The following are archived comments from May 2014. After looking around, please add your own comments! Links back: Main Page • Discussion Forum Main Page • Discussion Forum Archives
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Thanks, honu59. I believe you're right about "Pig in a Blanket". McG is upset because Danno's life is on the line.
For some reason I was thinking of "Nightmare in Blue" where McG kicks his balcony door in frustration in not being able to catch the rapist.Added: Saturday 31 May 2014 21:45:00 MST
Submitted by: honu59
From: New York
"You remember that episode where McG is frustrated because he can't crack what seems to be a simple case? He even says that they've busted dangerous criminals of every type - foreign spies, serial killers, etc. - but can't seem to crack this one. He actually vents "Geez, somebody ought to call a cop". I don't recall which episode that was off the top of my head."
Ringfire, the episode you're thinking of is "Pig in a Blanket". The case he can't seem to crack is a simple drug store robbery "with Danno's life on the line".Added: Saturday 31 May 2014 12:25:45 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
John, addressing your points on "The Skyline Killer":
"1.McGarrett's weak investigative skills."
I think your comparisons to McG previously having apprehended the Vashons or Alika (who kept going free anyway) or Tanaka or whoever are pretty much irrelevant. Each case is different. Sometimes a very simple case may leave you stumped. You remember that episode where McG is frustrated because he can't crack what seems to be a simple case? He even says that they've busted dangerous criminals of every type - foreign spies, serial killers, etc. - but can't seem to crack this one. He actually vents "Geez, somebody ought to call a cop". I don't recall which episode that was off the top of my head.
"2.Narrow Victim Pool. The Skyline killer attacks young women in high rise apartments. That eliminates men, children, old women & those living in houses."
You've got to be kidding. Do you know how many high-rises there are in Honolulu? Just in Waikiki alone? And do you know how many young women there are living in those high-rises? I can imagine there would be at least a dozen young women on one floor alone. Never mind the entire building. Never mind all the high-rises in Waikiki alone. Hardly a narrow victim pool.
"3.Narrow Suspect Pool. The Skyline Killer had great agility & was expert in climbing high rises. This limits the suspect pool to Hawaii males who are crane workers or telephone line repairman or circus performers."
Again, this would be a ridiculously large suspect pool. Never mind circus performers. Just high-rise construction workers alone would be a chore to go through. Construction in Hawaii was booming at that time in the 70s!
"4.An empty criminal. The Skyline Killer is a mystery."
Well, he does call them "tramps exposing themselves at their windows". My guess is he's a peeping tom who can't make it with a real girl so this obsession with something he can't have drives him to commit murders. We're talking about a sick mind here. Not much explanation required, is there? Why does Eddie Josephs re-create the killings in "I'll Kill 'Em Again"? We don't know. He just does.
"5.The Botched Skyline Killer Captures."
Ok, I'll give you that one. But hey, it's a way to keep the action going.Added: Saturday 31 May 2014 10:48:36 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
Here's some episode ideas for Season 5 Hawaii Five O.
1.Return of Roman. Almost 35 years after murdering Penelope Christie, Howard Roman is paroled from Oahu prison. Christie's son from his 2nd marriage Cole decides to take revenge on Roman for ruining Christie's 1st marriage.
2.Hazard Pay. Brilliant criminals unleash a chemical spill as a diversion while they take wealthy people hostage at a lavish hotel celebration for Senator Trenton's 50th birthday.
3.Details On A Map. While cleaning up the basement, McGarrett finds a crude map & follows the coordinates and locations. With Jerry's help, they start digging and find $10,000 cash in an old box & the skeletal remains of an unknown person.
4. The New Mind of Steve McGarrett. While alone on his boat, McG is taken hostage & programmed Deadly Courier style to carry out a mission to detonate a device during the World Summit.
5.The Forgotten Ones. Local sugar cane & Hawaiian farmers band together to stop an Oil Company Hanzos from taking over their land.
6. Justice For Hawaiians. A brilliant Hawaiian scientist designs a unique time machine in the hopes of having Hawaii controlled again by the real Hawaiian people. Bodies start mounting as Lu Max destroys any opponents to his plan.
7.Danno's Last Stand. Danny becomes embroiled in a controversy involving a beautiful model & the bribing of judges in the Mrs. Hawaii contest. JohnAdded: Saturday 31 May 2014 10:08:26 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
I noticed in Season 11 McGarrett has more fire & can be combative with some professional people. He lights into the Astrologer in Horoscope For Murder & attacks Dr. Danforth even though the Doctor was cleared from wrongdoing in A Very Personal Matter.
Enjoy Season 11 episodes very much...I like the chemistry between Duke,Danny, & Steve in the shows especially The Case Against Philip Christie. McGarrett on the jury was something new & I like how Danny & Duke investigated the clues. Always enjoyed the locked door mystery. Never understood why Howard Roman looked sad pretty much admitting his guilt. He should have said "Nice theory McGarrett but where's the proof." I guess his guilty conscience got the best of him with Christie & friends around. Season 11 & some 12 episodes are very enjoyable. JohnAdded: Saturday 31 May 2014 08:20:18 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Klane was anything but professional and deserved the treatment he got from McGarrett. He puts an ad in the newspaper asking the skyline killer to come forward for an exclusive interview. That may not be illegal, but it is unethical and amoral.
If the killer did speak to Klane, he wasn't going to share that information with the police. It's also glorifying a murderer. Klane didn't care on bit about the victims, until his own daughter - who had to call him to schedule a dinner date with him - becomes a target. Steve didn't think Klane was the killer, but that he was withholding information, and had every right to believe so.
It would have been more plausible for cops to be outside the restaurant and outside the apartment, but if they were, the story would have ended sooner. They didn't know what the killer even looked like, so if he made contact with another man inside the bar and got him to make contact with Klane, and left before contact was made, he could have easily escaped without the police noticing. I saw the show a few months ago, but I remember Duke or some HPD man being stationed outside.
As for the balcony scene, weren't the cops on the ground outside the apartment, and joined in the chase? They would not have known to go to the construction site without following Steve as he chased the killer, given they did not have any make on him.
I agree should have had more of an identity. I won't feel sorry for him either way but, without knowing who he was and why he targeted women in high rises, the story looks incomplete.Added: Friday 30 May 2014 21:48:19 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
Here's some reasons why The Skyline Killer only received 3 stars out of 6.
1.McGarrett's weak investigative skills. In other episodes, McGarrett uses his intelligent mind to think of solutions & try to match wits with the killer. Early in the episode, McG is fresh out of leads. He decides Klane is his best chance to catch The Skyline Killer & puts all the eggs in this basket. Remember McGarrett has taken down the Vaschons,Alika,The Tanaka serial killer,HRH, & other cunning foes. Yet he was stumped by this guy.
2.Narrow Victim Pool. The Skyline killer attacks young women in high rise apartments. That eliminates men, children, old women & those living in houses. HPD & the HFO team could narrow it down to those places where there are high rises. Still no suspects.
3.Narrow Suspect Pool. The Skyline Killer had great agility & was expert in climbing high rises. This limits the suspect pool to Hawaii males who are crane workers or telephone line repairman or circus performers. Still no suspects.
4.An empty criminal. The Skyline Killer is a mystery. They could have made up some kind of story when he talked with Klane at the warehouse. Maybe, the killer loved a girl Anna & then he was drafted in Vietnam. When he returned, Anna had gotten involved with an Anti War Group The Green Wolves. She only saw him as a soldier or killer. He loved Anna but she could not accept him. Holding in this hostility, he decided to kill women who looked like Anna.
5.The Botched Skyline Killer Captures. McGarrett usually has his ducks in a row when it comes to apprehending a criminal but The Skyline Killer easily evaded capture. He sent another man to meet the Klane in the bar. He again easily escapes the Mary Ellen set up by overturning the mattress & sliding down the balcony rope. You would think another cop would be hiding by the balcony just in case. Anyway, the ending was exciting & incredible on the Crane. JohnAdded: Friday 30 May 2014 19:23:07 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
Have to agree with Mr. Mike on The Skyline Killer. The script I thought was weak from start to finish. I think the haters & censors must have gotten to this episode. In years past, there would be more close ups of the killing or the killer would say something. In each of these, it quickly flashed back to the story.
McGarrett was overly arrogant & angry in this episode. He routinely & sarcastically questioned Clane over his motives yet Clane was a professional & broke no rules. The scene where McG & HFO try to trap the Skyline Killer also was botched. Why were all the HFO inside the bar? Should have had more guys outside.
Clane's daughter played by Rita Wilson was excellent in her role as a young professional. She was the obvious target yet it took HFO forever to figure this out only tracing the flowers saved her.
The Skyline Killer redeems itself at the end. The high rise crane scene is still amazing & suspenseful 35 years later. You see McG dangling & it looks like he's going to drop. I would give The Skyline Killer 3 stars outof 6. Big fan of Season 11 but The Skyline Killer one of the weaker episodes. JohnAdded: Friday 30 May 2014 17:39:19 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Let's look at the positives of "The Skyline Killer" - a great serial killer story with a killer who scales high-rises, a muckraking reporter who wants to get an exclusive with the killer, some fantastic camera shots and stuntwork, and a superb creepy score by Dick DeBenedictis. The last 2 points in particular are what really MAKE this episode for me! Ever since I was a kid I was just in awe of all those dizzying shots of high-rises and the fantastic stuntwork (particularly in the end - yes even if it does make McG look like old Roger Moore Bond doing improbable stunts). There is that hair-raising scene where the stuntman doubling for McG dangles between heaven and earth upside down off the crane. Even watching it now it gives me the willies! If you look close enough you'll spot what looks like some kind of leg device rigged for the stuntman to slip his leg into when he does that upside down "fall". Still, you couldn't pay me enough to do something like that - even with that device in place. You've got to have nerves of steel to do that stuff. I think Beau Van Den Ecker was the perfect guy to direct this episode. Being a stuntman himself you can definitely feel his stamp on this episode. But it's not just the stunts, it's the shot of all those hotels that the killer rappels down. I love all those outdoorsy shots. The episode opens on a hotel (the white one) on the Ala Wai Canal - where the first victim gets killed in the shower. When she wakes up and goes to the window as she's looking out you can see the Rainbow Tower hotel across and the lagoon below. So this shot was taken from inside the Ilikai hotel. Then the hotel at the end which the killer scales to kill Mary Ellen Klane (Rita Wilson) is the same white hotel that he scaled at the beginning of the episode when he killed the first victim - the one on the Ala Wai Canal. I'm curious - anyone know what this hotel is called and if it's standing? I jogged along Ala Wai but it's been a while so that's why I'm curious. And how about that awesome camera shot from the floor of the killer's feet (extreme closeup) at the beginning after the girl gets into the shower? Fantastic stuff! Then the icing on the cake is the score by Dick DeBenedictis! It's nothing short of a masterpiece. Creepy as hell! This guy did a lot of COLUMBO at the time and then went on to do MATLOCK in the 80s. I know that many consider the last 3 seasons to be musically inferior - with scores by Cacavas and others (and I agree) - but this one is the exception. It's as good as anything by Stevens or Shores or Ray from the earlier seasons. Brilliant piece of scoring!
