Hawaii Five 0 Episode 7.14 Different Points of View

It is great to have Manu back this week for the Different Points of View segment. It just did not seem the same without her. This was a very special episode to Hawaii and we all learned a lot while being entertained so let’s learn a little more through these reviews.

Emanuela (Manu) Pari

Aloha fellow Five 0 fans, I’m back after a week off, due to the loss of my grandfather and having to go back to Italy for the emotional farewell and for being there with and for my family.

I’ll write my blog about episode 7.13 as soon as there will be a Friday without a new episode, I wouldn’t miss the farewell to Max as he has always been one of my favourite characters, but this week I would like to dedicate my blog to episode 7.14. But still I couldn’t help but noticing the absence of Masi’s name and cheerful face already in the credit and I found that a bit upsetting, I miss him already.

And what a touching, well written and interesting episode it was.

As an emigrant living in a different country (England) from the one of my origins (Italy) the concept of “my home” has become a bit blurry for me. When I’m in England I say “I’ll go back home (to Italy) in May….When I’m in Italy I say “I’m going back home (to England) on Tuesday. They say that he is where the heart is, so I guess my heart belongs to both countries now, for different reasons.

When I go home to Italy to visit family in our small 5000 people village in the Padana countryside everything feels at a different pace, filled with memories of childhood, carefree times, the familiar faces that have aged but are always vivid in my mind.

That’s probably why episode 7.14, with its dive into Hawaiian tradition and history and ways of life that we don’t often get to see has made me feel quite emotional. Even the pace of the episode, slower and quieter than usual seemed to perfectly fit with the subject.

I have to admit that even being a big lover of the Islands and having been there twice already I had never heard of the Nation State of Hawaii before. I’m glad the show touched this topic as I was instead aware of how much the Hawaiian people love their land, their traditions and their unique life style. I was also very happy to see how respectfully the Five 0 team dealt with a difficult and potentially explosive situation.

Of course the episode also had light hearted, funny moments, as usual many of which involved our beloved McDanno combo.

Naughty Steve apparently has neglected to renew his driving license since returning to the Island 7 years ago, as Danno promptly points out to the D.M.V. instructor, and now has to prove that he is competent for the task. The poor lady seemed really concerned when “Mr. Annoying” described the long series of driving infractions that his partner commits on daily basis, and Steve didn’t do anything during the test to prove Danno wrong, including running what I usually call a very late amber and checking his phone when a telephone call from Duke called him back to duty. She was probably less than impressed when she stumbled out of the car, pale and sick, after Steve dropped her off driving at his usual crazy speed. Did he pass the test? We’ll probably never find out but I’m sure we’ll see him driving again in the future 🙂

The episode had also a brief but funny cargument in which Steve admitted to not being able to read Danno thoughts while Detective Williams didn’t seem to have any trouble in guessing what was going on in McGarrett’s head. Those two together are always an enjoyable part of the show.

The crime of the week was about a murder, allegedly committed by Kanuha Noe, a native Hawaiian who found refuge in the “Nation State of Hawaii, Independent ad Sovereign” trying to escape from the police.

I really liked how the relationship between Bumpy, representing all “his people” and the Five 0 task force was portrayed, based on respect and trust, especially between Bumpy Chin and Steve.

Having Chin been accused unjustly of a crime before, his sympathy, patience and understanding of the situation were beautifully portrayed by Daniel.

I also liked how we were kept wondering if Kanuha was actually innocent or guilty, especially when we found out half way through the episode that he had been lying and had been committing burglary again, crime for which he had already passed seven years in prison, while his former partner, the murder victim Mr. Akemoto got away with it with no jail time because of a technicality.

I have to admit that I was almost immediately suspicious of the parole officer when he was introduced but I was focusing on the wrong person as it was in fact his brother that turned out to be the guilty party eventually. A nice twist.

Another funny part of the episode was Jerry interviewing a potential flat mate, and meeting a conspiracy theorist (whom believes that the moon doesn’t really exist and that we are only the products of a virtual reality) even more extreme than himself. As it often happens he was pivotal in the resolution of the case finding out that the gadget used to open the safes was connected with the victim, and consequently with Kanuha and inevitably with his employer Devon Barres. For all his cunning unfortunately Jerry ended up being about 700 dollars worst off for buying a very expensive gadget without asking for permission first.

