Some reviewers had issues with how Islam and Muslims was portrayed in this episode. It is a known fact that there are factions of Islam that are using select and misconstrued texts to foster hatred and violence. Intelligent people understand that this is true, because true followers of this faith are more peacable but also more strict. Christians are treated the same, we are either sexual predators in hiding, serial killers, or leaders of communes. Again it is people using select text for their own pursuit of power. Both in reality and in Hollywood.
13 Reviews
Kudos and Criticism Both
loveistheonlyway3 April 2015
This episode gets kudos first and foremost for hiring Bryan Anderson to play the amputee at the end. His acting brought tears to my eyes. I really would love to see Bryan Anderson's character come back on the show, as he's an AMAZING actor and it's great to see an amputee playing an amputee. I'm sick of Hollywood casting able-bodied actors to play disabled characters.
This episode also gets kudos for making the most visible (and frankly, most scary, psychopathic) terrorists white kids in their 20s. It's very easy to fall back on making the terrorists brown Middle Eastern people, something most shows are guilty of at some point--including H50 in this episode, though they have very little screen time.
This episode gets criticism for two things. First of all, one of the terrorists is female and she shows off way too much skin to be a Muslim extremist (who usually follow the most conservative rules of Islam, one of which is to not show excess skin).
Second of all, the writing for the scenes in the interrogation room felt very stereotypical and outrageous to me.
This episode also gets kudos for making the most visible (and frankly, most scary, psychopathic) terrorists white kids in their 20s. It's very easy to fall back on making the terrorists brown Middle Eastern people, something most shows are guilty of at some point--including H50 in this episode, though they have very little screen time.
This episode gets criticism for two things. First of all, one of the terrorists is female and she shows off way too much skin to be a Muslim extremist (who usually follow the most conservative rules of Islam, one of which is to not show excess skin).
Second of all, the writing for the scenes in the interrogation room felt very stereotypical and outrageous to me.
A look at totalitarian ideology
queensrycherule21 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In response to the negative reviews, I begin by noting that Islam is totalitarian.
The episode is accurate in that those trained to believe absurdities will then commit atrocities.
Ignore the politically correct reviews and the utterly false charges of racism because, as the episode demonstrates, the root of evil is not race but ideology.
The episode is accurate in that those trained to believe absurdities will then commit atrocities.
Ignore the politically correct reviews and the utterly false charges of racism because, as the episode demonstrates, the root of evil is not race but ideology.
Meth Lab Turned Into a Terrorist Cell
shelbythuylinh11 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Well when a pool boy is killed and that what looks like it is random. Is not and in the process that over in a terror cell there.
While trying to figure out how the college students that seem to be targeted and brainwashed. Terrorists no matter if they are Muslim, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, even Americans that betray their country in treason and murder. As those that are terrorists, really they have no place in this world.
Really Steve shows disdain and really emotion when terrorists try to invade the USA to hurt others and that he wants those terrorists to pay for it big time. Making sure they are punished.
Have had a love-hate relationship with Steve. But he rocked in this episode.
While trying to figure out how the college students that seem to be targeted and brainwashed. Terrorists no matter if they are Muslim, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, even Americans that betray their country in treason and murder. As those that are terrorists, really they have no place in this world.
Really Steve shows disdain and really emotion when terrorists try to invade the USA to hurt others and that he wants those terrorists to pay for it big time. Making sure they are punished.
Have had a love-hate relationship with Steve. But he rocked in this episode.
A well written, well acted episode
leighstitcher-750-97893729 August 2014
I want to say thank you to the writers and the developers for this episode - thank you for keeping this very frightening scenario in the public view so that we do not ever forget that there are fanatical Islamists out there trying to kill us and destroy our Christian way of life. And for bucking the liberal Hollywood trend of ridiculing patriotism.
I watch this show most weeks and am most impressed with the quality of the scripts and the professionalism of the actors. The cast meshes well, and all members seem to enjoy working with the others. There is a camaraderie between the main characters that transcends the individual personalities and the story lines.
Thank you for putting forth a good product - entertaining, thought-provoking and intelligent. Thank you for NOT making this another sappy nighttime soap.
I watch this show most weeks and am most impressed with the quality of the scripts and the professionalism of the actors. The cast meshes well, and all members seem to enjoy working with the others. There is a camaraderie between the main characters that transcends the individual personalities and the story lines.