Seeing a very young Mrs. Tom Hanks was a treat (always liked Rita Wilson) and any episode that features "Bible Jim" just begs to be checked out!
This episode really should have been the series finale. Just check out that epic closing scene with Jack Lord standing on top of the hotel facing Diamond Head as the Five-0 theme swells up in glorious fashion. That would have been one heck of a send-off! Much better than the last shot in "Woe to Wo Fat".Added: Friday 30 May 2014 13:18:12 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Again I have a bone to pick with Mr. Mike's ratings - only 2 and a half stars for the sublime "The Skyline Killer"? No way! I have always seen this episode as not only the last truly GREAT episode of Five-0 but one that could hold its own against any of the classics from seasons 1-6. I mean how does something average like "Head to Head" (also with Charles Cioffi) or "The Year of the Horse" get a higher rating than "Skyline Killer"?
Ok, so the performances aren't exactly crisp or energetic from anyone involved (including our regulars). But this was basically true for almost all episodes at this point. Jack Lord and company have been largely going through the motions since the end of season 9. So it's not something unique to this episode. There is actually a scene where you can clearly see that Jack Lord is reading his lines (Mr. Mike does not mention this in his anal-ysis) - it's very obvious. It starts at around the 14:45 mark (if you're streaming on Netflix) when McGarrett is in his office standing and talking to the district attorney (Ernest Chan) about the women being murdered. Chan is standing right in front of Jack but you can see Jack's eyes looking up towards the upper left as he's talking to him. Clearly someone is holding a board there and Jack is reading from it. But hey it was season 11 and Jack was getting old so I'm not about to hold it against this particular episode. It's clear that the last 3 seasons were not up to the level of seasons 1-9. But I think this episode is the exception (performances and leisure suits aside). I'll talk about the positives in my next post since it looks like I have quite a bit to say.Added: Friday 30 May 2014 12:01:06 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
His mother was Irish and his father was Sicilian, Ethiopian, French, Italian, and Moorish. That will definitely make for versatile features which can make you pass for several ethnicities.Added: Wednesday 28 May 2014 08:58:23 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
Hey Ringfire that's wild, man. I also thought he was a local who was no more than a Five-O bit player. I had no idea. Good find.Added: Tuesday 27 May 2014 21:49:57 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Herb Jeffries, star of "black cowboy films" (not sure what those are) has died.
http://imdb.to/1oqLorA
He guest-starred 4 times on FIVE-0. I guess he was black (like Frank Silvera) although it was very difficult to tell. I sure never picked up on it when I saw him on FIVE-0. He looked "local" to me. Just like Frank Silvera.Added: Tuesday 27 May 2014 14:16:19 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
I liked James Garner / Bret Maverick. When he left the show, so did I. I didn't care for Bart and couldn't take the new faces. So, Maverick ended earlier for me than it did for Warner and the network.Added: Tuesday 27 May 2014 04:30:00 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Roger Moore on Maverick (long article):
http://comicsbulletin.com/columns/6773/before-he-was-james-bond-and-lord-sinclair-he-was-a-maverick/Added: Monday 26 May 2014 19:34:32 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Here is what amazon.com is selling the new Five-O seasons for. The first price is the Amazon price, the second is the price from Marketplace Sellers. Sometimes the second one is more expensive than the first, don't ask me to explain this.
The Blu-Ray for the first three seasons is described as "multi-format." Surely this doesn't mean both Blu-Ray and DVD are contained in the same package?
Needless to say, I don't own any of these seasons in ANY format yet.
Season One DVD $27.18 / $21.77
Season One Blu-Ray $29.52 / $18.98
Season Two DVD $23.49 / $26.96
Season Two Blu-Ray $39.68 / $28.88
Season Three DVD $23.45 / $36.11 (new copies are not sold by Amazon themselves)
Season Three Blu-Ray $47.40 / $32.87
Season Four DVD $42.96 (pre-order, list price is $64.99)
Season Four Blu-Ray $46.96 (pre-order, list price is $64.99)Added: Monday 26 May 2014 09:19:57 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
I was once at Target, and saw several copies of Season 1 of the new show on DVD on one shelf. Next to it was an empty space where Season 1 of the original used to be. I say used to be because there were no more copies of it on the shelf. A clerk walking by saw me reading the label on the shelf and told me that the old show sells fast and he has to keep restocking the shelf, but the new show did not sell as well. I wasn't surprised.Added: Monday 26 May 2014 08:39:38 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
What really amazes me are these spoiler and gossip sites which reveal information about the show in North America -- I rarely see ANY comments after these sites, despite exhortations to leave comments, which make me wonder how really popular the new show is.Added: Sunday 25 May 2014 20:31:52 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
At least if the writer made reference to that fact that Season 4 was concluded over here, but is writing in the manner in which she is because the season hasn't aired over there, I would understand.
I bet folks in South Africa who are watching the new show and have internet access have figured it out already. I'd like to see what responses that post gets. When I looked, there weren't any.Added: Sunday 25 May 2014 17:37:51 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
This recent WWW posting from South Africa is full of bizarre time warped comments. They are only starting season four there ... as if anyone in South Africa can't find out what is going on with the rest of the now-finished (in North America) fourth season already!
=====
One of the welcome additions to the cast was Michelle Borth as Lieutenant Catherine Rollins.
Sexy, intelligent and no push-over, she was the perfect match for Steve. And viewers revelled in their blossoming screen romance.
On working with Borth, [O'Loughlin] praises: "Michelle is a great girl and a great actor. She's very switched on and does all her homework. We are both very prepared, which is great and crucial in TV because it means you can actually get into the work.
"You have such a tiny bracket of time to play with a scene before you actually shoot it. She is always prepared, so we get to take the scene further and give it more shades of colour."
Interestingly enough, the dynamics in their relationship change with Catherine working with the team now. The tension is definitely going to give rise to a few heated stand-offs between the two.
Peter Lenkov, the show's executive producer, says: "We always make an effort in the beginning of the season to really come out of the gate, beat our chests and sort of announce that we are back to do something with a lot of stakes and a lot of energy and action. Then we slow ourselves down and start telling more personal stories, more character stories.
"Probably one of the biggest things we dealt with in the season three finale was Kono leaving. That's going to really affect the beginning of season four."Added: Sunday 25 May 2014 12:50:42 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
In an interview circa the end of H50 1.0, Marie Lord said that, when they were starting out, she and Jack thought that, if they could achieve success, all their problems would go away (There's some youthful thinking for you). Instead (of course), the opposite proved to be true. The more successful they became, the more complicated the problems became. If anything ever illustrated Marie's words, the whole Litto / Freeman / CBS situation would have to be it. It's enough to make one hate "Hawaii Five-0" and everything about it. I hope it hasn't made the Freeman family hate it, because Papa Len created pure genius in that show.Added: Saturday 24 May 2014 03:23:15 MST
Submitted by: OTTO
From: NYC
RAINBOW WARRIOR: 10,000 Diamonds... is easily within my top ten episodes. Even without Tim O'Connor, it would have been a top-notch episode. But it does have Tim O'Connor, and he applies the Gold Standard. Everything he says and does is brilliant in this one. I could watch it over and over. Perfect 'odd couple' with his so-called partner. The action is excellent, the plot winds, and plenty of tech thrown in. Four out of four stars.Added: Friday 23 May 2014 22:56:17 MST
Submitted by: OTTO
From: NYC
M:I vs 5-0 theme tune debate.
I say Schifrin's theme tune for Mission: Impossible far surpasses the theme for Five-O.
As a huge Five-O fan from as far back as my memory goes, I love its theme tune. It's unique, it's catchy, has a great beat, and has lived on as an icon even for those who only vaguely remember the show itself. First Class all the way.
However... Mission: Impossible's theme GROOVES. You don't often hear a 5/4 beat that makes you want to jump around the room. The way the background horns step around the basic rhythm in syncopation(?) would almost seem to be too clever, if it didn't help propel that GROOVE!!! Pure style.
(I have the double vinyl reissue of the Schifrin score, and the theme is the full length version, complete with Farfisa solo and all, and my boy loves to put the needle on that disk and rock out.)
That said, i would stress that the INCIDENTAL music in Five-O is much more interesting than that of the other show; possibly from the variety provided by the additional use of Ray, Shores, etc. And let's face it. As shows go, there's only one FIVE-O!!!Added: Friday 23 May 2014 22:15:42 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Ex-agent George Litto loses suit against CBS & Freeman estate over Five-O, but I think it's not over yet...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/cbs-hawaii-five-o-creators-706681
(I can't understand most of the legal bafflegab in this article.)Added: Friday 23 May 2014 20:44:53 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Rick - "I don't know how old you are Vrinda but this was a typical theme in the mid 1970's. You could call it fallout from the hippie generation that began in the 1960's."
Rick, I'm 33. I've seen several storylines similar to his one on a lot of cop shows of the time, but at least there was a dangerous crime being committed. In "Tread the King's Shadow," there wasn't one, except the minister conducting a marriage ceremony when Debbie didn't have her father's permission.
Thanks for explaining the context.Added: Friday 23 May 2014 17:10:50 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Ten Thousand Diamonds and a Heart was one of the most enjoyable Five-O episodes from the old show. I can't tell you how much I loved every second of that episode, and it is one of the best examples why Hawaii Five-O was head and shoulders above every other show of the era.
Other classics TV theme songs were S.W.A.T. Hill Street Blues, Cheers, L.A. Law and NYPD Blue to name a few...Added: Friday 23 May 2014 08:36:51 MST
Submitted by: Joel D.
From: North Idaho
John C., agree on the "Ten Thousand Diamonds" episode ... very entertaining, and as usual, the crooks double-cross each other and it ruins their plan in the end. Music was very good as they were messing with the diamond merchants' security system.
