Netflix SN #4 - "Hawaii 5-0 (1968-1980) Favorites"

Any Hawaii 5-0 fans out there?  No, not the current interpretation, but the 1968-1980 Jack Lord “Book ‘em Danno” version?  If so, I’d like to recommend my five favorite episodes, all of which are available on Netflix Instant view, along with the other 275 episodes during the series 12-year run.

The first two episodes feature the same star playing the same role but in two different seasons. In both episodes, veteran character actor Hume Cronyn (“Cocoon”) plays the likeable thief/disguise artist Lewis Avery Filer, who repeatedly teases and taunts McGarrett and the 5-0 crew with notes and clues that sends them on wild goose chases and into dead ends. This clears the road for Filer to rob local establishments, frequently donning some sort of disguise or costume. Needless to say, in both episodes, the 5-0 team finally catches on, but up to that point it’s fun watching the cat-and-mouse games both play.  McGarrett actually develops a fondness and respect for Filo, even though he is breaking the law.

The first episode featuring Lewis Filer is called “Over 50? Steal” and is the 11^th show in season 3.  The second, in which Filer escapes from prison following his season 3 arrest, is called “Odd Man In” and is the 14^th episode in season 4. Filer doesn’t appear again during the final six seasons of Hawaii 5-0, unfortunately, so I guess McGarrett took him a little more seriously the second time around. Good, light-hearted entertainment, which isn’t the norm for this rendition of Hawaii 5-0. Check out the soundtrack too. Pretty fun.

My second recommendation is actually a three-part trilogy called “V for Vashon”.  The story pits McGarrett  against the Vashon’s, a “mob” family that has been manipulating Oahu for decades while successfully avoiding the police.  The first episode, called “V for Vashon: the Son” features the youngest Vashon, a spoiled brat old who’s bored, resents his father, and is looking for some excitement. So what does every 20-something year old bored rich boy do?  Rob hotels of course!  And not any hotel, but hotels owned by his family!  Unfortunately for him, McGarrett catches him in the act on one of his exploits....with fatal results. Enter the father.

Part two, called “V for Vashon:  the Father” focuses on the boy’s grieving father and the plot he devises to get even with McGarrett.  McGarrett obviously foils the attempt, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some good drama to be had.  When this plot fails, it’s grandpa’s turn. 

Part three is called “V for Vashon:  the Patriarch”. With both his son and grandson put out of action by 5-0,  the ticked off grandfather, and current leader of the Vashon family,  sets out to ruin McGarrett.  His plot is actually quite imaginative, and he nearly gets away with it.  But seeing that Hawaii 5-0 went on another five seasons, he obviously didn’t. 

Anyhow, I thought the trilogy was very entertaining and some of my favorite TV ever from that era.  Worth checking out on some upcoming rainy night.  “V for Vashon” appears in the fifth season on episodes 9 through 11.