The episode had also a rather famous and interesting guest star, Lou Diamond Philips, in the role of U.S. Deputy Marshall Lincoln. Even though Five 0 had the situation under control the “cavalry” arrived when they were tipped off that an “armed group” was harbouring a fugitive. The difference in the way the Marshalls dealt with the situation underlined even more the deep understanding and respect for the Hawaiian people from our team.

Lincoln didn’t have a doubt that the suspect was guilty and only seemed interested in flushing him out from the protection of his people, no matter which means he would employ to obtain the result, including leaving innocent people without food or water to provoke them.

Five 0 and Bumpy were instead interested in finding the truth, I found really admirable that Bumpy was more than willing to give up a murderer but only once it would have been proven without doubt that he was guilty. Innocent until proven guilty, that’s how it should always be. Kanuha wasn’t a saint but as Chin pointed out there is a big difference between a thief and a murderer.

All ending well, it was really lovely to see the final scene, with all the Five 0 team, including Duke, being part of the Hawaiian Ohana and sharing food and time with them.

Even more touching when Bumpy thanked Chin for respecting “his home” and Chin answered “our home” exchanging the embrace with the meaningful head contact that symbolises a communion of spirit and positive energy between the two men.

A very enjoyable episode, well done to the writer, Sean O’Reilly, the director Peter Weller and all the cast and crew.

Mahalo for reading, have a great weekend and an even better week ahead.

Source

Linda Stein

One day, my mother told me a story about a young man in our neighborhood who did not want to go to war. This was in the 1960’s and the Vietnam war was going on strong. This young man refused to obey his draft notice but also was not of a mind to flee the country either. He, of course, was breaking the law and, eventually, the authorities came looking for him. They did not find him at his home nor in any of the usual places where he could sometimes be found. No, he was in our local church. The small, neighborhood church were my parents were married and where I was baptized became the news of the day, that day.

I don’t know all that transpired that day. My mother couldn’t remember all the details as the years past. But she did remember that when he left that church, it was not by force but because he had thought better of his situation and left of his own accord. I don’t know whatever happened to him. Maybe he ended up fighting in the war after all. I don’t know. Reading the synopsis of this episode a couple of weeks ago, brought this long-ago story to mind and watching it last night helped me understand the concept of “sanctuary” more clearly.

I have always loved when H50 has included Hawaiian history and culture in their stories. Yes, Hawaii has always been considered as a “character” in the show but when the writers use a historical event or cultural background in a story, it wonderfully highlights how Hawaii isn’t just a pretty postcard of where our show happens to take place. This is a place overwhelmingly rich in ways far beyond sun, surf and sand. In the same way I never knew there were Japanese internment camps in Hawaii before they were highlighted in E4.10 Ho’onani Makuakane, I had no idea there was a small portion of Oahu which is not considered to be part of the United States.

Writer Sean O’Reilly did a wonderful job with this episode. I only wish he’d had more time to actually delve into the history of Hawaiian sovereignty. I wonder if the average viewer, those not in the H50 fandom and therefore not privy to the inside information we are, might have thought that the Nation of Hawai’i was a fictional place, something made up for the show.

I won’t even attempt to talk about it myself here because I am woefully lacking in the knowledge to properly discuss it. I haven’t checked, because I don’t read other blogs before I post my own, but I am absolutely positive my friend Wendie Burbridge will go into full detail about it in her review of this episode. Wendie always gives wonderful insights into all aspects of the Hawaiian culture in her weekly reviews and I know this episode’s theme will be a very personal one for her. Not only is Wendie Native Hawaiian, she’s a wonderful teacher and story teller who brings her love of her native land into every one of her reviews. I will yield the floor to her and her expertise. Check out the Five-0 Redux on the Star-Advertiser website for this review and all her wonderful past reviews as well.

I have posted links below to various websites where I did my research for this review. Along with the main page for Wendie’s Five-0 Redux, there is a link to the official page for the Nation of Hawai’i, as well as a news story from Hawaii News Now on the making of this episode. I have also included the Wikipedia page to the biography of Dennis “Bumpy” Pu‘uhonua Kanahele. I encourage you all to read the pages concerning the Nation of Hawai’i. None of us are too old to learn new things and the information provided on these pages is fascinating.