Thank you for putting forth a good product - entertaining, thought-provoking and intelligent. Thank you for NOT making this another sappy nighttime soap.
disappointed
sorayaditha15 November 2017
actually i enjoy watching Hawaii five o every single episodes in every season but since this episode discredit of Islam which my religion and non of Islam knows better of Islam unless she/he learn about Islam through holly book as well the Prophet, so please don't make any judgement , do not judge a book by its cover, as well as terrorist grow everywhere doesn't mean Islam is the cause of it, those only wrong and stupid persons who don't learn Islam in a good understanding, have the right to be blame of but not Islam itself, OK!!! please think first before you create a film or you'll be left by your fans.
4.20 is ***
edwagreen26 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
When a worker is shot dead while entering a home, this opens a can of worms. It is soon determined that the house was being used by terrorists in a major attack planned on the Hawaiian island.
With the 2 young guy-terrorists soon dead, the young lady who is apprehended spews Jihad and death to Americans, the latter because of their refusal to accept the Islam faith.
While in detention, she argues back and forth with Steve, who lectures her repeatedly on the evil that she is advocating and that she is being used by Al Qaeda and other lunatic organizations bent on the destruction of America. She refuses to yield.
While a good episode, much of this has been over- stated repeatedly.
Danno, recuperating from injuries from the last episode, briefly appears in this one.
With the 2 young guy-terrorists soon dead, the young lady who is apprehended spews Jihad and death to Americans, the latter because of their refusal to accept the Islam faith.
While in detention, she argues back and forth with Steve, who lectures her repeatedly on the evil that she is advocating and that she is being used by Al Qaeda and other lunatic organizations bent on the destruction of America. She refuses to yield.
While a good episode, much of this has been over- stated repeatedly.
Danno, recuperating from injuries from the last episode, briefly appears in this one.
crap episode
kdragoo8 May 2014
I watch this show for eye candy and a mildly entertaining plot fundamentalists that resolves within the hour. I do not watch it to be enraged.
This episode involves terrorists who are supposed to be Islamic . Never mind that they are supposed to be devout enough to risk their lives for the insultingly daft lines they recite about the whole generic holy war, yet none of the true believers who are men have beards and we meet one who's female in a two-piece on the beach. The jingoistic chest-beating response made me hate my favorite main character.
This episode would have been offensive in 2002. That they still think its acceptable to pander with ignorant intolerance in 2014 is unforgivable. And there wasn't even any eye candy.
This episode involves terrorists who are supposed to be Islamic . Never mind that they are supposed to be devout enough to risk their lives for the insultingly daft lines they recite about the whole generic holy war, yet none of the true believers who are men have beards and we meet one who's female in a two-piece on the beach. The jingoistic chest-beating response made me hate my favorite main character.
This episode would have been offensive in 2002. That they still think its acceptable to pander with ignorant intolerance in 2014 is unforgivable. And there wasn't even any eye candy.
Why portray Muslims and Islam in a negative light?
shhedelkum30 June 2016
I'm honestly disappointed. I'm a huge fan of Hawaii Five O, and to see them air a show that is completely racist and stereotypical sickens me. None of what was said on the show about Muslims and Islam is true. In fact, if you actually read the Quran or even spoke to a scholar, you'd know that Islam is against terrorism and the killing of others.
*** DO YOUR DAMN RESEARCH BEFORE PORTRAYING MUSLIMS IN SUCH A NEGATIVE LIGHT. How is it that when you talked about Japanese-Americans, they were shown in a positive light and even talked about how white Americans were wrongfully racist towards them during WW2.
Agh.
*** DO YOUR DAMN RESEARCH BEFORE PORTRAYING MUSLIMS IN SUCH A NEGATIVE LIGHT. How is it that when you talked about Japanese-Americans, they were shown in a positive light and even talked about how white Americans were wrongfully racist towards them during WW2.
Agh.
False representation of Islam
drmarwahbedair24 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is by far the worst and most disappointing episode on this show. Why is it every time a Muslim appear in one of the episodes, they have to be terrorist?! The scene where Steve interrogates the girl clearly shows the racist way in viewing Muslims. Islam is nothing like whats described; there several verses in the Holy Qur'an in which Allah ordered us to do the EXACT OPPOSITE of what that girl has mentioned. There's a verse in the Qur'an that says: "There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path." This episode should never have aired that way. I hope that one day Islam and Muslims would be represented in foreign media just the way they are.
And yet again what I like to call a Goebbels episode
sergio-weigel15 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Just when the show started to get good again, it has to plunge into the most primitive Goebbelsesque propaganda again (see S03E20). Why? How intellectually inferior or simply just brainwashed you must already be to not see this?
