Before I say anything about this episode, I just want to comment on things I have seen on social media about it all. People saying that all these things about Steve wanting to leave had no build-up. I am amazed!! Last week we posted the summary of Steve’s Story and it can clearly be seen that this has had a build-up for a while already …. at least for 2 or even 3 seasons now I would guess. Adding on loss after loss after loss.
A while back people were screaming that Steve needs to show symptoms of PTSD with all his losses. Now when he is admitting that he needs a break from it all, those same people scream that this has not been coming, no build-up, too sudden? A hero can maybe handle one or two things, but in the end, it is the sum of it all that gets to him. He is not breaking, he is just wondering if he should not cut himself some slack and try something else.
When you have built a family and all your friends only around your work, and have nothing outside of it anymore, it creates a problem. And on top of that, when your work keeps you from healing because it is filled with death and fixing other people’s problems, then, unfortunately, you need to maybe leave your work (even just for a while or forever). But you also have to leave that “work” family as well, because they became part of the problem. Especially when that work-family even lives with you in your house. NO life of your own, because the job even follows you home. Your choice is AS SIMPLE AS THAT….. LEAVE. You take yourself with you, but you give yourself a break.
Koala Smartass: For once we agree! A very wise man said: “If you want different results than what you’re getting, you have to try different approaches”. #JustSaying
#TheLastSuper? #TheMagicTableIsCrowded
Sorry, I was busy jotting down a few thoughts about the episode to accompany Paula’s great screencaps, when our old “friend” the Koala Smartass decided to pitch in and rain on my parade!
So let’s get going with some random quotes and thoughts (and replies from the Koala Smartass) from the episode …..
Steve: “Love you, Pops.”
Koala Smartass: Yes, it is great to see that after everything, Steve still feels the need to express his love to his dad.
Steve: The last thing I need in my life right now is another mystery.
Koala Smartass: Remember, Steve, your mom taught you tricks when you were young – that was a great thing the two of you had, wasn’t it? Maybe she had one more trick up he sleeve! #MaybeTheMysteryIsGood #TheresAlwaysHope
- Hopefully solving this mystery of the cypher, will end it all. End the Wo Fat, Doris, John and Joe saga, once and for all!! And help to give Steve some peace …
Steve: Maybe I’m just feeling a little lost right now.
Koala Smartass: Great to admit it Steve – that is the starting point of healing.
- Steve is driving Danny’s car to the crime scene from his dad’s grave? Was he teleported to the punchbowl earlier? No car of his own there? (Sorry, but I just had to nitpick a little)
Koala Smartass: Maybe he was beamed there by Scotty? #SorryThatWasJustTooEasy
Why did nobody guard the woman and her kid – they were witnesses in a murder? Dangerous criminals are involved and their vehicles were seen in the neighbourhood.
Koala Smartass: Maybe Steve does not have everybody’s back after all? #MaybeItsNotEvenHisBack
Danny: I don’t know. I mean, you know, he’s been running nonstop for the last ten years. You do this job long enough, you get… you get burnt-out. I didn’t think it would happen with Steve, but it happens.
Koala Smartass: Yes Danny, he is just human after all. Maybe, just maybe you left him one too many times to carry the load alone? #AreWeStillTalkingAboutSteveOrAlexHere?
Tani (to Junior): Right, but you know, he’s been through a lot this year, and… you can’t honestly tell me that you haven’t noticed a change.
Junior: McGarrett’s the best soldier I’ve ever worked with. He’s able to compartmentalize things, and if he’s got something to deal with, he’ll deal with it in his own way.
Koala Smartass: Exactly – he did not need somebody to invite themself and try to babysit him at home for months.
Steve: All we can do as leaders is make the best decisions with the information that we have at hand.
Koala Smartass: At least he knows that and will hopefully cut himself some slack about the deaths of his mother and Joe, for which he felt responsible.
Just a sidenote – These moving camera shots around the office, during this episode – NO, JUST NO. It is annoying and distracting.
Captain Ingram: “And as someone who still wears a uniform on occasion, you know what that means.”
Koala Smartass: We must have missed those occasions lately. When did we last get to see Steve in uniform? The show really lost that angle of Steve’s story a while back already.
- I really found this funny. Somehow Cole knew exactly where the exchange was supposed to happen. So I guess we can be glad that Steve & Danny told Cole precisely where the drop off will be, all while discussing with him why he was NOT going to be used as bait. LOL
Koala Smartass: Yup, I got nothing. But you are killing the vibe with trivial stuff. #MoveOn
- Did Hector really think Steve would send Cole alone to the exchange and not take precautions? Hector did not know Cole was no longer with Five-0 at the time.