Speaking of Bumpy Kanahele, were you as impressed as I was with his performance in this episode? When I first heard the Leader of the Nation of Hawai’i was going to be in this episode, I assumed he’d be making a cameo appearance only. Just to establish who he is and not much more. But Bumpy had a significant amount of dialog and screen time and he did a wonderful job with it all. The love of the land and the way he and his people fiercely fight to protect it and their way of life was palpable through the screen. The fact that a refugee, no matter the reason, can find sanctuary there. I was deeply moved by his sense of honor, in the way he was willing to protect the innocent but would never harbor a criminal fugitive. It was all extremely well done and Bumpy, with very little acting experience under his belt, did a fantastic job!

Now, I know I said above that Hawaii isn’t just the pretty postcard where our story is based, but… damn… the scenery overlooking the Pu‘uhonua o Waim?nalo and the Nation of Hawai’i is gorgeous It took my breath away every time we were treated to a view of those magnificent vistas in a scene. Thank you to Director Peter Weller for the beauty of this entire episode.

Another actor I must single out in this episode is Lou Diamond Phillips, of course, as U.S. Marshall Wes Lincoln. Phillips played the badass Marshall to perfection. So much so that I wanted to reach into my TV and slap the crap out of him. I understand having a job to do and being committed to it but he was so hard-nosed, he had no compassion for the people he was putting in danger. There are women and children on that land and he had no hesitation in shutting off communications as well as the water, the power and access to food. And, he would have stormed onto the land, guns blazing, to retrieve his man with no consideration to the collateral damage of innocent lives. The little nod between him and Chin when the standoff ended was his only acknowledgment that there was possibly another way to achieve their objective. A very well done performance by Phillips.

Of course, I must mention Chin in this review. He was absolutely wonderful throughout. He and Bumpy have known each other for years, have a personal history going back to Chin’s school days with Bumpy’s niece and Chin’s dad helping to build a guardhouse on the property. As a man with Native Hawaiian blood, Chin has a deep understanding in what the Nation of Hawai’i means, has a deep respect for Bumpy and his people and the life they have. He doggedly works, at every juncture, to mediate between The Nation and the Feds. It was a difficult tightrope for him to walk but he managed the balance between “law” and “rights” magnificently.

The luau at the end of the episode was such a beautiful scene. To see the members of Five-0 in a place where trust and honor mean so much, for them to be welcomed on the land as friends, to be included in the breaking of bread shows, the mutual respect and friendship established between them all. I can’t think of a more incredible place to be considered as Ohana.

Tonight the Ohana grows with this special episode of #H50. https://t.co/OZ2xCVHLn5 #AlexOLoughlin #ScottCaan @danieldaekim #GracePark pic.twitter.com/YXWen0Sk2T

— Alex O’Loughlin Fan (@AOLO) January 20, 2017

I feel the need to mention the McGarrett family here. John McGarrett’s “Five-0s” obviously thought it very important to learn all they could about Hawaiian culture. Steve is not native Hawaiian but he knows the customs and has heard all the stories. With a full heart, he respects the land and the culture. We’ve seen it from the beginning. When he first went to the Kapu and spoke to Kawika way back in E1.06 Ko’olauloa. There may not be Hawaiian blood in McGarrett but he is kama??ina through and through.

And, speaking of Season 1, I found it interesting and a nice bit of continuity that Chin’s history with HPD, his being accused of stealing money from the asset forfeiture locker and his being accused of lying about it was referred to not once, but twice in the episode. It resonated with Chin, remembering what it felt like to tell the truth and have no one believe you. It was also a really nice throwback for those of us who have been watching from the beginning.

Of course, there was a crime of the week involved in all of this but I’m not really going to review it. It was a good story, an ex-con accused of murdering his ex-partner in retribution over a prison sentence only one was forced to serve. The accused turning out not to be the murderer, of course. The murder was committed by his boss, the brother of his parole officer, who forced him back into his former life of crime even as he attempted to go straight. Go straight, like his ex-partner, who, when he found out what was going on, threatened to go to the police and was murdered for his trouble. Yes, it was a good story but the ex-con seeking refuge in the Nation of Hawai’i and all that encompasses, was the main thing to me. Learning about the Nation and everything it means and stands for was the important story here, in my opinion.

Now for some fun! Steve’s Driver’s License: According to the Hawaii DMV, all military personal on the island are required to have a valid and up-to-date driver’s license. If you’re from another state, like most of the military stationed in Hawaii are, the license from your home state is sufficient as long as it is current. Also, a Hawaiian resident who is on active duty somewhere else in the world must have a valid license when they return. If it expired while they were away, they have 90 days after their return to Hawaii to renew.