I really had to laugh out loud at the scene in which Rambo McGarrett talked to that cute Jihadi-bikini girl in the cell. What she said was a bit simplified but aptly depicts the helplessly braindead mind of any given Wahhabi style jihadist. But then comes Rambo McGarrett calling the invading American soldiers "patriots" and "heroes" who are also "willing to die for the cause". How hopelessly lost must you be mentally not to see that both are exactly the same way of thinking?
I was extremely appalled by the last scene with the maimed veteran with no legs and only one arm left who smilingly shrugged off his injuries as a "bad day in the office". I can only suggest you to watch, read, or listen to Nazi propaganda towards the end of WW2 and you'll see that my comparison is not meant as an insult but is historically accurate.
What is wrong with American TV and film these days? I hardly ever watch anything coming out of the end of Hollywood anymore. Granted, I am hooked now and will continue watching this one, but then I'll need me some proper Scandinavian or British series or French or German film to set my mind straight again. Or better yet, a book.
Other than that, cinematography, acting, even the story as such were solid. Just cut the propaganda crap, please. It only works on those already brainwashed anyways and they're ruining their own show with it.
I really had to laugh out loud at the scene in which Rambo McGarrett talked to that cute Jihadi-bikini girl in the cell. What she said was a bit simplified but aptly depicts the helplessly braindead mind of any given Wahhabi style jihadist. But then comes Rambo McGarrett calling the invading American soldiers "patriots" and "heroes" who are also "willing to die for the cause". How hopelessly lost must you be mentally not to see that both are exactly the same way of thinking?
I was extremely appalled by the last scene with the maimed veteran with no legs and only one arm left who smilingly shrugged off his injuries as a "bad day in the office". I can only suggest you to watch, read, or listen to Nazi propaganda towards the end of WW2 and you'll see that my comparison is not meant as an insult but is historically accurate.
What is wrong with American TV and film these days? I hardly ever watch anything coming out of the end of Hollywood anymore. Granted, I am hooked now and will continue watching this one, but then I'll need me some proper Scandinavian or British series or French or German film to set my mind straight again. Or better yet, a book.
Other than that, cinematography, acting, even the story as such were solid. Just cut the propaganda crap, please. It only works on those already brainwashed anyways and they're ruining their own show with it.
really disappointed
mmaximumbets2 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I really want to like this show, mostly I watch it because it comes on after another favorite, but mostly I find it laughable. Why are there no Hawaiian actors on it, all of the Hawaiian characters seem to be played by Asian actors. Now they put forward an episode inciting fear and hatred of Islam,promoting Xenophobia,.I kept waiting to hear something that presented a different viewpoint, other than the two in the back and forth between Dan and the girl, but there was nothing. The writers must realize there is more and the divide between those two is great.
Bad dialogue, poorly acted... I really hope the viewpoints portrayed in this episode are not representative of all on the show. After all, it's against immigration, something all of the actors have benefited from.
Bad dialogue, poorly acted... I really hope the viewpoints portrayed in this episode are not representative of all on the show. After all, it's against immigration, something all of the actors have benefited from.
Horrible representation of Islam
krkb20 November 2015
It offends me that spectacular shows such as this fall in this prejudicial state of mind. Once again they portray Islam as being an evil or terroristic group. It doesn't matter that they had a white girl star as the culprit. They once again still manage to put Muslims and Islam in a negative light. The reason why this episode and show managed to anger me is that they did not clear up these ridiculous statements made by the female terrorist and mention that Islam is not based on her radical way of thinking. Because that's just what it is, radical. There is no mention that some billion Muslims around the world condemn that! No! Rather they allow viewers to see the radicalism views: us (America) against them (Islam). This sickens me. It's 2015, educate instead of feeding into this prejudice.
I consider myself an avid fan but seeing that these writers have the power to influence and decide to use this power and abuse it by spreading prejudicial messages, infuriates me!! I am currently watching the series on Netflix and seeing as the next episode is going to be about Muslims, once again, I have decided to skip that episode because there's a high chance it will falsely portray Muslims in a negative light.
I'm just waiting and patiently hoping that I will come across one episode where Muslims are portrayed in a good light...heck a neutral light is good with me.
I consider myself an avid fan but seeing that these writers have the power to influence and decide to use this power and abuse it by spreading prejudicial messages, infuriates me!! I am currently watching the series on Netflix and seeing as the next episode is going to be about Muslims, once again, I have decided to skip that episode because there's a high chance it will falsely portray Muslims in a negative light.
I'm just waiting and patiently hoping that I will come across one episode where Muslims are portrayed in a good light...heck a neutral light is good with me.
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