Hawaii Five O (H5O) Double Header - TV Review

Last night CBS broadcast offered a double header for Hawaii Five O:

I ka wa ma mua, I ka wa ma hope (S8 Ep10)

When Danny is shot while quarantined in the hospital with McGarrett, Tani and Junior, he's left unconscious and clinging to life, imagining a future for everyone in Five-0. (TV-14 V)

The title translates as "The Future is in the Past".  From the previous episode, Steve, Danny, Tani, and Junior were exposed to a biological weapon, landing them in quarantine for six days.  Hours before their release, an unknown villain enters their isolation unit and shoots Danny.  As the team performs life saving medical treatment, Danny dreams of the future, including:

- walking his daughter, Grace, down the aisle

- his son, Charlie, graduating from the Honolulu Police Academy

- spending his golden years with McGarrett; see image below with the actors transformed into senior citizens.

This episode was predictable yet entertaining.  

Oni kalalea ke ku a ka la'au loa (S8 Ep11)

It's Christmas Eve and Danny tells Charlie a bedtime story about a recent Five-0 case involving bad Santas and a holiday miracle. 

The title translates as "A Tall Tree Stands Above the Others".  Let me amend that to read "Several Tall Trees Stand Above the Others". While Danny recovers from his gunshot wound, he and Charlie prepare for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. As Danny tucks Charlie in bed, he shares a different kind of bed time story in which "angels" help the H5O team.  

Two villains, dressed as Santa bell ringers, blow up an armored truck for its cash deposits.  As the Santas escape into a local mall, the H5O team respond to the situation.  Meanwhile, Junior is driving a group of Wounded Warriors to a holiday event when he hears the call.  He responds accordingly with his "brothers in arm" in tow.  Each Wounded Warrior offers a unique skill set to assist the team as they empty the mall and apprehend the bad Santas.  

Scott Caan stands out as he delivers fatherly love and Steve-induced-sarcasm in telling the story to Charlie.  Likewise, I commend H5O for including wounded warriors in the plot. In fact, real life wounded warrior Jason Redman landed a guest role.  From People Magazine (link),

“I cast Jason based on a recommendation by Gary Sinise,” he (Executive Producer Peter Lenkov) tells PEOPLE. “I had told Gary that I was looking for some real deal vets that have inspiring stories for an upcoming episode of Hawaii Five-0 and he delivered with Jason, who did a really great job.”

This episode is now my favorite for the season.

Watch both episodes on CBS.com.

I am giving away a swag pack to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Christmas traditions - what is your favorite?  

H5O ends with Steve letting himself into Danny's house while Danny is tucking Charlie into bed.  Steve then eats the cookies Danny baked for Santa.  Classic Steve!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, December 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City