From some of the reviews of the last new episode of 2011, I’m to conclude that people are getting impatient for the closure of the Shelburne business. Dragging out the suspense doesn’t bother everyone though… plus we know the big reveal will occur in 2.14. However, that does make me wonder (and worry about, but in a good way) what the writers could possibly have up their sleeves for us for the remainder of the season.
The Lori-and-Danny-handcuffed-together scene is a comical touch and I’m not looking for or seeing a deeper meaning behind it. Steve’s jealousy is a sight to behold and it does get you thinking about who it really is that he’s jealous of. Maybe even Steve himself doesn’t know, nor would he want to admit it. 
This week’s case brought the newly promoted Captain Fryer firmly back on Five-0′s radar. His interrogation techniques – especially considering his former position as an IAD officer – make McGarrett seem like a teddy bear in comparison… And Danny, much to our amusement and to Chin’s consternation, has no problem whatsoever applying his partner’s more hands-on tactics with a suspect. Had he been present to witness it, I’m sure Steve would have beamed with pride and have been more apt to forgive Danny his handcuffing transgression… 
In addition to learning that Danny knows the Jersey Slip (although viewers are left to just take his word for that), we’ve also learned that Steve speaks Japanese (as well as Mandarin and Korean), and that Joe enjoys umbrella drinks (but thinks cummerbunds are for sissies).
Offering possible food for thought is a tweet by Ian Anthony Dale, who plays Adam Noshimuri, the missing Yakuza boss’s son:
Is Adam a friend or foe to the Five-0 team? You decide.
And for those who are wondering what happened to BJ Penn, who was supposed to appear in 2.12, Peter Lenkov explains:
Five-0 ohana: Please note that the great BJ Penn is not in tonight’s episode. He will be soon though. Mahalo.
Check out this week’s recaps and reviews:
The character of Rafe Tong was played with nice believability by Hawaii-based actor Michael Ng. It was great to see the former Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center and UH-Manoa graduate on “Hawaii Five-0.” Ng was most recently seen during the Hawaii International Film Festival’s premiere of “The Short List.” You can read about “The Short List” in a post on Mike Gordon’s blog, “Outtakes Online.”
Kala Alexander was also back in this week’s episode, playing the head of the Kapu, a fictitous “gang” of surfers who control Oahu’s beaches. This time, he plays it cool as potential suspect turned informer. Perhaps he will continue to return to “Hawaii Five-0” as a recurring character/informant like Kamekona.
I love how “Hawaii Five-0” keeps bringing back local talent, and cleverly keeps slipping in support for a very good cause — the Mauli Ola Foundation. Nicely done, “Five-0.”
Chin and the groomsmen were wearing maile lei. Maile is a fragrant vine native to Hawaii. These lei are popular for men at graduation ceremonies, weddings, and even proms. In my super secret vault in my Underground Bunker, you might find a prom photo or two of Officer 808 sporting the maile lei. If there ever was a lei that screams “I’M A MANLY MAN”, it’s the maile lei. In Hawaiian tradition, the maile lei was used as a symbol of connection between the newlyweds during the ceremony.
“The Jersey Slip” aside, this was a serviceable hour of “Hawaii Five-0,” though I wish we’d gotten more on Joe White’s shady Japanese connection as we head into the mid-season break. I’m much more interested in the Yakuza in Joe White’s trunk than his thoughts on the why cummerbunds are for girly-men.
As for this week’s case, it serves as a reminder that Hawaii’s tourist traps sometimes have a dark side. It was also enlightening to learn that “surf gangs” exist outside of “Gidget.”
Also, I just have to say I was a tad disappointed at the complete lack of Christmas in this episode. Not that I really care but all the previews made it seem like it would be Christmas themed and it wasn’t (other than a few decorations in the background here and there). If they hadn’t put it in the preview, I wouldn’t have noticed at all. Oh well. It was still a good ep. I guess I was just kinda looking forward to seeing Danny in a Santa outfit again.
The thing is, all of these similar scenes with Joe and Steve are full of Sound And Fury that signify very little. Joe knows who and where Shelbourne is. Joe isn’t going to tell Steve because he’s protecting him via his promise to McG Sr. Shelbourne likely has something to do with Momma McG being alive or Daddy McG being not so ‘squeaky clean’. The point is, I’m tired of seeing Joe and Steve stand off and say the same thing over and over. This story line needs to be moved forward or they need to show Joe doing other shady stuff in the between that gives us more information about his motives.
