Hawaii Five-0 - Pilot, S01E01

Of all the pilots I have watched so far this Fall (and granted we are still very early on), Hawaii Five-0 is the first to truly make me want to watch the series regularly. Within an hour, I was convinced that this remake which had all the makings of a cheesy cop show would end up being a lot of fun, as well as very exciting. I'm not sure how it will stand up in the ratings - I would watch Castle over it without question - but I do hope it sticks around, and I plan on at least staying on top of it for one more week.

Frankly, I hope it works out for Alex O'Loughlin. His performance as Det. Steve McGarrett showed me yet again that this young man (known for the unsuccessful shows Moonlight and Three Rivers) is so very talented (at least at acting, if not at choosing winning scripts). His action sequences were awesome, particularly his final fight with terrorist Victor Hesse (James Marsters) and the way he jumped onto the trunk of that car as another slammed into the bumper, avoiding being crushed. Their fight guys know what they are doing and I certainly appreciate that.

But it isn't just gunfire, explosions, and punches. We are easily made to care about these characters - McGarrett's father was murdered, and his pain was easy to see. Det. Danny Williams (Scott Caan) gets easy points for being a great father despite difficulties with his ex-wife. He's not so sure that he's getting it right, but if he's concerned about being a good father, than he's already succeeding.

Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim) not only loved McGarrett's father, which showed him as compassionate in his first scene, but he is both protective and loving of his cousin. He obviously doesn't want anything to happen to her, and does not like the idea of men behaving inappropriately towards her, but he also knows that she can take care of herself. Now that is the mark of a good cousin. And Kona (Grace Park), well, who doesn't love a badass, kickass surfer female who doesn't take crap and yet seems like an utter sweetheart?

I hope this reboot is very successful. Of all those which I have seen or heard of lately, it has the best shot of being a great show in its own right.