This week’s Hawaii Five-0 has been done before. A lot. It felt like it wanted to be Taken, with better scenery. Normally, an unremarkable script would cause me to turn the channel … but I didn’t, because this average episode also had some decidedly above average work from the show’s Golden Globe nominee.
Now, I know that Alex O’Loughlin is technically the star of the show. I also know he’s got a whole lot of very supportive fans; I would count myself as one of them. I think Alex makes a fantastic Steve McGarrett. All this is to say that I am not trying to take anything away from him when I mention that Scott earned that nomination he received last season for a reason. He’s an equally great successor to James MacArthur as Danny Williams. I might not have been in love with this episode, but it certainly gave Scott plenty to work with, and did he ever.
As Danny found himself under the thumb of his corrupt ex-partner, trying to rescue his daughter and avoid murdering his ex-wife’s new husband, Caan got to remind us that he’s a lot more than just the comic relief. He got to play fear, anger, frustration … a little bit of everything this week. Did anyone not get teary-eyed when Danny was pleading with his ex-partner to not have to shoot Stan? What a great scene.
I certainly wasn’t in love with the script, but I’m all for the reminder of what separates Hawaii Five-0 from every other procedural: its different ensemble. I’m still not a fan of Lauren German‘s Lori Weston, but the core four — O’Loughlin, Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park — have always turned in good performances and gel as a believable unit. I’d watch those four in an episode about a McDonald’s hold-up. (Actually, given what McNuggets have made people do before, that could actually be interesting.) But the point remains, this group is a good one.
Plus, we got the added bonus of two guest appearances by familiar faces: Sons of Anarchy‘s Theo Rossi and recurring White Collar actress Gloria Votsis.
So I’m really okay with an unremarkable episode. At least, unlike some others this season, we got some remarkable acting to watch within it.
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Feb 07, 2012 @ 08:04 EST5EDT
For me this has been the best episode this season, the way Danny was under his ex partner’s thumb, the hurt and angst that Scott Caan showed was simply amazing and he deserves awards (in my humble opinion). Could have done without the Lori hurting herself scene but hey, can’t have everything. Big up for Peter Greene on Rick, want him to come back as I think he has been the best bad guy we’ve had this season. xx
Brittany took the words right out of my mouth! To see To see the macho but always level headed Danno beg his ex-partner on behalf of his daughter truly, as a parent, broke my heart. I felt only Danny and Stan saved the sign where Danny is ordered to kill Stan and the uninspiring performance of the others, I’m sure, has everything to do with the writing and nothing to do with this talented group of actors. But, perhaps there was areason for this which will be revealed in the future?!?! As for the Lori Weston character, the only purpose I can possibly think would keep the show as eaward-worthy as it is would either be to reveal she is part of Wofat’s entourage planted to get close to Steve for obvious reasons or to have Wofat (or some other character) kill her off proving to the govenor that Steve knows how to pick his team and the govenor should back off.