Hawaii Five-0
Hawaii Five-0 (2010) is a thrilling action-crime procedural series set against the stunning backdrop of the Hawaiian Islands. This reboot follows an elite state police task force, led by former Navy SEAL Steve McGarrett, as they investigate a wide range of serious crimes, from terrorism and murder to kidnapping and organized crime. The team, comprising McGarrett, Detective Danny "Danno" Williams, Chin Ho Kelly, and Kono Kalakaua (later joined by others), operates with special immunity and tackles high-stakes cases that often involve intricate plots and dangerous confrontations. The series blends fast-paced action sequences with character-driven drama, exploring the personal lives and relationships of the team members as they navigate their demanding work. The show typically targets an adult audience, emphasizing its blend of intense police work and personal narratives. Its genre-specific elements include dramatic investigations, intricate criminal conspiracies, and frequent action-packed scenes, making it a staple for viewers who enjoy crime thrillers. The narrative often delves into the complexities of law enforcement and justice in a unique island setting, providing a compelling watch over its ten-season run.
Concerns
Violence
HighHawaii Five-0 features frequent and intense violence throughout its run, including graphic depictions of murder, gunfights, and physical assaults. Main characters often employ aggressive and sometimes unlawful tactics in their pursuit of justice.
The pilot episode includes intense shoot-outs, a car crashing into a vehicle, and a character seemingly run over by a semi-trailer. Season 1 also depicts Steve McGarrett using extreme measures, such as throwing an uncooperative suspect off a roof and holding him by his feet (S1E2) or blowing up a security door with a grenade (S1E17) to gain entry. In Season 6, a lawyer, Kevin Harper, is brutally shot in the head in his office by a motorcycle-riding assailant while his wife and daughter watch, horrified.
Scary & Intense Content
HighHawaii Five-0 contains frequent scary and intense content due to its crime drama nature, including suspenseful situations, graphic violence, and life-threatening scenarios that are central to many episodes.
The TV-14 rating explicitly mentions 'intense violence,' which contributes to the scary and intense nature of the show. Season 2 features a serial killer known as 'The Trashman' who targets women, leading to disturbing investigations. In Season 6, a scene is described as being 'straight out of psycho-terrorizes-a-teenage-girl films,' involving suspenseful situations. The show consistently places its main characters in perilous, life-or-death situations, such as gun battles and confrontations with dangerous criminals.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect for authority and rebellious behavior are recurring elements, particularly embodied by the lead character, Steve McGarrett. His methods often bypass legal protocols, and these rebellious actions are frequently portrayed as effective and justified.
Steve McGarrett is repeatedly characterized as 'not 'by the book',' often resorting to force and illegal methods to achieve his objectives. This includes incidents like throwing an uncooperative suspect off a roof and holding him by his feet (S1E2) or using a grenade to open a security door (S1E17) without a warrant. His actions, despite being outside legal bounds, are often 'glorified' within the show's narrative as necessary to solve cases. Conversely, a character in Season 3 is described as 'smart-alecky' and delivers a disrespectful line like 'Your security system sucks.'
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe series includes instances of LGBTQ+ representation, notably a canonical lesbian relationship and discussions around gender identity using Hawaiian cultural terms. These elements are present in later seasons, introducing themes of sexual orientation and gender fluidity without graphic explicit sexual content.
In Season 5, a character named Emma is revealed to be in a lesbian relationship with Mia Price, with scenes depicting them kissing and implying intimate moments. In Season 9, Episode 4 ("A'ohe kio pohaku nalo i ke alo pali"), characters Grover and Tani investigate a murder where the victim, Kaimi Alana, is identified as 'mahu,' a traditional Hawaiian term for individuals who identify with both male and female spirits, indicating gender fluidity. Grover initially suspects 'transgender,' and the discussion clarifies the cultural nuance of 'mahu.'
