“Hawaii Five-O” will be off and running in less than a month, and Blasting News has been keeping fans informed of every news flash and fan interest story all summer, even through the roughest waves. Fans are grappling with seeing the new configuration of members in their beloved “Hawaii Five-O” force.
The transitions are made tougher because unlike the parting of Masi Oka as Dr. Max Bergman, which was done with respect and with a reasonable premise, the departures of characters of Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua will be summarily explained in the first episode.
The idea of bestowing the deserved sentiment and salute to these foundational characters is going to be an uphill battle for viewers, particularly since Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park will not even be present.
Perpetrators ensure that there is plenty of crime to keep “Hawaii Five-O” in business, and Meaghan Rath as Tani Rey and Beulah Koale as another Navy Seal, Junior Reigns, returning home to repurpose his skills, will have to earn their place as “ohana” among Alex O'Loughlin as McGarrett, Scott Caan as Danny Williams, Chi McBride as Captain Grover, and Ian Anthony Dale as Adam, now being a full-fledged member of the force.
The newest badge-bearer, Jorge Garcia as Jerry Ortega, is also on board.
TV insiders are already predicting problems for the drama in winning its own fan base back, and it may not be easy.
Executive producer, Peter Lenkov, has dropped several teasing, tasty breadcrumbs to lure fans in for the adventure of the new season, and it's no secret that they are flavored with the brotherhood and friendship between Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan as the leading crime-fighters.
The boss reveals to TV Line that “tasty” may be a perfect word to describe a new, yet familiar venture for the partners in Season 8.
More than a bite
Season 7’s fateful episode, “E Malama Pono” (Handle with Care) had some of the most fateful consequences and memorable banter between McGarrett and Williams in “Hawaii Five-O” history.
While Steve wears a truck’s battery to protect him while removing radioactive rods from a dirty bomb, the Lt. Commander and his partner begin to talk about Danny's “retirement” and opening an Italian restaurant, which McGarrett insists be called “Steve's” in tribute to him, since the bomb may blow them away, even hiding behind the truck.
Lenkov immediately let his thoughts go to the restaurant possibilities in an interview, relating how Season 7 storylines had been wrapped around the ideas of legacy, and what characters’ lives represented. The producer sheepishly says that “a fun thing” running through the new season has to do with McGarrett and Danny opening a restaurant.
The show runner won't go much further with details, but does say that “McDanno” team up “a sort of start his side project” related to Steve's restaurant, and that the endeavor will be “fun” for them, and needless to say, more fun for “Hawaii Five-O” faithful.
Not afraid of hard work
Chin Ho Kelly never ran from an evil doer, and the real-life Daniel Dae Kim is very excited about taking on the new job of executive producer on ABC's “The Good Doctor,” which premieres in the same week as his former series, only four days earlier.
The actor understands the daunting task of building a successful drama from the ground up, and is fully committed to formulating an engine “to last for years and seasons.” The new drama is based on one that formerly was produced on the Korean Broadcasting System. Kim feels that the U.S. incarnation will give viewers someone to cheer for in the form of a brilliant autistic surgeon who must prove his value above his condition. The strongest message of the drama “is the character’s ability to overcome hardship and challenges with effort.” That attitude is quite recognizable in Daniel Dae Kim and his roster of TV roles.
