#H50 10.13 late treats – more McPlaid

#H50 9.25 – Steve, to be continued …

Thank you Paula for capturing all these beautiful screencaps of Alex as Steve. For me personally Alex looked kind of serene throughout this episode. Though I am not a big fan of the dyed hair, it looked good as well. With some of the clothes he wore and with a less stressful look, he even looked more like Steve from earlier seasons in some of the scenes.

There are so many reviews and opinions around about the show and I really do not feel like saying much  about it.

Some small things bothered me and left questions with me about the last scene. I know the woman held onto her son with her right hand and she therefor gave Steve her left hand to shake – Steve’s face and my own thoughts about something like and that that might be seen as a sign of rudeness in her culture came to mind. Something Steve as an officer would know very well. Did it mean anything? Is the show this clever?

And then, why take personal revenge and set yourself up to be potentially killed and definitely captured and incarcerated for life and with that leave your son without a parent to raise him – with both in prison? AND on top of it, put your son in danger and in the hands of strangers and enemies? Sounds kind of dumb to me. And all that to settle a score with somebody who killed a father-in-law you never knew? Really show?

My aim with the first post after the finale, was to have some fun with all the drama that was supposedly created with the last minutes of the season finale. Some took it that way, others did not see it that way, I guess.

To me it was no surprise and hardly any cause for panic. Most probably also because it would not bother me in the least if Alex would decide to quit the show. As long as he wants to be there it is great and if he does not want to be there, also great. It is his life and his career after all!

But let us get real about a cliffhanger like this on a TV show.  In most cases it is done to create drama and have fans talk about the show and hopefully have them tune in, in anticipation to see what happens when the new season starts. Is it necessary to do that with a successful show? In my opinion – no.

Okay, so when is it needed? When the writers and producers are not sure if a certain actor will sign contract to return with the next season and they want to give them a good send-off. Was it really needed this time? None of us know, because none of us really know what kind of contracts were signed by the cast.

Another time when something like this is needed, is when a certain actor might need less time on the show and their role will change when the new season starts. We all know how they ended Season 3 in order for Grace Park to get maternity leave for the first half of Season 4

In other words, the writers are dictated to by what contracts the Network sign and with what happens in the personal lives of the actors. They have to write around what is available.

What does it all mean for us as fans and viewers?

If an actor, who is part of the main cast, does not sign a new contract with the Network again, then that character will be written out off the show – whether the producers or writers want it or not. And whether the fans want it or not.

So who might leave?

Any actor who does not want to remain there – most of the time by their own choice or if they can’t agree on the terms of their contract with the Network. In cases where they feel they should earn more. Others might want more screen time, and others less screen time. It is all part of the job negotiations of being an actor. Fans and fellow cast members don’t really influence any of that.

Let’s break it down then according to the plot at the end of Season 9.

• A woman came to kill Steve and that would make Alex the main target to leave. Will he leave the show? Most probably not. It is a well paying good job, close to home and his family. And unless he already signed some other  life changing project to begin with, there is no reason for him to leave.

But that does not mean he is not looking for less screen time or maybe a new role in the production of the show. He said that he really enjoyed directing and he even gave Peter a script as well. In Season 1 already, he said that he would like to be producer one day. And in so many words he said at the Paley that he is tired of acting.  For all we know, his wish might be less on screen as Steve and more busy with other parts of the production.

• Then there is Jorge who play Jerry. In my opinion the only reason anything would happen to Jerry, is if Jorge wants to leave the show. Some fans mention other projects that he is involved with. I personally have not seen any of it, but then again, I do not make an intense study of his career.  My personal opinions, is that he won’t be leaving and I don’t see him going anywhere.
• There is also always the usual debate and  speculations around Scott and if he might be leaving. No indication that Scott will leave or that Danny will be written from the show. At the moment and for many seasons (since Season 4) Scott’s contract allows him the best of both worlds. He is a lead actor in a series, but he is also given nearly half the time off on set, in order for him to be in LA to do other passion projects. What actor would want to give up such a dream job?

 

Sit back and enjoy the ride. This is entertainment – not real life for us!

But every much real life for those who create the entertainment

#H50 9.22 – Steve Knows Compassion

Hi Everyone, FOYeur here.

As usual Paula made this post with these beautiful screencaps of the latest episode. I always enjoy them very much, because she’s got this gift of catching the best of Steve – EVERY TIME!

