[Hawaii Five-0] The "Me'ema'e" Reaction Post

[eumelia]

Kono kicked ass and took names like I said she would.

The undercover thing would have been more interesting were Steve in the loop and keeping Danny and Chin (*sigh* and Lori) out of it, because it would have, at the very least, brought Steve's culpability into the whole mess front and centre, but oh well, they did tie that one with a neat little bow didn't they.

One that will probably unravel in later episodes, because one of the great things about this particular show is that things, aren't actually, forgotten about that easily (still waiting for Sang Min to make an appearance. I miss him, funnily enough).

An interesting observation, the plot in this episode was actually interesting, or more to the point the way it progressed from your run-of-the-mill locker room murder to a debunked love triangle – which, Danny, could you be more crass? "Helping himself to his wife"? Ew – to Kono's entire story line.

Very clever and intense storytelling, I was actually on the edge of my seat at various intervals.

The thing that popped out the most to me, very likely because it has been on my (and in other people in fandom) mind, was the portrayal of violence in this episode.

verasteine posted a very interesting poll regarding the violence on the show; the debate in the comments is equally interesting and brings forward the issue of police brutality and the fact that, yeah, Five-0 plays fast and loose, to quote Fryer.

This episode had several examples of this "fast and loose" attitude, what really stuck to mind was the fact that Chin and Lori don't identify themselves as Five-0 before they start shooting. I actually found that jarring, because I don't remember this happening, correct me if I'm wrong people! I probably am, but the whole discussion is making me note these things.

Speaking of Chin and Lori, the scene between them, made me cringe, mainly because the actress was just terrible. Also, once again with the sexism that was exhibited by her, yes, we know men aren't interested in Cosmo (hur hur).

Also, can we please "show" and not "tell". In what way, shape or form is Lori like Steve? What has she done to provide us with information about herself? "Runaway Bride"? Really now? So far we've seen one badass scene from her that we can compare to Steve, maybe, but everyone on the show can disarm and shoot – it's sort of required.

So, no, just because Chin said: "You're a lot like Steve," doesn't mean I'm buying it. And woman, if you think Daddy Issues are the thing that makes Steve tick, you're a terrible profiler – the man is so much easier to read that he thinks he is.

As an aside, as a person who studies gender as a prism of analysis, I really enjoyed the way the show emphasized the objectification of women's bodies in advertisement and the fact that erotic shots of teenagers are morally (and ethically) suspect – I could have done without the constant focus on the photos (once, really, is enough) – but the little tidbit from Danny and Steve about Grace was a lovely show of Daddy Machismo from the both of them.

The gender dynamics in this ep were very stark, from the way the coach treated the "girls" (kudos for Steve for questioning that), being a second father to them and the suspicion that he was actually sleeping with one of them.
Trisha Joyner being treated as a conduit between the two men and later the money – it was interesting to watch and observe, especially considering the fact that Trisha has lost, well, everything in her life.
The way Steve acts with Kono in the interrogation room, I felt the gender lines there, maybe it's a little sensitive, because it was Kono and Steve, but wow, it was intense – she really is everyone's little sister.
Thank god Chin cut in.

The women in these plots are getting really short changed. I'm just saying.

All the moments between Danny and Steve were great (doilies!!!!!!!), though I'm feeling a lot of tension between them, they have issues they need to work through. No doubt the fact that Danny will be living with Steve for a few episodes will create great conflict and emotional progression.

I know the show didn't come out and spell the fact that Danny will be moving in with Steve, but honestly, this wasn't a subtle clue – being evicted and Danny ranting about the houses of Kahala (incidentally, where Rachel and Stan live!), the man is going to need a roof over his head and you can bet he is going to be bitter about it.

Danny is feeling his class, he is talking it and expressing it. I love that.

I almost thought there was going to be a Bechdel Win between Kono and Malia, but alas, no. Chin was the focus of their conversation – it was, however, great to see Kono be defensive of Chin, those two are so much more like brother and sister than cousins, it's a great dynamic to watch – being the youngest sister in a fairly large family, I know Kono's position of needing to prove herself and stand on her own and not consult the "older siblings" of the family.

I'll reiterate; she kicked ass.

Steve's punch to Fryer felt rather extreme, Steve is dealing with a lot of things at once and is projecting them all over the place – I thought Steve's violence towards the suspect in the previous ep fit with the head space he was in – this time around, I needed to dig a little deeper into his motivation and instincts in that instance, because Steve, as a rule, doesn't get personal like that (that's more Danny's forte), but I think he's feeling guilty about Kono being put out there like that. I don't think the show is going to show us any actual consequences for the robbery (this episode was about resolving that), but it looks as though there are subtle emotional consequences that detail the team's handling of everything that happened in the previous season.

Everyone is an emotional mess, with further alienates Lori from this gang of four.

The slow-mo long shot of the team a la "The Right Stuff" made me laugh out loud. I wonder how much they realise how ironic a shot like that is after a season start like that.
If it's intentional, I tip my hat to their self-awareness. If it's not, it is fucking funny.

Comments

[silveradept]

I thought it interesting that Steve chose to talk about whether or not such photos for ads would violate NCAA rules, rather than whether or not such things were a bit too cheesecake for an athlete, or whether or not there were potential Unfortunate Implications for having taken those kinds of shots, should they get out.

[eumelia]

I think the Unfortunate Implications were implied when they thought they were sexy photos taken for the pleasure of the coach, rather than advert photos.

[silveradept]

True. I think they didn't go through all of them, though, with the way the pivot happened so quickly away from there and into eligibility grounds.