Bad News Dept.: Friday will be the last Hawaii 5-0 episode on Me-TV for a while, as they screw around with the summer schedule and show Rockford Files instead of 5-0 at noon (PDT). The network's website says, "Ironside and Hawaii Five-O will be taking some time off, and we'll let you know when they are slated to return to our schedule."
Might have to look for some DVDs to get my old 5-0 fix this summer ...Added: Thursday 22 May 2014 23:30:55 MST
Submitted by: Deli Waiter
From: Pastrami Land
PS I have totally given up on 2.0 5-0. Totally lame show. Only episode I liked was "Hookman" and because the title credits were flashed across the screen. Otherwise the new version is strictly for the new generation that makes me want to puke. All that "carguements" and "bromance" yecch! Give me ME TV anyday when a man got a handshake from another man and not all this hugging, touchy feely stuff. Kono too damn shinny and not enough local color in the new show. Too bad the show is ruined now for all-time. Unless a feature film is made someday the 21st Century 5-0 sullies the great reputation of the classic Five-O.Added: Thursday 22 May 2014 14:56:22 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
No comparison! The Five-0 theme wins by a mile. I've just listened to "original" recordings (monaural). Orchestration makes the difference. Five-0 has a full-orchestra sound. Don't believe me? Listen to the re-recording by the 2.0 orchestra of Morton Stevens' arrangement with stereophonic technology, and you can really tell what a work of genius it is.Added: Thursday 22 May 2014 11:41:57 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
It's basically a toss-up between Morton Stevens' FIVE-0 and Lalo Schifrin's M:I when it comes to best theme song of that era (or even of all time). Since I'm obviously biased I might give the edge to FIVE-0 - if only for the brilliant images that accompany that rocking theme (courtesy of Reza Badiyi).
We wouldn't hear great TV themes like this again until the 80s - with Stu Phillips' KNIGHT RIDER and Sylvester Levay's AIRWOLF. Those 2 just take the cake!!Added: Thursday 22 May 2014 10:40:52 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
The big debate with Mission: Impossible and Five-O is -- which of them has the greatest theme song?
There isn't a total lack of back story.
In a season five episode, Phelps returns to his home town where he encounters various people from when he was a kid. This show has a very lame ending. An actress who appeared on Five-O in multiple roles is in the cast.
In another season five episode, Barney takes action with the help of the I:M force because his brother was murdered.
And in yet another season five story, some elements from Paris's past are revealed when evil guys torture him to reveal that he had been abandoned by his mother -- something for which he still blamed his father -- and that he had lost Inga, a young woman he once loved, when she was murdered by the Dutch magician for whom she worked.Added: Thursday 22 May 2014 09:35:09 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
Good to see Ten Thousand Diamonds & A Heart being shown again. Excellent characters & writing. Lennox was outstanding character. The plan was pure brilliance. I enjoyed the whole plan robbing the Diamond Exchange. McGarrett's plan having the businesses call back to HFO was smart thinking. Orwell tricked the men faking the heart attack & taking the diamonds.
This episode would be in 20-30 of FAV HFO episodes. Great detective work by the HFO team with the ash of cigar & the marble dust from Zybec's sculptures. A triple salute for Ten Thousand Diamonds & A Heart. 5 stars out of 6. JohnAdded: Thursday 22 May 2014 09:29:17 MST
Submitted by: Deli Waiter
From: Pastrami Land
I've been digging classic MI since the beginning of the year and it is groovy and far-out, man. Excellent marriage of music and drama. Lots of Five-O people were involved, behind and in front of the camera. And for bonus points, the stock shot of a jet landing, its wheels touching the tarmac is utilized by both shows. Interesting to note the creator of the show, Bruce Geller was barred from the show after the fourth season, Paramount wanted to rein in costs and Geller did things his way. According to a book I read about the show, Geller never thought the pilot would be picked up and instead would be his entree into the feature film business. Little did he know he would create a show that would stand the test of time, even if the plots are outdated, the non stop action and total lack of back story make it a real nugget in this era of over-developed characters. I dig how the show changed with the times, more black actors in the later seasons and Willie's sideburns are quite groovy from season 5 on. Plus all the plaid and wide ties. Ah, the good ol days.Added: Wednesday 21 May 2014 23:48:09 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
As for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE I fell in love with that show a few years back. I've already gone through the first 3 seasons - the "classic" period of M:I, the "Cold War" M:I. Looking forward to the Leonard Nimoy/"syndicate years" of M:I. I've actually seen come comments by people who prefer the later syndicate years. To each his own I guess.
I still think that the writers on that show had to be some of the sharpest and most brilliant writers working in TV at the time. To be working on such a rigidly formulaic show week after week while coming up with exciting new traps/escapes/twists is no easy task. Compare it to something like FIVE-0 or BONANZA where I think the writers had way more leeway with what kind of material they could write. Oddly enough as much as I love the show for its formula my favorite episode was "The Town" from season 2 (directed by our very own Michael O'Herlihy) and guest-starring Grampa Walton Will Geer (another Five-0 alum) as the head baddie. That's the one where Jim Phelps stumbles onto an assassination plot in some hick town that he's driving through. The baddies paralyze him and it's up to the rest of the I:M team to rescue him. Brilliant episode! Hey, it was even written by Sy Salkowitz who wrote the classic season 1 FIVE-0 ep "Tiger by the Tail" (featuring that cool cat Jerry "Baaaay-Beeeeee" Parks). Dig? Dig, baby, dig!Added: Wednesday 21 May 2014 13:28:11 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Is anyone else getting an error while trying to leave a comment here in the guestbook? I've been getting it since yesterday.Added: Tuesday 20 May 2014 10:39:22 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
>>>Stories of young love triumphing all obstacles are just fairy tales, and this story sent a bad message - that it's okay to get pregnant when you're 16, run off with your boyfriend, ditch school, and everything will work out alright in the end.<<<
I don't know how old you are Vrinda but this was a typical theme in the mid 1970's. You could call it fallout from the hippie generation that began in the 1960's.
A good example of this, and there were many, is 1975's ALOHA, BOBBY AND ROSE staring Five-O's Diane Hull (TWO DOVES AND MR. HERON). These were mostly pointless tales of stupid kids with nothing going for them except they were in love etc etc etc.Added: Monday 19 May 2014 20:59:18 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
Yes, Mike. I did mean Ringfire. My apologies to both of you, Ringfire and Rainbow. Thank you for catching my mistake.Added: Monday 19 May 2014 13:43:33 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
I've been watching Mission: Impossible on DVD from the library recently. These shows are interesting, because they feature many actors as well as people who worked behind the scenes on Five-O. Unlike Five-O, the quality of M:I, which lasted only seven years, went downhill after the third season in the opinion of many.
In the fifth season show, The Missile, James Reed, a systems analyst who is actually a foreign agent, arrives at a weapons test center where the M:I team arranges for him to steal a bogus guidance system. Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) and Dana Lambert (Lesley Warren) replace the people that Reed would have been dealing with. It turns out these original people were having an affair, so at one point, the two M:I people have to smooch it up as Reed films them through a one-way mirror for blackmail purposes!
Reed is played by David Sheiner, whose character Frank Zipser helped McGarrett deal with the quack doctor in the Five-O episode Once Upon A Time.
When Dana's character is driving home from the office, her car suddenly develops problems, which are seemingly not the result of tampering by Reed. She pulls into a garage where one of the employees, John Hecker, is a psychopath who just got out of prison. Hecker becomes obsessed with Dana, who resembles his former girl friend, who he had murdered. He stalks and eventually kidnaps her, using chloroform. Even worse than many of the red herrings on the new Five-Zero, this has virtually nothing to do with the main plot for the show except at the very end.
There is a nail-biting conclusion because Dana is the only one who knows that Reed is going to sabotage Phelps' car (a snazzy blue Porsche, which eventually plunges over a cliff) and she manages to escape Hecker's clutches at the last second to warn Jim.
Hecker is played in a very creepy manner by John Beck, who was the psychopathic rapist cop in Nightmare in Blue!Added: Monday 19 May 2014 09:54:26 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Interesting comments by darkavenger77, posting in IMDB Five-Zero forum, regarding a reply by another poster to someone else complaining that Five-Zero was unrealistic (as follows):
>You want to complain about TV shows not being real...how about the ones about werewolves, vampires and zombies? You belong on those boards so you can bitch about those not being real either!
Those shows are properly called fantasy or horror shows. Try and find a werewolf, vampire, or zombie in any state and you'll come up empty, because they're *not supposed to be real*. Try and find a police force and you'll find thousands.
H50 is classified on IMDB as "Action Crime Drama". As a crime drama, it is intended to be *somewhat* based upon *real* police work.
The excellent The Walking Dead, a show involving zombies, is classified as "Drama Horror Thriller". As a horror thriller, it is intended to be no more realistic than any other show involving things that don't exist.
While I've never watched it, Twilight is a show involving vampires. It is classified as "Drama Fantasy Romance".
Ditto Being Human, a show described as "Three twenty-somethings share a house and try to live a normal life despite being a ghost, a werewolf, and a vampire." It's classified as a "Fantasy Horror".
The fact is TWD is far more realistic in what people (the living) are shown doing than H50.Added: Monday 19 May 2014 09:20:20 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
True, Rainbow [I think you mean Ringfire - MQ], it's not one of the rigid sonnets. Still, I like it.
True, Vrinda, it falls apart if you put too fine a point on it. Still, I like it. Of course, not all the legal points were dotted in some of the rigid sonnets, either.Added: Monday 19 May 2014 07:14:28 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
H50 1.0 FOREVER!
I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic or not with your analysis of "Tread the King's Shadow" but what you describe is exactly why this episode sucks! Why would I tune into Five-0 to watch some "coming of age" Romeo and Juliet story? Ugghh!!
Leave that to LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE or something. I'd rather watch anything from season 12 instead.
But hey, if it's genuinely one of your favorites then more power to ya. Enjoy!Added: Sunday 18 May 2014 21:05:07 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
I didn't like "Tread the King's Shadow," either. It was very misleading and contained a giant legal error, which would not have been too hard for the writers to research. Stories of young love triumphing all obstacles are just fairy tales, and this story sent a bad message - that it's okay to get pregnant when you're 16, run off with your boyfriend, ditch school, and everything will work out all right in the end.
How David and Debbie could even get married doesn't make sense. She's 16, and in order to get married in Hawaii, you have be at least 18 without your parents' permission, and 16 or 17 with their permission. Debbie was 16 and did not have her father's permission, yet the Hawaiian priest married them. There's no mention of how these two got a marriage license in the first place. A marriage can't be performed without one. Why Steve and Danno don't point this out makes no sense, either. You would think they would know that. The priest will get in trouble and maybe have his license revoked.
