My Review of 2.03

[kristen999]

Beware this is a rambling almost serious reaction to last night's eppy. It's mostly positive reaction so if you hated the eppy, you might want to skip it. Or if you're curious to my thoughts, by all means, check them out.




I’m not to pretend that I love every single change in the show, but for the most part, I really loved last night’s episode.

I like the Joe and Steve bonding scenes. With all the loss and betrayal, it’s great to see a character that not only understands Steve, but can fill that father figure role that Steve obviously didn’t have. Don’t get me wrong, the team is Steve’s family, but done of them will ever really ‘get Steve’ like Joe can. A man who understands and has gone through the same training ...been asked to do things ‘normal’ people could not even comprehend. Steve doesn’t have to say “that’s classified’ to Joe.

I dug the sniper scene, mainly because it’s been hinted at that Steve’s specialty is using a sniper. Steve’s in the reserves, it makes sense he would have to practice certain skills and let’s face it-- in the military there is always playful competition.

That being said, I did miss Danny at the beginning and the start felt slightly uneven, but things got back on track there.

As much as I love the Steve and Danny dynamic, it’s nice to see them switching things up. Chin going with Joe and Steve and Lori with Danny. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like Lori ‘profiling’ Danny in the car, but it was nice to see other interactions. She still lacks chemistry with the others, but I am still in the 'neutral camp' about her.

I’ve read where ppl think Steve was acting OCC in this episode and I don’t see that. As I mentioned elsewhere on LJ--. The man is/was career military special ops. Doing really dark and dirty things that our country has ordered him to do. It's tough for anyone who has been deployed to war to revert back to civilian life, but to go from being a SEAL to this 'by the book' cop is really unrealistic. Add in knowing both your parents were murdered, the recent betrayals, being sent to prison and being knifed there—well it’s not surprising that he reverts to military aspect of himself.--(which is to do what it takes to get the job done) Although yes, SEALs are some of the most under control people and it is obvious Steve was not in complete control in the freezer--I'm speaking over his overall personality of late.

And that’s why I really liked that ending scene. Yes, it was intense and violent, but it really gave Danny and Chin a glimpse of what Steve’s done in the past. The SEALS do things we never want to hear about and they don’t brag about it or ask for medals. They have a job to do and I think it was this dawning moment especially for Danny.

That yes, Steve had pulled back a lot and all that talk of his ‘crazy, insane ways’ is not crazy or insane. It was what he lived for years. And what hit me was how much Danny and his team should realize the positive impact of 5-0. Steve may not be the ‘by the book cop’ but he’s come a long way in adjusting to ‘normal civilian standards”.

Okay, that was really heavy. I enjoyed the sky-diving scene. Where else are you going to get that on TV?? It was over the top and fun and I heard the other plane in the background and knew what to expect.

I wish we would get more Kono screen time, but I’m interested to see how deep she’ll go with things. It’s obvious she’s undercover and keeping things form the team—I just hope once things begin to unravel that 5-0 realizes what’s going on. I mean Chin—come on brah. Put two and two together.

They’ve shaken things up this season, and while I would like to see more balanced storytelling and pacing,(and more of the fab four together)I love this show. There really isn’t close to it’s caliber on TV.

And the show is my happy place and I would rather keep it that way :D

Comments

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

I actually agree with you about Steve and the military stuff. Steve has had to compartmentalize a lot of his SEAL life just to come home and live a normal life. Which is why the first SEAL was having marriage problems - it is hard to be married to a SEAL - because you just can't turn that stuff on and off.

That moment at the end was very dawning for Danny and maybe Chin (not so much Lori because she hardly knows Steve) and I did like it.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I could not even imagine having turn off and such engrained instincts. I enjoyed it as a Steve centric eppy and I'm really curious how the next few episodes come together.

[rubygirl29.livejournal.com]

I thought it was important for the team to see that their case impacted a SEAL operation, and that what Steven did in the past is part of his character. I have no doubt that's what Joe had in mind ... He wants the others to understand Steve's military mind-set and why he's different than your "by-the-book" cop.

I think we'll see more of Danny once Entourage is a wrap. Scott can't be in two places at the same time!

I'm with you about Lori. As long as the writers don't have her jumping into bed with her co-workers, I'm holding my thoughts in reserve.

Kono is SO undercover!

Time for work. Ah, well.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I think/hope we'll get more Danny soon. This was a Steve centric eppy and Scott has said he's loved this season thus far, so I know some meaty stuff will be coming up.

