
I’ve been a regular Hawaii Five-O viewer since the beginning. But it’s never been the type of show where I have to watch an episode the day of or even the week it airs. I usually bank a few of them up and marathon ‘em. There have been good episodes and so-so episodes but I don’t really ever remember being blown away by an episode until “Ki’ilua.”
Call it a team-building experience for the Five-O gang. They all banded together to help rescue Steve from the clutches of Wo Fat. Returning for her final appearance was Larisa Oleynik as Jenna Kaye, a character who arrived on the scene towards the end of Season 1 and worked alongside McGarrett, Danno, Chin Ho and Kono. I didn’t immediately like Jenna but she quickly grew on me. And then we found out she was working with Wo Fat and had infiltrated Five-O for the show’s big villain. It was a good twist but, still, I liked Jenna so I was sorry to see the character take a turn.
We found out why she took that turn in “Ki’ilua.” Her story about her fiancé was true. He was alive – or so she had been led to believe. Wo Fat conned her into helping him kidnap Steve by luring him to North Korea to help her “rescue” Josh. I’m not sure why she fell for Wo Fat’s con. She wanted to believe him because she loved her fiancé so much. She never stopped to wonder why Wo Fat would have ever left Josh alive. It doesn’t matter how many proof-of-life pictures he hands you, you can’t trust Wo Fat ever.

Anyway, Jenna did manage to get word to Danny about McGarrett’s situation. With the help of Joe (Terry O’Quinn), the whole gang decided to go rogue and head to North Korea to save Steve. Going along for the ride was a Navy Seal buddy of Joe’s, played by David Keith. He grabbed a couple of guys and joined everyone as they flew off on this under-the-radar mission.
Meanwhile, Steve was hanging by chains as Wo Fat alternately tortured and interrogated him. He wanted intel on something called Shelbourne; Steve’s dad knew about it so Wo Fat assumed Steve would know too. I thought it was interesting when McGarrett realized Wo Fat had no idea what Shelbourne was. I wonder how long it’s going to be until we know what in the world Wo Fat’s after.
Jenna tried to redeem herself by: a) getting word to Danny; and b) slipping a steel pin from Josh’s knee (he once had knee surgery) and getting it to Steve. It was inevitable that she would end up dead. After Wo Fat shot and killed her, Steve was able to use the pin to get out of his shackles and make that escape. His freedom didn’t last long, however. Wo Fat and his men got the drop on him pretty quickly. I always feel Steve can handle anything and escape anything so the fact he was recaptured so quickly was new and different.

Thanks to Joe’s connections – the “Save Steve” group was able to easily get a copter and some weapons easily. Too easily? Probably. But I totally suspended my disbelief for this episode, especially since this portion of the show introduced us to Joe’s pal, the one that owed him a favor. Jimmy Buffett played the guy and he did a good job. I love that he didn’t just donate his classic copter to the cause but he piloted it as well. The writers even snuck in a margarita joke for good measure, which is much appreciated.
Anyway, the Five-O/Navy Seal combo tracked down Wo Fat, his minions and, most importantly Steve. Lori Weston was able to use an RPG to blow up a bridge that slowed the cavalry down and enabled them to save Steve. But, of course, that slippery sneaky Wo Fat escaped.
There was a scene in the helicopter at the end where everybody – sans Kono (boo!) – had this nice moment in the copter that also included Chin announcing his engagement (yay!). The group had gone into hostile territory and saved the guy who usually saves everyone else. Even though Kono wasn’t part of it, I still basked in the moment. It was a great payoff to a wildly suspenseful episode.
There were two things that really bugged me about “Ki’ilua.” First, the Kono situation. She was the one left behind to monitor the situation from afar. I don’t know why she couldn’t be with everyone, especially in that last scene in the helicopter. It always seems like she’s this afterthought. Why couldn’t she be a bigger part of the action?
And the next thing that totally bugged was when the guys got Steve back to the helicopter. Lori jumped out and ran up to him and hugged him. Now, it’s very clear she has a thing for Steve. But the way Alex O’Loughlin has been playing it, it doesn’t seem like Steve feels the same. I don’t know if it was meant to be an emotional moment because it wasn’t. It just feels like the writers/producers are trying really hard to make something out of nothing. I’m completely uninterested in anything developing between these two characters.
These are just minor complaints about what turned out to be the best episode of the season so far. Hawaii Five-O airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…