- Title: Hawaii Five-0 – Makani ‘Olu a Holo Malie
- wiki: link
As Danny (Scott Caan) leads the team to investigate the murder of an organ courier whose cargo was stolen and must be recovered in less than 24-hours if there is any hope to save the life of a dying man, McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) accompanies Catherine (Michelle Borth) on a rescue mission to Afghanistan after the son of the family who nursed her back to health and protected her years ago is kidnapped by the Taliban.
Once Danny and Cho discover the reason behind the robbery wasn’t organ trafficking the true motives and brains behind the crime become obvious. On the other side of the world, everything about the rescue mission goes wrong as McGarett is captured, tortured, and nearly killed by the a high-ranking member of the group who the U.S. believed they had effectively killed more than two years ago. Although Catherine makes it out with a dozen children, the boy she went in to save isn’t among them. Joe White (Terry O’Quinn, who oddly doesn’t appear in the episode) calls in the cavalry to get McGarrett home safely.
“Makani ‘Olu a Holo Malie” marks Catherine’s last episode (at least as full member of the cast). With Grace Park now back on the show full-time after her pregnancy it shouldn’t be a surprise that Michelle Borth is leaving. Borth’s character was promoted from recurring role to full cast member in part to help fill the void left by Kono‘s storyline abroad (which was hiding Park’s pregnancy). However, I enjoyed having the pair in their limited scenes together and I think the show benefited from having two highly-qualified female members of the Five-0 team.
With Catherine staying in Afghanistan to continue the search alone the show leaves her future, and that of Catherine and McGarrett’s relationship, very much in doubt. It may allow Borth to return at some point, but I think a more definitive ending to her storyline may have worked better here. I will give the show credit for finally acknowledging how ludicrous the number of black ops missions McGarrett has helmed around the world over the show’s four seasons as someone in authority finally offer an ultimatum should he leave the comfort of Hawaii to do so again.