I think once Kono is back it'll help with the my acceptance of Lori.

[littleeva.livejournal.com]

Great review, I'll have to watch the rest of the ep tonight "on demand." Anyway, I do get what you're saying about SEAL training. I watch the Military Channel sometimes and they had a 6 part series about SEAL training, mainly BUDS. It was INTENSE. 80% of the guys who start BUDS drop out.

Please get rid of Barbie/Lori of whatever her name is.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Yeah,if you think BUDs is tough, there is 18 months more training before becomming a full fledged SEAL.

I vote for more Kono--than Lori will be easier to accept.

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

I'd taken an ativan because I was so anxious and so the episode didn't bother me much. :D

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

The eppy didn't really bother me much. I really liked it, though others didn't seem so, but we all can't agree all the time :D

[saltyd.livejournal.com]

I thought the best thing about the ep was seeing Danny realize what Steve used to do, the comment at that end about him doing that stuff, and finding Steve's file about a previous mission.

However, I'm not sure I'm thrilled with Lori and Danny's car scene - that to me is the Danny and Steve water cooler. Lori and Danny could have had that talk anywhere.

I'm missing the team - although you feel it's good to mix them up a bit, I miss the feel of the ohana - they're scattered and new people are coming and going. I like Max but they're risking turning him into a buffoon, albeit with awesome knowledge.

I miss Danny being around, and wasn't aware Entourage was still filming. Somewhere I read they're doing a movie?

I love this show - it's my must see show of the week, and the only one I stay up to 11pm to watch but after the first 2 eps of the season, I felt it was slow. Too procedural for me - you could have taken the plot and dumped it into NCIS or NCIS LA. But then we wouldn't have gotten a glimpse into Steve's past or seen him skydiving :)

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I watch NCIS and CSI and I still feel H50 puts them to shame when it comes to action. TPTB got a lot of push back about police procedures so they're trying to add layers of such I think.

Don't get me wrong, I miss the chemistry of the fab four. I wish they would give more time to Chin and Kono than adding a 5th person, but I don't think Lori is going way and I hope she'll gel as time goes on.

What they need to learn is how to pace an eppy and balance out scenes. I'll always be the optimist when it come to fandom, thier's too much negativity i life so I'm more of glass half full type gal :-P

[powrhug.livejournal.com]

I personally like reading reviews from folks who liked the episode when I didn't. Doesn't make me like it more necessarily, but it does help me focus on what I *did* like and makes me feel better that other people were in a better place with it.

H50 has totally been my happy place as well...I just wish it was back that way instead of kinda/sorta slipping away. But like I said in my post, I have hopes for other episodes to come.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I totally get when things take a left turn. The show has changed, I'm not exactly thrilled with everything, but at this point, there is more that I love about the show than has disappointments me. And if you don't like aspects you have every right to feel that way. We like what we like. No one is right or wrong :D


I hope things will smooth out, I love squeeing together :D

[powrhug.livejournal.com]

I'll squee next week, I promise! I'll be OBNOXIOUS with my squee! =D

[jazzybabe56.livejournal.com]

thank you so much for letting me know about your positive review! it's certainly a breath of fresh air and I soo agree with you on so many things - like reverting back to a life he NEVER had as an adult - he went straight from high school to Annapolis and then his naval training and then intell....and then a SEAL -- he's never known anything else and I think that so far he has done an amazing job of trying to adjust to a life he never encountered before.

I actually got a kick out of Lori profiling Danny - it shows her mind is focussed on the job and so far is trying to adjust to being part of this team tho reluctantly...and yes! I also agree about changing things up a bit - it will make it all the more special when we get our original team back in place...but I think this is however the beginning of a story arc for Kono so we'll have to sit tight for that...and I will... :-D

I love this show - I keep loving it every time I see it...but sometimes I think that others are expecting a soap opera format where they have the luxury of 5 hours every day of the work week to work out inter-personal relationships -- so they get to spread out the stories and make them more intense....but this is primetime and a lot has to be packed into a 42 minute slot. Perhaps the show should think about making the entire season one big episode....

Thanx for the review - its nice to know its not all gloom and doom out there in H5-0 land! ♥♥♥

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I know a lot of ppl who enjoyed the eppy and squeeed along with me. It's tough to balance character exploration in an action show. I can hope for a flashbacks, but if we learn back story this way I'm good with it.

