The Good Fight is already the show’s sixth installment, and we will remember it as the one with the unforgettable fight scenes. Unfortunately the fighting didn’t limit itself to just the episode; sadly there have been some scuffles online since Season 2 started, with a lot of negativity and disrespect directed at actors as well as producers on a personal level.
If you’re no longer enjoying Hawaii Five-0 – for whatever reason – there is a simple and perfectly painless solution: don’t watch.
One aspect about Five-0 that many of us are noticing: there is so much going on that 42 minutes truly is much too short to do everything and everyone justice. We have gotten used to wonderful guest stars getting less screen time than their initial promotion would suggest, but the episodes are so much fun, that it feels petty to complain about it.
Kudos to Alex O’Loughlin – and his stalwart stunt double Justin Sundqvist – for the fantastic MMA action sequence with Chuck Liddell! Director Larry Teng mentioned on Twitter that Alex endured the uppercut on the chin for the knock-out shot six times – now that’s what I call dedication! He probably really did need that steak by the time filming was completed.
Joe White’s up close and personal encounter with the very hands-on Wo Fat is another breathtaking sequence to watch. Mark Dacascos did not require a stunt double for that scene. He followed choreography set out by stunt coordinator Jeff Cadiente, and according to Larry, “he is such a skilled technician, we never used his double. Every kick, punch, and flying knee was his.”
Larry – who also directed 1.19 (the rock climbing episode, another favorite) – will be back to do episodes 2.15 and 2.21. Yay!
If this week’s episode of “Hawaii Five-0? doesn’t prove to you that the CBS series is taking a lot of great risks this season by showing us this action/drama is not your standard fare, I’m not sure what could convince you.
Most shows have an action-filled opening, add a funny moment with the main characters right before they get pulled into the case, follow with a big action scene (with either guns-a-blazing, or a kick-ass fight) and a tearful moment, then wrap everyting up neatly on a feel good note. Yet, our “Five-0? writers and crew seem to want to fight that dramatic stereotype by mixing up the formula — for both the viewing audience and our Five-0 team.
Writer Kyle Harimoto wrote a great story of family betrayal set in the world of MMA, along with a ton of local food and Hawaiian references. Kyle has strong ties to Hawaii, and in this episode he pays homage to the islands that he spent a lot of summers in. MMA is huge in Hawaii, with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champ BJ Penn leading the way for local fighters. But the other little easter eggs he planted were all centered around things Hawaiian. Steve brought loco mocos over to Joe and Kensi (covered in a previous blog post) from Rainbow Drive-In. There’s was mention of misoyaki butterfish not long after, which is a type of fish prepared with a sweet sauce. Steve interviewed the Lasko family (home invasion victims) at Shokudo, a popular Japanese restaurant. The hardware store that Marshall Martell went to was City Mill. Joe White set his Foodland supermarket shopping bag just before Wo Fat turns up. Steve takes down the MMA fighter in Surftech Hawaii, a place to buy surf and stand-up paddleboards. Mahalo to Kyle and the writers for exposing the audience to a lot of Hawaiian businesses!
I’m pretty lonely in the “I ? Lori” club, but it looks like Alex Kurtzman and his team were working hard in this episode to bring a few more converts over. I’ve said it before, I have no complaints with her joining the team; she has added a strong element with her profiling background and she prevents Kono from being the only girl. That’s “win/win” in my book.
That said, it was disappointing that the show stuck with its current trend of advertising a guest star and then only featuring one scene with him/her. This week we got to meet Agent Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) from NCIS: Los Angeles. She clearly had a history with Joe, which I had hoped meant we would see her for more than three minutes. Alas, it was not to be.
More recaps & reviews:
I hope the actors, producers, and cast know that these people represent a very small minority and are not reflective of Hawaii 5-0′s TRUE fans. I think the show has been even better this year and am really enjoying it as the piece of entertainment it is meant to be.
And go Alex for allowing all those takes to produce such a realistic effect! So glad you were unhurt. I am very appreciative at your dedication to bring us a great show.
Looking forward to the Hallowe’en episode!
Oh, WOW.
I am one of the ones that do NOT like the new character…and i am certainly not disrespectful. But not all fans are going to tell the truth i guess. And i am not a butt kisser.
And it is not being ‘negative’ to not agree with everything that the producers do to the show. Also, if people start to watch something else, the ratings WILL go down, which could result in cancellation. And i am a true fan of the show and do not want to see that happen to my fav.show!!! That would be so sad
I loved seeing the fight scene and i wish that it was on longer.
AND—
I agree with you – not liking a character is not being negative. But unfortunately some people have gone too far. Some can’t make a distinction between a character and the actor, and Lauren is simply doing her job. She is not to blame that she was introduced as “the female McGarrett” and “a potential love interest.” That was a monumental mistake – regardless of who put it out there (it wasn’t the producers) – as that turned a lot of viewers against her character before she ever appeared on the show. Many of us are sick and tired of the incessant harping about Lori on Twitter, Facebook, forums, in reviews… and the recent threats aimed at Peter are the last straw.
Fine if a viewer doesn’t like Lori, but don’t blame the actress for it and don’t go on and on about it. If she bothers people so much, they should move on to something else. That’s a healthy thing to do.
People need to get some perspective; this is just a TV show. Nothing more, nothing less.
I sincerely doubt it will affect the ratings negatively. First of all, you’d have to be part of a Nielsen family to be able to do that and I’m sure the current haters love the show too much to stop watching. Otherwise they wouldn’t have anything to whine about.
Great to hear you’re a true fan of the show!
I like Lori.
Along with Kono, it gives the team a bit of Girlpower!
Thank you Mizz. That is what I was responding to cs27. I don’t agree or like everything either and I don’t consider that disrespectful. I was referring to the nasty ones who make us all look bad as Mizz had detailed.
I totally agree with you Mizzoh,
People doesn’t seperate between the character and the actor, and no matter what is our opinion we shldn’t ever insult anybody.
( i dn’t knw if u understand me.. i’m trying to improve my english to better express myself among u guys) 
I personally like Lauren ( the Actor) she seems focued, serious about her job and a bit shy i guess.
As for Lori( the Character) its a two things: from one side the Character charismatic attraction to the audience and that depends on the acting, and from the other side the storyline and where does this character fit in the entire drama.
I blv, as a fan and a true admirer of the show, w must post objective critics (opinions) to help the director, the actor and the writter readjust ( yet consider) our opinions in supporting the role of the character and its continuety.. coz it affects the entire show viewers rating!!
Also, i noticed from fans comments, that some consider Lori’s role invading Danno’s role!!! and some see as it replaces Kono’s role… its a very strange point of view…
i liked the note saying the Ohana is not just 4 ppl its a family growing… to me, personaly.. i c a very healthy growing family, that having an additional member that need to work a bit harder to match the other family member charistamic attraction…
Bottom line, the previous role of the profiler did not take that match space with the team, therefore, ppl ddn’t mind it… now in season 2 with all the fantastic very well scripted episodes, i think the director/writters are shuffiling roles and extending some, and shriking some per episode…
Thank you Mizz for the recaps and reviews of the latest episode of H50. Frankly, I am enjoying season 2 of Hawaii Five-0 very much. I simply do not understand why some fans are so disrespectful and negative about particular actors and producers. We should all sit back and get entertained by this fictional and exciting show, Hawaii Five-0. The last 2 new episodes have been some of my favorites so far. Best wishes and good luck to the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication for bringing the fans around the world this outstanding crime drama. I love all the cast on H50. Peter Lenkov, his actors, his team of writers, producers, photographers and directors are doing an outstanding job!
you took the words right out of my mouth
go 50 and go alex