What is disturbing is the rosy fairy tale picture the writers painted of this Romeo and Juliet story with a happy ending. Debbie is not finished with high school, and there is no mention of whether she will finish, she's pregnant, he's working on a farm, and she and David are happily looking forward to their married life. They are not even thinking of the hardships of taking care of a child, sustaining a family on one income with the background they have. I saw this episode once, so I don't remember if David got a regular job or not.
The whole setup was unrealistic, and for Steve and Danno to support it was irresponsible.Added: Sunday 18 May 2014 21:01:02 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
Aw, Ringfire! You don't like "Tread the King's Shadow"? I do!
David's been made to feel inferior by the wealthy Caucasian family of his girlfriend. His mother's a cleaning woman, and his father left before his birth. There's not a lot of reason for David to feel worthy.
But his girlfriend thinks he's special and is delighted to be carrying his child. She's also willing to give up all that Kahala can give her to be with him. His uncle teaches him the Hawaiian legends that comprise his background and culture. They are legends that he did not learn on O'ahu, yet were very important to the family on Big Island.
Over the course of the story, David resists the temptation to follow in his father's footsteps and leave his girlfriend to cope alone with her pregnancy. He realizes he loves her and their child, and he marries her. He learns to fight his own battles when he dives from his uncle's boat and swims to the City of Refuge and stands up like a man to his (now) wife's father.
In short, "Tread the King's Shadow" is a coming of age story with a message for those who have been made to feel inferior -- in this case, the Hawaiian people -- to take a second glance at their worth in the world and then to take life by the reins and live it to the fullest. "Tread the King's Shadow" is one of my favorite episodes.Added: Sunday 18 May 2014 19:34:37 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
I watched "A Stranger in His Grave" and found it very enjoyable. It turned out to be better than how I remembered it. Very surprised that Mr. Mike only gives it 1 and a half star. I'd go out and give it a full 3 stars. I like the twisty plot and didn't think it was too convoluted (I think I've seen plots that were more convoluted on this show). Although I guess I'm a bit unclear as to who the actual buyer of Katie Kealoha's ranch was supposed to be. I know Nelson Bodine (John Hillerman) was the middle man, and he was getting money for Katie/Chadway from the senator and from the doctor (George Herman) and probably had some dirty money laundered in there as well. So who was the buyer? The senator? The doctor? Both?
Anyway, I liked the mystery of the missing treasury agent Sloan from Washington and that he ended up being none other than Chadway (Andrew Prine) - it actually didn't take me too long to guess that it was him. But I still thought it was a pretty clever twist. John Hillerman was especially good as the arrogant and oily Bodine. I love how he treats his secretary. It's also a treat seeing that Bodine's residence is none other than Robin's Nest (Anderson Estate) from MAGNUM, P.I. Where else, eh? That especially put a big smile on my face.
The stock music (credited as "theme by Morton Stevens" was also very good, especially by season 10 standards. Seemed like a mix of Morton Stevens, Don Ray, John Cacavas (when Chadway and Clark take Katie hostage at the estate at the end) and even that great piece of music by Richard Markowitz from "The Cop on the Cover" which plays during the safety deposit box drop-off scenes. Love that music!
Plus any episode that has a climax with McG in his Mercury Grand Brougham playing chicken with an airplane amongst the sugar canes is a winner! I think this was definitely one of the better episodes of the 10th season. Much better than the earlier ranch episode "The Big Aloha". Mike gives this one the same rating as he gives "Tread the King's Shadow"?? Ouch!! That was a horrible episode!Added: Sunday 18 May 2014 16:11:32 MST
Submitted by: Fred Wibert
From: Yale, Michigan
Drop the background music. The story is good.Added: Friday 16 May 2014 18:05:32 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Okay, Mike, I will get it over the weekend, and contact her next week.
Thanks.Added: Friday 16 May 2014 10:37:46 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Rainbow, Vrinda is interested in hearing from you. To contact her, go to the Archives (see link above and below); her info is in an entry for Thursday 14 April 2011.Added: Friday 16 May 2014 10:07:52 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Thanks Mike, that works for me.Added: Friday 16 May 2014 09:56:48 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Ringfire:
Yeah, Connery is currently advocating for Scotland to vote for Independence from Great Britain, and has really put himself into the middle of that hornet's nest. Roger Moore- as a person first class, but as an actor- my opinion- lightweight and cheesy to be mild, but I'm comparing him to other British greats.
[Rainbow, I have removed your message to Vrinda, since it falls in the category of a personal message to her. I am contacting her directly to determine how she wants to deal with this. - MQ]Added: Friday 16 May 2014 08:17:59 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
No problem, Rainbow.
I'm sure the Duke was a great man and probably easier to sit down and have a chat with than someone like Connery (who always seems to have a chip on his shoulder, and still grumbles about the Bond series even though they made him a bonafide star) or Harrison Ford (who always seems like a sourpuss while mumbling something under his breath, plus he decided to go wacky in his old age and get an earring - ughh!). It's just that as an actor I don't care for the Duke. While I love the others as actors (despite their sour disposition off-screen). For example I'm also not sure how it would feel to sit down and have a chat with Jack Lord - personally I don't think he was that kind of person. But as an actor he was great!
And yeah, you know I love the Bond series. And I'm a HUGE fan of Roger Moore! And proud of it too! Even though there are those that say REAL men don't like Roger Moore. But hey, different strokes for different folks. I like his "perfect English gentleman" portrayal plus his razor-sharp wit and charm. Others see it as cheesy. Oh well. Their loss. Plus, he's also an extremely nice and gracious man off-screen, as well as a UNICEF ambassador.Added: Thursday 15 May 2014 16:48:08 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
No problem Ringfire, we all have different tastes, that's what makes the world go round. You love James Bond, I've never really liked the series that much, didn't get the fuss, although I did like the last one. I love the Duke, you don't, that's what makes the free marketplace- variety.
I get a little touchy with the Duke because I have a private personal connection to him that I don't want to go into, so I get a little huffy in defending him. I got emotional when I read Rick's post too because that was the type of guy he was. Guy was a real hero to me and millions of others.Added: Thursday 15 May 2014 08:16:33 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
Rainbow I had forgotten that Wayne used to carry those cards until I read your post, but no I don't remember getting one. I've never asked anyone for an autograph.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 19:41:59 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
I absolutely concur that Jack Lord did a great job directing. He really was just as good as the regular stalwarts (O'Herlihy, Dubin, Stanley). I thought he was great behind the camera and should have directed more episodes. But I suppose it's a strain to work both in front of and behind the camera (though Clint Eastwood did it on most of his films). But yeah, "The Bells Toll at Noon" is not only one of my favorite episodes and a highlight of season 9 but it's probably the best-directed episode of that season. It actually has a cinematic quality to it. Maybe it's because of all the movie references (Cagney, Bogie, etc.) but I think it's also the way it is shot and staged (and scored by Morton Stevens) that gives it a movie quality - like it's too good for the small screen. So I have no idea how someone saw the direction of that masterpiece as lousy. Like someone below already mentioned, when the first murder at the beginning is underway we know it's coming but when it actually happens it's still shocking - the way the victim falls down the church steps, the camera angles, the clanging of the church bells combined with Morton Stevens' music. Great stuff!
The artistic side of Jack Lord definitely insured that his directing wouldn't be bland or by-the-numbers.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 16:44:53 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
Yeah, sorry but I just don't think John Wayne's film are for me. I actually did see his so-called "classics". THE SEARCHERS I found to be one of the most overrated films ever. How anyone can mention that film in the same sentence as a Sergio Leone western like THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY or ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is beyond me. Those are absolute masterpieces! Same thing with RIO BRAVO - I couldn't stay awake for that one. And by 1969 TRUE GRIT really felt stale as far as westerns go. At that time guys like Leone and Sam Peckinpah completely rewrote the rules for westerns. I actually preferred the Coen brothers remake of TRUE GRIT (not that I loved that one either). And almost everyone agrees that the Duke winning an Oscar for TRUE GRIT was basically nothing more than an honorary award because that wasn't even his strongest performance. So I guess I don't really "get" these so-called classics. I actually enjoyed BIG JAKE (a lesser known western) and McQ (a cop film of all things) more than those classics mentioned above. I know the Duke hated HIGH NOON but in my opinion it's a much better film than those that he starred in. I guess he felt that the role played by Gary Cooper is not how a town marshal is supposed to behave. But I found it much more realistic. Sure, why shouldn't the marshal be scared? Or ask for the townspeople to help? He's only human. I guess the Duke expected that a marshal should be larger than life.
Anyway, not trying to step on any toes. Just my observations. Maybe I just don't "get" his films. My loss I guess...Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 13:36:31 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Thank you Rick. Did he give you one of his autographed cards that he used to carry, and made his kids carry as well, so that everybody got an autograph no matter what?
Thanks for sharing that story.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 12:03:29 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
Wayne lived in Newport Beach. As a kid I would often see him at the grocery store. He would be by himself pushing a cart down the aisle. I would always say hi to him and he would always, always stop and take the time to say hi even to a kid.
He drove and old station wagon around town and everyone would wave to him and he always waved back. I bet he waved or said hi to someone a thousand times a day. John Wayne was a class act. I wouldn't mention Harrison Ford in the same sentence.
I don't know how a western gets better than John Wayne in THE SEARCHERS.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 10:51:57 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Rainbow,
That link was to the full film on YouTube. If you copy and paste it into the browser window, it should show up. Failing that, type in "Big Jim McLain" into Google, and the link should show up.
I do editing for different ad agencies, but I used to work as an editor and proofreader for a publishing company, though they put out textbooks. I also work as a researcher, which is what I am currently doing for a book. I mentioned in the past that I am working on Jack's biography with an author.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 10:44:18 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Vrinda,
Thank you, but I could not access that link that you provided. Where did you link me too?...Also, Vrinda, you work in publishing don't you?
Thanks H50 for your review of "Big Jim McLain." I can always count on you for reliable solid information.
