I’m sorry I took so long to post this one, but RL is very demanding at the moment.

Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t watched… blablabla… Now let’s get this photo show, I mean rambling, no, review… ah, whatever, on the road.

“Something on your mind?”

No, Steve, not at all. I’m sure it was  Catherine’s dream to have breakfast in the car for quite a while now.

Men are really clueless. But this guy is so cute that I wouldn’t mind having breakfast with him, no matter where that would be.

Steve, if you concentrate really hard, maybe you can figure out what your girlfriend would like.

DON’T interrupt when Steve tries to learn something.

That wanna-be-carjacker had to learn not to mess with Steve on a date the hard way.

And I absolutely loved Sgt. Lukela’s reaction to learning that someone tried to carjack Steve. “You sure picked the wrong car, brother.” Oh, he is so right about that. LOL I think it’s really great that Sgt. Duke Lukela (Dennis Chun) seems to be a permanent fixture in season 3. I think he is a great character. He flows very naturally, and he fits very well into the show. The show does a terrific job with these smaller recurring roles.

Steve seems to enjoy this little episode with the idiot of a robber. And I have to say I enjoyed these first two minutes immensely. For me, it was one of the most funny, light and charming openers of an episode so far. I absolutely loved it.

Okay, now here comes my first question. Would Steve really be asking about the kid? Not that he isn’t a caring guy who can emphasize easily. But I wonder if he would ask about the kid sitting with handcuffs at some desk? Not that I’m complaining, because it gave us some great scenes, heck the whole episode was built on the next scenes. I simply wonder what woke his interest in the story about some random boy in a police station? Give me your thoughts about that.

They have had some really great young actors lately. Last week’s Lucy was just wonderful, and I think this week’s Ethan was very good as well. I knew I saw him before, but I had to look it up on imdb. Here is the trailer for the movie I saw him in. I think it looks like a film to watch.

Ethan Awana – Tristan Lake Leabu

Ethan obviously managed to get Steve’s attention. I don’t know how the procedure really is, but I would think if a minor would come to a police station someone would listen to him if he told them his dad didn’t come home, and he is alone right now. I mean he is just 13, and that station is not some over flown precinct in some not so nice neighborhood in NY, LA, or any other major city. So, I thought someone would have time to listen to him, before he had to use the drastic measures like throwing in a window. Just wondering about that. On the other hand, that neglect gave us the task force leader taking care of a young boy. 😉

Danny, my new friend, for once you are absolutely right. This was a ridiculous idea. And I’m not even talking about hiring Danny. Danny, who has absolutely no idea about helicopters or anything that flies, to negotiate a better price? If I wanted to buy that thing, I would have asked Steve. For certain not Danny, even though he got the job done in the end. Getting back to being ridiculous. I’m talking about Kamekona getting a helicopter to fly tourists around in that thing. Excuse me? First, he wouldn’t even be allowed to get his licence. No offence, but have you looked at Kamekona lately? And second, how the heck would he even fit behind the stick? I was hoping that talking about him getting a helicopter was a one-time  fun joke, and that’s it. But no, they seem to be serious about this. It’s laughable, and not in a good way. I don’t think it’s funny at all. It’s unrealistic and stupid.

Sorry to be so harsh about this, but it angers me. And another question, where did he get 170,000 $ from? I find that very suspicious. He was in jail for drugs, weapons and other stuff. And we know that he probably still has those weapons stashed away somewhere. Remember the season one finale?

And remember season two with San Min? Maybe what he said back then was the truth, and his shrimp truck is just a cover. That would be cool. If I were Five-0, I would investigate him.

Now that brought memories back. Remember Magnum P.I.? I loved that show back then. No idea if that was the original chopper T.C. flew, but I loved the homage to that great eighties show.

Just a little side note here, we are five (yes, 5) minutes into the show and already have 13 pictures. Guess my normal 20ish will not be enough this time. Hope you don’t mind.