I haven’t said much about Hawaii Five-0 this season, mainly because I caught up with most of it only halfway through the season. Apart from Alex doing his thing as Steve, and doing it well, I feel kind of disconnected from the show.

Not always sure if it is just my personal life or the show itself causing it? Wondering, if somewhere along the line, the loss of any continuity in the real personal Story of Steve McGarrett, made me ambivalent …..

As and Alex fan, I am really glad and happy for him that the show is successful and made it to Season 9 – and most probably beyond. According to what they said at Paley last month, Hawaii Five-0 is already the most successful reboot ever, in as far as number of episode it got to. That is no small task and it shows the dedication and hard work of cast and crew over the years.

For me the episode was yet again just another episode in the Hawaii Five-0 mold. Mindless action entertainment for the fans to enjoy, coming from the well oiled conveyor belt, producing episode number 215 of the show. A good quality production, watched and adored by millions!

Not much to fault it with, other than a few massive plot holes as usual – but that of course is part of this type of entertainment. But even with the success, I still feel disconnected to the show …..

And then you get to this part at the end of the episode – and reminds me why I am still here, watching the show and following Alex’s career as an actor – as a GREAT ACTOR! Still hoping that there will be something new, something beyond this show. Something that will show that he is so much more than the great action actor we already know he is.

And I hope somewhere along the line, he will feel the passion for acting again, and not just feel that he need to move beyond that, to directing or other ways of story telling, to get fulfilment.

Thank you Alex!

Not only did your performance during this scene, together with a great performance from  Kimee Balmilero, touch my heart, but some of Steve’s words here, delivered with great truth from Alex as an actor, also resonated with the truth of my own personal life … and isn’t that what connects us to the subtlety of true art?

Steve: …. just like you could never have saved her. You know that, right?

#AlexOLoughlin on ‘The Early Show’ with Maggie Rodriguez, April 2010

 

Step aside, Hugh Jackman — Australia’s new acting export has arrived.

Alex O’Loughlin, 33, left his native Sydney a few years back to headline the television series “Moonlight,” and the later medical drama, “Three Rivers.” This month, O’Loughlin is starring opposite Jennifer Lopez in the romantic comedy “The Back-Up Plan.”

O’Loughlin stopped by “The Early Show” Thursday to discuss the film and what it was like to work with Lopez. O’Loughlin plays Lopez’s new lover, Stan, who meets the love of his life shortly after she has decided to take pregnancy into her own hands.

“Early Show” co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez wanted to know if O’Loughlin was nervous working with such a high-profile celebrity while taking on his first major movie role.

CBSNewsCBS,

15 April 2010,

with Maggie Rodriguez.

Alex & Maggie on their way to the studio

Maggie: You’ve seen Alex O’Loughlin on TV in “The Shield”, “Moonlight”, now he’s on the big screen with Jennifer Lopez in the new romantic comedy “The Back-Up Plan”. He plays a man whose girlfriend has a secret, she got pregnant before they even met.

[They show a clip from the first date in The Back-Up Plan]

Maggie: [Comments on the clip] Not the first kiss they were hoping for Alex O’Loughlin. Good morning Alex.

Alex: Morning.

Maggie: Welcome back.

Alex: Thank you.

Maggie: You’re still …. I have to tell you, he’s still such a nice guy, even though he’s in this big blockbuster now with Jennifer Lopez.

Alex: Yeah, I’m trying to let LA … Hollywood change me. It is not happening as fast as I would like.

Maggie: But your life have changed a lot since we last spoke. You get this call to be in this movie with Jennifer Lopez, and you have to go to her house to meet with her and Marc Anthony.

Alex: True.

Maggie Were you nervous?

Alex: I was sort of more curious than nervous, I think. You know, it’s like she’s so famous, and we all know who she is. But, it was great. It was just like meeting anybody, you know.

Maggie: Were you more worried about impressing her or him?

Alex: Oh him, for sure, you know.

Maggie: You’ve got to make a good impression on the husband.

Alex: It was funny, I came in you know, and I was talking to Jennifer and Marc was … Marc was doing something with the kids. And he sort of popped in after I’d been there for a little while. And I was like, ‘Hey!’ And what ended up being … what was supposed to be a meeting with Jennifer and I, …. I ended up sort of hanging with Marc.

Maggie: Oh yeah.

Alex: And we were walking around the house showing me stuff you know, talking guy stuff.

Maggie: So he was more than okay with signing off on you working with his wife?

