Crimes in paradise

Last Saturday evening, my wife and I decided to watch the new season of X-Files, but gave up after two episodes. We're going to keep watching just in case it was our own mood that was incompatible, but neither of us were impressed at all. I'll probably do a separate post on this subject when I've either watched the whole new season or given up for good.

Today I want to talk about what we ended up watching instead. We decided to give the new version of Hawaii 5-0.

The original, which I have never seen, ran from 1968 – 1980 and was at the time not only the longest running law enforcement show but the first cop show to span over a decade. It has since been joined by, and in some cases outdone by, shows like Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU and NCIS.

Even if, like me, you've never seen the original, you have in fact most likely been affected by it. This is the show that created the famous line: Book 'em Danno, which has become a classic catchphrase. The term 5-0 (pronounced five-oh) has since become synonymous with police throughout the US. In fact, when I was watching The Wire, I had to look up why the drug dealers were yelling 5-0 to warn each other that the police were on the way. It's all due to this show.

OK, enough history. What my wife and I wanted was a show that has action, style and good writing, but isn't too dark. These days it seems every show has to be so very Grim-dark, and it get's annoying after a while. I love Grim-dark, but enough is enough. Luckily enough, the new Hawaii

5-0 was exactly what we wanted.

Like the title says, it's set in Hawaii, and the 5-0 comes from Hawaii being the 50^th state in the union. The show oozes so called scenery porn, gorgeous landscapes and that blue ocean. Where a show set in, say, New York would show street scenes to solidify the setting, you get beautiful vistas instead. The actors are good, which they should be seeing as they are all veterans of shows and films like The Shield, Battlestar Galactica, Lost and the Oceans 11-13 movies.

The writing is in my opinion excellent. Snappy, witty but not too over the top. Beyond this, the show has heart, it's serious yet lighthearted enough to feel relaxing when the Grim-dark becomes too oppressive.

I feel I should point out the guest stars as well, Norman Reedus and Peter Stormare all within four episodes. Not too shabby.

We watched the four first episodes eagerly, and I'm looking forward to watching more. I can absolutely see why someone wouldn't like it, but I urge you to give it a shot, if you come across it.

That's it for this time, until we meet again, have a beautiful week!