[Hawaii Five-0] Episode 2.21 "Pa Make Loa" Review

[eumelia]

Oh, Danny.

So, the scene at the house.

What words do I have to describe that: Danny is missing Steve. Danny is worrying about Steve. Danny is really pissed off at Steve.

One of the best thing about this show is the way it pushes the envelope regarding the homoerotic subtext. The dynamic between Danny and Steve is a thing to behold, because they complete each other in a way that is rare to see above the surface in a way that keeps the show safe from any kind of scrutiny regarding the type of love they exhibit.

In the previous episode and in this one, which come right after what happened in the episode "Kalele" (LJ/DW), they've been pushing the underlying narrative really hard. Danny hesitating when he tells Chin when and why he had a key to the house, the way Danny touches all the items on the table and the way he all but wills to know where Steve is because Steve has been incommunicado since he left and Danny is bitter.

So bitter, about Steve not trusting him, because look what happened the last time Steve took off on a mission, alone, that had to do with Wo Fat.

In case you forgot, Steve was tortured and watched a friend (and despite everything, Jenna was a friend being manipulated) being murdered in cold blood.

Danny's protective instincts are what drive him. They're what make him a brilliant father (with a few bumps, but nobody perfect and Danny tries so hard) and they're what make him a fantastic partner to Steve who pushed him away.

Understandably, Danny is feeling a tad touchy.

And at the end, when they all realise the smallpox is on the mainland, you have to remember who is currently residing on the mainland.

Grace.

However, with regards to the episode that weren't directly about Danny's character, I have to say that I am severely underwhelmed.

Not to say feeling cheated.

I mean, I know I don't actually watch for the plot, but a little verisimilitude goes a long way. Not once was I actually concerned about the welfare and safety of the team.

Also, smallpox? Really? Pull the other one why don't.

In addition, Callen's face? I hated it. Unlike Hanna, who I adored. LL Cool J can act. Chris O'Donnel, I fear, is in the wrong genre for his face, because I should be hating his face or feeling the amount of hostility that I am towards it.

Not to mention them stealing Kono and Chin airtime. FFS! I want more of Chin and Kono! Not less! And she's not even going with them to Los Angeles! I'm feeling cheated here, I really am.

There was of course, as ever, the saving grace (*stagadush*) of Danny. Throughout the ep, he was consistent and moving and fucking in charge. Beyond being the emotional anchor, with the scene at Steve's house (I will get to that!) and basically shutting down any and all conversation regarding Steve, he was also the king of one liners!

"No, he's not a vampire" For serious! How can you not adore that.

Also, Danny's a hypochondriac? I may have missed the memo on that. Then again, I suspect I would have been just as concerned if I knew there was smallpox in the air.

A troubling constant is that in times of stress, Danny channels Steve in interrogation technique. I don't like it. But there's history and this time he didn't actually do anything life threatening to the perp, so I guess I can write it off with the squeamish side eye.

A glorious constant is Danny's empathy and kindness. When he speaks to the mother in quarantine and he tells her she made the right decision? Oh, kill me dead. When he talks to the flight attendant and uses the name on her name tag? A small detail, but so huge in characterisation! I really love those little moments they give Danny.

Comments

[silveradept]

Danny without Steve is abetter character and person than Danny with Steve. I also felt like, when talking to the mother in quarantine, Danny was also telling her that her decision not to let her angry ex in the door was probably going to save her life, even if he wasn't infected with smallpox. I felt like he was saying this from some experience being the angry ex in that situation.

Unfortunately, because of needing to shoehorn in the LA guys, we only get to see Kono be awesome once - one shot is all she needs. Maybe it's a thing with these shows, but I often see the female characters as the ones that are accurate and efficient with their ammunition. The guys just seem to spray and pray a lot.

[eumelia]

I felt like he was saying this from some experience being the angry ex in that situation.

He has been the angry ex, but by this own admission he was far more depressive during the divorce (when he told Steve how Matt would come to his hotel room?), which tells me he internalised his anger as opposed to externalised. I don't think Danny ever came to Rachel and behaved in a threatening manner. Gracie would trust him a whole lot less if that had ever happened.

I'm not sure I agree with you on the better person/character without Steve, considering he basically went Steve's way by threatening that witness. Danny has chucked any lip service he had out the window. It's been part of his development as a character, his spiral of corruption.

[silveradept]

Danny probably didn't actually go there, but I think he's admitting that he thought about it. Might be the depression really stopped him from acting on any external impulses he may have had. Gracie would definitely not trust him as much if he had. I doubt she or Rachel would be there on the island with him if he had.

It may only be a manner of degrees between Danny and Steve now, but I think that Danny is better in that he used B12, something that was nonlethal, theoretically. Steve, I could see him using actual smallpox if he had it. And I think that Danny still gave a little lip-service before going into Steve mode.

[eumelia]

That's what I think as well. Also, he's a cop, he's seen way too many violent spouses in his time.

It's akin to Steve throwing that guy off the low cliff onto the sand. Steve has mellowed his style due to Danny's influence, just like Danny has become more lenient when it comes to procedure due to Steve. It's an interesting development they've gone through together.