazing women. It does not make Quinn a copy of Catherine.
And since she’s a regular character who will very soon be a permanent member of Five-0, Steve won’t be calling her for favors because he’ll have her right there, with the rest of the team, working.
You’re right. I’ve always said that I prefer “significant others” should be in the background and, since I don’t think Steve and Quinn are destined to be a couple, it’s not an issue. Tani and Junior are a different matter. I’m extremely willing to bend my little rule for them simply because they are so friggin’ adorable. Of course, I’d bend it for McDanno too! LOL
Lastly, I don’t think anyone is there to take the place of anyone else. You’re right that schedules have become much more fluid as the years have gone by. Scott misses his 5 to 7 episodes a season and now Alex is also taking on a lighter schedule. Chi doesn’t do any of the extremely physical stuff. With Jerry gone, someone (and each week it will probably be someone different) will have to man the magic table. Having there be 7 of them, gives the writers all kinds of flexibility as to how stories are written and who’s central to each story.
Thanks again for the great comment. I hope you decide to stay and contribute even more!
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Gee. Thanks for the lesson. I didn’t realize this was a class course on storytelling rather than a place to talk about a show we all love. I do not think it is necessary to be rude to someone trying to engage. I do not think all military woman with dark hair are the same person. I know the difference. I guess your hatred for the Rollins character do not allow you to see the writers added that favor scene on purpose to cause trouble with the fans. Some love it others hated. Lenkov mission accomplished. He has already taken away the McDanno love. I am happy Alex is doing is wishes. Maybe he wishes for Mcgarrett and Danny to be together. I hope so.
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I sincerely apologize if you felt my comment was rude. I did not intend it to be so. I meant it when I said you made a great comment. It made me think of that old saying about “story plots” that I heard a long time ago and gave me the opportunity to go look it up. Like you, many people have made the comment, and rightfully so, over the years, that many stories seem to be somewhat of a repeat and I just find it interesting that it’s not an uncommon occurrence in literature. I enjoy learning new things, as much as I enjoy the give and take between people with differing opinions. Your original comment gave me the impression you were of a similar mind. I’m sorry if I assumed too much. I did not mean to offend. I am very sorry if I did.
And just to make myself clear… I do not hate the Rollins character. I’m not going to regurgitate all the reasons why I simply feel that time has passed and it’s time for Steve to move on. If she comes back for her once a year visit and they’re able to work together and still be good friends, that’s fine with me. If the powers that be really do intend for them to end up together by the time the show crosses the finish line… I think it’s….stupid (is that the word??) but it won’t make me hate the show I’ve loved all these years.
And I totally agree with you 100%. If Alex wishes for Steve and Danny to be together, I’m all for it too! LOL
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I believe we are of like mind. I was trying to say his motives were obvious. Anyway, the show will end one day and I do not think anyone will be happy with how. I would not use the word stupid. I think that word is inappropriate in every situation. Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to do this for all the fans.
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Thanks for the info Linda. I intend to read up on that. It makes sense. I remember reading something on social media a few years ago with someone commenting that Bill Bixby’s The Incredible Hulk was similar to the The Fugitive tv series and realizing they had a point. It is very hard to come up with new and creative ideas so I suppose that eventually everything seems alike. That can pretty much be said for a lot of things in life.
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Yes… I remember the Incredible Hulk/Fugitive comparisons as well. The “wronged man” being hunted while he also tried to find the guilty party of the crime he’s being accuse of.. in 1845, Victor Hugo wrote a little classic with this same theme called “Les Misérables”. 😉😉
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Loved it. At one point Scott had his hand on his stomach, like it hurt, I wonder if the bar-b-que was shot earlier and it gave him a stomach. He was very pale. The rescuers didn’t thing out side of the box. The guy said those things shouldn’t be shut off. I loved that everyone got to do something.
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I don’t have time to comment, but let me just say I completely adored this episode. And thanks for giving us a clue into storytelling – I can always afford to learn something new!
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Didn’t expect to hear from you this week! LOL Hope you’re having a great time and thanks for taking a few minutes to read! ♥♥
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Linda just sending you some love. I think “Patsa” was a bit rough with you . You are always fair . You may not always like the way a story develops but you are never nasty. You know that you and I have agreed to disagree about Steve and Catherine since I was in an on and off realationship for 10years with my college sweetheart I know sometimes things go on much longer than they really should but there is always some love left for that person and i appreciate that you accept that,
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Don’t worry. Patsa is entitled to her opinion. She didn’t hurt my feelings. We’re all good. And I appreciate the fact that we’re all able to agree to disagree from time to time. I love a good debate. I always have. I’m the first one to admit that I’m not always right and I enjoy it when I learn something new from someone who may have a different view than I do. I hope I never get to the point in my life when I feel that I’m too old to learn something new! Thanks babe!
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Pommienana,
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve often wondered if some of our views on this show come from our own personal lives and beliefs. I’m the type of person that will look back and dwell on the past. My own beliefs are if I knew then what I know now I certainly would have done things differently, but I don’t want to go backwards I only want to move forwards. That’s just my own personal coping mechanism to move forward, because I really don’t like change and tend to get stuck in one place. I think that since we’re writing and not actually face to face, it doesn’t always translate well to each other. Sometimes, we just get the wrong idea and take offense. Your post shed a new light on some of this.