Alex: Well yeah, evidently. He’s a great guy.

In addition to the pre-premiere jitters, “The Back-Up Plan” may force O’Loughlin to face one of his biggest fears: inadvertently acquiring fame.

Maggie: Now that you’re in this movie, I have to tell you that one of your biggest fears could be realized.

Alex: What’s that?

Maggie: You said once, ‘Losing my anonymity in this world, I think is something that I find terrifying.’

Alex: Yeah maybe. I don’t know. I think …… When did I say that?

Maggie: I don’t know. In a magazine. A long time ago.

Alex: It is true. It is true. I can’t remember the interview. It is true. I think that a lot of actors are private people, you know. I think a lot of actors really, you know, don’t live the life that the rest of the world thinks we would live. I don’t know, we’ll see what happens.

Maggie: Are you okay with not being anonymous anymore?

Alex: Not really. I might have to move to Hawaii or something, you know. [Laughing]

Maggie: Ah ….. Speaking off, you are in the CBS pilot for Hawaii Five-0, which we will talk about. But let’s go back to this movie. You spend a lot of time filming with a woman who looked like this [Maggie showing her own pregnant tummy]

Alex: Yeah, I know. Congratulations.

Maggie: Except you know, mine is real. But Jennifer Lopez’s character pregnant. She has been artificially inseminated the day that she meets you. And then you two wind up becoming a couple.

Alex: Yeah, that’s right. I mean these two ….. It’s a story about two people whose lives kind of collide, you know. And their …. and they fall in love, and they don’t realize what’s happened. And it’s that thing about ….  you know, you can’t control when you fall in love.

We think, you know…. we all have these careers, and we have these lives and stuff, and we think we want to get everything in place and make sure we’re ready for love, and we’re ready for all that stuff. But sometimes you just can’t control it.

So yeah, then he …… when he comes to the realization, my character Stan, that, ‘Wow, I love this girl. I really want to …. I’m ready for it,‘

Maggie: Yeah.

Alex: She drops the baby bomb on him.

Maggie: And a great, great story unfolds which everybody should go and see.

Rodriguez also asked O’Loughlin about his work on CBS’ pilot for “Hawaii Five-O.” He plays Steve McGarrett in the remake of the classic television show, which aired from 1968 to 1980.

Maggie: I want to ask you before you go, about this Hawaii Five-0 pilot on CBS. Can you tell us anything about it?

Alex: It’s all pretty hush-hush, you know. They still haven’t …. there’s still not an official pick-up in a nutshell. We finished …. I think it’s the biggest pilot CBS has ever done. And it’s …. I’m pretty excited about it.

Maggie: What character do you play?

Alex: I play Steve McGarrett.

Maggie: Ah, perfect. I love it. Thank you Alex. Great to see you.

Alex: You too.

Link to video

If you were wondering when Alex said it:

“Losing my anonymity in this world I think is something that I find terrifying, I am a very private person. I have my life and I have my family, which mean the world to me.”

– Alex (O’Lachlan) O’Loughlin

Australia Associated Press (General News) – Sydney

16 June 2005

(This interview in 2005, was done during the promotion of Oyster Farmer)

BUT remember he also said:

I think it’s ignorant if you’re going to pursue a career in acting to allow yourself to get any sort of celebrity status and then be angry about it. I completely accept the loss of anonymity as part of success in this career I’ve chosen. But it doesn’t change the fact that I can get agoraphobic in crowds and that I spin out sometimes when I get too much attention, or that I get anxious, or that I’m sensitive.

– Alex O’Loughlin

GQ Style, March 2011

#H50 6.07 – #SteveMcGarrett got to know Lynn

This episode is so far my favorite from this season. Finally a bit more of Steve having fun, though of course he ended up in some trouble on his “get to know” date. At least it was just 2 baddies that pretty much gave themselves up  to sweaty McGarrett. I thought Sarah played her part very well, and she was fit for the part (actually super fit, nice muscle tone all over). Still irked over the shirt Steve wore on the island, couldn´t they just have put it in his backpack, for easy access to bandage material?  Anyway, don´t want to nitpick too much, there was plenty of juicy McG to enjoy 🙂

Off to a good start, with Lou´s blessing 🙂

 

Hello sailor!

Getting wet (most of us anyway 😉 )

Run!

Sweet McSweat and Gecko peek 😀

Nurse McG

Well, she survived it. That´s a good date with Steve 😉

See you next Saturday for coffee and malasadas!