Now, as for Ringfire he just hit a nerve with me. You are right that you have never seen many John Wayne movies because you repeat the same tired cliche of "he always played the same role" that people who have never seen his movies always say. No less an authority than Martin Scorsese has said that criticism is baloney and that John Wayne was a great actor. Have you ever seen "The Searchers", "Red River" "She wore a Yellow Ribbon" "The Shootist" "True Grit"--I bet you haven't. Those aren't the same role. Ron Howard just said that he could not believe how good John Wayne was as an actor just in rehearsals. Clint Eastwood wanted to do a movie with him, but Wayne didn't like Clint's films, and Alec Guinness said that Wayne was a marvelous man and actor. Also, the young chick on his arm- young enough to be his granddaughter comment is off base. Wayne was very critical of his friend, Gary Cooper, having a 30 year younger Audrey Hepburn as his love interest in a film and said so. When he saw that, he made it a rule never to have a love interest that wasn't his own age. I just saw a movie called "The Train Robbers" where Ann Margaret makes a move on him and he tells her "No, I have a saddle that is older than you." That was something he didn't want, so you're not on point there. 35 years after his death, he is still the seventh most popular movie star in this country and no one from his generation can say that. His good friend Jimmy Stewart loved him and called him a great man, and a great actor! I used to love Ford but he went through a mid life crisis and he is now a cranky old fool. Connery was great, but not fun for anybody to work with, where everybody loved working with Wayne, and we all love Clint so I will end on that bit of agreement!Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 08:30:13 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
I love Jack's directing in three of his six episodes: "How to Steal a Masterpiece," "Honor is an Unmarked Grave," and "The Bells Toll at Noon."
Jack's art background is clearly visible in these, perhaps most clearly in "How to Steal a Masterpiece" and "Honor is an Unmarked Grave." It stands out in the way he frames the shot of the grave diggers in the greenery of surrounding trees and plants and the way he frames Agatha Henderson and Travis Marshall in bougainvillea as they meet in her garden.
Jack also used symbolism very effectively. An example is how he used vases of orchids and anthurium on a counter between McGarrett and Agatha to represent the emotional and philosophical distance between them when he met her on her lanai. In "How to Steal a Masterpiece," we see the art thief not walking in off the beach, but climbing over a tall bougainvillea, literally breaking in.
Jack used Jorie Remus' appearance as the motel manager and Rich Little's mime of Sydney Greenstreet's line from "The Maltese Falcon" as comedic relief in "The Bells Toll at Noon." Until then, the episode had been very dark and psychological. But even a troubled mind can have a sense of humor, and, in all her appearances, Jorie Remus's offbeat behavior and attire brought a smile to our lips.
It seems to me that Jack used his directing efforts to teach his viewers. Indeed, he was a wonderful teacher to those who would listen to him. We learned about art forgery and scams. We learned about schizophrenia. We learned about the James Cagney films noir. Most of all, we learned about how Jack's mind worked.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 07:59:35 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
IMDB amusement from darkavenger77 as to whether the show will survive:
Yes, it will survive. Steve and Danno fly to network HQ, break in by wiping out 50 armed security guards and kidnap the programming chief. They'll get him back to 5-0 inside of 10 minutes while showcasing the latest Chevy & Microsoft products and have a "talk" with him in the interrogation room. After they threaten to make him watch re-runs of last season's shows [presumably meaning season three] and give him an Adam Sandler haircut he cracks and renews the show for another season.Added: Wednesday 14 May 2014 07:05:36 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
I found nothing wrong with Jack's directing. It was no different than what he did for "Death With Father," "How to Steal a Masterpiece," and "Honor is an Unmarked Grave."
He captured the sinister atmosphere that this story created, and it was no laughing matter. Though Rich Little is a comedian, his impressions were of a psychotic nature which made him all the more scary. Hazard's murder is expected, given the setup of the scene, but is still shocking.
Kellman's murder is gruesome, with tension building up with every shot. The interspersion of the clip from "The Public Enemy" was a good way of subliminal foreshadowing.
Though I hated to see Don Knight whimpering like a baby, being dragged along to the top of an oil storage tank by gun-wielding loony tune is not putting the odds in your favor. That Kling had no idea of the mayhem and bloodshed he caused was the chilling cap on this story. Jack did a good job of bringing it to life.Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 23:04:11 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
Funny scene where McG wants the spaced out old lady that runs the motel to give the police sketch artist a description of Little's character. Danno mutters under his breath something like "you gotta be kidding" and in the next scene McG throws the completed sketch up on his dashboard without looking at it - and it's an exact likeness ...good stuff.Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 21:58:44 MST
Submitted by: John Stockton
From: Chicago
>Also, I do love Hawaii so much that I'm a sucker for
>ANYTHING on TV that shows the beauty of the Islands - one
>of the other problems with the new show is that it
>depicts HAWAII as a VERY violent place, unlike the old
>show.
Another reason why Hawaii Five-0 is total fantasy make-believe.
Not only are the relationship, plots, actions, dialogue all so fake and silly that is has to pain you to contemplate them, it simply is not real in terms of portraying Hawaii as it is in real life.
I feel sorry for any native Hawaiians who have anything to do with the show, either acting, or producing or supporting it in any way. They would do more good for their culture if they would protest against the horriblly ridiculous show.
Hawaii slowly is being absorbed into western-American culture and way of life, and the culture is slowly being lost except perhaps is the fancy hotels. Shows like Hawaii Five-0 (even the original series!) contribute significantly to that.Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 21:33:08 MST
Submitted by: OTTO
From: NYC
Upon my soul, tonight my boy and I watched the Rich Little episode in Season 9, where he has a strange Jimmy Cagney fetish. I had to pause the DVD to explain to my kid who Cagney was, how he grew up right here in our neighborhood--his dad owned a bar two blocks away--and i had to give him some background about the movies referred to in the episode.
(check out LADY KILLER, 1933, to see Cag in full action)
Anyway, really great episode, directed pretty badly by Jack Lord. We laughed our butts off all the way through, but very strange. I recognized the M1 Carbine before McG had to spell it out. And Kwan Hi LIm kills it in his few moments.Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 20:39:42 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
"I've never seen it, but I'm thinking of buying an old John Wayne movie called "Big Jim McLain" that was shot entirely in Hawaii and in it he busts up a communist spy ring. Have you ever seen it? Any good?"
Nope, never seen it. I haven't seen too many Duke Wayne pictures. To be honest I was never a fan of his. He always seemed to be playing the same role - basically playing himself. There was something about that long drawl of his when he talked that got a bit annoying to my ears. And he usually seemed to have a chick on his arm in his films that was young enough to be his granddaughter. I found that a bit ridiculous. I know he was supposed to be a larger than life type of hero but for whatever reason he never clicked for me. I was more of a Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery, Harrison Ford type of guy.
I actually preferred Jimmy Stewart to Duke Wayne I loved Jimmy on all those Hitchcock pictures!Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 15:31:37 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
"Big Jim McLain" is very good. It allows us to see O'ahu as it appeared in the early 1950s. That's worth the price of admission, all by itself. The storyline is excellent. It goes back to the House UnAmerican Activities Committee work during the early years of the Cold War. Everyone was suspect, of course, including people who wouldn't have harmed a fly. There are even a few familiar faces.Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 11:56:59 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Save your money, Rainbow.
It's right here:
bit.ly/1g3GH42Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 10:22:50 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Ringfire:
To answer your questions in one word YES!...I do miss the old days of movies. Yes, that is all movies are today which is mostly drivel. There was a movie out last December called "American Hustle" that was nominated for seven Academy awards and it was the biggest piece of mediocre drivel that I have ever seen. What is average or mediocre today gets elevated to "really good" because the quality has fallen so low.
I've never seen it, but I'm thinking of buying an old John Wayne movie called "Big Jim McLain" that was shot entirely in Hawaii and in it he busts up a communist spy ring. Have you ever seen it? Any good?Added: Tuesday 13 May 2014 08:18:52 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Frank, that's happened in a lot of episodes, where the bad guys have rifles or larger guns, the H5O-2 team has handguns, and the bad guys get completely annihilated, while H5-O2 comes out without a scratch. The writers have an unlimited amount of stupidity, and that is sad.Added: Monday 12 May 2014 18:52:22 MST
Submitted by: Frank
From: Southeast Wisconsin
I didn't see anybody comment on the fact that all of the guys that Grover suited up with S.W.A.T. gear all had automatic or semi-automatic assault rifles, swat helmets, probably tear gas and hand grenades and BULLET PROOF VESTS!! And they all get taken out with handguns, by the team who don't sustain any injuries!Added: Monday 12 May 2014 18:30:44 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
"I went to see new Spiderman movie yesterday. During the credits, I noticed that Mr. Orci and Mr. Lenkov were one of the several co-exec producers of this movie."
Aren't Orci and Kurtzman also responsible for those horrible TRANSFORMERS movies directed by Michael Bay? These guys are the ones responsible for all that summer schlock that pollutes our cinemas these days. And apparently our small screens as well.
Don't you miss the good old days when the top grossing film of the year was something like RAIN MAN or FORREST GUMP? When people went out to see "real" movies? Nowadays it's all big special effects and superhero crap. You look at the top 5 films of each year and they will no doubt be big loud summer superhero extravaganzas. Haven't people gotten tired of all this yet? They seem to be lapping it all up and it's not just the kids either. Hey, I'm not exactly a fan of RAIN MAN (though I do love FORREST GUMP) but at least it's a "real" movie. Would a movie like THE GODFATHER be the highest grossing movie of the year if it was made today? Heck no!
I've heard it said that audiences these days are much more intelligent than they used to be back in the day, and that television is much more intelligent today than ever before - as seen by all those cable shows. Movie actors used to look down on TV in the past. Being a TV actor was supposed to be embarrassing. Nowadays movie actors actually want to make a transition to TV, saying that acting opportunities are much better on the small screen these days. Scripts, roles, etc. are better. So what happened to the big screen? Is it now relegated to big dumb loud explosions and guys in spandex suits flying about?Added: Monday 12 May 2014 12:54:30 MST
Submitted by: Sara
From: NY
Grover used to be great vs. Steve... But a crying, slobbering Grover as the central character of another kidnapping episode as the season finale. And Steve will now be his boss. TERRIBLE DECISION. Chi could have been kept on as a tough series recurring, but not as a regular grateful to be Steve's underling. (Are they trying to recreate the rapport Chi had with Mark Valley on "Human Target"?) Chi should be used IN MODERATION because the show doesn't need another Dano. And they are adding Jorge Garcia too? Too many clown characters on this show: Max, Kamekona, Chi sometimes, now Jorge Garcia too? Colorful, even idiosyncratic characters should not mean Clowns. Finally wouldn't it have been so much better to tease Wo Fat's return by seeing him for the first time without herald when Ian opens the door and gets killed, and then to learn that Doris has been Wo Fat's only visitor in the final scene? Instead of the sappy Green Grover crying on the golf course. This series needs better writing.Added: Monday 12 May 2014 10:49:00 MST
Submitted by: Shorty
From: PA
I have been a fan since the beginning. I was kinda upset that there was no big showdown b/tw McGarret, Grover and Ian. I was so looking forward to seeing McGarrett and Grover just light Ian up in a big climatic fight. When Grover got the call, "your daughter's fine and Ian is dead" it was kinda let down..lol. I do wish they would end the Wo Fat story arc, 4 seasons is way to much. I mean, he is captured end of Season 2, escapes beginning of Season 3, caught again end of Season 3, and now escapes again at the send of season 4. I do wish they would have Doris tell McGarrett why she did not kill Wo Fat in the beginning of season 3 and why she keeps visiting him and then just have Doris and McGarrett finally get get rid of him.Added: Monday 12 May 2014 09:30:55 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
Mike, he tried, but I reported him to Child Protective Services, and they took him away. :DAdded: Sunday 11 May 2014 13:34:53 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Try this speculation on for size:
http://hawaii-five-0.proboards.com/thread/2587/ep-22-pili-ohana-new#ixzz31R0Ug5YP
>This is waaaaay out there---actually started thinking about this several months ago......Maybe Ian is the son of Doris and Wo Fat. And maybe Wo Fat works for the CIA and he is (or was) Doris' partner.
