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Hawaii Five-0

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General Review

Parent's Guide to 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.

Things to Consider

High3

Violence

Hawaii 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

Hawaii 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.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect 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.

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Medium4
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentProfanitySubstance Use
Low2
Witchcraft & OccultAnti-Christian Themes
Medium4

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The 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.

Romance and Sexual Content

The 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.

Profanity

The 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.

Substance Use

The 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.

Low2

Witchcraft & Occult

Mentions 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.

Anti-Christian Themes

The 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.

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Hawaii Five-0 (2010) operates largely within a secular framework, focusing on the pursuit of justice through law enforcement in a materialistic world. The core themes revolve around loyalty, 'ohana' (family), and the fight against crime. While characters like Steve McGarrett are often depicted as morally ambiguous due to their extralegal methods, the show generally rewards those who uphold a sense of right, even if their tactics are questionable. There is moral accountability for villains, who typically face consequences for their actions, yet the protagonists' own ethical shortcuts often go unpunished, suggesting a relativistic view where the ends can justify the means. The worldview presented leans towards pragmatism and heroism through force, with less emphasis on transcendent or spiritual aspects of life. Redemption themes are occasionally explored for supporting characters or antagonists, often through personal sacrifice or seeking forgiveness, but grace in a biblical sense is not a central tenet. Family values, particularly the concept of 'ohana,' are portrayed strongly through the bonds between the Five-0 team members, who operate as a chosen family. However, traditional family structures and authority figures are sometimes challenged or undermined, particularly when the protagonists disregard rules. Faith representation, if present, is generally minimal or depicted through peripheral characters or cults, with no overt promotion or condemnation of Christian faith itself, leaning more towards a neutral or indifferent stance rather than an actively anti-Christian one.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

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.

Good to Know

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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