Before I continue I want to thank Peter Lenkov for writing a most brilliant pilot script. Mr. Lenkov managed to put into one single pilot what twelve years of the original Hawaii 5-0 didn’t – a story about McGarrett and how the Five – zero was formed. He made Steve McGarrett, Danny Williams, Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua come alive. We get to see the man behind the myth and he’s not only a hero but he’s likable and very human. My gratitude extends to Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman for recognizing a damn good show when one is presented to them and the folks at CBS for allowing these talented men to bring the whole story to life for the fans of the rebooted Hawaii 5-0.
The original Five-O came from an era of a particular stylized form of writing. The bad guys were always bad and the good guys were always good and neither would dare to bleed into the other. The original Steve McGarrett was the boss and everyone else was there to carry out his orders. No questions… just book ‘em Danno. The new 5-0 is a breath of fresh air. There are bad guys and good guys but the lines tend to cross from time to time. We now realize that real men do eat quiche and it’s perfectly acceptable.
I love this show. It is one hour of pure entertainment. They don’t have to teach the viewer anything or make a social statement… they do exactly what we want them to do and that is simply to entertain and include a story arc at the same time. The fastest hour of the week is on CBS’s Monday night. After each Hawaii 5-0 episode ends I find myself sitting there, wanting more. I never would've thought I'd hope for Mondays to arrive but I do, every week.
The meat and potatoes of Hawaii 5-0 is the odd-couple relationship between the unlikely pairing. The stoic and ridiculously handsome Lt. Commander Stephen J. McGarrett played brilliantly by Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin and his perpetually frustrated, pissed off partner Det. Danny Williams from East Orange, NJ, also brilliantly portrayed by Scott Caan. This is the story of the 5-0 and how it came to be.
I have read a few articles that described Alex playing Steve McGarrett as stiff and wooden and Scott Caan stole the show with his witty sarcastic one liners. Hello? Nothing could be further from the truth. Steve McGarrett is a highly trained military man, a Navy Seal and a highly decorated member of Special Forces with a background in hunting down terrorists. He’s not a circus clown. He’s supposed to be stoic and in control. Steve McGarrett just buried his murdered father. He’s focused on the task at hand. Alex knew exactly what his character was supposed to be and he’s played him precisely as McGarrett was written. Without that unwavering focused determination from Steve, Danny’s one liners wouldn’t have been nearly as amusing. Alex is a solid actor and he had it right, his critics were wrong. As Danny Williams would say in a demanding tone… “Apologize!” (Which a few have done lately)
Enter the misplaced and forlorn Detective Danny Williams who uses humor and sarcasm to mask his frustrations for being completely out of his element. He’s a recently divorced father on an island in the middle of the ocean far from his Jersey shore. He’s not particularly thrilled about it. Being stuck in a “pineapple infested hellhole” with beaches and bikinis was not a part of his long term plans. The man went from being a well established detective with a distinguished career in South Orange, N.J. to having to wait for the weekends to visit with his beloved little girl, picking her up from his wealthy ex-wife & "StepStan's" gated estate. Yes, he’s cranky… he’s supposed to be. Scott Caan took a rather pathetic sad sack detective and turned him into a lovable and sympathetic cop who wasn’t intimidated or impressed with the larger than life Commander McGarrett. He was only interested in doing the right thing and being a good cop.
Commander McGarrett is determined to find the man who murdered his father and it was apparent early on he wasn’t going to be able to do this on his own no matter how smart and savvy he may be. Steve McGarrett needed someone he could trust. He didn’t have to like the guy as much as he needed someone he knew was going to have his back. Danny Williams looked like a handy place to start. These two together were magic from the initial meeting, when they drew guns on each other in Steve’s dad’s garage. Neither of them backing down and neither of them relenting. A very strong scene and we were intrigued. Steve’s ace in the hole was to take the governor up on her generous offer. That changes the playing field. It had to be hard on Danny’s ego because in one phone call Commander McGarrett was handed the keys to the island and the authority over the police including Detective Williams. End of scene - Steve triumphantly walking away with the “Champ” box and Danny shaking his head in bewilderment.
