Well, that was anticlimactic.

After months of buildup of the Chin-Sarah storyline, it all ended way too quickly on Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 12.

I mean, before the opening credits? Really?

On Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 11, we heard all about this impregnable compound patrolled by hundreds of cartel thugs. 

Great action potential for a full-frontal assault with Five-0 and a select band of faceless soldier-types, led by McGarrett. A stealthy approach through the jungle, then lots of gunfire.

Instead we got Five-0, joined by Adam, spraying a few shots from the shadows to take out a half-dozen thugs and rescue Chin. Hell, the dogs in the pit looked more ferocious than the cartel.

I guess the producers had to save some ammo for later takedown scenes. 

So, one episode after Chin decided that his career choice had put Sarah in jeopardy, he regained guardianship of her.

The Morales let her go because "Juarez is a dangerous place." So Jorge, a lawyer in a justice system where policemen and lawyers are regularly assassinated, didn't realize that previously? Really?

We don't need any stinkin' logic.

It's great that Chin gets to be a single dad once again. The complications of such are getting written in more often. Instead of an anonymous sitter or Kono, during this episode, invisible Abby was available to take Sarah to the beach.

Abby is going to become more important as a surrogate parent to Sarah, and it would be nice if Julie Benz were available for an episode or two. 

Instead, the evening was a Lou Grover showcase. Grover got to use an experience from his misspent youth to solve the case of the week, the murder of a car dealer.

Grover: You're talking about car salesmen here.
McGarrett: So what?
Grover: They are masters of psychological warfare, coupled with the fact that they are all born liars. Have you ever bought a car before?

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The case was unexpectedly layered. You knew one sleazy car salesman killed another, exacerbated by the pressures of that profession. And it really didn't matter which one.

(Interesting side note: Former Bill Andre Reed escapes freezing Buffalo long enough to film a cameo as the car dealership's manager.)

But there was a little more to it than that, as it unexpectedly led to (dum dum dum) TERRORISM.

Yes, as one cartoon villain (drug cartel) is put to sleep, another (terrorism) arises. Likewise, as one storyline ends, another must begin.

So now there is some sort of (to borrow the words of the PEOTUS) radical Islamist jihadist loose with a dirty bomb in the Aloha State. To be continued, who knows when?

This was also a night for bromance.

First came Chin and McGarrett.

Chin: When I said goodbye to Sarah, I promised I'd see her again. Thanks for helping me keep that promise.
McGarrett: You're welcome.

• Permalink: Thanks for helping me keep that promise.

Next came the cousins-in-laws, Chin and Adam.

Listen, man. When you and Kono first got together, I was hard on you. I always do what I can to protect my family, you know. But time and again, I've watched you put her first. And when you came down to Mexico and put yourself on the line for me, it meant a lot.

Chin [to Adam]

• Permalink: Listen, man. When you and Kono first got together, I was hard on you. I always do what I can...

With Danny vacationing again (isn't living in Hawaii vacation enough?), the spirited banter, unfortunately, was kept to a minimum.

Homeless Jerry, the hallucinogenic mushroom of Five-0, was the catalyst that caused Max's secret to leak out.

Little clues scattered like plumeria petals led McGarrett to Max's door for another heart-to-heart.

McGarrett: You know, Max, I hear your dollar goes a long way in Africa. C'mon, Max. It wasn't too hard to piece together. And it wasn't just you hiring a new M.E. or listing your apartment. When the minute you got back, I figured we'd be having this conversation. Because you'd changed. It was clear that experience had really affected you.
Max: Hawaii's the only home I've ever known. Leaving is a monumental decision. I just thought you'd be disappointed in me.
McGarrett: You're a man who is driven by the desire to help other people. That's the most important thing in the world. I'm proud of you, so proud of you.

• Permalink: You're a man who is driven by the desire to help other people. That's the most important...

Yup, Max is done on Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 13 when an aloha bash will be held, undoubtedly catered by Kamekona. He and wife Sabrina are heading back to Africa.

Next up is whether his assistant just gets moved up or a new M.E. is brought in. As little as forensics is emphasized on Five-0, neither choice will be narrative-shattering.

To follow the development of Chin and Sarah's story, watch Hawaii Five-0 online.

Were you content with the resolution of Chin and Sarah's storyline, or was it too abrupt? Did you like this episode's twists? Are terrorism arcs overdone? Comment below.

Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.