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I adored the episode. I sent a tweet to the writers saying that you could tell how good an episode is by how fast (or not) the tweets were flying and the silence was deafening with this episode. It had it all, 1 cotw, banter, Eddie, who was a life-saver twice and just adorable in those goggles (can’t wait for this backstory episode!), sit-on-the-edge of your seat excitement and an Ohana moment with the “new girl” Quinn. Who could ask for more??
Like you, when Steve asked Quinn for a favor I knew the fallout would be swift. And it was. But, after 9 seasons, don’t they realize that regardless of who Steve is asking for a favor, his answer would be the same, it’s just his way. Period.
I also don’t think the Cullen is the new Big Bad. He’s an easy scapegoat since, as you said, he fresh in our memory. I can’t shake the feeling that whoever it is, will have a connection to the biggest Big Bad ever, Wo Fat.
And on a very shallow note, I don’t remember the exact words of a tweet I saw but it was about how good Alex looked and, damn, he was smoking … Phew, got that out of the way. 😉
Thanks for a great review and screencaps!
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Linda,
I liked everything you wrote. I really enjoyed this episode. I noticed that I didn’t look at the twitter feed at all and found myself looking at it later in the evening. I just love the episodes with Eddie. I think they could have him laying on a couch in the office for the entire episode and I would love it. The case of the week was ok but what I loved most was the team pairings. Adam just seems so much like he was always part of the team. I love McDanno moments, but I’m really liking Danny interacting with the other team members. I loved the ohana moment at the end and I wish they would have more backyard barbeques. Yes, we must suspend belief for many of these episodes to work, but that is pretty much the same for most tv shows.
I love Quinn and need to watch some of Katrina Law’s other characters. I really want to see some of the action roles she’s had in the past. I knew from the beginning that she would be compared to Catherine and I wasn’t that pleased that she had a military background, although it makes sense. However, I don’t remember Catherine having the same type of personality. Quinn is rough around the edges and guarded. Catherine was kind and friendly, if I remember correctly. It’s been so long. Comparing the two is almost like saying out with the old and in with the newer model. There’s no need to bring Catherine back for her once a year pop in since Quinn will be a regular team member. Comparing the two takes away the history Catherine’s importance even as a friend and former colleague of Steve, since they are no longer in a relationship. I would hope the frustrated McRoll/Catherine fans would realize this and try and separate the two. As of now they have no intention of making Quinn a love interest. If they do so be it. I love the character of Steve, but for the love of all that is good and holy, he is not God’s greatest gift to all women. He might not even be Quinn’s type. She might not even be into gray bearded 40-something year old men that refuse to accept they are no longer in their 20’s. After all Steve’s been through, he might decide he wants to be with someone different from himself that gives him balance and grounds him.
Like most I don’t have any idea how this show will end, and I know there will be some disappointed people. I suppose the ending will have to be something the PL and CBS can both agree on.
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Hey Linda great review as always and I was thinking the same thing you were why didn’t they just rescue them like that from the beginning but I guess it was portrayed that it wasn’t an option because it would take away there breathable air and fill the tunnel with carbon dioxide it was actually Steve when looking at the plans thought about it and force them to do it so maybe it just wasn’t on their mind to actually go that way because they thought it wouldn’t be a good idea that’s the only thing I can come up with. I love Tani and Junior together they are absolutely adorable and I do hope they end up together. But to me Eddie stole this episode he is so cute and to address what you said about how Steve jump to the conclusion it was a bomb right away it could have been in the way he was acting the way he was barking than sitting barking then sitting that triggered Steve to think it was a bomb because dogs who are trained to sniff out have a certain physical reaction to it and maybe that was the trigger for Steve the way Eddie actually acted. As for Quinn before the season started I was not sure if I was going to like this character because I knew that Jerry was going to be leaving and I was really sad cuz I love Jerry so I wasn’t wholeheartedly embracing a new character to quote-unquote take his place but I actually like her which is really a pleasant surprise and I think she’s going to work really well the dynamic within the team and I don’t think Peter lenkov has intentions at this time to make that a romantic interest for Steve I think he even said as much he wants to see how fans react to her first and maybe down the road it’ll be a romantic interest but I don’t think that’s the plan and as of now. And I agree that people for comparing her to Catherine shouldn’t be two different characters totally two different women and it’s definitely not meant to be portrayed that way. I think the first two episodes of the season have been fantastic I think they’re writing has been very well done and I’m looking forward to more episodes this season. I’m also curious to see who’s going to be there computer Guru now that Jerry’s gone I don’t think anybody on the team has his skills when it comes to the computer except maybe Adam he might be the closest but I feel like that will take away from the team. I mean how many times has Jerry assisted at the magic table that was his main job so I feel like that roll needs to be replaced because I don’t think they can function without a home-based computer nerd helping them when they’re in the field that’s just my opinion maybe I’ll be wrong.😉
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A little late. But better late than never. Really so far it is off to such a great start. As love the Katrina Law character. Really she is a mini-Steve. That is the mini-Steve version
Please more Lou and Steve interactions. Something we are seeing less and less
And in that of in the hoping to see more Eddie. He is the hero and deserves that steak.
Sorry Danny but maybe next time
Just hope Jerry replacement can be named. Someone needs to be the tech whiz there. Miss Jerry already
Adam really has grown on me. Just hope he can shake off his mob past.
Overall a great start and a great episode.
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