>Just ponderings now that the season is over -- and as always it brought up way more questions than it answered...
Not really so way out there. I haven't been thinking about it quite that long and I didn't put Doris in the picture ... but I did think that Wo Fat and Ian might be father / son and that's why we were getting them both in the same episode. Still, I didn't think there was enough time for WF to get to Hawaii and be part of the "solution" to the kidnapping so I was thinking we might get both Ian and WF back in at least the first episode of S5.
Also ... was there actually confirmation that Ian was dead ... or is it possible that it'll be like Hesse? They think he's dead but he shows up later. It could always be explained that WF got rid of the body before anyone could get to the house.Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 13:08:30 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
I just updated my boring Excel spreadsheet with ratings for all the shows, and the results, from good to bad, were:
http://mjq.net/fiveo/ratings/Five-Zero%20Ratings.htm
Season 1 (the old show's season 1 is also the best, go up a level in the directory)
Season 2 (what? this was the Lori season!)
Season 4 (started well, had a couple of VERY good shows, petered out at the end)
Season 3 (too hideous to discuss)Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 12:49:41 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
H50 1.0 FOREVER, your comments on the season finale are disturbing (i.e., you liked it). I think the Nick Jonas character has taken control of your computer.Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 09:56:37 MST
Submitted by: Dan Gibson
From: Greensboro, NC
Good Job, Barbara ... I'll just give GROVER an OUT and say that the UNI's were ONE SIZE FITS ALL !! HA ! But, yes ... if you take a critical look at the events of Fri nite, you'll be able to pick apart a lot of it. My peeves include: (1) Gov summarily fires GROVER on the spot, with 0% consideration for the Life & Death jam he was in; (2)WO FAT makes the quantum leap from Solitary to Oahu (and direct to IAN's front door, no less)-- looking like THAT? (say what?? it was NOT HALLOWEEN); maybe even greater, (3) WO FAT survives a blast IN his cell, the magnitude of which would likely blow away 10+ people ... as WELL as that formidable WALL ... OK, that's enough for the masses to chew on for awhile.
These last two episodes have either DELIGHTED the casual 5-0 fan, or DISGUSTED the others. I much prefer the Afghan Road Trip, between the two... it was exciting, and gave us a tender moment at the end, when CATH decided to commit to the mission, leaving STEVE to stare into space (you can see I am an OLD SOFTIE)
Just a couple of random thoughts: I liked it when, at the Compound, with LOU's bluff called, our FOUR HEROES showed up at the top of the Fence, with lasers zeroed in on the Bad Guys... also I like the cryptic statement from the Old Thug, that he would NOT forget this (sets up a potentially Damn Good episode this Fall); lastly, I stuck out my chest a few minutes before, when 5-0 was at HQ considering the assault on the Compound, when STEVE said "The ONLY way we do this is TOGETHER". I really like AOL, and I think he NAILS the modern day "McGarrett". He's first and foremost a NAVY SEAL (Go Navy!), a NAVAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICER, and a Patriot, and every once in a while if he stops to take a breath, a COP. Many are not comfortable with that, I AM.
I am willing to suspend belief at times, just to sit back, look at that incredible scenery (as the series is SO WELL SHOT), and watch my shoot-'em'-up, leaving the door WIDE OPEN for some truly LOL moments ...Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 09:38:37 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
My review of last episode:
http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/2010-log4.htm#22
I don't really have a lot of time for the finale at this point, considering the outbreak of rants about it, as per the reposting by Vrinda from IMDB below and other comments there and elsewhere.
By the way, spam control is now on for the forum, so don't post URLs starting with "http://" or you will be banned from making further comments. I manually edited the forum file for the above URL.Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 09:16:47 MST
Submitted by: Barbara
From: Pittsburgh
My top stretching credibility moment: how was Grover able to produce uniforms (apparently correct sizing, no less!), weapons, and IDs within seconds? Even if there was a time lapse, still how was he able to do any of that? Was he supplied photographs of the fake SWAT teams members? Or did he himself play photographer?Added: Sunday 11 May 2014 08:48:06 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
Okay! So, the cable went out in the rain storm last night, so I had to wait until today to watch the season finale on cbs.com. Here are a few notes.
Great episode! True, I don't care for cops abusing the power of their positions, but in this case, since Grover included H50 and the HPD as much as possible, I think his actions were understandable, even if not wholly acceptable. I also think his experience in the episode put him over the top for becoming a good Five-0 detective.
It was good to see familiar landscapes, especially the Ilikai and the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, linger long enough on screen to recognize and enjoy them.
Two and possibly more new Ford products (a Mustang and an Escape) appeared in the opening car chase. Interesting. Isn't H50 sponsored by Chevrolet? And, yet, unlike most times, the first commercial break did not begin with the usual "There's more to ride in Hawai'i than waves . . ." Instead, the first Chevy commercial didn't appear until the second commercial break, at 22:28. Is Ford taking over sponsorship?
It was surprising to see Wo Fat do a good deed. Since he blasted his way out of prison, there's a pretty good chance he isn't turning into a nice guy. So, what gives? Good question to keep us guessing until September.
The modern technology, used by both bad guy and good guys, alike, was astounding!Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 17:00:41 MST
Submitted by: Jeffman61
From: North Carolina
Hi folks,
Admittedly it's been awhile since I both participated in discussions here at Mike's site, and over at the IMDB board. The original 5-0 is one of my two all-time favorite shows. Unlike a lot of folks I really never gave up in watching this show when new episodes were aired. My two cents about the just concluded season:
This season started out well, highlighted by two outstanding episodes coming in mid-season, (both rated as 4-star episodes by Mike Q.) "Honor Thy Father" which first aired in Dec., and "The Favor" which aired in mid-January.
I remember at the time thinking, man would it be nice if this season continued to produce stellar episodes such as what was evidenced by those two masterpieces? Unfortunately it was not to be. The show seemed to revert back down to the level of mediocrity which permeated many episodes last season. The final 3 - 4 episodes, including last night's were a huge disappointment in my book.
Last night's episode, as analyzed by Mike Q. just made no sense on many levels. Mike Q. brought up the question as to how Wo Fat managed to escape out of a SuperMax Federal prison, located in Colorado. Somehow Wo Fat made it all the way out to Hawaii. How did he get there? As all types of alerts would have been posted concerning the escape of a dangerous prisoner to the public, and with Wo Fat's unique facial "look", (half of his face burned) did he somehow get on a United, (or American, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, etc.) flight from the mainland without being detected by people tasked to apprehend him? Really? My main question concerning Wo Fat's being able to rescue Grover's daughter was just how in the world did he know where the punk Wright was holding her captive? It appeared not to be at Wright's own home, as I saw the quick shot of the dead body of an old Asian/Polynesian man with a bullet hole clearly visible, no doubt coming from a weapon fired by Wright. Even McGarrett, Grover and company had no idea where the girl was being held. Yet somehow, Wo Fat was able to, on his own, locate young Mr. Wright's whereabouts, kill him and then safely release Grover's daughter?
I went to see new Spiderman movie yesterday. During the credits, I noticed that Mr. Orci and Mr. Lenkov were one of the several co-exec producers of this movie. No doubt the two gentlemen spent many hours putting the movie together in through their roles. I would also think that time spent on the production of "Spiderman" this past year or so was time away from these two guys' having their focus on H 5-0 this season. What started out well this season featuring story lines that were both intriguing and believable, ended up with episodes that were less than stellar to put it mildly. It's a good thing that the guys who run the CBS network have already made a commitment to continue the show this coming fall for another season. They might have thought otherwise if they based it on the final 2 episodes.Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 13:11:01 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Darkavenger77 on the IMDb posted this:
Things I've Learned By Watching Hawaii Five-0
1. If you are in a Supemax prison, it's easy to build a bomb.
2. If you set off said bomb that has enough force to blow a hole in a reinforced wall AND knock off a reinforced door, you'll be perfectly fine inside the cell.
3. Setting someone on fire at a gas station will never result in the fumes causing additional fires, such as the vehicle he was refueling.
4. Even though you are grossly disfigured from a fire, it's easy to get to Hawaii from Colorado with no one like the TSA noticing you.
5. If you're acting under duress due to a kidnapped loved one, it's only OK if you are 5-0.
6. If your child has been kidnapped, don't take down the gun thugs right away, wait until others are threatened.
7. Shooting and killing multiple criminals never requires any paperwork or reports.
8. Being fired for gross misconduct is a sure way to be hired by another law enforcement agency overseen by the same person that fired you.
9. If you have kidnapped a girl, be sure to hold up the food you're going to feed her up to the camera so the advertisers are happy.
10. Police ID cards never have any photos or security features and can be made in a matter of minutes so criminals can use them.
11. If you want to get away with any type of crime, join 5-0.
12. It's always preferable to give criminals weapons and police uniforms so they can kill multiple people instead of just one person.
13. You too can look like Adam Sandler with the right haircut.
14. A single woman will be more effective against the Taliban than the entire US military.
15. It's OK to torture suspects in custody, but when the guy that kidnapped an officer's daughter walks in, just punch him in the stomach and then let him leave.