I really liked Cath and Steve carefully ‘interrogating’ Ethan on the way to his dad’s store. I think Steve and Cath are making a great team. And I think Cath is really good with kids. She was great with Grace in the Halloween episode, and she’s really great with Ethan.

“Come to stay with us.” Steve, who exactly is ‘us’? You and Cath? Does that mean something is going on we don’t know anything about yet? I mean you two have a thing, right? Steve, you are so busted. I loved how they are both thinking they are together, but not really acknowledging it TO each other. So funny. Well, I guess the end of the ep takes care of that, but we’re not there yet.

I completely forgot to deliver the Microsoft shot in the last review. But actually, I’m not sure there even was one. This time Mr. Gates was again very prominently placed. 😉 Oh, and by the way, can I please get a Batsignal like that? Maybe for Christmas? Please?

Okay, I have a confession to make. I was so well entertained the last ten minutes that I totally forgot that we might need to start investigating the Crime of the week. I was completely content to watch Steve/Cath/Ethan and Kame/Danny. But of course this is a crime show, well of sorts, so let’s start the investigation.

No, Danny, I don’t think you’re an idiot for saying yes to Grace flying to Vegas to visit Stan. He might not like it, but Stan is Grace’s step dad. And personally, I think he is not a bad one. And I’m sure Grace also loves Stan, not like her dad, but still she lives with him, and if all the pictures are any indication, they do live a happy life. And I think it’s only natural that Rachel would spend Christmas with her husband and her two kids. So, Danny, you did the right thing. Be thankful that you could see her every Christmas until now. She will be back, and you will have a great time with her after Christmas.

I think this cargument was pretty good, but of course, I have a question. Why does he do that? Why does Danny always have to pick on Steve? Why can’t he imagine that maybe a Christmas at McGarrett’s house is actually a really nice event? Giving out Guns and Ammo magazine subscriptions? Really, Danny? Can’t you imagine that your buddy might actually be really nice to his girlfriend and pick a really great present for her? Or even for his mother, who he didn’t have on any Christmas day for twenty years? You can’t imagine that he might be looking forward to this Christmas for even the first time in twenty years? He even told you back in season 1 that he had missed EVERY major holiday. But no, you have to make fun of him, belittle him. Practically telling him that he and all McGarrett’s are not capable of spending time together with the spirit of love and joy in mind and heart. That really pisses me off. Sam, take a deep breath. I know most people don’t see it like that, and think his words are only funny, and said in good fun. But I don’t see it like that. I think what he says is hurtful and inconsiderate. And shows me how very little he knows about his so-called  best friend. Rant over. On with the show. But I like to hear your thoughts about Danny’s words. Really, I do. Even if you most likely think I’m nuts having this opinion.

Kono! Welcome to the show. 😉 On it for only seconds, but delivering the first lead. Good job.

Well, that’s what I call ‘covered in blood’. Poor guy looks pretty guilty.

I’m still not quite sure what Chin dug out, or in, or whatever, but I think it was pretty hilarious. Poor guy.

I must say it looked more and more like Bruce was one of the bad guys, and I didn’t like that. But he would be in trouble anyway, even if he was a good guy. Possession of an unregistered firearm is a criminal offence. It doesn’t look good for him.

Okay, now I was officially stumped about what was going on. Where the heck does this money come from? No way, he made that with his store. My first thought was maybe insurance money from his dead wife? But why would that be in the basement?

And to make it even more fun, and to say it with Danny’s words, a mystery on top of the mystery. Really, a John Doe?

Aw, Max, I for one love your long-winded  explanations. Don’t listen to Danny. Please stay your adorable self.

Now we’re slowly, very slowly getting closer to what is going on. It seems that the shotgun victim was producing ‘moonshine’ – or at the very least drinking it.

Fun Fact: Do you know where the term ‘Moonshine’ comes from?

Moonshine, also known as ‘white lightning’, mountain dew (nope, not the soda kind), hooch or Tennessee white whiskey, is a very high proof, often 190 proof (95 % alcohol), distilled spirit, generally produces illicitly. The word is believed to derive from the term ‘moonrakers’ used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e. by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey.