When Steve returned to Oahu in September 2010, he had 90 days to get his license renewed. But wait a minute… he left Hawaii when he was fifteen. Did he even have a Hawaii license to renew? In E2.14 Pu’olo, John told a young Steve he was going to the “Army and Navy Academy” which is in Carlsbad, CA. From there he went to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. So, depending on when he got his first driver’s license, it was either in California or Maryland. Therefore, again according to the Hawaii DMV, he would be treated as “any other malihini (newcomer) to the islands” and would need to apply for a new Hawaiian driver’s license.

Let’s be honest. The notion that Steve could go almost seven years without a valid Hawaiian driver’s license is rather ridiculous. Of course, not everyone has a driver’s license. It’s hard to believe but there are people out there that don’t drive and they’re able to fill out employment forms and personal transactions with other forms of identification. It’s pretty obvious someone like Steve would always have a valid passport for ID. But there is auto insurance to consider, if nothing else. He has a personal truck and drives Danny’s car. He’d need insurance for both. Even if both vehicles are considered “official” to Five-0 and the State, he’d still need to be placed on the State’s policy. Obviously, that couldn’t happen without a valid license. In real life, this would not happen…. Period.

But this is not real life. This is fiction. In fiction, the impossible becomes possible. I know there are those who have a very difficult time with the ebb and flow of fiction. Some call it bad writing. Maybe it is, but for me, the ridiculousness of the idea that Steve doesn’t have a license is overshadowed by the wonderfulness of the scene it necessitated. I loved every minute of it… beginning to end.

I loved Danny’s teasing and Steve’s righteous indignation. I loved the way Danny “blessed” the car before they started. I wonder if that was scripted or if it was an adlib by Scott. It’s Scott who comes from a Jewish/Italian household so I wonder if that little bit of song was his personal addition to the scene. It was a really fun touch either way.

Danny sitting on a bench and stressing over the day he’ll have to return to the DMV so Grace can take her driving test and his worry about her being out on the same roads with maniacs like “her uncle” brought back memories of the day I took my daughter for her test. My advice to her was the same advice my father had given me years before. “Drive like everyone else is crazy”.

Every reaction the test instructor had to Steve’s driving was gold as was his remark that he’s used to being judged from the passenger’s seat. And the way she staggered out of the car after Steve got the call about the case. Oh my God…. I haven’t laughed so hard over a Five-0 scene in quite some time.

Of course, we still don’t know if Steve ever gets his license. I’m pretty sure we’ll probably never hear about it again, to be honest. But I really don’t care. It was a fun little scene for just that reason….. it was fun! I can live with that and enjoy it for what it is.

I also enjoyed the cargument between Steve and Danny in this one tremendously. It was a great throwback to the carguments of years past. There was no yelling, nothing mean spirited, just good natured ribbing between two brothers who know each other better than anybody else. I loved how Danny told Steve he was thinking about wings, whether Danny had his wallet on him and his new issue of Guns and Ammo and how Steve, good natured smirk firmly in place, couldn’t tell him he was wrong.

Between this scene and the one where Steve was on the phone with the Governor and Danny knew exactly what was going on strictly by Steve’s body language, it’s clear to see the bond between these two is as strong as ever. It’s simply wonderful to see.

Finally, I know there are people who are going to complain that another week has gone by and we still haven’t seen what happened to the missing uranium. This week there wasn’t even a mention of it. Honestly, I’m throwing this into the category of “I want it … and I want it now” mentality. People just don’t have patience these days and a fast-paced show like this one only exacerbates that feeling.

There is also the fact that this show seems to draw a segment of fans who just aren’t happy no matter what happens. If things wrap up too quickly they complain it wasn’t detailed enough and a quick resolution was silly and unrealistic. If they don’t get resolution in what they feel is a proper timeframe, then the show is slow and lacking in continuity. I feel bad for the powers that be on this show. They are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

As far as the uranium is concerned, this delay in a resolution makes sense to me. Assuming this is a terrorist operation, they are not going to steal the uranium one day and use it the next. The plotting of 9/11 took years. The fact that those who stole the uranium have gone underground and are plotting their next move makes perfect sense to me. It’s much more logical than having something blow up a day after the stuff went missing. Patience is a virtue after all.

And it seems patience is something we’re all going to need to exercise because there is no new H50 episode next week. This episode will need to satisfy us for two full weeks before we get to see a new one. Luckily, this one was extremely satisfying and that always makes the wait just a tad easier.

Source

Now for the Alex only section that we added a few weeks ago.