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe show contains suggestive themes and implied sexual content, which are key descriptors for its TV-14 rating. While explicit sexual acts are generally not shown, plotlines can involve mature romantic entanglements and sexual blackmail.
Season 2 features a storyline where a 17-year-old girl is found smothered to death after her best friend, Carolyn, was blackmailed for having sexual relations with their school principal. In a Season 5 episode, the lesbian relationship between Emma and Mia Price is shown with kissing and implied intimacy, with a scene suggesting McGarrett overhears them 'making out.' Additionally, Kono is depicted sending 'sexually suggestive messages' in a later episode to attract attention.
Profanity
MediumThe series includes strong language, consistent with its TV-14 rating. While specific frequency isn't always detailed in mainstream reviews, fan community discussions and fanfiction often highlight the presence of strong expletives.
The official TV-14 rating descriptors include 'strong language.' Fanfiction tags for the series frequently note 'Profanity' and 'cussing.' In a fan-written work, Steve McGarrett exclaims, 'What the fuck!', and Kono uses a strong expletive by saying, 'They better fucking not,' in a moment of stress over a dangerous situation possibly involving children.
Substance Use
MediumThe show depicts substance use, including alcohol consumption and illegal drug trade, as part of its crime-fighting narratives. Characters may be shown drinking, and plotlines frequently involve drug cartels and discussions of illegal substances, though explicit glamorization of heavy recreational use by main characters is not a central focus.
Season 1 includes scenes set in a gambling den, where alcohol consumption is implied. Season 2 features a significant plotline involving a Central American drug cartel, indicating the presence and trafficking of illegal drugs. Additionally, later seasons discuss 'Entheogens like psilocybin, MDMA (ecstasy), LSD, and ayahuasca' in the context of their psychological effects and potential for programmed acts, though this is primarily a scientific/investigative discussion rather than explicit recreational portrayal.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowMentions of supernatural or occult elements are minimal and not central to the series' themes. These instances usually involve cultural beliefs or fringe groups rather than active practice of witchcraft or overt demonic presence.
In Season 2, Danny ignores warnings about trespassing on burial grounds and later believes he saw a ghost, but this is an isolated incident and not an ongoing theme. Another Season 2 episode features the team investigating a cult on Lānaʻi that 'rejects all modern teachings and believes that society and its own trappings are the workings of the Devil,' portraying a specific, extreme religious group rather than generalized occultism.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series generally lacks explicit anti-Christian themes. While it may depict fringe religious groups negatively or include characters with skeptical views on religion, it does not overtly mock, insult, or promote sacrilegious acts against mainstream Christian beliefs.
In Season 2, the team investigates a cult on Lānaʻi that 'rejects all modern teachings and believes that society and its own trappings are the workings of the Devil.' This portrays a specific, extreme group negatively, not Christianity broadly. While one fan-created narrative includes a character (Danny) stating, 'Well, I mean I don't care about Jesus but at least this church is very modern and does not push religion,' this reflects a personal, indifferent viewpoint rather than an active anti-Christian stance within the show's canon. The series is primarily a police procedural, and religion is not a central or frequently critiqued theme.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-14. The series consistently features intense violence, including graphic murders and shootouts, as well as suggestive themes and strong language. Certain plotlines involve mature topics like sexual blackmail and human trafficking. While some sources inaccurately suggest it's suitable for all ages, the official TV-14 rating and content descriptors clearly indicate that it is intended for viewers aged 14 and older, with parental guidance advised for younger teens due to the frequency and intensity of mature content.
Additional Notes
Hawaii Five-0 (2010) consistently maintains its TV-14 rating due to sustained levels of violence, mature themes, and language throughout its seasons. While early season DVDs might have generic 'Not Rated' labels, these should be disregarded in favor of the more accurate TV-14 network rating. Parents should be aware that the intensity of violence and adult subject matter remains a constant, and later seasons introduce explicit LGBTQ+ representation and discussions of gender identity.
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