Hawaii Five-O: Season 2

Thank heaven Hawaii Five-0 is available on DVD now, almost through season 6. Six more seasons to go after that. I do have every 5-0 episode ever aired, but they're all on VHS, and most of them have small cuts in them -- cuts I never noticed until I watched the DVDs of the show. I've become a walking talking encyclopedia of a good deal of 5-0 trivia. One obvious thing that diehard 5-0 fans immediately notice is that many significant scenes or parts of scenes cut from the series during its years in syndication are now restored. In many cases, those restorations have been pivotal, important scenes that tied many events together. By the time WGN was airing the series, so many cuts had been made in each episode that most of the time the show made little sense. Now with the DVDs, everything makes sense, including the mistakes. Mistakes are part of every show, and they make great fodder for discussion among fans. But there's a problem when it comes to the DVDs for Season 2. Whoever put these DVDs together did the show a great disservice by OMITTING one of its episodes -- the very last episode in Season 2, "Bored, She Hung Herself." For years there were two 5-0 episodes that were almost impossible to obtain: "Six Kilos" in Season One [a terrific episode!] and "Bored, She Hung Herself" in Season Two. I'm not sure why "Six Kilos" became so hard to obtain, or why it was banned. It's a great episode for many reasons and it does not and never did encourage anyone to use or distribute drugs of any kind. I have a nagging memory [which may be faulty] that "Bored, She Hung Herself" got itself banned because not long after viewing the episode, someone actually attempted trying to hang him/herself in real life and ended up dead. There was some attempt to put the blame on 5-0, but it came to nothing. That's what my nagging memory recalls. I'm not at all sure if I am correct. But for whatever reason, "Bored" was banned in syndication. "Bored" made the most sense for those of us who were part of the counterculture in the late 1960s, when all kinds of prohibited things were being discussed and/or experienced, with various, not necessarily positive, results. We did a lot of nutty stuff back then, and lots of that stuff could have been very dangerous. But the bulk of us are still here. So I was thoroughly surprised when I finally got my hands on "Bored" and watched it. It's not a very good episode. For the most part, I not only wondered what on earth all the fuss was about; it bored ME (and I didn't hang myself!). Very few episodes of 5-0 have that effect on me. As far as hanging oneself, only a very tiny part of the show dealt with the notion that a character's death was caused by attempting to hang herself for a mental/spiritual/and/or sexual high. The show quickly made it clear that McGarrett and the rest of the 5-0 team realized that this practice was NOT a cause of the victim's death, and very little about the practice of hanging oneself was discussed in the show. Unlike most 5-0 episodes in general, this one was certainly one of the poorer episodes I've seen, and I've seen ALL of them, including those "banned" while the show was in syndication. I'd give it a 2-star rating where the highest rating would be a 5-star [and that would be generous]. It's not particularly interesting, and there's nothing whatever salacious or threatening about it. If anyone believes watching that episode might cause someone else to try to hang themselves to achieve some kind of "high", they are at best naive, or at worst, paranoid. Those of us who are still persistent addicts of 5-0 are legitimately annoyed because we shelled out money for the ENTIRE group of episodes that made up Season Two. "Bored" is not in there. We've been cheated. Today's world is a very different world than the 1960s counterculture. There is absolutely no reason NOT to include this episode. "Six Kilos", the other difficult-to-aquire episode, is right where it belongs in the DVDs for Season One, and is one of the most interesting [plotwise and visually (when it comes to McGarrett's Hawaiian shirt wardrobe)] episodes in the entire series. I have no idea why this particular episode became one of the two 5-0 episodes that were banned. So I cannot understand why, if "Six Kilos" was deemed appropriate to include in the DVDs of Season One [which it most certainly is], "Bored" is not appropriate for inclusion in Season Two. So be aware when you buy Season Two of 5-0 on DVD: you're going to be missing the last episode of the season, and for no good reason. I hope at some point the powers-that-be who make decisions about Season Two on DVD will press a NEW DVD that includes "Bored, She Hung Herself." It's a boring episode, but those of us who are collectors want EVERY episode, even the episodes we don't particularly enjoy. We all buy DVDs of notable TV series because we assume we will receive EVERY episode in the series, including any pilots or 2-or-3-part episodes. That's why we spend our money on them. We want a COMPLETE collection of every season, not a CENSORED collection. We do not buy these DVDs to be cheated. In Season Two, we are. We've been censored. And we're not happy about it. The First Amendment guarantees us freedom of speech, and omitting "Bored" violates that amendment. Apparently somebody thinks we're still impressionable little children 30+ years after the series originally aired. We're NOT YOUNG ANYMORE. We're all grown up and are coloring our hair and buying anti-wrinkle creams. As parents and/or grandparents, or as aunts or uncles, we know enough to NOT permit small children to watch things that are unsuitable for them. We assume those of us who have adult children restrict their children's TV/DVD viewing in the same manner. So to whoever made the decision to omit "Bored, She Hung Herself" from Season Two, I have only one thing to say: "YOU'VE VIOLATED MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH! YOU'VE CHEATED ME OF A COMPLETE COLLECTION! AND I DON'T APPRECIATE BEING CENSORED!"

