How ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Landed Chuck Norris for Its Penultimate Episode
Preview
There are only two episodes left of CBS’ long-running Hawaii Five-0 before we get a final “Aloha” and viewers will see how it concludes in next Friday’s finale.
But in this week’s episode (which was originally scheduled to air in a two-hour block with the finale on April 3, but bumped up due to the NCAA championship cancellation), Lt. Cmdr. Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) receives a posthumous letter from his mother, Doris (Christine Lahti), which contains a cypher that everyone seems to want. Case in point: McGarrett’s right hand, Danny (Scott Caan), is attacked by someone willing to kill to get their hands on that cypher.
The episode also marks an appearance by TV veteran Chuck Norris (Walker, Texas Ranger), a guest star executive producer Peter Lenkov has had his eye on for awhile.
“I’d been trying to get him on the show for years,” Lenkov tells TV Insider. “His son [Eric Norris] is our stunt coordinator and Chuck is in Hawaii all the time.
“Every time I’ve asked, it’s just the logistics didn’t work for whatever reason. I think I just begged so many times that he just had mercy on me and did it,” he adds.
CBS
In the episode, Norris plays what Lenkov calls “the perfect role for him.”
First, we have to meet the character of Lincoln Cole (Lance Gross) who comes in and, we’ll find, was trained by Norris’ character, retired Sergeant Major Phillips. “Joe White trained McGarrett and I wanted somebody with just the same kind of weight of that. So if he trained Lincoln Cole, he definitely was trained by the best,” he says.
Hawaii Five-0, Fridays, 9/8c, CBS
Conversation22 Comments
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W
Chuck Norris is a HUGE pickup for this episode. Looking forward to it!
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G
Wow! I didn't know that he was doing a show with H5-O! That was a pretty cool surprise!
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C
One of my favorite shows,not happy with a lot of new shows that are concerned with adding life styles that are unnecessary
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C
This is sad to see the show end. We really enjoyed it every week. But we get it, Mr. McLaughlin and crew have been at it for 10 years. Good luck to cast and crew, you'll be missed.
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G
He is 80 years old! Just to have him on the show is enough, I wasn't expecting any martial arts from him.
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J
I'd rather see previous characters return.
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C
I will really miss the show, i have watched ever since the pilot episode. We need more shows like this and cut out so much of the reality shows.
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G
The episode that the article was about was next to last. Norris was in the in the part 1 of H5-O. Part 2 is aloha the last show in the series.
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B
Just watched some back episodes of Hawaii 5 0. Always loved that show. You all will be missed
Hope you someday make a surprise comeback
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G
Say it ain’t so please keep the door open for a possible remake of the series. Been a fan since “Jack Lord” days. Hawaii is such a great character for a good detective show. Clint Eastwood acting children would fit into a reboot.
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G
Watched both last Fridays & las nights H5-O & did NOT see Chuck Norris on either one!! Where can we get a video of this?
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R
Had a drink with Chuck Norris in Vancouver B.C. when he was filming a movie called Hitman in 1990. Very nice guy and I met someone who I watched when I was growing up watching his movie’s thank you Carlos
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G
Watched both last Fridays & last nights H5-O & did NOT see Chuck Norris in either one!! Can somebody get a video of it?
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O
Will Catherine make a farewell appearance?
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B
I loved to see Norris again I loved Texas ranger
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J
Well, that was a bit anticlimactic, I thought. I didn't expect Norris to go full-tilt Walker on anyone, but he could have at least kicked a fallen tree branch, to get it out of the way.
Also, at one point, this episode felt like a backdoor pilot for a show with the "busboy" character. In real life, there's NO WAY he would've gotten off scot-free for having escaped from MP custody. But no, this being H5-O, he was given a pat on the back and lauded for his actions. But it was soooo odd for the show to feature this one-time-only character in a scene with none of the show's stars. which is why it seemed like CBS was pitching us a show with Busboy Bob as the main character/hero.
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G
I think they were initially grooming him to be the new Mcgarrett and realized that it wasn't going to go over.
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R
Watched much of her old 1968 series but mostly after leaving military in 70. Loved the old open much better,especially the gal running along the beach. But the writing now, even when off the wall, made great stories.
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C
That was a SUPRISE!!!
Jaw dropped to the floor. Awesome!
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R
He was recognizable but aged a good bit.shame he didn't get into it with Mcgarret
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C
Wrong use of the word "penultimate." It means "next to last." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penultimate
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R
It was such a surprise! Our family loves him. Great show!
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