WISHES OF A SMALL SCREEN GIRL: 'HAWAII FIVE-0' SEASON 6

I am a dogged television viewer.  It takes a lot to get to abandon a show mid-run, like killing off an awesome main character just for shock value—I’m looking at you, “Person of Interest”—or a nauseating abundance righteous, tone-deaf speechifying and ignorant storylines (“Bluebloods”) or jumping so many sharks that they near metaphorical extinction (“Homeland’s” third season…almost).

By the end of last season, CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” is nearing said threshold. Luckily, I have harnessed the power of an entertainment genie, and have convinced him to give him three more wishes. Here are my wishes of a Small Screen Girl for “Hawaii Five-0” season 6.

Utilize the cast. I fell in love with H50 for two reasons: the impressive cast—particularly Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, and the recently added Chi McBride—and those imaginative, near-cinematic action sequences.  I wish the writers knew how lucky they are to have such a capable cast that can transition from bawling to badass in a blink of an eye, and elevate the material while keeping the silly and time-wasting storylines to a minimum.  Sorry, Kamekona and Jerry!  More bromance!  More Danno tears!  More carguments!  More of the team sympathizing with the plight of the victim in the case of the week!  Did I mention more bromance?!

Continuity, please!  The main problem with last season stems from uninspired writing and major lack of continuity.  A high point in season 5 was the milestone 100th episode in which Steve McGarrett was kidnapped by his archenemy Wo Fat (Matt Dacascos) and finally learned the root of their vendetta.  The gut-wrenching ordeal, which included McG getting shot in the head, displayed star Alex O’Loughlin’s impressive chops and abs was never mentioned again.  And it wasn’t a one-off.  Later in the same season, Danny found out his rarely seen girlfriend had lied about her entire identity to escape an abusive spouse.  He only discovered that information when said husband was stabbing in him the gut.  The storyline, which could have been deliciously suspenseful and entertaining if better executed, ended there.

I wish as hard as I can for “Hawaii Five-0” employ continuity.  If you are going to go so far to torture, drug and maim the main characters, there needs to be some kind of emotional fallout.  It has to have an effect.  Otherwise the people we’re supposed to care about are nothing more than live-action cartoon characters falling off the cliff over and over again.  Clearly, “Hawaii Five-0” is not a "True Detectives" (and no one wants it to be) but traumatic events at least need to be referenced again between explosions and helicopter chases. 

Limit traumatic events.  I wish there were less mythology episodes.  I know that sounds crazy.  As a television fanatic, there’s nothing more I love than a juicy episode that shakes an episode out of the spot-the-hair doldrums of a cop procedural. However, too many character-centered catastrophes can become just as tedious, especially when there is little to no aftermath.   Unfortunately, the upcoming synopsis of the season premiere hints that newlyweds Kono and Adam will spend their honeymoon tied up, and not in a good way.  Everybody knows that abduction and torture is for your second anniversary! 

Don’t mind me, I have a genie to pummel. 

H50 is back on tonight at 9/8c on CBS.  Until then, check out this sneak peek below!
Photo Credits: CBS.com