Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 19 Review: Exodus
Dale McGarrigle
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This was a very special episode tackling the topic of sex trafficking.
This type of episode should be used sparingly in the largely upbeat world of Hawaii Five-0. But the concept largely worked on Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 19.
First off, I have to call deceptive promotion on CBS. After all the noise about the MacGyver/Hawaii Five-0 crossover, I mistakenly thought it would be a proper crossover, starting with MacGyver then carrying over into Hawaii Five-0. (Like NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans successfully did last month.)
But no! The crossover was contained on MacGyver Season 1 Episode 18. While that was certainly fun in its own right, it could have been double the fun with McGarrett meeting up with his old friend, Jack.
Instead what we got was a couple of tossed-off, nudge-nudge, wink-wink references on Five-0. That's it.
Having the same producer, Peter Lenkov, maybe they could do a better job next time, assuming Five-0 is still around.
Still, despite that disappointment, what we got instead was a much-needed spotlight on Kono.
It was a good night for Kono. FIrst, the MacGyver crossover, and then saving under-age girls from sex traffickers.
Fortunately, in her sit-down with McGarrett, we got to see Kono the wife, and learn how things have been going for the little-seen Adam.
Not good, apparently.
Kono: Anything that [Adam] did before he went to prison, all his successes, they don't count for anything once you have a record. Also, if we want to start having a family, he wants to be able to do his part.
McGarrett: I just want you both to know, if you need anything ...
Kono: I know.
With his skills and connections, you would think Adam could be an asset to the task force if only he could get by that pesky background check. Former Yakuza? An ex-con in for murder (even in self defense)? Yeah, those are roadblocks for any civil-service job.
So I'm guessing his unemployability has put the idea of a family on the back burner. (Who thought Chin would get there first, with an invisible girlfriend?)
That's too bad because with Kono's empathy and compassion, she'd be a great mother.
She's the one who had the great insights about what makes these teen girls vulnerable to predators.
You know, 15 is a rough age for a girl. You're awkward, insecure. You don't think you're smart enough, pretty enough, popular enough. Then someone pays attention to you, sends you a compliment or a nice message, and suddenly you feel like somebody gets you, like they care. Whoever this Jonah guy was, he understood that and took advantage.
Kono [to McGarrett]
Bet she's happy she had her surfing career to distract her during her formative years.
She was also the one who was able to get through to Kelsey in order to get the leads that ultimately led to the smashing of the sex-trafficking ring.
I also enjoyed seeing Kono the bad ass.
She put the fear of God into Obnoxious Honking Guy, and, with her righteous anger, dished out McGarrett-style intimidation of the scummy swim coach and the sleazy bottom bitch.
Tonight you're the one who's getting the beat down. You're the one who's getting turned out.
Kono [to Tori]
Then there was her beating the pimp Emilio to the point where McGarrett almost had to draw his gun on her.
Still, it was sweet that Kono was there for the abused Moani in the end, a friend that the girl could reach out to.
It was one of those rare episodes where McGarrett, of all people, was the voice of reason, having to counsel Kono.
It was great that the producers used the opportunity to spotlight Hoolanapua.org and its Pearl Haven facility, which I had no idea existed, both during the episode and with a PSA at show's end.
Entertaining is foremost, but a little education thrown in never hurt any viewer.
While McGarrett was following Kono's lead, Grover and Chin were trying to solve three murders in a stash house.
This has got to be the first time that a triple homicide is the lighter of the two cases.
Of course, any case with Grover on it is going to have more funny bits.
A sober-living house doubling as a stash house? Well done, my man. It's the perfect cover.
Grover [to Makoa]
I frankly still don't know who this Calvin is that committed the murders, other than Stacy's other boyfriend. I'm not a big fan of the off-screen culprit.
Unfortunately, it was another "Where's Danny?" episode, but I guess we have to accept the fact that he'll be gone at least once a month.
There's never enough screen time for the secondary characters, whether it's Jerry explaining the Cone of Silence reference or Eric trying to keep a civil tongue around Kono. Kamekona was a hilarious sight as an Aloha Scout troop leader/merchandiser. He knows how to sell, based on the boxes around Five-0.
I know there's not much of the season left, but I'd love to learn more about Noelani. She could make the valuable contributions Max always did, given the opportunity.
To catch up on this season's storylines, watch Hawaii Five-0 online.
How did you like the sex-trafficking storyline? Were you glad to see Kono spotlighted? Did it make you hungry for Girl Scout cookies (and aren't those about to be delivered)? Comment below.
Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
