Hawaii Five-0, Season One (2010)

During the summer of 2010, the promotion for the fall television season amped up, including for Hawaii Five-0. It interests me for more than one reason, none of which has anything to do with the original series

Hawaii Five-0, Season One (2010) TV Review

Once a young Steve McGarrett wants nothing more than to grow up to be his policeman hero of a father. To him, no man stands taller. Since those childhood days he’s now estranged from his father, but Steve McGarrett(Alex O’Loughlin)is now a distinguished Navel Commander. During his pursuit to capture criminals like the Hesse brothers, Steve’s father is used as leverage, and murdered when things go wrong. Seeking revenge, Steve returns to Hawaii to bury his father, and is offered lead on a task force. Although the Governor (Jean Smart) determines to win Steve over, he refuses her cryptic offer. But this is before Steve meets Detective Williams.   

New to the island from New Jersey, Danny ‘Danno’ Williams (Scott Caan) despises this place, but is here for his daughter. He and Steve clash from the very beginning, but then Steve taps Danny as one of his team members forcing the pair to work together if not get along. As he continues his investigation, Steve completes his team with ex-cop, Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim), and Chin’s cousin, Kono (Grace Park), a former surfer turned rookie cop.  

To re-make a classic TV series is a challenge. Producers need the right hand to pen it, a capable cast and supportive network in order to make a go. Fortunately, this show checks off each requirement. NBC tried to make a modern Knight Rider successful only to fail miserably, and ABC tried their hand at Charlie’s Angels, again without success. The fact that Hawaii Five-0 impresses so many fans is a good thing; and even many critics are impressed by this stylish and suspenseful re-boot.

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Although the first episode hooks me (the cast and characters are phenomenal, but we’ll discuss them later), I am a little disappointed by a few of the cases. Episodes (“Belief”) that dig into personal stories for characters, like Danny, should be solid, but some fail. Throughout this entire freshman season, the acting remains good. This show doesn’t skimp on its humor either. Alex and Scott are great as buddy cops, but Alex especially plays this type of role very well. I don’t know how other fans feel about her, but I also love Danny’s ex (early days, peeps, early days). Her character is nothing like we are led to believe of her before we actually meet her on-screen. 

Filming actually does take place in Hawaii and as a result, we see the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and their culture. It isn’t hard to recognize why this show made such an impression. It can compete with the best of the long-running shows that have multiple seasonal renews. I only hope this one has the same opportunities.  

What are your thoughts of this retooled HawaiiFive-0, season one? Comment below what you think. 

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You can find Hawaii Five-0 digitally on Amazon Video with a Paramount+ add on

Content: the show is TV14 for its theme topics like bomb threats, kidnappings and death by gun, although none of which are terribly graphic. The pilot episode opens with a bang and tense situation. There are some shots of lifeless bodies and some swearing. One scene begins with a couple tangled up in the sheets; they share some sensual banter – another scene implies a brief extra-marital fling.