The bone of contention between these two characters from the beginning was the gung ho Navy Seal with nerves of steel and his lack of fear verses the by the book detective who’s a fish out of water and has a desire to stay alive to see his young daughter raised. Basically they have the same goal but they look at the big picture completely different.
Their pairing came when Steve McGarrett climbs out of a cab in front of Danny Williams’ seedy little studio apartment and humbly knocks on the door in the pouring rain. A perfect intro for any love scene. This thoughtful scene just happens to be between two very Alpha hetro males.
Steve is in a corner and in need of someone to help him in his quest to solve the murder of his father. You can be sure he’s investigated Danny's background before he showed up looking pathetic and dripping wet on Danno's doorstep. He knows full well that Danny doesn’t have any close ties to the island yet so he’ll make the first move. Welcome to Oahu and the new 5-0 Detective Williams.
Steve liked what he saw because he knew Danny Williams was a dedicated cop who wasn't going to back down. The steely nerved commander couldn't intimidate the by the book cop. Steve wasn't about to let Danny’s bruised ego get in the way of having a partner he could trust. As Steve said "We're going to get along fine." He knew it from the beginning. He needed to convince his reluctant new wingman he had it right. It wasn't going to be as easy as he thought it would be. Steve managed to take Danny’s case from him and yank him out of the HPD and into his special task force. That would be hard for any male ego to take. A match made in macho heaven.
Steve literally strong armed Danny into taking the job but Danny did get in a much deserved punch in the jaw. The playing field was even again. Detective Danny Williams finds himself working side by side with the sometimes insane Commander Steve McGarrett. He quickly discovers a man who is an over the top, special forces, dare devil, a GI Joe attitude, a thousand yard stare with a death wish and a good heart.
This relationship has continued to get stronger and they are getting to know one another better with each passing episode. The road has been a rocky one with numerous, close calls, heated arguments as well as some touching moments and humorous situations between them. The one liners are classic and collectible.
Danny continues to insist Steve not toss perps off the sides of buildings or throw them into shark cages to scare the truth out of them. It hasn’t stopped Steve but he somewhat understands Danny’s reluctance to encourage him.
Steve has taught Danny to listen and respect the ways of the natives of the island. Chill out and let the island magic take him away. I’m not sure the Jersey boy will ever allow that to happen but at least he tries to pretend. Each week they become more in tune with one another but the differences will always be there, enough for the friction between them to keep the excitement alive. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
In "Mana’o" which aired November 8, 2010 the scene starts with Danny driving like a maniac (something he is always complaining that Steve does). This time with the perp, who refused to cooperate tied to the hood of that very hot recognizable silver Camero. To Steve’s absolute delight it’s his turn to make sure that Danno is aware that he is the one over the top for a change.
Steve: “Just for the record if I would be pulling something like this you’d be reading me the riot act about following proper police procedure.”
The perp is screaming and pleading for his life with his face pressed up against the Camero’s windshield as they race wildly through downtown Honolulu.
Danny: “No… probably just arrest you.”
Steve: “Compared to this, I’d call hanging a guy from the rooftop and throwing a guy in a shark cage pretty tame.”
Danny: “No, I disagree. Throwing a guy in a shark cage was way worse than this.”
They continue to ignore their terrified drug dealer strapped to the hood of the car.
Steve: Well, whatever… you’re wrong but I’m saying to be clear, next time I get a free pass. OK?
Our heros continue to cruise comfortably at a high rate of speed ignoring the terrified perp still pounding on the windshield and begging for mercy. The Camero skids sideways into a parking garage, burning rubber with the sounds of a powerful revved up engine and the pitiful screams of a bad guy who pushed them too far. Ah! Nothing like poetic justice.
The crowning moment comes as the camera pans to Steve who has settled back in the passenger seat for the ride. He has this incredibly smug and satisfied grin on his handsome face. It comes with knowing he has influenced his reluctant cranky partner over to the dark side for the moment. Sometimes brute force is the only thing the bad guys understand.