I like complex characters and for the most part, I like this Shelbourne plot line. But I don’t like being dragged slowly into a brick wall episode after episode for the sake of prolonging the tension.
Chin-Ho and Malia Got Married: That does lead us to the wedding. Ho’omaika’i (congratulations) to you both! I wish we had gotten more than four minutes of the episode dedicated to Chin-Ho and Malia. We had about 90 seconds of the guys in the fitting room and about two minutes of wedding montage.
We’re going to have to wait until 2012 to find out more about Shelburn and/or what happen to Hiro Yoshimura as Hawaii Five-O takes a break for the holidays.
Mr. Kurtzman, a great holiday gift for the fans would be to come back with an idea of what story you want to tell in an episode and go with it. You might also consider dialing back the ridiculousness as well. My eyes may hurt for months from all the rolling they did this week.
Ha! I think you’ve got that jealousy thing down. I felt the same way. I think he was torn. Danny making an effort to get to know Lori on a personal level (how personal, is fielder’s choice) It is something Steve doesn’t seem to know how to do. Lori sharing a friendship with Danny over Steve was probably painful for him also. She clearly has some feelings for Steve but he’s not really able to relate for professional and personal reasons. He’s not the best at relating to women in the first place, unless it’s for a physical need.
Case in point Catherine. She’s always had to remind him what to say next unless it’s *eh hem* You know… 
Did he ever really feed her? 
So, his bestie and his maybe potential squeeze get caught together no matter how innocent or not the encounter, they were busted and both looked guilty as hell. 
Alex plays jealous very very well. Jealous Steve was pure perfection – talk about looks that kill. Loved that scene and I think you’re right Mizz, I think Steve was confused and perplexed by his reaction. I’m sure he went home and did a lot of push ups, ran a few miles and thought about it a lot. 
Thanks Mizz!
I rather liked the exchange between Steve and Danny over the handcuffs. Personally I think it is mostly a case of men will be boys when a pretty woman is concerned. It has to be Lori that they ‘play fight’ over. If they tried it on Kono they might get hurt – literally!! If not by her then by Chin. He made his protective nature toward his cousin quite clear from the first meeting they had. Plus if I found a guy and a girl handcuffed together with a rather flimsy excuse as to why, I might be inclined to tighten the cuffs and toss the key over a balcony as well!! This isn’t the first time they have competed for her attention, either. They nearly broke the door to Danny’s office when Lori dressed up as ‘Sandy’ from Grease!
I do wish that there had been more to the wedding scene – Malia’s dress was perfect! Plus another parallel to the original series. Chin Ho was the one was was happily married – with kids! I hope this is a TV marraige that works. Chin’s character deserves it. It has been great seeing his character come back from the low point he was at at the the start of the series.
I also don’t think that the Shelbourne thing has dragged too long. We didn’t even hear the name until ep 2.06! I think that Joe is trying – perhaps not too well – to play both sides of the fence. Keep his promise to John and give Steve enough to work it out. After all our boy is a SMART guy and he has earned the right to know.
This show, so far has always payed off on the arcs and cliffhangers, so I can’t wait to see how this plays out!!
OOPS!! Sorry about the essay!! Have a great Christmas and New Year Everyone!!
Yikes! Ok, Mizz…you’ve given me the vapors over the handcuffs scene .
Heehee. But you know how you tell yourself over and over you aren’t interested in something until someone else wants it and then you HAVE to have it? I wonder if the idea is to make Steve suddenly decide now to put the moves on Lori – which could produce some loud (and maybe funny?) fireworks the next time Cath sails into port. I would love to see Steve in the doghouse – he does flustered and speechless so well! 
Agree with you on the handcuff thing Mizz. Think they just did it to tease/annoy the viewers, as well as Steve
. Must say, Lori on the other side of the handcuffs, was the last person I thought of, when I saw the promo.
Be patient and enjoy the ride 
! (and Alex on our TV screens 
)
I think we as viewers should be glad they draw out the explanations of the backline stories. We want the series to go on for many more years and in my opinion they have resolved some of it far to quickly already. Steve needs a good reason to stay on at Five-0 and in Hawaii. Only the hunt for who and why his family was torn appart will keep him out of the Navy. Just like Danno needs Gracie to be there. It is actually a very difficult task for writers, if the reason for the characters to be where they are, are also tied up with the what we want resolved.
Thank you Mizz for all the fantastic recaps and reviews of episode 212. Happy holidays! Best wishes for a great season 2 and hopefully season 3 of Hawaii Five–0.
