The powerful women duo of Linda and Manu are back with another version of Different Points of View. Like almost everything else we have seen, they agree that not only did this episode take on a very important issue of today but it was done extremely well. Their different reviews are below along with many many gifs depicting their words and the Alex only gif section depicting his many expressions.
Linda Stein
On Wednesday, March 8th, the world celebrated International Women’s Day 2017. A “global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women”. Just two days later, H50 took it one step further, showcasing the intelligence, compassion, strength (both physical and emotional) and the utter resilience of the women portrayed in this episode by bringing awareness to the national issue of Sex Trafficking.
At a time where I can barely watch the evening news without being outraged by something going on in Washington and the rest of the country, I look to my entertainment shows to take me away to a happier place. This episode did not do that. But while it didn’t take me to a happy place, it did take me on a powerful, important journey.
I always find it fascinating when a show like this can tackle an important issue and do it extremely well while still managing to stay within the police procedural format. I love how they’re able to provide an excellent emotional story and still give us the action we love. The writing and acting in this episode was superb from the first moment.
As always, I’m not going to do a scene by scene, play by play. Just my random thoughts on what we saw this week.
Ho‘ola Na Pua: Before we get into the specifics of the episode, let’s pause to thank the wonderful people of this incredible organization. Their mission, as stated on their website is:
“…..the renewal of trafficked girls through health, education, advocacy, and reintegration. We are committed to meeting the unique needs of underage female sex trafficked victims through the utilization of individualized, comprehensive, and restorative therapies. These therapeutic interventions will be provided through Ho‘?la N? Pua’s outpatient mentorship program called Starfish and planned residential treatment program at Pearl Haven.”
The mere fact that an organization like this even needs to exist is appalling. I commend the powers that be at H50 for shining a light on this horrendous problem and on the wonderful organization who work so long and hard to give these girls back a life which was so cruelly taken from them.
It was a wonderful touch to have the stars of the show, Grace Park, Alex O?Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, and Chi McBride in a Public Service Announcement right after the episode to help shed even more light on this very troubling issue. Please take the time to check out the Ho‘ola Na Pua website at http://hoolanapua.org to learn more about all the wonderful work they do to help these traumatized young girls.
Grace Park: Without out a doubt this was one of the most powerful performances we’ve seen from Grace. She infused Kono with every emotion across the spectrum. Horror, disgust, anger, fury, empathy, compassion. She was simply amazing throughout the entire episode. There wasn’t one scene where she wasn’t riveting.
Clinging to the obviously traumatized Kelsey then coaxing her, with gentle professionalism, to reveal what happened to her. Tracking down the high school swimming coach who’d been one of Kelsey’s johns and seeing his happy family, enraged Kono in a way I don’t think we’ve ever seen before. She reduced the man down to a simpering mess. When she stepped out of her car to confront the jerk in the car behind her, I thought the guy would be a fool and come out of his car to challenge her face to face. I never expected her fury to boil over to such an extent that she’d literally put her fist through the guy’s car window.
But the final take down of Emilio was the pièce de résistance. This predator responsible for the plight of the girls, this vermin of society, who had the unmitigated balls to actually tattoo an elaborately crowned “E” on his victims, as if they were the property of he, the King….no one was asking for the beat downs of all beat downs like this creep.
I loved how Kono told Emilio to pick up his knife, while she simultaneously unarmed herself, so she could take him on hand to hand. What followed was the beat down to end all beat downs with a painfully, superbly placed kick to the balls he more than had coming. It was exquisite.
All the women: Of course, this episode was a showcase for Kono and Grace Park but I have to give kudos to all the actresses in this episode. Madalyn Horcher, who played Kelsey and MacKenzie Aladjem, who played Moani were fantastic as the scared and brutalized young girls. I could feel their pain right through my screen. And, even though her part was very small, I loved the use of Kimee Balmilero’s Neolani as an old friend of the nurse, Anna (played by Betsy Beutler) who immediately recognized the injuries and frightened demeanor of Kelsey in the ER. Every one of the ladies in this episode were wonderful from start to finish.