Koala Smartass: Just your general H50 dumbass criminals, I guess? Not thinking that the cops will not just leave it to chance.
Danny: I think this guy might be crazier than you.
Steve: I think you might be right.
- What exactly did Cole do in 5 minutes that was crazier than the things Steve have done over the years?
Koala Smartass: Guess the show is really trying super hard to push this character as McG 2.0 (Steve on steroids? #NoPunIntended)
- So, Cole went AWOL, 4 years ago already? And Steve got him off with just a warning.
Koala Smartass: Steve really does have clout it seems.
Cole: Well, it just so happens I know a guy that’s a wizard at that kind of stuff.
Koala Smartass: For those who were wondering, please notice – he said a guy. #JustSaying
- So Danny calls Steve at work to come home to have a drink – at his own home? I really found this a bit funny. Where else would he have gone to after work? Why was Danny himself not at work anymore and already home?
Koala Smartass: Maybe Danny called him and suggested a date somewhere more romantic, but then Steve suggested drinks at the house? You know Steve is not very romantic after all #LOL#SorryNotSorry
Steve: Look, man, I don’t know, … I don’t know when it happened, but something changed. I’ve been here doing this for so long now, I… I kind of feel like I’ve been protecting everybody except for myself… Does that make sense?
Koala Smartass: Makes perfect sense Steve, as FOYeur summarize it in the begining. Why did it take you so long to admit it? – RUN, STEVE, RUN! #SorryForrest
Steve: It’s more than that. And I can’t do that here anyway. I got too many memories.
Koala Smartass: Exactly – RUN!! #ButPleaseNotJersey #DannysFamilyIsThere #MyDoorIsAlwaysOpen 😀
Steve: I really thought that the restaurant would balance things out. But when it closed…
Koala Smartass: “Closed?? I thought they sold it to Kamekona and Grover’s brother was developing recipes there or something? #MustHaveMissedSomethingAlongTheWay.
- So the cypher must be really important if someone knows about it and wants to steal it. Must be somebody who knows what Doris might knew secrets and pass it on to Steve – exactly at this time?
Koala Smartass: Looks like Steve’s nemesis is the “Omnipresent One? – #OnlyGodCanKnowsThisMuch #ButHeIsNotSupposedToBeYourEnemy
*Trident* 😀
And here we are ….
It looks like Steve is finding the answers and the way out of the hole he is in.
Hope to see Steve smiling again without a frown – at the end of next week …..
Alex O´Loughlin ~ An Intense Study 
Oh, my. I saw Steve’s lips moving but I heard Alex talking. I can only guess that the writers allowed him some leeway in expressing how much his character (and him, too) needed a break from ten years of constant working crazy hours, dealing with injuries and just wanting a better life for himself and his family.
I agree that Steve’s decision is not sudden and has been in the making for some time. The “distractions” he mentioned did not work out very well for him personally. Distractions are only temporary fixes until the reason for the distractions is recognized and acknowledged.He has apparently now done so. The McDanno fans had some sweet moments of Steve telling Danny he would always be his “Danno.” I am glad they got this as a happy ending for their bromance. It sounds a lot like what a big brother tells his little brother when he goes off to college–I am leaving –for now,- but I am not forgetting about you. You will always be my little brother. I hope Danny and Rachel patch things up at the end and he gets to tell Steve that before he leaves.
I wonder if Steve tells the rest of the team that he is leaving but he will return one day. (Perhaps a guest spot on Magnum to let us know what he has been up to?) And that sums up what I think the McDanno fans will be given in the end–the hope that these two will remain as good friends no matter where Steve winds up. There should be something for everybody in the finale.
I liked Cole and think he would have made a great S11 addition but not as a replacement for McGarrett. . Maybe the reason is that they created Cole’s character as having too much in common with McGarrett. Harry might have been the better choice–alike– yet some big differences. Going back to Harry’s last visit when Steve offered him a job, was it his own job he was offering? Maybe.
How cool is it that headquarters had a balcony? I never knew. They may have been having drinks at 5PM every day for ten years without us.
Waiting patiently for the finale. OK, not patiently. i hope for a special treat at the end.
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If you look at the Palace (their HQ) there is an open area in the middle, an atrium, so to speak so it would make sense. I am curious as to how they will end it for Steve (and the others). Wondering if Tani and Junior remain w/50 as they did a “future” episode and have Lou run it. I don’t know if Danny would be a good fit for McGarrett’s position but we shall see.
