Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 3 Review: Your Knife, My Back. My Gun, Your Head
Dale McGarrigle
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There's nothing more fun than a well-done guest-star turn.
Harry Langford was back, and Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 3 was better for that in a story that appeared to be a gang war in the making.
Harry is the type of British spy we've all grown to know and love, hearkening back to Bond, James Bond.
As played by Chris Vance, Harry, introduced on Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 2, is the kind of suave secret agent who can be stirred but not shaken.
The Harry that McGarrett and Danny encounter on the beach has changed.
Yes, he's still roguishly handsome. But he's retired from MI-6 and is jetting around the world, living off his pension and his skill as a gambler.
On his arm was Veronique, whom Harry fell for in Monte Carlo. McGarrett and Danny were rightfully amazed.
Still, Harry was bored of his new life and offered his services to Five-0. The way he took out a truckful of thugs, he didn't seem to have much rust on him.
Harry was also an insightful observer, psycho-analyzing McGarrett and Danny's relationship, which he described as "argy-bargy," from the back seat of McGarrett's car.
The case of the week was definitely more than it originally appeared to be.
It seemed like it was going to be that trope, police racing to stop a gang war from exploding.
Then it developed into "Death Wish, Hawaiian Style" as a man mourning the loss of his son decided to wipe out Jimmy, the man responsible for his death, and his gang.
Yeah, it was fairly obvious that the piano teacher who reported the gun stolen was actually a self-taught vigilante, bent on killing the man his who killed his son.
It's hard to believe that one man could so quickly stockpile such an armory, but if recent events have taught nothing else, it's that firearms are very simple to acquire in the U.S.
How did Wolcott become such a skilled assassin? Video games? Frankly, that part was never satisfactorily explained. If it was, I missed it.
In what should have been Tani's earliest days on the job, she acquitted herself well, especially when she and Grover were facing off against Derek's thugs.
But then, so far, action has seemed to be Tani's strength. Let's learn more about her and see what she doesn't do well. She's a rookie, so let's see her growing pains.
This was also a good episode for Kamekona. Sure, he missed the mark with his 400 T-shirts for McDanno's Bar and Grill (a better concept than Steve's), but he was simply sharing his marketing insights with his friends.
Also, he enjoyed the praise he got from Harry for his menu, as his food often gets short shrift from the Five-0 gang.
Based on the previews, it looks like Kamekona may be in the spotlight again on Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 4, as the identities of Five-0's informants are hacked, and they are in danger. That sure looked like Kamekona's truck exploding.
Also, Joey Lawrence is set to return as hacker Andrew Wright. Whoa!
Let's talk about the other new character on the series: Steve's the restaurant. It's become a running joke of which everyone seems to be aware.
Look, we get it. Restaurants frequently fail on Hawaii (and elsewhere). But it does present another opportunity for McGarrett and Danny to bicker over such mundane tasks as choosing the right color of red for the restaurant's color scheme.
Still, less is more. Let's find other, unexplored aspects of the characters' lives to examine. For example, as mentioned above, Tani is a book barely cracked.
Junior, once he gets through his accelerated training at the police academy, offers a similar opportunity. (C'mon, you know he'll be out sooner rather than later.)
I, for one, would like to see a spotlight episode on Noelani. The new medical examiner is lucky to get a scene or two, and we still know little about her.
Also, how about some more Jerry? He has such a unique viewpoint on events and people. Plus he seemed bored just hanging around the station.
To make room for these characters to shine, and to work Adam in as well, how about a little less Grover? I'm not sure what more he has to offer besides his own brand of smart-assery.
To catch up on the series' new look, watch Hawaii Five-0 online.
Did you enjoy Harry's return? How about the case of the week? What're your thoughts on Steve's?
Comment below.
Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
