I figure it's one of two things. Either, I am just loving all the nerd alum on the screen, or this series is just that good.
Personally, I'm thinking it's just that good.
Bursting onto screen with a high powered and intense hostage action sequence, this series wastes no time diving in. Navy Seal, Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) has captured one of the notorious Hess brothers in Korea, wanted for terrorism. His older brother, Victor Hess (James Marsters), kills Steve's father for the death of his brother.
In light of his father's murder, Steve returns home to Hawaii with a vendetta against Hess. At his father's house, Steve meets Detective Danny "Danno" Williams (Scott Caan), a new resident from New Jersey who moved to the islands to be closer to his daughter. I think it's safe to say it's hate at first sight. To legally investigate his father's death, Steve takes the Governor's offer and is sworn in as a Detective and head of a new investigative unit in a quite amusing scene while on the phone with her in his father's garage in front of a very annoyed Danny. To annoy him even further, Steve makes him his partner.
Can I just say that I think Danny's ring tone is bloody brilliant. It doesn't matter what kind of heavy situation they were in, I laughed every time.
Danny and Steve may hate each other, but they are a great team. Immediately they know how to push each other's buttons. Danny is great with children, where Steve not so much. On the other hand, Steve constantly teases Danny about what his daughter calls him: "Danno". Danny tends to be a little more sensitive and Steve is annoyed at the fact that Danny seems to be as good a detective as he is. In other words, they are a perfect partnership. Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan have fantastic chemistry, playing off each other remarkably well. In fact, throughout the episode, I couldn't help but compare them to David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel of "Bones", who are one of the best duos on television.
To get closer to the underground, Steve seeks out old friend Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim), and former Detective trained by Steve's father. Chin left the Force after being accused of being paid off. Steve, taking his word that he didn't take any money, reinstated his badge and gun. They also brought to the team, soon to graduate from the Police Academy, Kona "Kono" Kalakaua (Grace Park).
I'm sure the decision to recast Kono from the original series as a woman, is much like the one to make Starbuck a woman in the new "Battlestar Galactica". Will it be as great of a decision on this series as it was that? Considering I completely fell in love with a female Starbuck, and completely adore Grace Park, I'm going to venture a "Yes!".
After an pulling down a trafficking ring with a successful undercover sting, Steve and Danny release a group of slaves and find out that there is a mole in the Hawaiian Police Department. Finally discovering Hess's whereabouts, Steve and Danny get there quickly, while Danny has a friendly argument with his wife and confesses to Steve why his daughter calls him "Danno".
Now, it could just be the nerdy part of me, but was I the only one squealing with absolute delight as James Marsters and Alex O'Loughlin smashed each other to bits on top of a train container? I know every "Buffy", "Angel", and "Moonlight" fan was thinking the same thing I was: "Vampire on vampire action...LEGENDARY!!"
Of course, Steve wins the day, shooting Victor and he falls into the ocean. But I have a feeling that's not the last we'll be seeing of him. After all, why cast a fabulous actor like James Marsters to play a villain that is on everyone's Most Wanted list? Please. He wouldn't go down that easy.
I'm sure Alex O'Loughlin couldn't WAIT to say "Book 'em Danno!" the first time. Even I had a little squee moment and clapped after he said it.
Overall, a great pilot episode for what I honestly think is going to be a great series. With two vampires, a cylon, a legendary thief, and a Lostie on the cast, this show is bound to be a hit. Even if the writing wasn't witty, smart and fresh, the audiences that love and miss Alex O'Loughlin in "Moonlight", James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel", Daniel Dae Kim in "LOST" and Grace Park in "Battlestar Galactica" will watch the show regardless. But just because the creators know how to win their way into a nerd's heart, doesn't mean that all they have going for them.
The dialogue was witty, funny and sharp. The action was intense and believable. At times, I felt like I was watching a movie rather than a one hour primetime series. But with creators like Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the writers of "Star Trek" and co-creators of "Fringe", I expect nothing less.
People think "The Event" is going to replace "LOST"? Unlikely. All the Losties, Whedonists, and BSG fans are going to be watching "Hawaii Five-0". Who in their right mind would make time for "The Event"?
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