H50 2.20

[azziria]

I have to say that, although I loved getting the Max backstory and thought that Masi Oka did a very fine job (I love Max!), I found this episode rather flat. No disrespect to the actors (because I suspect that there was a limit to what they could do with that script), but for me the spark just didn't seem to be there, the episode lacked oomph. And the shrimp truck sub-plot was just tacked on, it didn't really add anything.

I think that this proves to me what I already pretty much knew: that for me it's the Steve/Danny dynamic that makes this show stand out. Take that away (and take away my eye candy as well), and it's just another police procedural.

Hopefully the crossover will have a bit more punch, and then McGarrett will be back.

Comments

[jazzybabe56.livejournal.com]

wasn't my fave either - like I said elsewhere, AOL is 75% of why I watch in the first place....

but it was nice seeing some of why Max is who he is....

[portraitofafool.livejournal.com]

You know, I actually liked the episode a lot. I thought it was well paced for a change, the interactions were still spot on and there was more evenly devoted screen time between the characters. It was also well written and they didn't completely screw up the psychology as they have in the past. The shrimp truck thing was tacked on though, I agree with that, but it still offered me some amusement without being overly distracting. I enjoyed the letter at the beginning to Danny (and he called him "partner" *koff*) and overall, it was a good episode and I am still really happy about the pacing (to the point I am obv. repeating myself). Also, it was well acted and nice to see each character stand on their own without McGarrett there to prop them up. I love Steve, but the show isn't about Steve to me--or any one particular character--and this season too much has fallen over to the "let's focus all of our attention on Steve and throw Lori in for her migraine factor" and because of that, the other characters save one, maybe two, episodes have fallen to the wayside. I figure my opinion does not reflect general fandom consensus, but there it is and I like talking to you because you don't go for my throat over these things.

[davierose.livejournal.com]

I liked it--I thought the cast really stepped up in Alex's absence. Yeah -the spark of Steve/Danno was gone, but, under the circumstances, I thought they did really well. I only hope that Alex has a handle on his shoulder injury and prescription meds and that he comes back healthy and whole and able to kick some behind on the last couple of eps this season and into next!!

[stellarmeadow.livejournal.com]

I thought it was good, and seeing Max's background was interesting, and I liked his actions. But my favorite parts were still when Danny was talking about/thinking about Steve. *G*

[gothikmaus.livejournal.com]

I liked the episode and I thought the shrimp truck subplot was a nice distraction without being too distracting. What I didn't really understand was how calm Chin seemed to be about the whole Steve chasing after Joe White on his own. I mean, sure, there's nothing he could have done, when Steve sets his mind on doing something, nothing can stop him, but he didn't look worried at all.

[azziria.livejournal.com]

I've been a bit wary of saying this because I worry a little that people will take it as a criticism of the other actors (which it's not), but I'm totally with you here. I wouldn't watch if Alex left, he's it for me. I'd still watch if Scott left, but without the Steve/Danny dynamic the show wouldn't be as special any more.

And even though I like NCIS: LA, I'm not excited about the crossover at all any more now that Alex isn't going to be in it. That's just how I feel, I can't help it.

[eremite.livejournal.com]

I would have liked this episode a lot more if the procedural stuff and lack of human decency hadn't bugged me so much.

On two occasions, Danny and Chin start harrassing suspects before finding out if their incredibly easy-to-check alibis check out. Thei're especially callous with Cal, just waving him away with "you're good." Um, no, he's probably not good - they've told him very bluntly that his girlfriend's dead and now they're walking away without so much as a "Sorry about that."

I'm finding it harder and harder to watch because of stuff like this, and O'Loughlinlessness doesn't help :(

[eremite.livejournal.com]

"Thei're" Wow, that's an all-time low :D

[finduilas-clln.livejournal.com]

The beginning of season two (with the couple of very Steve/Danny-light episodes) really showed me that I do watch especially for the Steve/Danny interaction too. If one of them were to leave the show at one point, I doubt I'd still watch.

Now, knowing that it's only two episodes, I'm "powering through". LOL. But yeah... Steve(/Alex) and his relationship to Danny is so important to this show.