S5·E9 Ke Koho Mamao Aku (Longshot)

Episode recap

The episode opens amid a Hawaiian Christmas, a season that brings both festive atmosphere and an unusual criminal investigation to the islands. The Five‑0 task force departs Oahu for the Big Island, where a case quickly draws the attention of Special Agent Lou Grover’s partner, forensic specialist Max. A local cowboy is found poisoned, prompting an autopsy that becomes the focal point of the episode’s procedural storyline. Because of the circumstances surrounding the death, Max is compelled to collaborate with a medical examiner who is described as a rival, suggesting a professional tension that forces him to set aside personal differences in order to determine the cause of the poisoning. The partnership underscores the episode’s theme of cooperation under pressure, as the two examiners work together to uncover evidence that could identify the perpetrator behind the lethal substance.

Concurrently, the episode follows Steve McGarrett as he engages in a more off‑beat subplot that reflects the holiday setting. McGarrett applies pressure to Danny Williams, urging him to acquire a Christmas tree in a manner that is described as stealing. This demand places Danny in a morally ambiguous position, highlighting the contrast between the team’s usual law‑enforcement duties and the lighter, albeit mischievous, holiday antics that surface during the season. The interaction between McGarrett and Danny adds a personal dimension to the narrative, revealing the characters’ willingness to bend rules for the sake of a festive gesture.

The dual storylines intersect through the shared backdrop of Christmas on the islands, allowing the episode to explore both the serious investigative work required to solve a poisoning case and the more playful, human side of the team as they navigate holiday traditions. By juxtaposing Max’s forced collaboration with a rival examiner against McGarrett’s insistence that Danny procure a Christmas tree through illicit means, the episode balances tension and humor while maintaining the procedural core that defines the series. The resolution of the poisoning investigation and the outcome of Danny’s tree‑theft assignment are left to the episode’s concluding moments, completing a narrative that blends seasonal spirit with the customary crime‑fighting focus of Hawaii Five‑0.