Welcome

Welcome to my ever-evolving blog. It started out as a blog on Beachbody workouts and products, mainly when I was a Beachbody coach. I no longer coach, not because I don't believe in Beachbody's programs (I subscribe to Beachbody on Demand and use their workouts every day), I am just not a salesperson and hated that aspect of it. I am more than willing to answer questions about my experiences with their products and the various workouts, and I feel freer to do so without the appearance of giving a biased review of something.

I have also started adding reviews for various things I have purchased like movies, books, CDs, and other products. This was brought about by a fight with Amazon in which all of my reviews were removed over a completely bullshit allegation that I posted a review that violated their terms of service. After going back and forth with the morons in the community-reviews department (even after they admitted that my posts did not violate their guidelines) they restored my account (which took them six months to do), but I have been posting my reviews on my blog to have them preserved in case something like that happens again. And here, I will post uncensored reviews so I will swear from time to time and post reviews that may be longer than Amazon's character limit. Everything I post here on any topic or product is my personal opinion, and I take no compensation for any product reviews I post. I am a member of Amazon's vine program and because I get those products for free, I keep those reviews on Amazon only, but everything I have purchased with my own money, whether from Amazon or some other store/website/outlet, I will post here.  

I also plan to do some longer blog posts on various topics, such as how to learn physics, how to get through calculus, and longer reviews of workout programs as I do them. Basically, whatever strikes me as interesting at the time.  As you can see if you navigate around the blog, I had many years in between postings. During that time I was going back to school to get an engineering degree, and learning material that I avoided my first time through college was a different experience and one that gave me a lot of insight into how to do well in those classes, which I will try to impart here for those who are looking to get a science or engineering degree. 

Friday, August 26, 2022

Blu-Ray/TV Series Review: Hawaii Five-O: Season 2

 


The second season starts out shortly down the line from the events that ended season three, with Steve being in jail after being framed for murder and Kono suspended. The cliffhanger from season one is mostly resolved in the first episodes as they had to find a way to get Steve out of Jail, although Kono's storyline extends further into the season. This season involves Wo-Fat (who was introduced midway through the first season) a lot more, and the team investigates ties between Wo-Fat and McGarrett's family in the process. There is some cast turnover with Taryn Manning being reduced to a recurring role and the addition of Lauren German to the main cast as a Homeland Security officer named Lori Weston who is assigned to the task force by the new Governor. Masi Oka is promoted to a series regular this season and Terry O'Quinn (from Alias and Lost) is added in a major recurring role, Joe White, who is a former mentor to Steve in the Navy. Ian Anthony Dale is also added as a recurring character Adam Noshimuri who is the son of the local Yakuza leader.

The season is again a combination of procedural case-of-the-week stories and serial arcs that span throughout the season. There are a couple of different crossovers with NCIS: Los Angeles, including a two-episode crossover in the second half of the season in which Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J appear on Five-0 and Daniel Dae Kim and Scott Caan, appear on NCIS. The season ends on yet another cliffhanger with a major reveal that involves Steve and sets up what the large story arc for season three will be.

For those who get the Blu-Ray set, the A/V quality is great once again, especially the visuals of Hawaii. The extras include commentary tracks on two episodes, a few making-of and behind-the-scenes documentaries, a featurette on the NCIS crossovers, a featurette on real-life Navy Seal training, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.

Overall, the series continues to be strong in its second season. It does a good job balancing the large ensemble cast and has great guest stars and recurring stars. Ed Asner guest stars as his character from the original series August March, James Caan (of course Scott's father) makes a guest appearance and basically rips on Danny the entire time. Jimmy Buffett, Patty Duke, and Robert Englund also make guest appearances as do William Sadler, Michelle Borth, and Will Yun Lee, who steals every scene he is in as Sang Min. The show has a good blend of action and drama with some comedy (usually in the form of the Steve-Danny bickering) mixed in. It is well-written and acted, and while it does rely heavily on the original series, it is not a carbon copy of the original show. So, if you are a fan of police procedurals, this is a good one to watch, but definitely watch season one first so you are up to speed with the characters and the storylines.

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