the1andonlybbb

You have hit the nail on the head there. It is the reason why a couple of weeks ago I called out the TPTB on the show as Chickensh*t. I truly truly understand that ratings must be considered. But I really think if they were very careful and intelligent about it, the writers could somehow make this happen without making Traditionalist America uncomfortable. Scott and Alex have both said that they live for alternative-thinking, funny scenes and storylines because anyone can put on a slam bang cop show but stuff like this elevates it from the mundane.

For my rebuttal, I give you this:

No I am not saying that they are closet homosexuals. I am saying that Steve is committing himself to Danny and Danny is slowly coming around to the idea that maybe he will make his partnership with Steve more permanent. The same thing I said about their have their choice of women, they also have their choice of men too. I mean think about it: Steve was in the Navy a long time, ya know what I'm saying? I'm sure he had the all the chances in the world to find suitable "bunk mates". Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. But you don't see any of them hanging around do you? And the only one I think we have met so far Danny was immediately jealous of and then Steve end up having to kill him. Danny went to retrieve Steve from a hospital in Afghanistan and calmly stared down Army badasses like a pit bull because in his own irascible way he cares deeply for Steve and he wanted his to be the first face that Steve saw when he woke up. Where were the girlfriends or sometime lovers of any sex then ? No What I am saying is that Steve and Danny are for each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health, and for the past 18 months forsaking all others. This is a wonderful thing as most people don't get that lucky. Whether the sex thing happens between them is anybody's guess.

Previously about Hawaii Five-0 I wrote: "Steve Steve Steve "Mr. In For A Penny, In For A Pound" McGarrett. Boy, when that man finally commits, he commits." In the Valentine's Day episode, S7E16, Steve appears to have decided to stop fighting his feelings and show the world (i.e. their purported "girlfriends") exactly how he feels about Danny. Although as early as S7E08 he dropped a rather broad hint in front of Gracie's whole terrorist traumatized class by acting like a relieved Daddy unashamedly hugging her and his Partner during the "family" reunions that ensued once the crisis was over. (Where's THAT fanfic??!!) By S7E18 he had actually proposed. When did he do that??!! you ask. Right before the explosion -- sometimes a cigar IS just a cigar and sometimes choosing a restaurant name is the same as getting down on one knee. By S7E20, Steve was just about busting to tell someone which would explain his being so happily forthcoming in front of Harry Brown (much to Danny's consternation and unspoken wish to keep their relationship quiet). In S7E21 the happy couple visit the doctor and are told that Steve can resume his normal "physical activities" (which sounds a lot like what Ob-Gyn doctors tell their patients after fertility treatments, right?) And now we come to "Wehe'Ana" (S7E23). For those who may still think I am blowing smoke up your ass and think the boys are just "very good friends" (which they indeed are), we have Steve and Danny fixing up what essentially is the "nursery" for "their" new baby, Charlie. I call this The Show's way of trying to depict as subtly as they can that Steve is committed in making his plans for a future with Danny. And Danny, for his part, is just about as on-board with it as he is capable of showing. The fact that OverProtective!Danny is shown letting Steve take care of his son and that Steve was planning to play with him again "in the morning" (i.e. like in the morning after a sleepover, perhaps?) speaks volumes about the depth of Danny and Steve's relationship. (How's that go again? "He so loved the [world] that he gave his only begotten son...") The entire reason for this scene was to show everyone, who still d(w)on't believe it, is that at this point in their lives the last thing Steve or Danny is looking for is the right "woman". I mean c'mon if these two guys really wanted to have a woman, they have the whole population of uncommitted females in Oahu to make a play for. They're good-looking, famous and rich(ish). But of course in the real world (which this show does NOT seem to be set in), these same women might be a bit put off if they read a newsfeed or watched the evening news that would be full of information about the crazy lives these boys lead and would run the opposite way if they saw them coming. (These two are about as deadly as the Winchester Boys when it comes to high body counts--Danny killed 3 people and Steve smashed 2 with his truck while destroying some poor schmuck's family living room at the same time). But again this episode depicts an ongoing trend with this show: that women are not to be trusted and that they are tough as nails. In fact, we learn by the end of this episode that about 60% of the reason that the course of events played out as they did was Rachel's fault. (which in my opinion puts another nail in the coffin of any possibility of his going back to her). Granted this show can be quite ridiculous in regard to action sequences and glaring continuity errors, but on this point, the bromance of Steve and Danny, it has been quite strong and steady. The whole arc of the changing nature of their relationship (starting with S6E11) has been slow and subtle. It had to be so as too many feathers would be ruffled, although this episode here was practically "dropping the anvil". Steve's feelings for Danny in this episode are on full display and so intriguingly matter-of-fact: Steve's "Alpha Male" posturing to an unfazed Danny in the nursery, Steve racing over to the North Shore and heeding Danny's request that he come to him with all possible speed, and during their phone exchanges Steve exudes the quiet confidence that helped Danny remain calm so he could keep his companions safe throughout the whole ordeal. Danny is also begrudgingly having to admit that Hawaii is now his home. He has a new family and a partner that will go to the limit and beyond just for him. What more could a man want. I mean really - they couldn't be more married.