The Moonshine Man of Kentucky, illustration from Harper’s Weekly, 1877, showing five scenes from the life of a Kentucky moonshiner

Okay, let’s get one thing straight here. I like guest stars, and I understand the need for them. So, I’m good with that. But I’m not good with how they use them, or in this case how they present them. George Takei as Chin’s uncle was surely great. But I think he was really wasted. Not because I expected him to have a bigger role, which guest star was seen longer than a few minutes on Five-0 anyway? No, because we saw his complete part in the sneak peek. I think that is just dumb. Promote a guest star, who we know will be on for a couple of minutes, and show his whole act before the episode even airs. Shaking my head here, that is a concept I don’t understand.

Speaking of promotion for a product. Peter Lenkov’s R.I.P.D. is now being filmed and will come to the movies in 2013. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon and Mary-Louise Parker.

“A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.”

Everyone who didn’t know that Ethan would run, please raise your hand. That was SO obvious. Cath, that was not your finest hour. 😉 But I think she and Steve, did a great job with Ethan.

Please tell me something. How did they get there right when Ethan is about to climb the fence? A second before that we saw the taxi pull away and there are no other car or people in sight. But next second they are right there. Did they beam there? But for that they had the wrong guy from Star Trek on their show. That actually is a pet peeve of mine. When people materialize out of thin air. I mean so many people are watching a take, at least one of them must realize, at the latest in the editing room, that there is something happening that is impossible.  Most viewers probably don’t even realize that or don’t care about it. But something like that drives me up the wall. Where the heck did they come from?

I must admit I was kind of lost with all the new players in this case. Now comes another one, and Ethan’s dad pulled a gun on him? Okay, I just thought I wait it out from now on. It may be best not to think about it anymore.

I have to say I was really surprised to see Mako again. Didn’t they arrest him? Or at least take him in for questioning? I thought he was still with HPD or at Five-0 HQ. Well, now he is being arrested. But somehow our two heroes look almost as confused as I was. 😉

And his story doesn’t make this whole thing any clearer. Some secret dude buys some secret stuff from Bruce and pays in cash? For what? And who is he? Frankly, I kind of lost interest in the COTW.

I love the blue interrogation room. Really nice colors on Five-0. Blue seems to be their color. Now even Danny is wearing blue. Maybe someone should tell the costume department that there are, in fact, other colors one could wear. Steve in gray, pale green might be nice from time to time. I mean blue is my favorite color, and he does look darn yummy in it, but all the time? And now Danny too?

Okay, at this point I gave up. A bank robbery from five years ago, and the robber pays Bruce with the stolen money? Bruce buys stuff for Stuart Rizzi (the bank robber) and gets his money back with the stolen money? And why would Rizzi buy property with the stolen money? I don’t get it. And it looks like they don’t get it either.

You all know I’m not a Kono fan, but why wasn’t she with the boys? Why was she staying at HQ at all times? Is there a logical reason for it? Or was that RL interfering with filming? Like GP needed time off or something? I found her absence illogical.

From now on, it’s clear that we will see some Action-Cath. The bank robber has Bruce and now also Ethan as a hostage. But why? I thought he was the one paying Bruce the money? And now he comes back for it? I really don’t understand this whole plot. The dead guys are all part of the gang that wanted to steal the money after they learned about its existence. I get that. And I understand that Rizzi killed the two guys on his property. What I don’t get is why he is now after the money he gave Bruce? His two million are all gone? That money is the only money he could get to go into hiding? That sounds pretty weak to me. I would think he has some of it stashed in different places. But maybe he really isn’t that smart. Tell me what you think about it.

Cath for sure knows how to take care of herself and the situation. That was a great fight. No need for the boyfriend to save the damsel in distress.

I think the wrap-up of the episode was at least as good as the beginning. Even though we didn’t learn if Ethan’s dad is  charged with anything.

