Post #555411 by aquarj on Wed, Sep 22, 2010 1:01 PM

Nice writeup Will (AquaZombie). One thing I disagree with is the line that there was nothing innovative about the original Five-O, other than the theme music and location shooting. I'd argue that the location shooting, and more broadly the way that the setting and casting and local life played an important part of many of the stories and visuals, were significant enough factors to give the overall show an innovative impact.

One thing about the original Five-O is that even in the midst of a crime every week, somehow it captures more of the intangible aloha of Hawaii. Maybe it came from a time when tourism was more widely celebrated as part of the economy, rather than resented as in the new "Chin Ho" grumbling about tourists after one drops in on his cousin's wave.

Based on what I saw from the new Five-O, I think "Kono" was right, it should be called STRIKE FORCE. It would still turn me off (and my TV too), but at least that name would make more sense.

Can anyone cite any reason of substance that this show should be called Hawaii Five-O? Name recognition is not a reason, because once you get past the name recognition, there's no connection at all in the substance of the show. The location and the character names are the same, but in terms of substance they really aren't.

Jack Lord's McGarrett sends Danno off all the time to do tough jobs ("you draw their fire while we wait here")? How much did the original Danno whine or get all sensitive about needing an apology? Compare that with this pilot - what did they spend, like 5 min on the apology? Blah-blah-me-me-boo-hoo. If character personalities have to be such a larger part of the show, they should at least be likeable or interesting. Either way, it's got nothing to do with the original Five-O.

My message to TV execs: Go ahead and keep making carbon copy location-based hip hardbody crime shows. Don't bother trying to come up with anything new. Stick to the tired formulas that pervade every other lifeless show. But why do you have to taint classics with these endless remakes-in-name-only?

-Randy