16. Illegally entering a private compound and threatening to explode a fake bomb is probable cause to arrest everyone there.Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 12:46:09 MST
Submitted by: Scott
From: Dallas, TX
Long time lurker but haven't posted in years. I know many of you know more about Jack Lord than I ever could. That leads me to this question...... We all know how Jack loved the show and put so much into it. Do you think he would have been happy with the remake?Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 11:07:49 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Mike, those lines and comparison served only to establish Ian's supercharged ego, given the way nonchalantly confronts Steve and rest of the team, despite risking complete annihilation from Grover.
McGarrett did say that Wo Fat probably had help, but he didn't elaborate. There was no investigation of the outside of the prison cell or the grounds.
Novak's stealing the money reminds me of "Murder is a Taxing Affair," the IRS agent tracking down a tax evader, not to apprehend him, but to kill him and steal his cash. How did Novak get the money out of the truck before Steve and company got to the airport?
The way this was set up, it looked like there was going to be a showdown between Grover and Ian, with the Five-O team closing in on him and Grover making some daring effort to rescue Samantha. What did happen seemed like a letdown, as though the writers kept writing up to a point, but painted themselves into a corner, and decided to have Samantha walk into an HPD station, tell them Ian was dead, and tell it all in flashback, showing Wo Fat killing Ian.Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 10:09:18 MST
Submitted by: Dan Gibson
From: Greensboro, NC
I thought last nite was a mixed bag ... some good moments, but not enough to make more than a minimally acceptable season-ender. I enjoyed following the Core Group of STEVE, DANNO, CHIN & KONO as they worked together, but I came away from the GROVER storyline a little empty. The Governor giving LOU the quick hook for his actions to rescue his daughter just didn't "play" with me. The Chief Executive apparently used a "one strike and YOU'RE OUT" privilege to oust LOU, with no consideration for the life-and-death struggle that the Swat Captain/Father had to endure. No (paid or unpaid) "leave of absence" for GROVER, so the Gov & His Staff could review ALL the facts of the Case? C'mon ...
The "new" WO FAT has certainly become a handsome Devil, huh kids? His escape was fast & furious, and looking back, I'm glad they spared us the step-by-step details of his "miracle" transit from Solitary to Oahu (which certainly would have been far-fetched and quantum leap ridiculous). It was fun to see BOY WONDER re-enter, as mastermind of the huge kidnapping plot. Jonas was superb with all his power and arrogance ... but wasn't it GREAT when that random visitor at his door took out the little B-----D ?? (Hint: YESSS).
The tracking down of LOU on the LINKS was amusing, highlighted by his very sporting MINT GREEN THREADS. But now we have a Season 5 predicament. LOU comes back in September as the new 5th Wheel at 5-0. If he becomes a "Yessir, Steve" sidekick, the character of GROVER loses personality and power. But if he gets feisty and combative in working/coping with the runaway train that is STEVE, then that will weaken the unique dynamic between the Boss & Danno.
Ultimately, I walked away with the distinct feeling that if Mr. Lenkov & Crew would have watched the rough cut of this episode ... slept on it overnite, then awakened the next morning and rethought some things, they might have rearranged some scenes to make a more compelling finish. Consider this: if they had taken the kidnapping/missing money/daughter facing death plot to the bitter end, and THEN had WO FAT appear at the door to deliver the "MONEY SHOT" .... now THAT shocking final scene would have left some major CLIFFHANGING QUESTIONS for the next four months. Some interesting material was woefully used here, turning a potentially whirlwind finish into a rather pedestrian fade out. Good time for a break ...Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 05:48:57 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Vrinda, it's almost as if Lenkov and Solarz, the writers, knew of you as a-person-whose-outrage-over-the-new-show-knows-no-bounds as well as your love for The Beatles and purposely wrote those lines. I think the point with The Beatles/Epstein reference was that yes, Ian Wright was a total little shit. But there is a limit as to how clever a computer hacker can be, and Wright's character exceeded this far too much with his anal-ysis of the encrypted messages between the rogue federal agent and the local crime boss (anyone hoping for a revamp of Vashon was very disappointed).
Whatever happened to the rogue agent and the various members of the criminal family while Five-0 and Grover were looking at the money, anyway? Were they just sitting around the front yard with their fingers up their asses?
Of course, the big question is why did Wo Fat kill Wright? Is he doing McGarrett and/or Ma McGarrett a favor of some kind? And there are lots of other questions about Wo. Like how did Mr. Very-Burned-Up Wo get back to Hawaii? And, on a more basic level, how did Wo manage to get out of the prison? If you do a Google search for "Supermax Prison," you will notice that even if you blew a hole in the outer wall of a cell, there is still a nasty razor wire fence you have to scale beyond that. DUH! Was Wo a member of the Supermax pole vaulting team or something?
It is very unlikely that Wo could have gotten paint thinner and fertilizer (seriously -- Terry Nichols of the Oklahoma City bombing is in Florence Supermax!). According to Wikipedia, prisoners in Supermax are generally allowed out of their cells for only one hour a day; often they are kept in solitary confinement. When Supermax inmates are allowed to exercise, this may take place in a small, enclosed area where the prisoner will exercise alone.
One thing I will give this show high marks for was the unexplained opening scene with McGarrett and Danno riding around in the adult version of a bumper car from a shopping center, which had no process shots.Added: Saturday 10 May 2014 00:12:46 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Ian Wright's lines about the Beatles were stupid. Calling them primitive for his generation was just plain arrogant and ignorant. And the comparison to Brian Epstein - PUH-LEEZE! Brian Epstein was a real man. He was honest and cared about the Beatles and their career. Ian Wright was a slimy little worm. He was more like a lowlier version of Magic Alex, a charlatan who was only out for himself. The one good thing Wo Fat did was kill him, though that scene should have been shown in present-day time rather than flashback.
I've seen people on message boards for the new show refer to the cast as the Fab Four. I always thought, "How insulting. The real Fab Four are John, Paul, George, and Ringo, not Alex, Scott, Daniel, and Grace." Even in TV crime-fighting, the latter four don't come to mind. The Fab Four of TV crime-fighting for me will always be Jack, James, Kam, and Zulu.Added: Friday 09 May 2014 23:01:27 MST
Submitted by: Al
From: Tennesse
Grover's dialogue in tonight's episode makes him look incapable of commanding swat. Please be more realistic with future episodes as this episode is like a Lifetime movie. [Al, I trust you realize that although this is the Hawaii Five-O Home Page, and has been so since 1994 (20 years!!), it has nothing whatsoever to do with the creation of the show. If you have any suggestions or complaints about that, please direct them to @PLenkov on Twitter. - MQ]Added: Friday 09 May 2014 18:46:17 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Thanks, Dan.
Many people I know who watch the new show do so regardless of whether they see the sneak previews or not. If they see too much written about a future episode in terms of the storyline, and if it is something that don't like, they will not watch. They might have watched if they didn't hear so much about it all the time.
I think Lenkov spends more time on Twitter than any other TV producer. How he hasn't realized by now that posting too much information is going to hurt ratings rather than help them, I don't know.Added: Friday 09 May 2014 17:35:20 MST
Submitted by: Dan Gibson
From: Greensboro, NC
Vrinda makes a great point. As many here know, I don't look at H50 with the critical eye that most in this forum do; I take the hour for what it is, and DON'T compare it to the Jack Lord show of nearly 35yrs ago. Overall, I think the repeated TV & Net "previews" and "spoilers" and "hot tips" on upcoming episodes are SO DAMN IRRITATING. TV is also used to mega-hype upcoming movies far, far too much -- to the degree that we figure out 90% of the film, without making the trip to the theater and forking out $10 for a seat.
If the H50 fans want to watch (and there are several, as it is a Top 15-25 show week to week) chances are they will. Certain others will tune in, so they can revel in taking it apart. The rest just scoff at it, and spend their Friday nites elsewhere. I have mixed emotions about the "road trip" of last week ... to say that it was a "stretch" that STEVE & CATH could have reached that destination AT ALL is an understatement... just as much as all the events that followed. But as a vehicle that was used to set up the separation of the two characters, it was effective. I did see the term "comic book" used here -- I can't deny that such a description is spot on in this TV show, certainly at times like this.Added: Tuesday 06 May 2014 14:26:10 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
My take on last night's "24".
Being the huge fan that I am you can bet I was glued to the screen watching it for the 2-hour duration. That said, I'm not calling it great or mind-blowing or anything like that. It was good and I enjoyed it. It was like visiting an old friend. But I really didn't expect it to recapture the glory days of its earlier seasons (especially seasons 1-5). And it didn't.
I've actually seen some folks write that it was some of the best 24 they had ever seen. Maybe we weren't watching the same thing because I certainly didn't see that. I don't recall even once leaping out of my seat with excitement. Besides, it's way too early to call it some of the best 24 ever. I did enjoy the story about the drone attack, I love the London locale (being a Bond fan and all), great to see actors like Colin Salmon (a Bond alumnus), Michael Wincott (gotta love that raspy voice), Tate Donovan, Benjamin Bratt, Stephen Fry as the PM. Also great to see the return of William Devane (hey, Five-0 alumnus!) as now President Heller and Kim Raver as his daughter Audrey. I always wanted Jack and Audrey back together again. I'm not too crazy about the new rogue Chloe but I guess I'll get used to it. BTW, when Benjamin Bratt was interrogating Kiefer all I could think about was that both were involved with Julia Roberts. Hehe!
All in all, it's good to have "24" back for this limited 12-episode run and I'll be looking forward to see where they will take this - hopefully we'll get proper closure which we didn't get with the end of season 8. Ultimately though the show has run its course (and this was quite obvious with season 8) and its best days are behind. So I don't really expect anything earth-shattering (though hopefully I'll be proven wrong) but I will definitely see how this arc ends. Actually last night's premiere reminded me a lot of the season 8 premiere for some odd reason. Not sure. Maybe it's the color palette or maybe it's because it begins during the midday hours. Or maybe because again there's an assassination threat against a president. And I personally didn't think the season 8 premiere was mind-blowing. So I'm of the same opinion about last night's premiere. No doubt the next few hours will develop into something much more exciting than what happened with season 8 (the second half of that season was awesome due to the return of Logan but the first half seemed like a lot of filler) since they had plenty of time to prepare something special for us AND it's only 12 episodes so no time for filler.
That's my 2 cents. Quite good but nothing mind-blowing. Tick-tock-tick-tock....Added: Tuesday 06 May 2014 12:33:56 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Given that the lower ratings might have been due to too much information given out ahead of time, and knowing that the show would center around Catherine, why does CBS and Lenkov keep on putting out these teasers? It's not going to guarantee high ratings. If people want to see the show, they will tune in. It's not as though the current viewers are going to tune out just because they didn't get to see any spoilers or promos.Added: Tuesday 06 May 2014 12:25:50 MST
Submitted by: Glenn
From: Orlando, FL (USA)
H50:
I suppose I keep watching the show for any quality episodes. It's just that they are few and far between.