I could get used to this.

I’m really, truly enjoying the team get-togethers we had this season. I think it’s great to see them enjoying each other’s company after work. And I loved Max’s innocence about the Mile-high-club. That was so cute.

I don’t think there could be too much of this. I mean this is IT.

I had to laugh at their faces. Just look at Kono. Of course Danny thinks he is funny. Sorry, Danny, but you are not.

So, I guess this makes it official then. In front of the whole team. Steve, no denying of having a girlfriend anymore. 😉

I’m sure his surprise worked. First throw the girlfriend off with a ‘special breakfast’, and then show up to sweep her off her feet for a really special dinner. Smooth, Steve.

I’m sure they will have a very enjoyable dinner. IF they make  it to dinner that is.

Wow, thanks for sticking with me through this monster of a non-review. Well, I guess the pictures were not that hard to look at. At least, I hope so.

Okay, now let’s take a look at the rating system after all my ramblings.

Storyline: Well, I was thoroughly confused for quite a long time. I guess that is a good thing. At least it is better than figuring it out after five minutes. But I think this was not really about the crime of the week. Which I’m still not sure what it was. So I will just take it as what it was, some bad guys doing something and in the end all is well again.

Action: Not really that much in it. Except for Catherine’s fight. And that was pretty awesome. This gets an A for sure.

Guest-Star: George Takei was good, sure, but again with the two-minute  stints. Oh well.

Fun factor: I enjoyed this episode tremendously. It was funny, without being stupid. It had such cute scenes. I loved the whole tone of the episode. An A without a doubt.

Awe-factor: Oh boy. 007 in da house. Enough said.

Steve-Awesomeness: This is the Steve I absolutely adore. He was funny, cute, sensitive, bad-ass. Simply a guy you would want to be around. And I love him with kids. Give us more of that. This was A plus worthy.

Danny-bearableness: You had my Danny rant above, nothing to add to it. He didn’t make any points with me this week. But he was watchable. LOL

Support group: Chin had some great scenes; he can do humor really well. Kono? Was Kono even in this one? I didn’t miss her, don’t get me wrong, but I thought her absence was kind of strange. Max. Ah, Max, I love you. And it was nice to see Kamekona again.

Personal Enjoyment: I really, truly enjoyed this episode from the first to the last minute. I wouldn’t even skip any scenes if I watched  it again. Okay, when I watch it again. For me, this was an A plus for sure.

I’m really looking forward to your thoughts about this episode. Did you like it, hate it?

Major Spoiler Alert ! If you haven’t watched the episode, don’t read any further.

I’ll go about this review a little different this time around. I came up with a rating system. I can already hear you groaning, but please bear with me. I think it’s not really fair to give an episode just one grade. It simply doesn’t do it justice. So, I came up with a few factors that should come into consideration.

Storyline: the crime of the week

Action: Do I need to explain that? Guess not.

Guest-Star: That’s pretty obvious too – or not, you’ll see.

Fun factor: It could be the humor, or anything else that was just fun to watch.

Awe-factor: that would be, for example ‘the couch scene from Halloween’ or ‘Steve and Cath from 1.05’ or the ‘Doris and Mary reunion’.

Steve-Awesomeness: how good/cool/funny was he this week?

Danny-bearableness: could I watch him without cringing? 😉

Support group: Chin, Kono, Cath, Max, Fong

Personal Enjoyment: That will be my final verdict, taking all the factors into account.

Okay, now with that out of the way, here you go, my random thoughts on “Camping with Uncle Steve” or simply “Trouble in the Jungle.” Oh, sorry, that was not the title either. However, I think both fit pretty well; go anywhere with Steve, or Danny, for that matter, and trouble WILL find you.

Here you go, my review, or in this case more like a photo-story.

Okay, seriously, who wouldn’t listen to Steve with rapt attention talking about wild boars he encountered in India. And tigers, don’t forget the tigers. Well, to be honest, I would listen to him reading the phone book, but that is a different story completely.

