Saturday, September 28, 2013

Recap and Review of Hawaii Five-O Season Premiere

Now THAT was a season premiere.

We started right where we ended last season with Steve visiting Wo Fat in the maximum security prison. Unknown people are breaking in to kill Wo Fat so Steve saves him by hiding behind a pillar and when they enter, he goes Jack Bauer on them and kills them all.  The next shot is of him dragging a guy through a hall, barking orders to Danny on what to do with Wo Fat because Steve's going to question the one guy who's still breathing.  (On an artistic note, that was a well put together scene, too, with the lights crackling, the music, and Steve's face. Very balanced and visually stunning.)

When Danny finally makes it to the interrogation room, he's brought a clean shirt for Steve.  So thoughtful. They talked about something during the shirt change, but I can't remember what. (Maybe I'll have to watch that part again to clear that up.)  Chin figures out the guy they're interrogating is part of the NLM terrorist group and they're probably getting payback for when Five-O thwarted the San Francisco attack. More NLM people break into the Palace and take a bunch of hostages. Since my new series of novels is about a Hostage Negotiation Team, I've done a ton of research on hostages, hostage-takers, and law enforcement who deal with it, and what they did onscreen was amazing and actually quite realistic, which I loved.  (Did anyone else go awww when Kamekona wanted to go in because he had ohana in there?)  

Steve is trying to treat the bleeding man they've been questioning, administering CPR while Danny tells him about his "moment" with Gabby that never happened. Steve's all, what, were you going to tell her you love her? And Danny says, Maybe.  Then Steve says something very telling.  "Maybe you should be sure.  Saying that is serious and something you can't take back."  I loved that.  He doesn't take 'I love you' lightly and you KNOW that when he finally says those words, it will mean something to him.  *le sigh*

Steve brings the guy back to life, but someone is coming.  That sets it up for probably one of the ickiest/cool things I've seen on TV in a while.  The hostage-taker's minion comes into the room and the bleeding guy is propped up in the doorway.  The minion steps forward and is shot FROM THE BULLET HOLE the bleeding guy already has and there is actually a frame of Steve removing the gun barrel from the hole. Ew and awesome all at once.  Steve, Danny, and bleeding guy end up having to go upstairs so more hostages don't get shot. Steve and Danny are made to kneel and the main hostage-taker puts a gun to their head, saying he knows it's not just the two of them. (How? These two are pretty incredible all on their own.)  Chin comes down and joins them.  (And Chin was amazing all night, luring one of the terrorists upstairs and taking him out. Love action Chin!)

But there's a twist.  Main hostage-taker guy goes over and shoots bleeding guy everyone thought they were rescuing.  Then all the hostage-takers surrender.  The look on everyone's face was probably the same look I had on mine.  What just happened?  

They all come out with the hostages (Chin carrying a wounded woman, aww).  Steve's phone rings and he sees it's Catherine and answers with, "Catherine, we're fine."  A male accented voice says he's glad to hear that. Steve's face practically turns to stone.  "Where's Lt. Rollins?"  Of course the NLM have her and want Steve to give back the terrorists he just captured in exchange for Catherine.  Catherine shouts to Steve not to do it and gets punched and kicked for her trouble.  Steve is listening to her cries through the phone and says this only ends one way, with the guy who's taken Catherine dead. Yeah, bad move NLM guy.

While Steve is on the phone with the terrorist, he gives Danny a look and he comes right over, knowing something is wrong.  They head out and their "cargument" is more "what are we doing?" and ends with Steve's admission that "I lost my father dealing with people like this I'm not going to lose Catherine, too." *le sigh* He was helpless in the situation with his father, and even though he's feeling a bit of that now, he's determined to save her.  They overtake the van with the terrorists in it, take down the new SWAT guy, and the terrorists are free to take the Camaro. *sniff*  Poor Camaro.