FIVE STARS for HAWAII FIVE-O Season 2. WHAT'S RIGHT with this set??? 1) Almost all of the "This is Jack Lord....be here, aloha" promos are INCLUDED. There isn't one for "TO HELL WITH BABE RUTH" on disc one, but so far I haven't found any others "missing". This means either a) the powers that be actually LISTEN to our suggestions, b) that these promos DON'T exist for season one, or c) both A & B are true! Each disc contains the four promos for the episodes on that disc, accessable in a set from the main menu OR viewable PRIOR to the appropriate episode. You can also "skip" the PROMO and just watch the episode. They do NOT appear between the show and the end credits/theme, but rather at the START of each matching episode. Maybe for season THREE the producers could "plug" them into the preceding episode in their correct place (HINT--see above letter "a"). 2)Once again AUDIO and VIDEO quality is excellent. Menu design is easy to use. Packaged in slim line cases inside a slipcase box, 6 discs, 24 episodes. Well packaged and produced. What's WRONG with this set?? 1) The episode BORED, SHE HUNG HERSELF is NOT included, only a footnote on the back of the box as noted by other reviewers. As lamentable as this may be, dare I say one can understand the probable reluctance of the legal department to include an episode which might "give people bad ideas". It only takes one nut with a lawyer to make things bad for all of us and heaven knows there's no shortage of either nuts or lawyers in this day and age! 2) Certain, unspecified episodes may be edited. You may be able to tell which if you carefully watch your DVD timer. But, unless you've got a fantastic memory of every episode as it aired nearly forty years ago, will you really miss a few seconds here and there?? After all, the episodes are ENJOYABLE in syndication, so why not just ENJOY THEM on DVD (without the annoying commericials!). Sure, it would be NICE to have them complete and unedited as they were back in 1969-70, but I'd rather have an "edited" version than NO version at all! Episodes run 51 minutes each (except those edited few!). I haven't watched them all, so I don't yet know WHICH episodes are edited, but ALL EPISODES on discs one and two are full length, 51 minutes. Perhaps I'll update this later with more time info if I can figure out which are edited! IN CONCLUSION: Worth the price of admission. Still, in my opinion, the BEST police show ever with far and away the BEST theme music of any TV show, anywhere! Just ENJOY the great TV and try not to think about what's "missing!"

I am as big a Five-O fan as anyone. This set excels, and let me explain why. First, the quality is phenomenal. Sharp, color-accurate video, and crystal clear sound. These episodes never looked or sounded so good! Second, the episodes are as full-length (near 51 minutes running time) as have ever been seen in re-runs. For all intents and purposes they are unedited. Do NOT let the possibility that a few eps MIGHT not be 100% identical (perhaps coming in at a dismal 99.99% instead) to the original network airings deter you from buying this awesome collection! The packaging doesn't say that some episodes HAVE BEEN edited, it says that some "MAY be edited from their original network versions." I am as much an expert on this show as you'll find, and I've detected no edits whatsoever. I propound that they're not even sure themselves at this point. Paramount was at least HONEST by placing the disclaimer on the packaging, for all of the obsessive purists out there. You see, some episodes were already slightly edited before they re-ran for the first time! These edits were usually made for good reasons (i.e. to correct errors or improve continuity). Over the last nearly 40 years, further (horrendous) edits have occasionally taken place, to allow more advertising time. I've seen time-compressed versions, content-edited versions, versions without credits, you name it. Believe me, that's not what you're getting here. I have collected and viewed these episodes in many forms for nearly 30 years. To my informed eyes, Viacom/Paramount SUCCEEDED in selecting the best, most true-to-original prints still in existence for the remastering and DVD release. Rest assured, the EDITING IS A NON-ISSUE HERE. Season two is every bit as original and unedited as season one (which no-one complained about). As for the missing episode, I admit this is a little disappointing, and the only bona fide flaw with this set. However, I doubt the omission has anything whatsoever to do with lawyers this time around. Once again, it very likely has to do with what original sources were available for remastering. I'd bet money that either a satisfactory original hasn't been located, or that it hasn't been digitally remastered yet. This episode may yet appear in the future release, who knows? As others have pointed out, you won't be missing much. I personally have a (poor) copy of this episode, and it is truly dreadful. For all so-called fans of this great show, have you considered what effects that your one-starring of this excellent product will have? If you deter enough people from buying it, PARAMOUNT WILL STOP RELEASING MORE SEASONS! Is this what you really want? This set is phenomenal, and thanks Paramount for bringing it to us! More, please!