Apologies upfront for this long post, but I won't have much time this week to check and update on this forum. But will reply if necessary. The latest episode was really an entire veiled plot line about why women cannot be trusted.The VotW (Victim of the Week) as far the writing goes turned out to be a real shocker. It kind of was swimming in the back of my mind and kinda like PI Harry Brown said 'It was gnawing at me but I didn't know why'. Rachel was back with more drama. (Man what a thankless role Ms Van der Boom has) I will take her at her word that she did all she could to keep the situation she finds herself in from happening, but it kept running through my mind "Now I see why Grace is all angsty sometimes...besides the fact that she is 15." But the McDanno was just perfection tonight. And before I comment, I want to point out that The Show is now doing shout-outs to McDanno even in hindsight. There is now a noticeable nanosecond pause injected into Danny's original introduction of Steve to Rachel when they flashback to Ep 1.10. It is now "This is my partner...pausetoletimplicationsinkin...Steve McGarrett", the same way Steve now says it. But anyway, Steve Steve Steve "Mr. In For A Penny, In For A Pound" McGarrett. Boy, when that man finally commits, he commits. Steve is like a dog with a bone when it comes to Danny: he is always completely aware of everything about Danny whether it seems like he is paying attention or not. In Danny's first scene with Steve and the other principal characters of tonight's show, the very first thing Steve says to him is "Oh you got a haircut?" It usually takes most men 2 weeks for them to notice that their wives have changed their hair color. Steve notices Danny's merest trim. Next, we have the cargument of the week. Steve is tuned in closely to "Danny TV", if you will, and notices his change in demeanor immediately. Ever since Ep 7.08 we have repeated evidence that Steve is no longer shy about asking for his PDA in public from Danny, and this apparently includes their sharing intimacies and secrets in front of virtual strangers. So with visiting P.I. Harry Brown (Ep 5.10) in the backseat of the Camaro, he demands that Danny tell him what is the meaning behind his sudden "pouting" face. (Something tells me there may be more than a few deleted scenes from this episode) When Danny tells him that it has to do with Rachel and Stan, the old school P.I. wants to put in his "2 cents worth" and opines that Danny wants back in with Rachel. Mr. Brown gets a small shock when both Steve AND Danny not only allude to the fact that this is absolutely NOT the case but that the "two lovebirds" may be in a "more than friends" relationship. ("Did you just say 'US'?" ) What makes this conversation so priceless is the fact that neither Steve nor Danny show any trace of guilt or embarrassment regarding this revelation. They just roll with it in a kind "I thought you knew" matter-of-fact way. God bless you for this, Show. The McDanno train keeps a-rollin' and we next have what I call the "Mommy & Daddy are talking" conversation. Steve, Harry Brown, & ChinHo are discussing evidence at the computer table back at the Palace when Danny, who has retired to his office, decides he wants to speak to Steve privately. Hyperaware!Steve, even in the midst of a complicated technical discussion, spots his husband Danny signalling him. He immediately stops what he is doing and goes to him. Danny asks that he come in and shut the door. He wants to discuss with Steve in detail what the current situation with Stan and Rachel is. However, they are once again interrupted by the "c-blocking" P.I., who has basically come to deliver an "I-told-you-so" because Danny has just revealed to Steve the gist of Stan's opinion that Rachel may still be in love with him. Danny becomes more than a little annoyed by all the butting into their private time with each other (it seems apparent here that Danny does actually appreciate them despite his gruff way of expressing himself). What is interesting and revealing is that when Harry takes another jab and asks when Danny is returnng to Rachel, Steve and Danny both again vehemently deny that is going to happen with Danny contributing that he has a girlfriend that he "likes" very much. Harry picks up on this and with a pointed look at Steve counters with "I didn't hear the word 'love' did you Steve?" as if to redeem himself of any taint of judgement he may have expressed earlier of S&D's close relationship. And Steve is no help by playing into every bit of the "chatty wife" role when he spills the entire short story version of Danny's situation in front of the detective. Danny seems ever so relieved when Chin comes in at this moment so that he can stop talking about it. Maybe this is Steve's way of getting back at Danny for his public revelation of their private argument in 7.18?? In any event, God knows how Danny will punish Steve for this later. For us McDanno Shippers, this episode looks like they are trying to chart a course for TPTB to steer the ship back to Hetero Safe Harbor by having Danny go back to Rachel and a normal (read "straight") life without Steve. I know I'm prejudiced but I say this is not a good plan. Many reasons for this, but Number 1 on the list is that if Steve / AOL thought it was a bad idea to go back to Catherine after all of their drama, it is just as bad an idea for Danny personally to go back to Rachel when he so clearly loves Steve. Albeit the situation is complicated by the fact that Danny has an almost grown daughter who will need a father in her life now more than ever. No wonder he looks so harassed. Wow, if this is going to be the ongoing dilemma of possible final Season 8, this will be an intriguing Gordian knot to untie.