Steve and Kono: I am the first to admit that I really hate it when Danny is not in an episode, even if I fully understand the reasons why. I think Danny would have been a great addition to this episode. As the father of a daughter not much younger than the girls being traumatized, it would have added another personal element to the storyline and I think Scotty would have rocked the material. But having said that, not having Danny in this one bothered me a lot less than I thought it would. Not because I didn’t miss him, because I did. But because I adore it when the writers team up Steve and Kono. I loved it in Season 1 when the tough Navy SEAL took the rookie under his wing and I love it now that Kono is more than totally capable of standing on her own two feet in any situation.
I loved the conversation between them in the car. Steve more than appalled to find these horrendous things are happening on his island and not a little confused as to how a young girl, coming from a good family, who looks to have it all, could get swept up in it. For those of us who can remember what fifteen felt like, hearing Kono explain to Steve the feelings of inadequacy and loneliness and the longing to fit in and be accepted was heartbreaking.
I also really loved how Steve let Kono take point on this one. When he asked her if she felt she wanted to sit this one out and she said, “no”, he was more than proud. He let her take the lead, didn’t stand in her way as she physically beat down the swim coach and verbally manipulated Emilio’s accomplice, Tori. And the look on his face, when he came upon Kono and the unconscious Emilio was 100% pride mixed with a good dose of “glad we’re on the same side”. He didn’t ask her what happened, didn’t need to, but her response of “he had a knife” was simply priceless.
Kono and Adam: I was very interested in the talk Steve and Kono had at Casa McG before they got the case. It’s sad to see Kono worried about Adam and the fact he’s having a hard time finding a job since he got out of prison. I guess being an ex-felon and the son of a notorious Yakuza boss is something that kinda stands out on a resume. I also thought it was interesting that once again, Kono brought up the idea of she and Adam starting a family. It’s obviously something they have been contemplating but Adam’s troubles with employment are throwing a monkey wrench into those plans for now. This scene, thrown in kind of randomly, really served no purpose other than to introduce the possibility of an upcoming story. Whether it’s about Adam or about Kono and a possible pregnancy, only time will tell. I was very touched by Steve telling Kono if she and Adam need anything, all they need do is ask. Steve, once again, there for his broken toys.
Chin and Lou and the secondary COTW: Meanwhile, a murder in a sober living house kept Chin and Lou busy. Honestly, I don’t really have a lot to say on this because I was so wrapped up in the sex trafficking story this one didn’t really grab me. I did enjoy the way Lou figured out the sober house was, in reality, a stash house. I thought that was a nifty little bit of deduction. But the drug dealer, Makoa, did nothing for me and Lou and Jerry attempt to explain the “cone of silence” seemed out of place, stuck as it was, right in the middle of such a serious episode. It would have been nice if they could have just included Chin, Lou and Jerry into the sex trafficking story and not split them off into this unnecessary secondary story. At least, they were able to wrap up the killer quickly enough so they were able to join Steve and Kono for the big finale of the primary story.
Uncle Steve and the Aloha Girls cookie sale: While the “cone of silence” levity seemed out of place right in the middle of the story, this scene, at the very beginning of the episode was simply perfect. Because, at this point, nothing horrific had happened yet, it was a great light hearted way to start. I know there are some who consider little Sara as the “cousin Oliver” of Five-0 but I simply adore this kid. (For those who are not of a particular generation… cousin Oliver was a character from the old sitcom The Brady Bunch. The precocious child was introduced in the last season of the show because the youngest of the Brady kids weren’t cute and cuddly anymore.)
Sara is absolutely adorable and is visibly thriving in her new permanent home with Chin. She must also be one hell of an Aloha Girl considering the number of badges she’s already earned on her uniform. Looks inevitable that she’ll be earning a “Salesmanship” badge pretty soon for selling massive amounts of cookies, with the help of Kamekona. Watching her sweet talk and pouty lip her way into Steve’s wallet was hysterical. Of course, Steve can’t possible allow Danny to win the “I bought more boxes of cookies than you” war and Sara makes out like a bandit. I loved the running gag throughout the episode of Steve over indulging on the sweet treats along with the number of boxes Sara has managed to get everyone to buy. It was a nice light respite amid all the deep drama of the episode because it wasn’t ever overdone.
MacGyver crossover: There were several references in this episode to the MacGyver crossover which aired immediately preceding it. Although it was only Chin and Kono (along with Kamekona) who were part of the crossover, it would have been stupid if it hadn’t been mentioned at all. After all, an over 7.0 earthquake on a neighboring island is hardly something they wouldn’t mention especially when two of their own were in the middle of it. The conversations between Steve and Kono and Chin and Chi were a very nicely done bridge between both episodes.