Once that's done Steve finds out where Catherine is and they head there.  He gets out of the SWAT van calling her name and when she isn't immediately found, he's yelling her name.  He throws his hand up to Danny in frustration, saying they said she'd be right here and Danny tries to calm him with, we'll find her, come on.  They search a bit longer and then Danny sees her in the gully below them.  Steve practically runs down that hill calling for her.  He reaches her, frees her hands, asking her if she's all right, obvious relief on his face to see her in front of him. Danny asks if she's okay and she says she's good before Steve enfolds her in his arms. It almost sounds like she's saying, "I was so . . ." but then her face is in his shoulder and he's pressing her to him.  They stand there, holding each other, his hand cradling her head, and it is a sigh-worthy moment. (Steve McGarrett is a good hugger.)  He asks her several times (four) if she's all right, reassuring himself by looking over her wounds.  She's worried about what he had to do to secure her release and he's all, "Come on, I wasn't going to lose you."  So much feeling behind those words and honestly the emotion was the best part of this whole scene.  Alex O'Loughlin and Michelle Borth were amazing and seriously SOLD IT.  I love them together.

They find the burned out Camaro (sad) and the SWAT guy catches up with them.  Steve mentions that they do things differently in Hawaii, (ha!) and they realize that the terrorists are using a helicopter and probably went over to Aloha stadium.  There is a really great car rollover and most of the terrorists die inside, but one is missing.  As soon as they say that, Catherine says, "Where's Steve?" And of course he's chasing the missing terrorist.  They all hear the gunfire and it's like, "oh there's Steve."  Haha. 

Steve shoots the terrorist heading for the helicopter, but his goons manage to load him on the helicopter and take off.  Steve grabs on and pulls himself up (hats off to Alex O'Loughlin, since he really did grab that helicopter) and McGarrett gives a new meaning to flying takedown.  When everyone is taken care of in the air, Steve manages to land safely and the team surrounds him.  They all head off to get a drink together after discussing whether they're going to have trouble with the new SWAT guy.  (Ya think?)

The ending sequence is of Steve boarding a plane with Wo Fat being held in a cage in the middle of it.  He asks Wo Fat about his connection to Steve's mother and ends up slamming his head against the bars to get a blood sample.  He wants answers, but I really really hope that one of the answers isn't that Wo Fat is related to Steve because I would hate that.  

Danny and Chin are trying to reconstruct the computer and find out that Kono's location has been compromised.  Chin calls her, but it's too late, gunman are already there.  Dun, dun, dun.  

This was one of the best season premieres I've seen yet and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store.  It's like watching a mini-action movie every week with explosions, stunts, emotion, connection. For this girl, Hawaii Five-0 really delivered last night.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Acción and so many feelings in this episode!!! Yes, kamekona was cute!!! I loved Chin in this episode!!!

McGarrett normally not express his feelings, but, that was evident in his face. Now, we know, he would do anything for her!!

P.D. Henry Ian Cusick, Martha Higareda and Nestor Serrano were really amazing villains in this episode!!

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

There really was something for everyone in this ep and it's a great springboard for the season I think.

Love, love, love the emotion on Steve's face, though.

And you're right, they were great villains. That was a gory looking car wreck for them to die in, though! Lots of blood in the premiere. :)

Anonymous said...

Testing

Wanda said...

Loved the opening scene until the closing credits. McG saving WoFat by using the bad guys as shields great. The only scene I didn't like was the Danny whining, complaining and pretty much no help at all. The meeting of McG and Grover was all I expected and then some. My favorite scene of course was the embrace, emo Steve and strong Cath, Alex & Michelle both deserve an A+. The scene with McG jumping on the lifting up helicopter and the way he saved the day like always then walking off into the sunset with Cath (my opinion)perfection. Loved seeing super cop Chin in action too! Julie you did a great job in your recap, loved it. I can't wait until next week!

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Thanks, Wanda! I was a bit surprised at Danny's timing this week as well, especially while Steve was giving CPR to that guy! But I was sad about the Camaro, I liked that car.

Alex and Michelle were stellar, and totally made the premiere, imo. Did you see the previews for next week?