Procedural shows are a dime a dozen and this show don’t follow that formal. Steve's a hero, but he has flaws , lots of gray area and that makes him interesting. I know some ppl think this way heavy-handed and maybe it was, but sometimes I want to park my brain elsewhere and sit back and enjoy the ride.

[tridget.livejournal.com]

For all the points you mentioned, I loved the episode. It's the kind of show to just sit back and enjoy all the things it has to offer.

The SEAL stuff was great. I did love that the show made it clear that what these men have to do is not within the range of normal human experience and that it is not without a cost.

I'd like more of the four core team members together, but I am also enjoying all the moments and performances that are coming out of shaking things up, too. Joe and Steve are great and I think this adds more depth to Steve's character. I am enjoying Kono's new story line for example. As for Chin there... Does he talk to Kono in private ever, or only in public places? If it is public, then I will bet he does know or has figured it out and is playing along for Kono's sake. I will have to rewatch again about that I was pretty tired and may have missed a few details last night.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I know ppl don't care about the behind the scenes stuff, but the cast likes interaction with new people and if the cast is happy and enthused, it comes out in the performances and quality of the show.

Chin might be playing along or have an inkling. I don't like thinking Kono as a alone without back-up and I really want to see her with the team again. Until then, I'm gong to just soak up the fun that this show represents.

[klatubarada.livejournal.com]

I really liked this episode even though i really,really did feel Dannys absence at first.

Im finding the Joe scenes with Steve quite heavy handed personally !i do wish Terry Quinn looked a little different from his John Lockes character,but i understand his role in Steves life in this.

Sneaky!kono what ARE you up to!?Its about time Grace Park got something to do a bit more -i loved her in BSG- and the drip feeding of whats going on is going to infuriate/excite me over the season!
I love Chin in this too,Besides doing more i think he gets hotter in every ep!

Lori is growing on me ,she doesnt QUITE fit right yet does she?but hey,who does after a few weeks in a new job,huh?
I didn't see any flirting! ..i really didnt, i thought she was just getting to know Danny better as he certainly is the most talkative.I think her skills eg.reading body language signals was nicely introduced in the car although i could of watched Scott Caan flail about all day.

The ending surprised me with how violent it got but you know i NEVER actually thought about Steve's adjusting to a 'normal' life before this ep!I feel dumb for not thinking of it before.(Thats why i love reading your positive reviews !)

But so,so good to show the team this is what Steve used to do and i love Dannos realisation face.
Are you the walrus!
*snort*

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I don't know who John Locke is as I never watched Lost. But I like Joe as I said, I like it when we see ppl from Steve's past, but I guess when you have a big guest star like that, you have to make it worth his while to be on the show.

I did miss Danny at the start and I hope they work out that balance. The Steve and Danno chemistry is gold.

NEVER actually thought about Steve's adjusting to a 'normal' life before this ep

That's always been in the back of my mind. Since he was 16 he's been in the service and than most of it for the most highly trained most dangerous work in the military. The readjustment process is slow and gradual and so much of his training is hard wired in him.

[musicofyourname.livejournal.com]

I haven't watched the episode yet, but I did want to leave a comment... while watching the wild Twitter banter last night, I saw your comment to Lenkov and his response about episode 2x10! Can I even put into words how much that made my day? I can't!! :D

[saltyd.livejournal.com]

Oooh, do share - what's the twitter comment from Lenkov about ep 2x10?

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

It was this::

hekristen999
@PLenkov I love me some hero McG..but will there be any eppys where 5-0 has to kickbutt to save their boss? Where Steve can't do it himself?


PLenkov Peter Lenkov
@thekristen999 you are describing episode 210

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Isn't that awesome??!! I am so excited at the prospect!

[saltyd.livejournal.com]

Me too!! I'm full of the tummy flips thinking about it!! I love you for asking!

BTW, I rewatched this week's ep again last night - I enjoyed the ep much more the second time around. Once I relaxed over what was missing for me, I enjoyed it. And I watched for the little tidbits that everyone has focused on, especially Steve's reactions to all Seal stuff - MUCH better on a 2nd viewing!

[creidh.livejournal.com]

I may have actually screamed at my television when I predicted that Steve would sky-dive down to rescue him (really, I scared hubby right out of his Portal 2 game).

And Kono is definitely undercover. Obiviously. (although I really feel the urge to feed Grace Park cookies and cake - lots of them).

I really enjoyed this weeks episode.