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Thank you for letting me know about this. I have never been inside the actual building–only outside of it, so that makes sense. Wonder why they never used it in any episodes (unless they did and I missed it or if they used a different set for that one scene). In the make believe world of H50, I think most members will remain to carry on the work of the Task Force, probably with Lou in charge. We will just never see them in action unless some members make guest appearances on Magnum in the future. I am hoping for that.
It seems, to me at least, that TPTB knew Alex was leaving much earlier than we guessed and allowed him to end his story with Doris on his own terms.
Just 4 more days until our questions are answered.
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I got the feeling Steve was tongue in the cheek, joking with Danny, just like the show has been cracking baiting jokes at the shippers all these years. And everybody took it seriously 😕
But yes, Peter would think he is pleasing everybody and then usually pleasing nobody. I think that will most probably happen in the finale as well.
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I can understand that some people will take comfort in that the McDanno bromance will go on, ( even though it got pretty ugly and nasty in the last few years) but I am not lumping those McDanno fans who enjoyed the earlier carguments with those McDanno fans who shipped McDanno as a couple. That group is going away empty handed and with the knowledge that both Steve and Danny are very likely going to spend their lives with the two women they have always loved and not with each other.
So there will be something for most but not everyone. Is that a fairer way to say it?
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Maybe it’s me but I have a hard time with imagining “Steve” running off to be with Catherine. She’s in the CIA and I doubt she will give it all up for him and they ride off into the sunset together. Please note I am not a McRoll hater but there were numerous times when they could’ve either brought her back or mentioned that she was looking out for him. He’s protected her many times and I (personally) feel if he was really that bad off i.e. near death she could have been there. (I have wondered where she has been through some of his most difficult times.) I know in the realm of things she was probably on some secret mission and couldn’t get away. Well this isn’t “reality” and they could’ve added that to the story line.
Before you say she was there after Joe died, yes she was. Where was she when Doris died? I am sure they kept in contact and I even assume that Doris was the one who recruited her. Where was she? Very little or no mention of her at all the last year so it;s hard for me to grasp that he would go running after her. Also, he’s burned out and knows what that type of life does to someone. I don’t think he would/could feel comfortable staying “at home” (so to speak) while Catherine is out on secret missions. Plus, as we have seen in past episodes they can’t let anyone know who they are, where they are at as they (or people they love) are compromised.
I guess we shall see. I am hoping they do the series (ending) justice.
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I agree with you. I know it is about the availability of an actor, but for me it was a big problem that she was never there after he was tortured, injured, Doris’s death… And her behaviour later made me no fan of hers.
I am kinda sure we will hear from her in the finale, but I don’t know how they will bring her back into Steve’s life. He wants to do something different, is tired of mysteries, death, drama, fighting and horror. She is still CIA, so how could that work out?
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There is no reason why she can’t also leave the CIA and move on with her life.
Doris was very young when she started that life – and it became her whole life in the end. I doubt if that is what Cath wants for herself.
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I understand that some fans will never accept Cath as Steve’s happy endgame and that’s fine. Different opinions make life and this fandom interesting. I feel differently and apparently so do many others, including the EP. Why do I say that? Because he could have easily spared himself several years of “agita” by killing the character after 421. Instead, when things did not look good for renewal, he brought her character back. 525 was written as the possible series finale but renewal meant he needed to bring the character back for 601-602-603 in order to tear them apart. He has said in interviews that he wrote her into 625 if that was the end, but renewal meant he could bring her back later in another way He also brought her back for 707, the famous Lynn and Cath meeting. But despite some fans being thrilled that Steve was dating someone else, PL made it clear that Lynn was not in his future. She was always intended to be a seat warmer for Cath’s return. So were all the other dating “distractions.” We got to see her again in 820 and 914? Why did he do that? Because, as I have said before, there could not be a married Steve (or Danny) until the series finale but the need to keep her character in the picture was important to him. Now we have reached that point. So I am a proud McRoll shipper. I have no twitter account, and seldom (as in practically never) look at the H50 Facebook site. I get my information mostly from the entertainment sites which cover PL/cast interviews. I pay very close attention to words and their meanings. Usually these articles include “interesting” fan comments. I feel sorry for PL because of all the drunk tweeting he will see on Friday night.
BTW, we don’t know if Cath knew about Doris or even when she found out if she did. . Remember Steve wanted no one else involved in this mission. It was Junior who got worried when Steve did not check in, got a couple of S.E.AL buddies and went to find him. Steve did not send him away. It was Danny who remained safely at headquarters. Had Freddie lived he would have been with Junior.