I really enjoyed the MacGyver episode and thought the chemistry between the Mac and Jack and Chin and Kono was delightful. It was fun watching Jack trying to explain Mac and his “talents” to Chin and Kono. Kono’s facial expressions were priceless each time Mac started on one of his “improvisations”. I was especially pleased that Chin and Kono weren’t just used sparingly (the way Chin and Danny were in the second half of the NCIS:LA crossover back in Season 2) but were a major part of the story.
I must admit, when MacGyver first began I wasn’t too sure I was going to like it. Unlike the original Five-O, which was not a favorite of mine, the original MacGyver occupies a very fond place in my heart. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the new Five-0 because I didn’t care for the original. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the new MacGyver because I loved the original. But I gave them both a fair shot and went in without preconceived notions and chose to judge them on their own merits.
Well, of course, I fell in love with Five-0 after about the first five minutes of the Pilot. It took a bit longer with MacGyver. While I won’t say I hold it as close to my heart as I do Five-0, it has greatly grown on me. I’ve come to really enjoy the stories and the comradery between the cast. It’s become a favorite and a more than enjoyable way to spend the hour before my favorite show comes on each Friday. I’m very happy for Peter Lenkov and the cast of MacGyver for the success they’ve had in their freshman season and I look forward to seeing what Season 2 will bring.
As to this crossover, well to me it really wasn’t a true crossover. To me, that means one story that overlaps into two episodes, one for each show, with characters from each show “crossing over” to the other show. This simply felt like Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park and Taylor Wiley guest starring on a MacGyver episode rather than it being a full crossover event.
I was very happy to read in interviews released on Friday that Peter is planning another, more expanded crossover for next season. I know there are those who don’t care for these types of things. To each his own. I think they are a load of fun and I would love to see Bozer in the lab with Eric. Riley matching skills and dancing fingers on the smart table with Chin and Jerry. Danny and Jack trying like hell to tame the two “science guys” Steve and Mac. And of course, Jack and Steve rekindling their Delta Force vs SEAL rivalry and friendship. I’m not quite sure what Kono and Lou would do…possibly just sit back and enjoy the fun like I know I would. I hope Peter is able to fulfil his hope and make it happen next season.
Well, that’s it for this week. This will be the last new H50 until Friday, March 31st. College Basketball and March Madness is upon us. For those of you who have a rooting interest in a particular school, I hope your dreams come true. For the rest of us who have no interest in March Madness it’s going to be a long three weeks.
Emanuela (Manu) Pari
Aloooha fellow Five 0 fans, after a Friday without a new episode of our favourite show, meaning two long weeks of hiatus for us, we finally got to see episode 7.19, and what a good one it was.
Sometimes Five 0 episodes are good because they are funny, full of action, because they wrap up or start interesting story lines, and sometimes, like in the case of last night’s episode, because they deal with very delicate, sensitive and important topics.
Last night’s episode raised awareness about the issue of sex trafficking, problem that unfortunately affects every country in the world and ruins a lot of innocent lives. And when minors are involved it feels even more poignant and meaningful to talk about it. If a T.V. show can in any ways help tackling such an important issue and the people that are involved with it I say it’s a very good thing.
In our modern world not only people with high risk lives and behaviours can be affected by this kind of tragedies but now, with the raise of digital communication, social media and easy access to the internet for everybody it doesn’t feel safe anymore to even be in one own house, behind close doors but right in front of a screen that can expose us to unexpected threats.
I have personally met wonderful people on line, some of whom have become friends for life, but I have also had to deal with my share of weirdos and individuals ready to take advantage of my trust or gullibility, had I given them the opportunity.
This week’s episode starts with the scene of an “uncle” and “niece” in the E.R. of an hospital, the girl, about 15 years old for what we can see with broken ribs due allegedly to a fall from the stairs.
From the behaviour of both individuals involved a very perceptive nurse, which we’ll find out later in the show being a friend of our new M.E. Noelani, starts suspecting that the girl might have been abused and alerts security to call social services, just to find out when she goes back that the pair have gone away before undergoing treatment or further examination.