These two guys NEED one another - even if they didn't realize it at the time of their meeting, they are slowly beginning to see it now. Therefore folks – We’ve got ourselves BROMANCE!
Aloha!
The original Five-O came from an era of a particular stylized form of writing. The bad guys were always bad and the good guys were always good and neither would dare to bleed into the other. The original Steve McGarrett was the boss and everyone else was there to carry out his orders. No questions… just book ‘em Danno. The new 5-0 is a breath of fresh air. There are bad guys and good guys but the lines tend to cross from time to time. We now realize that real men do eat quiche and it’s perfectly acceptable.
I love this show. It is one hour of pure entertainment. They don’t have to teach the viewer anything or make a social statement… they do exactly what we want them to do and that is simply to entertain and include a story arc at the same time. The fastest hour of the week is on CBS’s Monday night. After each Hawaii 5-0 episode ends I find myself sitting there, wanting more. I never would've thought I'd hope for Mondays to arrive but I do, every week.
The meat and potatoes of Hawaii 5-0 is the odd-couple relationship between the unlikely pairing. The stoic and ridiculously handsome Lt. Commander Stephen J. McGarrett played brilliantly by Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin and his perpetually frustrated, pissed off partner Det. Danny Williams from East Orange, NJ, also brilliantly portrayed by Scott Caan. This is the story of the 5-0 and how it came to be.
I have read a few articles that described Alex playing Steve McGarrett as stiff and wooden and Scott Caan stole the show with his witty sarcastic one liners. Hello? Nothing could be further from the truth. Steve McGarrett is a highly trained military man, a Navy Seal and a highly decorated member of Special Forces with a background in hunting down terrorists. He’s not a circus clown. He’s supposed to be stoic and in control. Steve McGarrett just buried his murdered father. He’s focused on the task at hand. Alex knew exactly what his character was supposed to be and he’s played him precisely as McGarrett was written. Without that unwavering focused determination from Steve, Danny’s one liners wouldn’t have been nearly as amusing. Alex is a solid actor and he had it right, his critics were wrong. As Danny Williams would say in a demanding tone… “Apologize!” (Which a few have done lately)
Enter the misplaced and forlorn Detective Danny Williams who uses humor and sarcasm to mask his frustrations for being completely out of his element. He’s a recently divorced father on an island in the middle of the ocean far from his Jersey shore. He’s not particularly thrilled about it. Being stuck in a “pineapple infested hellhole” with beaches and bikinis was not a part of his long term plans. The man went from being a well established detective with a distinguished career in South Orange, N.J. to having to wait for the weekends to visit with his beloved little girl, picking her up from his wealthy ex-wife & "StepStan's" gated estate. Yes, he’s cranky… he’s supposed to be. Scott Caan took a rather pathetic sad sack detective and turned him into a lovable and sympathetic cop who wasn’t intimidated or impressed with the larger than life Commander McGarrett. He was only interested in doing the right thing and being a good cop.
Commander McGarrett is determined to find the man who murdered his father and it was apparent early on he wasn’t going to be able to do this on his own no matter how smart and savvy he may be. Steve McGarrett needed someone he could trust. He didn’t have to like the guy as much as he needed someone he knew was going to have his back. Danny Williams looked like a handy place to start. These two together were magic from the initial meeting, when they drew guns on each other in Steve’s dad’s garage. Neither of them backing down and neither of them relenting. A very strong scene and we were intrigued. Steve’s ace in the hole was to take the governor up on her generous offer. That changes the playing field. It had to be hard on Danny’s ego because in one phone call Commander McGarrett was handed the keys to the island and the authority over the police including Detective Williams. End of scene - Steve triumphantly walking away with the “Champ” box and Danny shaking his head in bewilderment.
The bone of contention between these two characters from the beginning was the gung ho Navy Seal with nerves of steel and his lack of fear verses the by the book detective who’s a fish out of water and has a desire to stay alive to see his young daughter raised. Basically they have the same goal but they look at the big picture completely different.