Wanda said...

Next week looks to be amazing, Tim Daly rocks the Texas Ranger look. On a totally different subject but related to show. Is it just me or does it seem the show is distancing itself from Scott. He has stated over and over how he doesn't want to be there, Peter danced around a question recently about him being on the show less and Peter just said *the same*. Scott not at SOTB or athe the blessing ceremony either. In an interview Chi said it was Nina Tassler who came to him about the role, he said she was a fan of his, Nina has in the past made it apparent she is also a fan of Alex. Alex Kurtzman at SOTB this year the first time since S1, and only in one interview did I even hear Scott's name mentioned. Peter said that starting with episode 8, Chi would be seen regularly. Maybe leading the show in another direction. Alex on twitter Friday because he loves the fans. What are your feelings on the sujbect? If you think this is not an appropriate venue to discuss this I won't feel hurt if you delete my reply.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Wanda, to tell you the truth, that's the first I've heard of it. I had no idea Scott had said he didn't want to be there. Sad! I love the friendship McDanno have and would really miss that. Dang! I love the team and Danny's issues as a father bring another dimension in for sure.

What direction do you think they would go in? It would be hard to give Steve another partner that would fill a Danny void. Are you thinking Steve would be solo or with Chin more? Or have him with Chi?

Wanda said...

I'm just bummed today. TV By the Numbers predicts H50 will be cancelled, I just don't get it.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

I can't believe it! They had great numbers this week. Why do they think that?

Wanda said...

The move to Fridays and losing the demo to Shark Tank. Even though H50 had the 2nd most viewers for the night. Apparently, the move to Friday is what is making them say this year will be the last. It really doesn't matter about the numbers it's the move that is driving the consensus for cancellation. Peter tweeted Cheryl H. that the man that does the table doesn't know what he is talking about. They also seem to think Grimm which has it's premiere at the end of October is going to be the tipping point, thus they are saying the show will be cancelled.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

I hadn't heard any of that. That is a bummer! I hope it's not true, though. Most of my favorite shows have been cancelled after five seasons. :(

I wonder what would help it? It's got action/romance, what more is there? Sigh

Wanda said...

I really think they are hating on the show because of the old H50. The comments I hate the most are the ones that say Alex O'Loughlin can act that his acting is wooden. Clearly they haven't watched the show or they would know he is the best actor on the show. The writing last season wasn't the best but the S4 premiere was my favorite since the pilot. Well rounded, it had it all.

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

Yeah, that's just crazy talk to me. Alex O'Loughlin has really brought it to the small screen for me. I think he does a great job. I didn't mind last season either, overall, but I'm really excited about this season!

Mari said...

Wow. Perfect review. WONDERFUL episode. As you know, I watched this an INSANE amount of times. I loved it. Loved Danny, loved BAMF Chin, loved seeing Kono ... but miss her with the boys. Grover kicks butt! And finally... be still my Steve & Catherine loving heart... OMG loved it, love love love. Am I gushing? I'm so not a softie, who the hell have I become because of these two characters? :) Thx for the great review and the tweeting fun yesterday! Hugs, Mari

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

That was fun! And thanks for the vid that confirms the living situation. Seriously cannot wait for this week. I think Billy returns, am I right?

La Ni said...

Hey Julie !

Hope my comment Will be saved *crossing fingers*

I like your article.

May i add that, Danno and steeve talked about Doris and Wo Fat when Danno gave him a clean shirt...

Like you i lenjoy the first minutes of the show, Stoned face McGarrett, so commando like...

No matter How he managed to be safe, take the assaulters down and keep Wo Fat in jail...

This ep is just terrific.

No time to breath or to have a peaceful heartpulse...

McRoll is just awsome.

In the Woods, at the end ...

Julie Coulter Bellon said...

La Ni, yay your comment came through!

And thanks for letting me know what they were saying during the shirtless scene. Maybe I'll just go watch it again and verify. Haha!

McRoll was incredible! Can't wait for next week. :)