After the credits sequence we are treated to a rare, and lovely scene, between Kono and Steve, who has invited his friend and co-worker for coffee in order to make sure that her and her husband Adam are doing OK. Typical of our Commander to act like the father/big brother figure of the Five 0 Ohana and one of the many reasons why we love him so much. During this scene we have also a funny reference to the episode of MacGyver that starred Kono and Chin too (I don’t like calling it a proper crossover because it was just one sided) and we are remembered that Jack Dalton and Steve McGarrett know each other, which makes us hope in a future episode with more of the cast of both shows involved in two interconnected episodes.
Kono and Steve’s conversation, in which Kono admits that Adam is struggling in finding work after his stint in prison and that could be the cause of them delaying starting a family, is interrupted by Kamekona and Sara, Chin’s adorable niece, knocking at the door to sell cookies for charity. Soft hearted Steve agrees to buy four boxes, one of each delicious flavour, number that increases to eight when Sara, instructed by entrepreneur Kame, pulls her cutest puppy face and goes up to thirteen when Sara admits that Danno has bought twelve. Steve can’t resist beating his friend to the number and also lets us know that he is currently not around because visiting his sister on the mainland.
Shortly after Kono receives a telephone call from Noelani, to start the investigation related to the suspicious events at the hospital from the night before. Kono and Steve, with Jerry’s help, discover that the girl is “runaway” Moani Amosa.
In the meantime, in a different location, Lou Grover and Chin are involved in another case, related to the murder of three recovering drug addicts. Always happy to see Duke involved in this scene, in which we have another reference to the MacGyver “crossover” with Chin telling Lou about his interesting encounter with Jack Dalton and Angus MacGyver.
To be perfectly honest I didn’t feel the need for a second crime of the week in this episode, I would have preferred for the full team to focus on the disappearance of Moani, especially as the resolution of this second case, with the girlfriend of one of the victims being the guilty party together with her new boyfriend was a bit simplistic and predictable.
One little thing I found amusing about this case and the interaction between Lou and one of the suspects ad that was Lou’s reference to a triple Lutz when talking about skate boarding. Being a long time fan of figure skating it didn’t go unnoticed.
With the help of Danno’s nephew Eric and his computer skills Steve and Kono find the location where Moani and many other girls were held captive, but unfortunately they manage to recover only one of the kids, Kelsey.
Kono is most definitely the one who shines in this episode. We see her in many different lights and emotional statuses and we once again are shown how thoughtful, strong and determined our lady cop is.
First, we have her explaining to McGarrett how vulnerable a young girl can be, even if being smart and belonging to a well adjusted family. Still at fifteen a girl can feel not good enough, not pretty enough and not popular enough and fall prey of someone that pays her compliments and attention either on line or meeting in person, as it happened to Moani ad Kelsey with Emilio.
After that we see how sensitive Kono can be when dealing with traumatised Kelsey and retrieving vital information from her still showing her respect and making her feel safe and understood.
We also see a wild and emotional Kono when after being harassed by an impatient driver for failing to move at a green traffic light because she was thinking about the ordeal that Kelsey had been through, she punches the window of his car and throws away his keys. Probably not an exemplary behaviour, as she admits to Steve, but he reassures her that it’s OK to be angry about such important topics.
Once again we see enraged Kono coming out when her and McGarrett find a regular client of Kelsey, family man and high school teacher, to whom she reminds that the girls he likes to abuse and humiliate are not much older than his students, right after punching him in the stomach.
Finally, when the time to arrest Emilio comes she makes good use of her fighting skills to give him a good beating, including a satisfactory kick in the family jewels explaining to Steve that she “had to” because he had a knife (which she asked him to pick up after he had dropped it to the floor and after giving up her own gun).
At the end of the episode we see another glimpse of maternal Kono when she accompanies Moani to the Ho’ola Na Pua Pearl Haven Facility, a non profit organisation that helps girls that have been affected by the issues shown in the episode.
All together another very enjoyable one that make us proud and happy to be supporters of the show.
And now we have another long hiatus before next new episode, until then have a good weekend and even better weeks ahead.
Alex Only
Here are the Alex only gifs and once again a very good episode to pull some gems from. Hope you like what you see.
The next couple of weeks the show is on hiatus as you probably already know by now so the Different Points of View will return for episode 7.20 which airs March 31. See you then.
Excellent revues and right on target. Loved them!