If Cath and Steve go off together, I doubt she will remain in the CIA. Perhaps they will live on Joe’s ranch and raise chickens and children. Yes to McRoll babies!
Just my opinion.
Stay safe everybody. We keep each other healthy by following the guidelines for defeating this virus. Pray for the health professionals who risk their lives every day for us.
#flattenthecurve.
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Thank you for doing this. I am both excited and scared to see how it all ends.
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I have to say disappointed in the way the story is going, they knew in season 8 that Alex was going to call it quits, To me it like they are saying after all these years Steve cant do his job. How rude of his coworkers to think he may not have their backs, Yes i get the possible work related stress and all he has been through but i would want him going out on a high note . Still kicking no matter what . Some people have a fighting spirit that never quits and that is Steve. I dont care anymore how they write the end He will always be a huge hero to me flaws and all , Aloha and thanks for all you do,
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To be honest, I did not really get that vibe from the story in this episode. Only Tani mentioned some concern. Nobody else thinks like that.
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Just a quick reply after I saw your opening words that people have complained there was no lead up. I’ve been binge watching Series 10 on pay tv in Australia hoping to catch up before the final. I’ve seen previews etc online and thinking how tired Alex looks. Now i know the shows finishing I realise it’s Steve that looks tired! 🙄, Noticing all sorts of things I would have missed had I not known show is ending. Guess it was my wishful thinking that it could never end without being announced much earlier.
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Yes, there has been a build-up for a while already, in how Steve looks and do things.
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Just my personal opinion here: I think Alex knew this was his last season when he wrote the episode about the death of Doris – episode 10.7. And remember this was the first episode filmed for season 10. I like to think of it as his gift to his fans to wrap up that side of McGarrett’s story.
And thanks for another great article.
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Yes, I also think Alex started out this season, knowing that it will be his last.
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If Alex knew this was last season, why did they bring in this cryptography like a letter from his mother? Does not make sense.
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It makes perfect sense that they want to wrap up the stories of the past with it, I would guess.
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WOW. What an awesome review, FOYeur! Fabulous! I am kinda speechless, so expect a lot of quotes coming from here. Because your words are oh so true and they need to be quoted a zillion times.
Your introductory words? Just perfect and I agree with every single word you wrote.
“Koala Smartass: Yes Danny, he is just human after all. Maybe, just maybe you left him one too many times to carry the load alone? #AreWeStillTalkingAboutSteveOrAlexHere?”
YES and YES! And Yes again. (About both!) Sitting on a kitchen counter, whining, bitching, insulting, letting the other do all the work and fights, never coming up with a plan of his own – well – that’s is not fixing a broken toy. That’s adding to the problem. Because this:
“Junior: McGarrett’s the best soldier I’ve ever worked with. He’s able to compartmentalize things, and if he’s got something to deal with, he’ll deal with it in his own way.
Koala Smartass: Exactly – he did not need somebody to invite themself and try to babysit him at home for months.”
“It looks like Steve is finding the answers and the way out of the hole he is in.” And he does it all on his own!
“When you have built a family and all your friends only around your work, and have nothing outside of it anymore, it creates a problem. And on top of that, when your work keeps you from healing because it is filled with death and fixing other people’s problems, then, unfortunately, you need to maybe leave your work (even just for a while or forever). But you also have to leave that “work” family as well, because they became part of the problem. Especially when that work-family even lives with you in your house. NO life of your own, because the job even follows you home. Your choice is AS SIMPLE AS THAT….. LEAVE. You take yourself with you, but you give yourself a break.” Perfection! Run, Steve, run.
I am so happy that KoalaSmartass is back! Missed him (or her, who knows 😉 )
I will miss Steve terribly and I hope the last episode will be about him. As I said some days ago in Let’s pic(k) Steve: ‘The essence of the show: the mystery of Steve McGarrett’s family, the tragedy that surrounds McGarrett, the strength and humanity that fuels McGarrett. That is what H50 is about, that is the reason there is H50.’
Thanks for the awesome screens, Paula. The twinkle one is too funny 😀
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Thanks
I guess the Koala is a wise old fool. 😀
‘The essence of the show: the mystery of Steve McGarrett’s family, the tragedy that surrounds McGarrett, the strength and humanity that fuels McGarrett. That is what H50 is about, that is the reason there is H50.’
<< In my opinion, the show would have been the best EVER, if they had stuck to it and kept that story running continuously and not only once in a while, with some of the stories contradicting one another in the end. If that was the case I would have been truly sad that the show is ending.
