by Mr. Mike » Sat Jul 09, 2016 9:14 am
Ken Solarz has been co-executive producer for 33 episodes of Five-Zero between 2013 and 2016; this suggests he has major input into what kind of decisions are made about the show in terms of its story, direction, and so forth.
This guy's name popped up while I was watching Crime Story, a serialized cop show executive produced by Michael Mann (Thief, Heat, Miami Vice, Manunter), which dates from 1987-88. Solarz wrote 6 of the show's 43 episodes, including an absurd one where the villain of the piece, who we thought was vaporized in a previous show in an atomic bomb explosion, suddenly returns.
He also wrote several episodes of Five-Zero. They vary in quality between two of the very best and some real turkeys:
Malama ka Po'e (2016, S06E19, 2 stars) - Grover is forced to take himself and his family off the grid without notice when he discovers that an enemy from his FBI undercover days has tracked him down.
Na Kama Hele (2015, S06E07, 2-1/2 stars) - While snorkeling off a deserted island McGarrett and his new girlfriend stumble onto the hideout of a wanted gangster while Chin, Kono and Grover must track down a gambler who is forcing a high school quarterback to throw a playoff game.
Mo'o 'olelo Pu (2015, S05E23, 3 stars) - While Chin Ho faces an old nemesis when Five-0 tracks down a meth ring associated with a murder, Kono is lost at sea during a solo journey after a violent storm.
Pono Kaulike (2015, S05E18, 2 stars) - Danny and Chin Ho are arrested for the roles in the death of Marco Reyes, the Colombian drug lord who killed Danny's brother. But with the help of Joe White, McGarrett discovers that there's more to their arrests than meets the eye.
Ka No'eau (2014, S05E04, 1-1/2 stars) - Five-0 deals with a mob contract killer who has literally and figuratively had a change of heart. Danny finds his brother's money but is short five and a half million dollars, and his brother's life may be in the balance.
A'ohe Kahi e Pe'e Ai (2014, S05E01, 1-1/2 stars) - Five-0 must find out who has hijacked a drone and used it to attack civilians and why.
O ka Pili'Ohana ka 'Oi (2014, S04E22, 1-1/2 stars) - Cyber-criminal Ian Wright holds Grover's daughter hostage and demands that Grover help him out with a multi-million dollar heist. Meanwhile, Wo Fat escapes from maximum security in Colorado.
Makani 'Olu a Holo Malie (2014, S04E21, 1 star) - While Five-0 investigates a homicide related to a stolen transplant organ, McGarrett joins Catherine for a trip to Afghanistan so she can help a friend whose son has been kidnapped by the Taliban.
Hana Lokomaika'i (2014, S04E13, 4 stars) - Internal Affairs questions Chin about his father's murder 15 years ago and his relationship with Malia.
Ho'onani Makuakane (2013, S04E10, 4 stars) - A murder attempt on a Pearl Harbor veteran leads Five-0 to use decades old evidence to investigate a deadly crime committed in an internment camp on Oahu during WWII.
Aloha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi (2013, S04E01, 3-1/2 stars) - Before McGarrett can get answers about his mother from Wo Fat, terrorists break into the prison and also take hostages at Five-0 headquarters.
Aloha. Malama Pono (2013, S03E24 [season finale], 2 stars) - While Five-0 searches for an escaped federal prisoner connected to a terrorist plot, Kono tries to clear her name after her gun is used in a murder.
Olelo Pa'a (2013, S03E20, 2 stars) - McGarrett and Catherine go in a secret mission to North Korea to find the body of one of McGarrett's fallen SEAL buddies.
I Ka Wa Mamua (2012, S03E06 - 3 stars) - While Five-0 discovers a terrorist cell on the island, Danny has a flashback to one of the most eventful days of his life while working as a Newark police officer in 2001.