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There is a palpable air of excitement that vibrates to the rhythm of the waves crashing onto Waikiki beach. The Sun is dipping its toes into the blue waters and the sky looks like a postcard of red and orange hues. The fans, some of which have been waiting since the wee hours of the morning to find choice spots close to the action, have lost none of their exuberance under the heat of the Hawaiian sun. One thing has brought over 10,000 of them together: their love for Hawaii Five-0.
Popstar had exclusive access to the Red Carpet gala to chat with the stars and crew of CBS hit action drama and believe me, it was a surreal experience.
O’ahu got a sneak peek of the Season 2 premiere of Hawaii Five-0 a full week before the rest of the world, as well as up close and personal moments with its glittering cast.
"Our biggest challenge as far as story arcs go this season is we that are always trying to tell better stories. We’re still learning, evolving. We don’t want to repeat stories or story lines,” said Executive Producer Peter Lenkov.
The characters have gone through a lot of changes by the end of Season One and we find them in completely new situations that they’ll have to think their way out of. Can the continuity get confusing? Sure.
“But we have boards everywhere covered in [stuff] so we won’t forget anything,” Executive Producer Roberto Orci said.
Several new faces are making appearances this season with our beloved Team McGarrett. Veteran actor and Lost alum, Terry O’Quinn will be playing Lt. Commander Joe White, McGarrett’s mentor and teacher, whom Danny (Scott Caan) calls in to help clear our imprisoned fearless leader’s name.
This is, by far, not the first time O’Quinn has taken on the mantle of military persona. But he hopes White will be a little different than his other uniformed portrayals.
“There’s more humanness in Five-0, not quite so by the book, not straight military. I hope that he can be more a normal guy like the military people I meet.”
Will Commander White bring more McGarrett back story into the mix? “I’m not sure, he’s looking into stuff with his father and I may know something about that,” O’Quinn said. “We’re going to explore that together.”
Lauren German (pictured in white above) who will portray Homeland Security Agent Lori Weston, was just ecstatic to land a recurring role on the hit series. She calls Weston “one tough cookie.”
“I think she’s just trying to suss out the situation and dynamic of the task force,” German said. “My character is new and thrown into the mix. She wants to be respected and really looks up to McGarrett. She’s a smart cookie. She wants to fit in.”
But German does have a big fear for the future of the intrepid Agent Weston. “If I do become love interests with McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), it would be the end of my character. No One wants to watch a hot dude with a girl that he likes.”
One of the most buoyant and jubilant cast members on the red carpet was Mark Dacascos, better known as the infamous Wo Fat. If you think taking on a role as iconic as Wo Fat is intimidating, you’d be right.
“I was first very excited and then very nervous. People know this character. It’s my job to make it my own. It’s script by script. And Lenkov has given us some fabulous material; it’s edgy, it’s current. And I’m having fun finding out who Wo Fat is,” Dacascos said, with all the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store.
By the end of season one, our team was in shambles. Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim) had been offered a place back on HPD. Kono (Grace Park) was suspended for being identified by the little nosy auntie during the money heist. Danny was torn between responsibly to his ex wife and to Five-0 and poor Steve was languishing in jail for the murder of Governor Jameson (Jean Smart).
But Grace Park (pictured above with Peter Lenkov) is looking forward to playing with the shadier side of her character. “This year she’s a little darker, she’s in this other conflicted position and I enjoy playing with the other side of this person who strives to be good and do good,” Park said, megawatt smile in Full Force. “They penciled in some shade, some shadows and let her walk in the back alley a little bit.”
Daniel Dae Kim is optimistic about Chin’s struggles this year. “He was trying to get back on police force and now he’s back on. And now it remains to be seen if he can help someone else in his family who’s in trouble.”
Is there romance in the future for Chin? “I have a feeling that may happen,” Kim said slyly.
By the time the main man himself, Alex O’Loughlin, strolled down the red carpet; the fans were absolutely going wild. O’Lough fans flew in from around the globe, some from as far away as Germany, just to see their favorite actor in person.
There wasn’t time to ask more than a couple questions, so I had to think of something on the fly. Alex, always the perfect ambassador for his show, was more than willing to talk about his passion for Hawaii Five-0 and Hawaii.
But what he really loves is the action of his show and his character.
“Oh man, you kinda get more and more dangerous and I love it. It’s exhausting. The more dangerous it gets the more stuff I’ve got to do, which is fun but I keep hurting myself,” O’Loughlin admits, grinning boyishly. “The more dangerous [McGarrett] gets the less he sits down. Which is harder on my feet.”
Yes, ladies. The man is even more stunning in person. But it’s his personality, his love for this show and his passion for his work that really lights Alex O’Loughlin up and makes him shine.
Scott Caan also attended but we were unable to interview him. Daniela Ruah of NCIS: LA (TV) was on hand as well, looking incredible and talking about the upcoming crossover episode with Five-0.
“My NCIS: LA cast mates are jealous,” Ruah said.
Can you blame them?
I won’t spoil you about the Season 2 premiere which airs September 19, at 10pm ET/9pm CT on CBS. You’ll just have to wait until my official review after the air date.
But I will say this: get ready to have the wind knocked out of you. This premiere is no stroll, it’s a dead run, with a few flying tackles, some roundhouse kicks to the gut (both emotional and physical) and a surprise ending that will literally have you gaping in shock at your TV.
Are you ready?
If you want more on my red carpet experience, check out my blog at On the Flip Side with Melapaloosa for more photos and other funny stuff.
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