Also, I do love Hawaii so much that I'm a sucker for ANYTHING on TV that shows the beauty of the Islands - one of the other problems with the new show is that it depicts HAWAII as a VERY violent place, unlike the old show.
....and no, I do not contribute to the ratings of the show...Added: Tuesday 06 May 2014 11:04:55 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
"24" is not realistic. Oh, really?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/05/24-live-another-day-jack-bauer-returns?CMP=fb_us
Guide to "24's" last eight seasons:
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/may/05/24-guide-past-eight-seasons-tv-kiefer-sutherland-jack-bauer-recapAdded: Tuesday 06 May 2014 07:44:03 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
Well said, D. Merchant from Maryland.Added: Monday 05 May 2014 15:47:09 MST
Submitted by: D Merchant
From: Maryland
I've always liked the show from. When I was little watching the originals. I like the show now until the latest show with Steve and his girlfriend showing up in Iraq [actually, it is Afghanistan - MQ] and she being helped by an Iraqi family and hiding her from the Taliban. First I understand your actors and you act what your script is. Your not Navy Seals and for the liberal Hollywood idiots to even make a show with some twists in it knowing you acted out a real Seals story is crap. Real Seals died that day and the survivor who it took alot out of shared his story and a movie was made. You made it very close to his story in many ways. Don't make these actors out to be some kind of heroic people. What happens in Iraq is real and not for you to profit on. Stay in Hawaii and make a show about crime there you solve not Iraq and places you have never been or could even know how war really is!Added: Monday 05 May 2014 12:57:39 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
H50 Forever, it is unlikely that Glenn will "add points to the statistics" unless he is a member of a household that is tapped to provide Nielsen ratings.Added: Monday 05 May 2014 10:44:05 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
As I'm sure many of you are aware, "Jack is Back" on TV tonight as "24" resumes for the next 12 weeks. I would encourage people to post about this show because there is only one more Five-0 episode (which I am already not enthusiastic about) and we need something to talk about during this time frame!Added: Monday 05 May 2014 10:39:24 MST
Submitted by: H50 1.0 FOREVER
From: Under the Live Oak Trees
So, Glenn, re: "I can't believe that this show is being picked up for a fifth season" - - - And yet you keep watching it! You keep adding points to the statistics. Since the end of Season 1, I've watched only about one episode per season and then only when Mike says a special episode is coming up -- like the one this season about the Japanese internment camps. That one was worth watching. Otherwise, I wait until "Blue Bloods" comes on.Added: Monday 05 May 2014 09:32:51 MST
Submitted by: Glenn
From: Orlando, FL (USA)
After watching this last episode from Friday night, all I can say is that I would be AMAZED that this show does not kill the acting careers to all involved - truly AWFUL!
I can't believe that this show is being picked up for a fifth season...what a joke...:-(Added: Monday 05 May 2014 07:01:09 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
Ringfire: I loved "Savage Sunday", it is one of my favorite original Five-o episodes because of that ending.
Mike: Agreed. I didn't watch the show this weekend, but you told me everything I needed to know by your complete review. You did outdo yourself!...Guess what, based on your review. I'm glad that I missed the show. I'm not enthused about watching it over the weekend anymore.Added: Monday 05 May 2014 06:45:20 MST
Submitted by: John Chergi
From: Pittsburgh PA
Hope Season 5 of Hawaii Five O will be better writing & they can spend the summer fixing these characters. These dialogues seem to be written by only children or people with few friends. It's a weakness in the show. Things go better when they smash em up or the fire fight sequences that are well done. Wish Jerry would join HFO. He has an interesting quality to him. JCAdded: Sunday 04 May 2014 19:09:33 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
Latest episode reviewed. I think I exceeded myself.
http://fiveohomepage.com/2010-log4.htm#21Added: Sunday 04 May 2014 13:16:15 MST
Submitted by: Mr. Mike
From: Vancouver
You are just labelling the show a comic book NOW? It already categorized itself as such during Five-0's A-Team North Korean adventures in previous seasons, and those were just the very worst shows!
There are plenty of absurd things about this latest show. For example:
Taking a commercial airline from Honolulu to Kabul (which is what McG and Cath are shown doing, not just thumbing a ride on some military plane as would be expected) would take over three days. You would travel from Honolulu via Los Angeles and Istanbul, and the cheapest cost would be $12,271 per person. This is in contradiction to what Catherine suggests: "I can be on the ground by dawn."
Here are some more random comments from IMDB:
===
That last episode on May 2nd was truly awful. Like...that's an hour of my life I will never get back. Disappointed in the writers this week...
===
How did Amir get Catherine's cell number? She said she didn't have contact with them after she got back to the base for fear of their lives...so how did Amir call her? Not to mention they are living in a remote village in Afghanistan...didn't really think they had phones
[Reply to the above:]
He looked her up in the yellow pages, under "Plot Holes".
===
You're expecting too much from this show runner and his writers..just accept it as is..because that's what he'd want you to do. Worship the ground he walks on, call him boss and stick a feather up his ass..that's what you should do..not ask too many complicated questions that show he isn't that good a show runner.Added: Sunday 04 May 2014 09:41:20 MST
Submitted by: Vrinda
From: NJ
Maybe they're trying to make the show "modern" and "relevant" by injecting current events into the storyline, even without proper writing.Added: Sunday 04 May 2014 09:24:38 MST
Submitted by: Anne
From: Tangerine FL
Rick, I'm with you. Although in my opinion comic books are much better even the crappy ones. It amazed me CBS and Lenkov call this Hawaii Five-0. Afghanistan! Wow that has a lot to do with the state of Hawaii -- the real star of this showAdded: Sunday 04 May 2014 08:41:29 MST
Submitted by: Rick
From: Newport Beach
I usually don't comment on the fake Five-0 but I saw this in USA TODAY...
"When Catherine learns the Taliban plans to hurt a child whose family saved her life, she and McGarrett travel to Afghanistan to rescue him. And if that sounds completely preposterous, well, welcome to Hawaii Five-0."
They've taken a classic and made it into a comic book.Added: Sunday 04 May 2014 06:49:02 MST
Submitted by: David Fuhs
From: MN
Thought the "road trip to Afghanistan" was insultingly unrealistic. No way a couple of ex-military (Steve and Catherine) go in there for such a mission. Lots of drama, a feel good mission, kill some "bad guys", but just a plain silly story. Come on people, just shaking my head at this one. I think I am done watching this show.Added: Saturday 03 May 2014 19:06:46 MST
Submitted by: Dan Gibson
From: Greensboro, NC
I know ... "a road trip to Afghanistan?" Well, I just put plausibility on the shelf, and took in the hour tonight. I thought they did a decent job with the two story lines ... I didn't mind one bit that Chin was so rude as to interrupt the important board meeting to take down the two Mr. Big's. But of course the real drama was a few miles west of the Islands. That saga was a lot to squeeze into 25mins or so, but STEVE & CATH were solid, while being ridiculously overmatched in enemy territory. When STEVE returned to his home and shut the door, the call from CATH was the hour's best moment. I'll admit ... I'm a softie -- their three word exchange made it for me.Added: Friday 02 May 2014 23:08:18 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
I can just see McGarrett giving Putin a "lesson on democracy" as he did to Consul Vallios (Wright Esser) in "Savage Sunday". McG didn't play nice or take the diplomatic course. He told it like it was. And he didn't care if you were a consul or a president or some other big shot. If you pissed him off he'd fly off at you.
That's the problem with our world leaders. They want to play nice. When you say to Putin that you are not behaving like a democratic leader and that you should try to reverse course I'm sure he just yawns. I mean seriously, do they expect him to jump to his feet and go "Oh sh!t, I need to better myself. Need to stop being so naughty"? Come on, this isn't kindergarten.Added: Friday 02 May 2014 11:40:20 MST
Submitted by: Rainbow Warrior
From: New York, NY
The agreement that you refer to Ringfire was the 1994 Budapest Agreement where Ukraine was forced to destroy its nuclear weapons in exchange for the US and the UK protecting its territorial integrity. Merkel informed Putin in a telephone call that he broke this agreement. Since the US and Europe have showed no interest in backing up that treaty, I'm sure Putin didn't care.
If Steve McGarrett had been the head of the European Union or the United States their would have been h--- to pay for old Vlad!Added: Friday 02 May 2014 06:27:50 MST
Submitted by: ringfire211
From: Philadelphia
"I agree with the sanctions, but Obama is wrong in that he needs to provide weapons for Ukraine to defend itself if Russia invades fully."
Agreed! Especially since it was Europe and the U.S. who worked so diligently to disarm us of our nuclear weapons back in the 90s. In turn they pledged to protect us if we were ever attacked by an outside aggressor. Well, here we are. Time to make good on that promise. Providing weapons is the least they should be doing. I think a promise to protect someone suggests something more than just providing guns and ammo. When I tell you I will protect you from a bully I think you will understand this to mean that I will do more than just give you a stick that you can fight the bully with. I think you will understand this to mean that I will personally get involved in the fight with the bully. Of course I can understand why no one wants to go to war with Russia - being a nuclear superpower no one wishes to see a nuclear holocaust. But like you said, there should be a more forceful response to what Russia is doing. Providing weapons is as good a response as any.
I still think his move in Crimea was a mistake and now he has to follow through with his promise to "liberate oppressed Russians living in Ukraine" or he'll come across as a sissy. And if there is one thing that psycho Vlad is afraid of that's looking like a sissy and losing his people's respect. And the more he pushes into Ukraine the more he isolates himself from the international community and the more unhinged he becomes. This isn't the old Soviet Union that he remembers from his KGB days in the 70s and 80s. His country is too reliant on western $$ so it's a only a matter of time before someone close to him puts a bullet in his brain.
In the meantime Europe needs to grow a pair and we should all collectively call him the sh!thead that he really is. None of this diplomacy nonsense. You can't reason with a madman. Hit his country where it hurts the most - the wallet. Then his own lunacy will destroy him.
Anyway, I'll let you all get back to the topic of Five-0. I could write a few books on the present situation and the bloody history of Ukraine vs. Russia. God bless Ukraine! I pray that my country will survive all this.Added: Thursday 01 May 2014 11:36:38 MST
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