‘Hawaii Five-O’ Recap: ‘Pu`olo’

Now that’s more like it!

“Hawaii Five-0” returned after a one-week break with “Pu`olo,” the best episode of Season 2. The silly plotlines of filler episodes were replaced with a clean story that actually had purpose. Not only do we finally find out who/what Shelburne is, but we also get the return of all the best guest stars (and no Masi Oka, who’s become a forgotten character the last few episodes. I’m betting he doesn’t return for Season 3). Any episode with both Sang Min and Kamekona can’t go wrong.

Here’s this week’s look at The Good, The Bad and The Weird.

The Good

• I never get tired of the exquisite overhead shots of Oahu. Much props to those who fly over the island getting those shots.
• Loved the two local guys bantering in the opening scene, talking about Vegas being the 9th island, slippahs and marriage. More locals with significant speaking parts are definitely welcome.
• William Sadler as McGarrett’s dad. This is the most airtime he’s had so far, and I wouldn’t mind if they feature him even more in the future.
• “Holy mullet, who’s that guy?” – Westin, referring to Sang Min’s mug shot.
• The return of Sang Min. He’s easily my favorite character on the show, and I love how Will Yun Lee portrays him. I have no idea what kind of accent he uses, but I love it.
• “Oh, look at this, sweet and spicy!” – Sang Min, talking about Westin and Kono.
• The team of Sang Min and Kamekona was genius. Plus, Kamekona reminded everyone that he used to be a bad guy and is not just a big teddy bear.
• McGarrett buying Danno a Zip Pac. These little throwaway references will have no meaning to the majority of viewers on the Mainland, but I truly appreciate the writers making the effort to include them.
• John Cruz’s version of the classic “Hi`ilawe” is mesmerizing.

The Bad

• Dante Basco guest starring as Nicky Chang. I still think of him as Rufio from “Hook,” and I didn’t buy him as a local smuggler. His street Asian thug act seemed more fitting for the Mainland than for Hawaii.
• Boy, the yakuza are really ineffective. That was one of the worst drive-by attempts ever.
• The product placement in tonight’s episode was just plain shameless. Not only were there obvious Hawaiian Airlines and Hilton plugs, but also an entire Subway ad written into the script. Auwe!
• The 5-0 team is really naïve if they thought letting Sang Min out, yet another time, to lead them to the bad guys was going to work. They should’ve known that Nicky would do his homework and verify if Sang Min’s story was legit. I mean, the case fell through? He’s already been in prison for 18 months!
• I’m no longer going to wear a black t-shirt with gold chain. People who watch 5-0 might get the wrong idea. There’s a difference between being “gansta” and being a gangster.
• You’re going to bring a flamethrower to a gunfight? Really?

The Weird

• There were a lot of daddy issues going on in tonight’s episode. McGarrett and his dad is an ongoing story, but there was also the yakuza father and son moment, Wo Fat wanting revenge for his father’s death, as well as Danno helping in the birth of his ex-wife’s baby boy. What’s going on there?

Speaking of daddy issues, James Caan, Hollywood legend and father to Scott Caan (Danno) will be making a guest appearance on “Hawaii Five-0” next month. I can’t wait for that reunion!