By Stu Robinson,
I’m pressed for time this week, so here is the quick & dirty on Episode 10 of CBS’ new Hawaii Five-O:
The plot was forgettable – one of those sprint-to-the-finish affairs, much like the jailbreak story in Episode 4. This one begins with a fatal armored-truck robbery and challenges the team to track down a gang that blends in with its surroundings. Viewers didn’t get to know any of the bad guys, or their motivations, nor the opportunity to figure out the crime for themselves. While I’d have to watch the episode again to confirm, I don’t recall any of the bad guys uttering a single line.
Rachel
The real purpose of the Episode 10 was to introduce Danno’s ex-wife, Rachel, who is not at all what I expected. She’s not the screaming shrew one would think from Danno’s descriptions and phone conversations. Perhaps that is a nod to reality – that there are two sides to every relationship. Australian actress Claire van der Boom plays English and gives more depth to Rachel than we’re accustomed to seeing in H50’s secondary characters.
The writers created a scenario wherein McGarrett and Danno needed to use Rachel’s home to conduct surveillance on the suspects next door. She allows it and, while bickering ensues (Danno/Rachel rather than Danno/Steve, for a change), it quickly becomes clear that both are tired of the pointless squabbling and still retain some fondness for each other. While Rachel clearly has warmed to the wealthy lifestyle of her new husband, she hasn’t forgotten all that she learned as a cop’s wife, the good as well as the bad that viewers are led to believe broke up her marriage to Danno. And when Danno finds himself in jeopardy, she demonstrates cunning and resourcefulness to help him escape.
The McGarrett sibs.
I enjoyed this new complexity and would like to see Rachel in future episodes. But I’m not going to hold my breath, given that … MARY ANN McGARRETT IS MISSING.
Now here is a case the Five-O team should investigate. Viewers haven’t had a whiff of Steve’s sister, or the subplot regarding their father’s death, since Episode 5.
None of the show’s other established secondary characters appeared in Episode 10 either. Guest stars included actress Bijou Phillips and rapper Nas.
Also missing from the episode: “Book ’em, Danno.” C’mon writers, throw us a bone.
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Stu Robinson, a college friend of the TV Tyrant, is a writer, editor, media-relations practitioner and social-media guy based in Phoenix.