You know my precognition scares even me sometimes. Two weeks ago near the end this I wrote: And then this evening what to my wondering eyes should appear but an episode that opens with Steve teaching an HPD class on Weapons and Tactics, the duo finding themselves in a literal "do or die" situation causing them to have to consider their future, Danny confessing to Steve that he is thinking about retirement and maybe opening a restaurant, Steve going ballistic (for him) because Danny did not consult with him about any of this, forcing another "I Love You" out of Steve and then later making a rather roundabout proposal to Danny, and the show ending with Little Charlie seated at the table with them and their friends. Now I do not, never have and extremely likely will never work for CBS, so I have no way to explain how almost everything I suggested could possibly be in an episode that was obviously filmed weeks if not months ago. But having seen this episode, I am willing to take a small step back on everything I said about the writers of H50 being chickensh*t. I thought that this was a very well done ep, with a stupid but entirely plausible A-story scenario. Steve and Danny's B-story here in conjunction with the Valentines Day ep, Grace's School Hostage ep, and a few others from this season seems to be part of a larger and more subtle story arc wherein the writers are finally start taking a stance in defining the relationship between the two men. What I am glad to see is that it's Steve (and why wouldn't it be -- the show has always been about Steve) who is making the change. After all he is the one person on this show who has had the worst time of it as far as actual family is concerned: he is essentially an orphan with almost all of his closest parental figures dead or missing. None of the women from his own generation are around (i.e. Mary Anne and Catherine); and in the last 2 weeks he appears to have written off two more (Watch how detached his face when he hugs Alicia at the end of 7.17 and he could barely look Lynn in the eye in 7.16). So by the end of this episode when Grover made his ominous inference, you could tell from Steve's face (and the exquisitely framed camera shot) that he was ONLY thinking of how so very close he came to losing the one thing that he really does love and care about, Danny. The writers seem to have made it pretty it clear in what direction they might be planning in taking Steve McGarrett.

