Hawaii Five-O: Eleventh Season [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Following 9 stellar seasons on DVD featuring digitally remastered prints, CBS/Paramount disappointed many fans of classic H5O with what seemed to be a rushed Season 10 release that featured rather poor photoshopping on the box art, along with prints that were no better (and in some instances almost worse) than grainy, faded TV prints. Well, fortunately for fans, the complaints that were registered with the studio were most definitely heard and as a result, I'm pleased to say that the eleventh season of H5O looks absolutely stellar on DVD once again in all of its remastered glory. Aside from some grainy, shimmery teasers at the beginning of some episodes, the picture quality of the episodes is a MAJOR improvement over those in the S10 DVD release. Audio levels are also improved as well, crystal clear with good fidelity.

However, the other big question on the minds of fans is about whether there was music replacement on several key episodes during the season (as was noticed in the Netflix streaming versions). Well, the news is a mixed bag, but blessedly, the episode that contained the most amount of 70s disco music, "Number One With a Bullet" Part 1, is completely intact with tunes from the Bee Gees all present and accounted for, along with other disco songs and cover versions of the era, including guest star/singer Yvonne Elliman's songs. Unfortunately, it appears that CBS/Paramount only had enough funds in the budget to clear the music for one episode, as the Bee Gees tunes in PART 2 have been removed and replaced with very poor background music. This is primarily noticeable in the opening recap, and the Part 2 disco scenes (of which there aren't as many as in Part 1, fortunately). Yvonne's songs do remain intact for Part 2, at least.

The cover of Rod Stewart's "Do You Think I'm Sexy" featured throughout S11's "The Execution File" has also been removed, with a poor background pop score that barely even attempts to match background scores of the era. My suggestion is to simply haul out your iPod earbuds, throw the REAL song on at the beginning of the show, and enjoy as best you can. (Another oddity shows up at the beginning of this episode: the DVD producer inexplicably used the S10 opening on this episode, featuring none other than Kam Fong as Chin Ho Kelly. Oops!)

The S11 menus all retain the template established with the previous seasons, although it looks like they took a little more care with the shots they've selected in many instances (particularly Disc 1's shot with James MacArthur in the episode listings).

Run times on the shows all appear to be in line with their uncut TV airings from what I can tell, but if anyone notices any little cuts that may have been missed due to music, please add your comments.

The shows themselves, as most die-hard fans of the series are aware, continue the series' descent from the better writing and acting seen in seasons 1-9 or so, until the series started to get tired and worn out around season 10 (although some would argue the descent began earlier than that). HOWEVER, there are still some great episodes to be found (the outstanding "Number One with a Bullet", the creepy "The Skyline Killer", the 2-hour season finale "Year of the Horse"), along with some great character moments in otherwise weak or mediocre episodes ("A Distant Thunder", "The Bark and the Bite" come to mind). McGarrett had completed his transformation during this season into a more sage, philosophical, leisure-suit-wearing zen master that we will see continue into S12 (although this version of the character is preferred and fondly remembered by some fans). James MacArthur gamely tries his best to muster enthusiasm despite weak scripts (although he did take the spotlight in several S11 episodes) and what seems to be a bit of disinterest compared to earlier performances, no doubt a pre-cursor to his decision to leave the series after the season's conclusion. One of the highlights of the season, however, is Ross Martin's recurring role as the new mob boss in town, Alika, with wonderful scenery-chewing that gives the season a spark not seen with many of the villiains in the previous few seasons. He goes on to return in several S12 shows as well. The Alika character is a follow-up on a mob-related plotline that began in S10's finale "A Death in the Family".

Despite the flaws of S11's writing, and the 2 episodes with music substitution, the S11 DVD set gets a big thumbs up, and is a welcome return to form for CBS/Paramount after the S10 DVD misstep. This is the last time the classic core Five-O crew appears, as S12 will bring several new faces to the team. Bravo to CBS/P for getting us 11 seasons on DVD in a little over 4 years time--hopefully they bring on the last and final season soon so fans can complete their collection! In the meantime, enjoy one more trip to the islands in digitally remastered bliss.

I won't argue that the Five-0 Team (on both sides of the camera) was tired; in fact, in a magazine article published at the end of Season 10, Jack Lord said he planned to ask the network to cut things short. He wanted to portray characters other than McGarrett, and who could blame him? Season 11 was the year he began putting together plans for what he hoped would be a new series, "M Station: Hawaii."

But this is Five-0, Season 11, and I think it was very good. More to the point, I am impressed with the efforts that were made to maintain its high standards. At this point, Five-0 had made some money as evidenced by (1) the use of The Bee Gees' music in "Number One With a Bullet" and (2) the trip to Singapore for the filming of "The Year of the Horse." Added to that, they continued to bring in guest stars who did not come without cost; e.g., Mildred Natwick and Robert Vaughn. Please note that these are only examples.

My favorite episodes from Season 11 include "The Case Against Phillip Christie," "Why Won't Linda Die?" "Number One with a Bullet," "The Meighan Conspiracy," "The Spirit is Willie," and "The Year of the Horse." This is not to say the other episodes fall short; I simply was drawn to these above the others. As if to prove that McGarrett did smile - and even tell a joke - he let his hair down in "The Bark and The Bite," and said "Book Me" after admitting he had bent the rules and gave a very naughty grin.

Yes, Chin Ho was sorely missed, but then, we still miss Kono, don't we?

Five-0 was the best cop show on TV. And only Jack Lord can run the show as he did. This was TV at its best! Not like the trash that is on TV now. It has taken CBS so darn long to get the seasons out. But only one more after this season.
Then I can watch it from start to end. Lets get it done CBS. Lets Bookem Danno!
I hear CBS has cleaned this season up and got it done right! I hope so. One season 10 was a real mess.
On my set season 11. Disc 5 The Execution File. The Starting shows Kam Fong as Chin Ho real fast)). Did anyone get that also.
I was like what the ? Ha! ha! Lets Bookem!
Be well all.