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Gostei muito das cenas na sala azul, creio que foi a primeira vez que se sentou, senti no seu rosto e postura corporal um misto de abandono, cansaço, tristeza… Alex é magnífico nas cenas que retratam emoções. Lance também foi muito bem.
Obrigada!
Saúde para todos! 🍀🎸
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Yes, It was the first time he sat on the floor in the blue room. He did it once before in a flashback, when he was interrogation the terrorist while he was still in the military. Episode 7:24 https://alexoloughlinintensestudy.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/724-19.jpg?w=500&h=592
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Obrigada, agora me lembro, também esteve excelente nesse episódio.
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I was so hoping for a visit from Koala Smartass!
I loved what you said about Steve only having work things and people surrounding him. Its so true… and I think Steve alluded to that when he said it was surrounded by memories. I mean, the man can do nothing without getting a work phone call
“there’s always another case”
“The job comes first”
And so many of his comments through the years.
Yes, you can trace how many things have been piling on for thre man over the years. I don’t know why people think it’s coming out if nowhere. PL might not have the actual symptoms of PTSD correct, but damn if Steve shouldn’t be tired and want to get away after being everyone’s everything for so long. He’s got a sense of duty that superceded his own happiness. Sometimes you have to take drastic measures to choose yourself, when you feel like you’ve lost yourself.
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This was amazing FOYeur thanks much! I smiled when reading as so many points you raised I agreed and also wondered about. It’s business as usual I guess with some things having no rhyme or reason.
All I can say is that I watched and listened but my focus was mainly on Alex/Steve. Making the most of seeing him in this ep and looking forward no matter what to the last ep.
I would also add that I do like Cole. He would have made an excellent team member if H50 were continuing.
Last but not least where’s Eddie? I wonder if we’ll see him in the last ep. I miss that face and would love to see him one more time.
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Eddie will definitely be in the finale. We posted the pictures of his last day on set with Alex. Alex even made a speech to say goodbye to him.
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OMG! You’re so right. I do recall the post. My mind lapsed I guess. 🙄 Thanks for being there for clarification and always.😊
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My job, to remember stuff I have posted at least (but I also seem to forget a lot these days)
I see posts which I can’t even recall ever doing anymore. 🙂
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I did not like Cole (I am not talking about the actor here!), or let me say it in another way: I did not feel for him. The character was written forced and exaggerated, he felt like a comic figure for me. And I am not happy seeing him with the team in the pics of the finale. It’s been ten years and I want the focus on the ohana and mainly on Steve, the one who is the reason there is 50.
But one thing is for sure, the moment Steve says Goodbye to Eddie will kill me. I will cry my eyes out….
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Let the show continue with the new marine hero that was on the next tio last episode. He could lead the team.
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But will the fans show up? I doubt it. Alex/Steve has been the the heart and soul and the driving force of Hawaii Five-O for ten year. I’m intrigued to see what path Steve chooses to follow next. He’s given his entire life to others in selfless service. He’s tired. Bone weary. He’s lost almost everyone he loves. It’s time to move on. This ending’s going to be very emotional. And just the beginning of a new life for Steve.
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I am writing this just a few hours before the series finale. I am hoping that it is as fulfilling as promised. I was a bit disappointed in 10.21. I didn’t understand introducing a new character at this point in time. I felt like the episode was an audition for Coles character and that there must have been some discussion on having him as team leader if the show was renewed for S11. I just saw it as a waste of precious time. I wanted to see more of Alex because after the finale I don’t know if his future will be in front of the camera. I sure hope so! The best part by far was the conversation between Steve and Danny on the beach. I saw so much of Alex’ pain in Steve’s words. I wish there was more time devoted to what he has been going through and how he has been struggling. I guess I just can’t get enough of him. I do hope that time is not wasted on fluff in the finale. As a McRoll fan I also want the happy ending I have been waiting for. I will miss watching H50 on Fridays, but I will miss Alex most of all.
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I don’t know how the finale will end but I am sad it’s ending. I get it everyone is tired and have worked very hard. I just hope they do the show and the characters justice. Don’t know if I want to watch it or watch it over and over.
At least we will have DVD’s to be able to watch over and over again. I hope this site will continue. Blessings to you.
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I was a little disappointed with the ending. I won’t give anything away (for those on other time zones, etc.) but I feel more could have been done. Or maybe have been done differently. They also left out a couple of “cast” members that I (personally) felt should have been there. Sad to see the show end and sad to see it end the way it did. Thanks for letting me express my opinion.
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