Of course, Danny is not too happy with his buddy right now. Telling them about killing a boar and stuff. But really, Danny, making a pillow out of flowers? LOL

I’m sure everyone would rather learn how to throw a cool knife like Steve. Those kids are smart and eager. Ohhhhhuuuuhhh. That was so cute. He definitely had their attention. J

Of course it can’t take long for Steve to encounter trouble in the form of ‘Ron, fifty years old, deep laceration, dehydrated, possibly in shock’. Lucy, you are a gem.

Credits roll and we skip to Kono and her lover, Adam. I could start complaining about Kono again, but I will spare you that. Just one thing. Is she really that naive, love-blind, or whatever? Does she really think it is that simply to turn a business legit? How is that even working? Adam is using his father’s projects and money, dirty money, drug money or worse, to create his now legit business? How is that any better than what his father, the head of the Yakuza did? I’m sorry, but this whole thing with Adam and Kono is just stupid. And don’t even get me started with his brother. Although they are both nice to look at. But I would only trust them as far as I can throw them.

Okay, back to the jungle. Danny and the kids get locked into the supply shed. And the girls are well on their way to their first aid badge. I had to laugh at Danny. Maybe the reason you were kicked out was because you cheated? These girls don’t do that, so, no hidden food. J All these scenes with the girls were a pure delight to watch. Really fun scenes. Lots of them, way too many to capture or mention them all.

Digging themselves out. Those girls really earn every badge one could think of. Cool bunch of kids.

Ron, you’re an idiot. You should have listened to your guide. No, seriously why did he take Steve to help him find whatever he had lost in the jungle, if he’s not listening to him? They could have avoided those two miles hiking for nothing. That is my next complaint; I couldn’t take ‘Ron’ seriously at all. He was a ridiculous bad guy. And he jumped out of a plane? Yeah, right. This really is something I have a problem with. This week just as much as last week. Steve is a Navy SEAL for crying out loud. Show, use him as such. He had ample opportunity to knock Ron out without putting Lucy in any danger. Of course, I know it had to be dragged out for dramatic effect, but please then give us a baddie that is a real danger. Not a dumb guy traipsing through the jungle, waiving his gun around like an idiot, turning his back to Steve like an imbecile. And, show, don’t make Steve look stupid in not putting that idiot out of his misery. Give us some real gangsters, some real threats. Not some lame wanna be criminal overpowering a SEAL. – Rant over.

“Next time, I’m gonna shoot you.” I don’t think so. From here on out it was clear that Ron’s lifespan would come to an end soon.

20 minutes into the show and finally Chin makes an appearance. About time. Even though I completely understand his absence, and it’s okay in this case, but it’s still good to see him. And maybe, just maybe he might be able to make Kono see the light. Just maybe.

So, the little girls got the busted phones to work. J And the search/rescue can begin. One question that popped into my head. Why were there no weapons in the trunk? Steve has stashed a whole arsenal in there, and don’t tell me they went on that trip without a weapon. Sorry, but that I don’t buy. Not Steve, and probably not even Danny would go unarmed.

Here comes another question, who the heck did write this part of the story? Gracie asks about Lucy, but NO word about Uncle Steve? I guess the writer fell asleep or something, because she would ask if her Uncle Steve would be alright and that Danno would save them. That really bugged me.

Loved her, and yes, Danny, you do need her. Or you would be the next one lost in the jungle.

And now finally a really bad guy comes along. Of course at the most inconvenient of times. Right after Steve overpowers Ron and Lucy is on the run. Oh well.

That was a nice surprise, I thought he was dead.

Isn’t Steve a lovely witness? Telling the new guy who else was all a witness and that Five-0 is already on their trail. Clever Steve. Now you and Lucy only need to sneak off.

Aw, man, these two are just adorable together. I truly hope we will see her again.

How cool is that little girl? Her first words to Chin: “You have to help Steve.” Guess she is really taken by him, even though he is not an astronaut. 😉

And Steve really needs help after the really bad guy caught up with him.