This is better than season 1--the pacing is better, the directing is better, the guest stars are better. Edited episodes doesn't mean syndication style/missing 10 minutes edits. Apparently what it means is the season 1 opening credits were used, and the only change to those credits would have been the name of MacArthur's character (Danny vs. Danny Williams). The shows are all 50-51 minutes long! I hope that this set sells well, and they give us season 3! The locations, the sets, the fashions, the cars--that 60s/70s style--it's all there. The music is great, the stories are great, and the colors just pop--the set looks fantastic. The main disc menu scrolls scenes from the eps while the theme music plays in its entirety, the episode menus have the cool eliptical shapes with the yellow dots to highlight what you want just like on season 1. I'm glad that we got episode previews this time with Jack Lord's "Be here, Aloha," but I wish that you could watch them at the end of the previous episodes as intended. Instead you can play them all at once or watch them at the start of the episode previewed. But that's a very small quibble indeed. Here's my favorite thing about an old show like this: no cell phones to move plots along!!! Cell phones have invaded every other aspect of my life despite that fact that I don't own one, and I'm sick of it. Now I can sit down and watch an old t.v. show that doesn't rely on them as a plot device! I'm enjoying these Hawaii Five-0 sets tremendously, and honestly, the episodes are only getting better over time. You can't go wrong with this set. Don't let naysayers who complain about a missing episode that only aired once put you off--I agree with Agent 68, they probably had no good source material to use to offer it here.

good product, quick service, and lots of entertainment. I am old enough to remember when Hawaii became a state. In the 60's air travel was becoming more affordable for middle class and the advertisers of the era advertised the heck out of Hawaii. Growing up in the cold frigid midwest, Hawaii became my dream "destination of choice". I never dreamed it would ever be possible to visit Hawaii. Now, 30-40 years after the "Jack Lord" Hawaii 5-O series era and having had the opportunity to vacation several times in Hawaii, these shows bring back lots of memories and feelings. I've been to many of the sites shown in the series and know that the series is basically accurate. There is still a "Hawaii 5-O feeling in Hawaii today if you look for it. We will be ordering the next 2 seasons soon--those early 70's were the actual years my husband was in and out of Pearl Harbor during the Vietnam era. I am very thankful these old shows are available--what a wonderful and revealing way to reveiw one's life and the development of today's society. Magnum P I (the 80's) basically picks up where Hawaii 5-O leaves off--we've watched those too. It would be nice to be able to get hold of the old Hawaiian Eye series that was aired before Hawaii 5-O. Last time I checked, they weren't yet available. With the realization that tv shows aren't always an accurate view of society, these shows are still a good tool to view society's changes through time and help me to sort out my own development.

If you enjoy the vintage police dramas, this is a great choice. While a box set with all the seasons is your best choice, the early seasons of the show were the better ones for plot and exploring the characters.

I have obviously not viewed all of the seasons yet because I purchased all 12, but this particular season's DVD unfortunately some of the episodes "froze" and I did not get to see the completion of some of them. Overall, so far I really do not feel too bad about this issue because I love the show. It was great with all of the actors and plots. Therefore, I did not rate this really low because most of the episodes I have viewed so far have been okay. With that being said, I would recommend these for purchase if you really want to look at "a quality" entertaining/recreational show. They are worth anyone deciding to add them to their collection.

I've been incrementally buying many of the old TV series that I had liked as a teenager. I didn't want to buy them all at once before confirming I'd enjoy them now as much as years ago. I had little doubts about Hawaii Five-O of course. Season one was fine. Despite watching reruns after school for years, I didn't recall any of the episodes. So that was a nice surprise. Plus the special feature (cast reunion) is very enlightening about how the series was planned and made. But season 2 has just floored me. Talk about great acting. Awesome guest appearances by Loretta Swit (Mash), Will Geer (the grandfather in the Waltons), and Eric Braedon (Captain Hans Dietrich - The Rat Patrol). Strangely I don't recall seeing the season 2 episodes either in the reruns. Anyway, season 2 is absolutely awesome. The acting and plots of the show, to me, is ageless. And that's testimony to Jack Lord's extreme dedication to this series. Almost forgot, the one problem I encountered was the packaging. Specifically, of the 6 plastic clips the disc hub pops onto, half of them were broken off, on both sides of all three folding DVD cases. The 3 remaining clips are still able to hold the DVD, just barely, for calmly handling it around the house.

Excellent quality DVDs and good value, plus excellent service

It’s the perfect mix of drama and mystery. Not so many actors and plot twists that it becomes confusing, and the main characters are really likeable. I wouldn’t mind learning more about the main characters, but perhaps that will happen later in the series. Really enjoying this!

Primero, advertir que son 6 Dvd's región 1 NTSC. Por lo tanto en la mayoría de los reproductores no se puede ver. Hay que eliminar el código de región... para poder verlas, o disponer de un reproductor multi-región. La calidad de imagen es buena, incluso mejor que algunos dvd's de películas actuales. No debe faltar en una buena videoteca. El envío muy rápido, teniendo en cuenta que se envía desde KY, Estados Unidos.

I’m a huge fan of this original series. It didn’t disappoint. Watch it and immerse yourself in what life was like, back then in the sixties. The series has no sex or swearing, just plain good acting by McGarrett and his team. Great acting, great series. It won’t disappoint.

Llego a tiempo, en buen estado físico, todo muy bien, Recomendable.