FORTY FEET HIGH AND IT KILLS
All great heroes have an arch-nemesis. Superman has Luthor, Batman has the Joker, and Godzilla has Ghidorah!!!...Steve McGarett's arch-nemesis is Wofat. He is sometimes working for the Chinese, sometimes he works for the highest bidder...
In this second season episode, Wofat is still an agent of the "red" Chinese. And, as usual, when he comes to Hawaii he is playing for high-stakes...
DNA Scientists from all over the world gather in Hawaii for a secret re-treat to discuss the growing field of genetics. One such scientist, an elderly man who is considered one of the experts in the field, is Wofat's target. But first Wofat must get the scientist out of the highly secured, yet scenic housing complex where they are staying. Wofat's men break into the tidal wave warning center on top of one of Hawaii's mountains.
From there, Wofat's men send out a signal warning of a deep sea quake, and the resulting tsunami. The scientists are evacuated, leading to the eventual kidnapping of the old fart (played by Grandpa Walton, Will Geer. Who, by the way, was black listed in the 40s for his views, and he was one of the first actors to lobby for gay rights in the past.)
Anyway, with the scientist played by Will Geer in his grasp, Wofat must find the means to deliver him to Peking. But, there is a little known fact about the scientist, something that very few know; he is diabetic. And with out the exact perscription of insulin, he will die!
The rest of the episode has McGarrett tracking all places that sell the insulin and eventually it leads to a showdown on the docks where Wofat has locked the scientest inside of a cargo container, intent on shipping him to China. McGarrett barters for the man's safety, in exchange for letting Wofat go. McGarrett watches from the docks as a smiling Wofat sails off; knowing that the two will cross paths again, someday.
As with all shows, the early years of FIVE-0 were not the best. But in season two, the writing was starting to ramp up the plot-thread heavy episodes that made FIVE-0 such a great TV show.
McGarrett will never be known as a warm, caring, cushy kind of guy (meaning, he isn't anything like Picard). But Jack Lord's star quality was starting to show through in season two, this episode being one of them.
Wofat would return for many more show downs throughout the run of FIVE-0...
I give this episode a B-
NEXT TIME;
A deranged woman inches her way out on to the ledge of a 30 story hotel, and is threatening to jump. But all is not as it seems!!!!!
Be there..aloha!