You know I was going to refrain from commenting on this episode only because I think I am probably the only one I know that is still willing to defend the "Validity of McDanno" if you will (I'm all for it because I think that it makes practical sense for these particular characters). And after watching this episode, I think I can safely say that this show proved my point in spades: First of all, the trotting out of what someone somewhere once called "The Mysteriously Missing Girlfriends" for this episode seemed so forced that it was laughable. So much so, that I think even the writers thought it was ludicrous enough to want to make fun of it. It appears as tho Steve's girlfriend Lynn had to arrange for this special weekend as if it had somehow not occurred to him to do it. She booked them into the Presidential Suite of a very nice Waikiki hotel which Steve looks at initially with some suspicion. But, being the Alpha Male that he is, he thinks this place would be as nice a place as any for sex and immediately goes all "Smooth Caveman" on her trying to steal a kiss, but for some reason she ducks it. So Steve walks out to their balcony to enjoy the view where he seems not at all surprised to spot none other than his partner Danny on the adjoining balcony, who seems practically nonplussed. Wanting an explanation, he calls out in annoyance for his girlfriend Melissa. She comes out too....accompanied by Steve's Lynn. Surprise surprise: The girls were in cahoots on the planning of this special weekend. Steve also quickly realizes something else: that this Valentine's Day weekend was actually Danny's idea, albeit in a roundabout way. Danny evidently has become reluctant to be "intimate" with his girlfriend when they are together. Although he likely did not outright suggest it, he seems to have agreed that a holiday weekend with S & L might be a good idea at some point some time. Melissa ran with that and hashed it all out with Lynn. (From my viewpoint it seems Melissa jumped at the chance and is kind of hoping for a "foursome") But Danny tells Steve he only said this to her because he does not want her to think he is an "anti-social weirdo" to which Steve points out that he is. Danny admits that he is but does not want her to know it. To which Steve says a very profound thing: "That's good. Hide your true self from your girlfriend like that's going to be good for your relationship". It's made clear to us that only both of them know what the other is really like. Danny also alludes to the fact that he may not be able to perform with Melissa because Steve is there. "I don't need your judgy eyes and face looking at me." Is this more evidence of Steve's "Relationship Dominance"? Or is it, as McDanno loyalists would have you believe, that Danny may be conflicted because of the fact that he loves Steve and does not wish to be forced to choose between Steve or Melissa. Incredibly, Steve seems to be very aware of the degree of Danny's "intimacy issues". How is that?? I personally only thought women talked among themselves on that specific a level. Maybe it's because Steve and Danny have the same doctor, who knows. Or it may be the fact that they have "tested" the limits of their abilities in this regard. In any event, being the "loving caring partner" that Lorraine from Better Partners Bootcamp encouraged him to be, Steve generously told Danny that if his presence was too much of a distraction for him to just say the "safe word" and he would leave. Funnily enough, Danny agreed to this D/s-influenced idea without argument. I mean, really, what does this say about the two of them??? And what happens next is a scene pulled straight out of what some people ( Q T ) have called the "gayest movie ever made" TOP GUN, right down to the music. Beach volleyball between the teams of McGarrett & Lynn and Williams & Melissa. Danny is doing something which he says himself that he lives to do "beat Steve at something". In the midst of this game, Steve for some reason intriguingly asks Danny "Does he want to switch teams?" But Danny says no. And the Danny-Melissa team are enjoying a healthy 10 point lead until an annoying young boy sails his Frisbee right into Melissa's ass. Danny at this point starts a war with this kid which lasts through the remainder of the episode. It's an escalating series of oneups, from Danny water ditching the Frisbee to accusing the kid of stealing his sunglasses to breaking into his hotel room. This kid's presence is there simply to give the writers Danny an excuse not to be with Melissa. Steve, acting as the "Dutiful Long Suffering Spouse" he can be sometimes, also spends the rest of the episode not hanging with Lynn either as it seems to be his self appointed mission to keep an eye on his husband Danny. Lynn seems to finally realize that Steve and Danny have more going on between them than even she realized. Throughout this whole weekend, Steve has only one thing on his mind and it is definitely not her. During one of the few moments that he is with her, in a group yoga class, she let him know that she was on to him: that she caught his comment about wanting to "switch teams". Steve, who appears to fully understand her implication and yet remains unfazed by her comment, only says that he "didn't mean to hurt anybody." Melissa, who is also there, chimes in with the comment "At least your boyfriend is here." However, whether this comment was directed at Lynn...or at Steve..is not really clear. Before the end of the episode Danny tries to apologize to Melissa for abandoning her for most of the weekend but, like the savvy girl she is, she sweetly forgives him. She realizes that he is who he is. Most interesting about this scene is even tho Melissa obviously appears to be wearing nothing but a towel, instead of going for it the way Steve did with Lynn Danny is moved to only exchange chaste kisses with Melissa. <<<What's that sound?? That's the anvil dropping ya'll>>> One could make the leap in logic and say that the next scene would explain why: The couples are sitting down to an intimate dinner for 4 but it appears that Danny has in essence "switched teams" as he is sat on the same side of the table with Steve with the girls on the other. Steve makes a toast on behalf of them both in "appreciation" (not Love) of the girls in giving them such a great weekend. He also suggests -- with a firm and obviously possessive arm around Danny's shoulder and the subtle ear flick -- that they should do it again sometime, but that "he and Danny" (sic) will organize it. Lynn and Melissa look at each with knowing grins on their faces fully aware of what the boys have made so very, very clear. Yes, we all could have done without the idiot and lame "raison d'etre" for Danny's behavior but this episode at least tried to take a stand on the characters sexuality one way or the other. As I always say, "Don't walk on the fence. It's pain in the ass if you fall"