You just knew Jessie wasn't in it for the long haul.

Things go from bad to worse for Adam on Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 19.

Well, at least things went better for McGarrett, who had the solutions for 18 murders handed to him, largely thanks to his father.

Let's go with Adam's troubles first, since this organized-crime task force storyline doesn't seem to be anywhere near being concluded.

I know McGarrett thought the task force was a great idea. Give Adam something significant to do, using his knowledge of organized crime, which was becoming a thorn to Steve's side.

Related: Is Alex O'Laughlin Still Planning to Leave After Season 8?!

Great idea on paper, not in reality. McGarrett gave Adam a title and authority to operate the task force, and not much else.

No staff, except for his confidential informant Jessie, who has seemed sketchy from the get-go. Beyond that, Adam has been largely reacting instead of acting.

Not much for resources, either, that I could tell. It's a good thing Adam had that $20 million stashed at that garden center/Yakuza bank.

So that was Adam's sister. She seemed as sharp as he used to be when he was among the Yakuza leadership. And bitter. And oh so ruthless.

What happened to the old Adam? While we've certainly seen some flashes of the cunning he's displayed through the seasons, it seems civilian life has made him soft.

And now he's paying for that, getting caught in one untenable situation after another.

Related: Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 18 Review: To Do One's Duty

Like this episode, when he opts to pay Noriko, the devil he really doesn't know, pushing down the road the consequences of stiffing his father's devils, err creditors.

To compound this error in judgment, he left the $20 million with Jessie, the devil he does know, who took the money and ran, hoping to get from under this bad attempt she had made to go straight.

I'm guessing Noriko had her men tailoring Adam, so when Jessie ran, they stopped and killed her and took the cash. I can't really come up with any other scenario that worked.

Too bad about Jessie, but seriously, who didn't see that coming?

Finally, McNeal's body is still out there somewhere. Given their history, that may still turn out to be a problem for Adam as well.

Speaking of dead bodies, didn't McGarrett end up with a lot of them on his hands?

That was thanks to the retired hitman, who was haunted by his ghosts, especially Jack McGarrett. He was also rapidly losing a grip on those memories, thanks to his dementia.

You could sense Leroy drifting in and out of reality, as he would mistake Steve for his father. I wondered if he was going to be able to reveal all his victims before he lost his way altogether.

Related: Watch Hawaii Five-0 Online: Season 8 Episode 18

That series of flashbacks certainly gave context to the relationship between Leroy and the elder McGarrett. Even if Jack didn't get the actual arrest of Leroy, he certainly precipitated the event.

It also hearkens back to an earlier time, after the Vietnam War, when returning veterans weren't appreciated. That experience soured some, such as Leroy, while others, like Jack, rose above it.

The best part wasn't an old man in failing health being punished for his crime, since he was unlikely to see the inside of a prison. Rather, it was the closure that his victims' family members received. It was heartwarming to see them thank McGarrett for his role in that.

Finally, there was the inevitable comic relief, which seemed strangely truncated.

McGarrett knew a guy that could handle the electrical systems at the likely never-to-be-opened restaurant. Only his electrician didn't bring things up to code.

After Steve volunteered that the same guy took care of headquarters, the officious fire inspector found a ton of problems there as well.  I'm sure Danny, should he appear for more than two scenes next episode, will needle McGarrett about that.

Related: Get CBS All Access via Amazon Channels for Hit Shows, Exclusive Originals & Live TV!

But after he announced it was a deathtrap, that storyline just kind of dissolved, without any real conclusion. Which was disappointing.

So what happens next? McGarrett comes to his senses about the task force? Or does Adam pick up the pieces and soldier on, with his money and his one staffer gone? I'm sure it will be the latter, since there's no organic way to work him in otherwise.

SPOILER ALERT: On Hawaii Five-0 Season 8 Episode 20, Catherine's back. Does anyone actually need to know why? It's enough that she has returned.

To catch up on Adam's futile effort, watch Hawaii Five-0 online.

Was the fire inspector more effective than Adam? What's next for the task force? How did you enjoy watching Jack in flashbacks? Comment below.

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