Their pairing came when Steve McGarrett climbs out of a cab in front of Danny Williams’ seedy little studio apartment and humbly knocks on the door in the pouring rain. A perfect intro for any love scene. This thoughtful scene just happens to be between two very Alpha hetro males.
Steve is in a corner and in need of someone to help him in his quest to solve the murder of his father. You can be sure he’s investigated Danny's background before he showed up looking pathetic and dripping wet on Danno's doorstep. He knows full well that Danny doesn’t have any close ties to the island yet so he’ll make the first move. Welcome to Oahu and the new 5-0 Detective Williams.
Steve liked what he saw because he knew Danny Williams was a dedicated cop who wasn't going to back down. The steely nerved commander couldn't intimidate the by the book cop. Steve wasn't about to let Danny’s bruised ego get in the way of having a partner he could trust. As Steve said "We're going to get along fine." He knew it from the beginning. He needed to convince his reluctant new wingman he had it right. It wasn't going to be as easy as he thought it would be. Steve managed to take Danny’s case from him and yank him out of the HPD and into his special task force. That would be hard for any male ego to take. A match made in macho heaven.
Steve literally strong armed Danny into taking the job but Danny did get in a much deserved punch in the jaw. The playing field was even again. Detective Danny Williams finds himself working side by side with the sometimes insane Commander Steve McGarrett. He quickly discovers a man who is an over the top, special forces, dare devil, a GI Joe attitude, a thousand yard stare with a death wish and a good heart.
This relationship has continued to get stronger and they are getting to know one another better with each passing episode. The road has been a rocky one with numerous, close calls, heated arguments as well as some touching moments and humorous situations between them. The one liners are classic and collectible.
Danny continues to insist Steve not toss perps off the sides of buildings or throw them into shark cages to scare the truth out of them. It hasn’t stopped Steve but he somewhat understands Danny’s reluctance to encourage him.
Steve has taught Danny to listen and respect the ways of the natives of the island. Chill out and let the island magic take him away. I’m not sure the Jersey boy will ever allow that to happen but at least he tries to pretend. Each week they become more in tune with one another but the differences will always be there, enough for the friction between them to keep the excitement alive. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
In "Mana’o" which aired November 8, 2010 the scene starts with Danny driving like a maniac (something he is always complaining that Steve does). This time with the perp, who refused to cooperate tied to the hood of that very hot recognizable silver Camero. To Steve’s absolute delight it’s his turn to make sure that Danno is aware that he is the one over the top for a change.
Steve: “Just for the record if I would be pulling something like this you’d be reading me the riot act about following proper police procedure.”
The perp is screaming and pleading for his life with his face pressed up against the Camero’s windshield as they race wildly through downtown Honolulu.
Danny: “No… probably just arrest you.”
Steve: “Compared to this, I’d call hanging a guy from the rooftop and throwing a guy in a shark cage pretty tame.”
Danny: “No, I disagree. Throwing a guy in a shark cage was way worse than this.”
They continue to ignore their terrified drug dealer strapped to the hood of the car.
Steve: Well, whatever… you’re wrong but I’m saying to be clear, next time I get a free pass. OK?
Our heros continue to cruise comfortably at a high rate of speed ignoring the terrified perp still pounding on the windshield and begging for mercy. The Camero skids sideways into a parking garage, burning rubber with the sounds of a powerful revved up engine and the pitiful screams of a bad guy who pushed them too far. Ah! Nothing like poetic justice.
The crowning moment comes as the camera pans to Steve who has settled back in the passenger seat for the ride. He has this incredibly smug and satisfied grin on his handsome face. It comes with knowing he has influenced his reluctant cranky partner over to the dark side for the moment. Sometimes brute force is the only thing the bad guys understand.
These two guys NEED one another - even if they didn't realize it at the time of their meeting, they are slowly beginning to see it now. Therefore folks – We’ve got ourselves BROMANCE!