But not to worry, Danny to the rescue.

Now, here comes my biggest and loudest complaint. And this time I’m really serious. Where the heck was Lucy? Come on, guys, I wanted to see Steve and Lucy reunited. He promised her to come back for her, and I for one wanted to see that. They were so great together. I think the show robbed us of some great scenes. Seriously. WTF?

And when did Danny get such a nice house, or apartment? Down the street from Steve’s? Even though Steve told him to forget about it in 2.09?

After the sweet scenes with Danny and Grace, we’re ending the episode on a serious note. What is Adam’s brother Michael up to? What did he do with Kono’s gun? He will cause trouble, not just for Kono.

Alright, now we’re done with the photo-story, time for the verdict.

Storyline: So let me get this straight. Ron and Hines stealing diamonds, with Hines the mind behind it all. But the plan gets screwed and Ron lands in the jungle, injured and taking Lucy and Steve hostage, to help him find the diamonds. So far, so good, but that storyline had so many holes in it, just wow. First of all, why the heck didn’t he use the GPS tracker to find his diamonds in the first place? And don’t tell me because he was injured. He still was after kidnapping Lucy and Steve, that jacket around his leg wouldn’t make a difference. There was no reason for him being even near the girl’s camp. I hate it when the writers don’t explain something like that to my satisfaction. And him all action man and jumping out of a plane? As if. Sorry, but that will not give them any points. The only positive thing was the other guy out of the blue. Hines.

So, the storyline will only get a C.

Action: Well, not really action in this one. Not the fast moving kind anyway, like a car chase, or any other high speed stuff. But traipsing through the jungle, running from bullets, landing in the water, digging holes, and did I mention traipsing through the jungle, counts as action in this case.

And all that stuff was great, and that’s why I will give it a B.

Guest-Star: Well, the guest star gets an A plus. And I’m not talking about Tom Arnold; I couldn’t care less about him or his character. But Lucy! Lucy, girl, you were spectacular.

Emily Alyn Lind – write that name down!

Fun factor: I don’t need to say much about that. Solid A.

Awe-factor: Steve and Lucy. “I promise to come get you.” No wonder Lucy wants to marry Steve when she’s grown up. Those two had the best scenes. And the little girl explaining to Danny how the phones work. That was such a great scene.

There were so many great, cute scenes in this one, an A will only be fair.

Steve-Awesomeness: I don’t think it can get much better than this. A plus

Danny-bearableness: Danny, Danny, what should I do with you? Man, you’re growing on me. 😉 He gets an A. Third ep in a row that I really truly liked him.

Support group: No Cath (second ep in a row), no Max, no Fong, almost no Chin, and barely any Kono. But since they really couldn’t have done anything more than they did, I’ll forgive this and will not rate it. BUT bring Cath back, and not as a side note in the next episode, which I’m fearing will be a Danny/Chin episode. Again no Steve and Danny.

Personal Enjoyment: I know I ‘complained’ again about a lot of stuff, but don’t take that too seriously. There was really nothing that dampened my enjoyment. Well, except the lack of Lucy and Steve in the end.

This episode is practically a festival of missing scenes. Just imagine, Danny asking Steve to accompany him on the camping trip with the girls. That alone would be hilarious. Then of course the part of Steve and Lucy after everything is done, maybe Steve even talks to her parents. I’m sure he did. Of course there should have been a scene with Rachel and Danny, even if it were only to learn how they are standing with each other at the moment. Will we ever learn what is going on with them? And don’t forget Steve coming home, wet and slightly injured. Well, I can tell you my fingers are itching to write at least two of those scenes.

This episode was a pure delight from start to finish. Not in my top five, for that it was too ‘light’, I love drama. But it was an absolute joyride, one I will enjoy a few more times I’m sure.

So, I’m happy to give this one a really good A.

Thanks, show, it was a joy to watch, and more than worth to get up at 3 a.m. to do so.