Aloha!
Welcome to the site and congrats on your first post Cindy :)
ReplyDeleteA good read - thanks Cindy. I love the bromance too!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you broke down their relationship and love both characters. You describe it very well.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Cindy,you've cover everything I love about the new Hawai Five 0.
ReplyDelete"The meat and potatoes of Hawaii 5-0 is the odd-couple relationship between the unlikely pairing. The stoic and ridiculously handsome Lt. Commander Stephen J. McGarrett played brilliantly by Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin and his perpetually frustrated, pissed off partner Det. Danny Williams from East Orange, NJ, also brilliantly portrayed by Scott Caan."
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You're absolutely right, Cindy! Without the bromance, Hawaii Five-O would be just another cop show -- albeit in a beautiful setting. The bromance adds delight and keeps me coming back every week! You hit it right on the nose!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything. The bromance feels more like the 'buddy movie' bromances of the last few decades in theatres... like Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour and Men in Black. You do not often get that feeling in TV series, so it gives Hawaii Five-0 a familiar feel that we have grown up with, but yet it's unique to TV.
ReplyDeleteWell put Cindy!!! Great article and feeling the H5-0 love,
ReplyDeleteAwesome article!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your kind words. I love these two guys. The characters as well as the actors so it was a fun article to write. Thanks for the input!
ReplyDeletegotta love these two !
ReplyDeleteExcellent anatomy of the dynamic that makes this bromance work. Alex and Scott don't take themselves too seriously and play off each other so well . Perfect description of McGarrett as ridiculously handsome - he's almost a caricature of himself - square jawed, tall, confident and a man of few words - well until he and Danno get into it that is. You've unpeeled the layers that make this show the good time we're all looking for and just darn fun! Good job.
ReplyDeleteExcellent anatomy of the dynamic that makes this bromance work. Alex and Scott don't take themselves too seriously and play off each other so well . Perfect description of McGarrett as ridiculously handsome - he's almost a caricature of himself - square jawed, tall, confident and a man of few words - well until he and Danno get into it that is. You've unpeeled the layers that make this show the good time we're all looking for and just darn fun! Good job.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said...I agree with you 100%!!
ReplyDeleteAn a pretty darn fine romance it is too. Awesome article, Cindy.
ReplyDeleteI've always found the "bromance" angle to work best if there is an underlying sexual tension between the men. So far that's been pretty lacking. This is Hawaii after all. Let's turn up the heat!
ReplyDeleteNice! I too enjoy the bromance between Steve and Danny.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Thank you! This is like my mind right now! You explained this very well!
ReplyDeleteI tried to watch #h50 but had to give up. Steve going Rambo all the time and Danny and his daughter/ex-wife issues were just too much for me. And honestly, I thought I would love Danny and Steve and their odd couple relationship but Sam & G (NCIS:LA) or Peter & Neal (White Collar) they ain't, sorry :(
ReplyDeleteLong live the Bromance. Great review. I too am loving H50 and the chemistry between Steve and Danno is one that remains in my thoughts well after each episode finishes. A sign of a strong TV show and even stronger acting.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with everything you have said this show is a winner and I look forward to each weeks episode. It has a brilliant cast and fantastic storyline and the fact that Alex is just a bonus, love this show to bits!
ReplyDeleteI know this is reeeallllyyy late but, I JUST found this article! You are an amazing writer and you totally got the show! I stumbled onto H50 the middle of season 2 and boy and I glad I did! I bought season 1 and watched all the missed episodes on Amazon.com. I cannot wait for the new season to start! I have the newest one from last night DVRd and I cannot wait to see it when I get home today. I hope you are still watching the show!
ReplyDeleteEvery show has good and bad points, it's to be expected but, this show just ROCKS!!
Awww that's such a nice comment! Thank you! I love the show even more so now. They have grown and formed such a strong loving bond and it strengthens with every passing episode. Hard to believe we will be going into season 3 in September. Yay for us!!!
ReplyDelete