Original air date: November 23, 1971
Written by: John D.F. Black
Directed by: Paul Stanley
A homicidal man plays games with Five-O, threatening to kill someone within fifty-one hours and giving clues as to who that will be. Some of the clues prove to be red herrings, especially in Danny's case.
McGarrett beats his team to the office and receives a menacing phone call. He follows up with Eddie Sherman on a clue given during the call.
McGarrett beats his team to the office and receives a menacing phone call. He follows up with Eddie Sherman on a clue given during the call.
Steve reviews more clues from the would-be killer who has also targeted the team with false leads.
One of the clues points to Chin's home. He and Steve check it out and find another false lead. Chin gets very angry about the threat to his family.
I've never seen Chin move this fast.
The false clue involving Danny really stinks. I love the shot of Steve and Danny walking behind the tour bus.
Jenny and McGarrett go over the schedule. Chin lucks out and gets the luncheon Steve was supposed to attend. Kono, ever thoughtful about gastronomical matters, suggests to Chin to take a sandwich with him. He covered the event the prior year and nearly starved on the croquet.
Danny meets the blind key maker. For some reason, I've always remembered this character.
McGarrett is deceived by the would-be killer into showing up for an appropriations meeting early. Again, as at the beginning of the show, silence is interrupted by a phone ringing. The man even manipulates McGarrett into taking the handkerchief out of his pocket just to show that he is a "puppet on a string."
The always creepy extreme close up of the bad guy's mouth.
In a sequence stretching belief, the would-be killer breaks into Five-O's offices again (they didn't post extra security and/or change the locks?). He leaves a trail of red paint leading to his victim. Watching McGarrett slowly trace its path to the intended target is chilling.
When the trail points to the government building, McGarrett must get an even worse feeling about where it will end up.
In a great quick cut, we go to the governor being suddenly followed by police officers. McGarrett doesn't waste time. The look on the Governor's face when he hears that McGarrett ordered the extra security makes it clear that he knows he's in trouble.
One cool Gov. I like that he rolls down the window to ask the officer what's going on.
Steve is waiting for the Gov when he arrives at his office. They have an argument about what to do. McGarrett wants him to go under the radar until they can find the killer. The Governor rejects that option, reasonably arguing that such a response would only make him weak to future threats. McGarrett, in a rare moment of not having the final say, begins to offer his resignation which the Governor refuses before McGarrett can even get the words out of his mouth. In the end, the Governor stands his ground but he knows his life is in McGarrett's hands. Scenes like this between Denning and Lord are some of my favorites from the show.
Steve looks a bit like a boy who's been told he can't go out and play until he finishes his veggies.
Danno works out what's really going on. The killer really wants to get to Steve but is going after the Governor to really make him suffer since McGarrett is "personally responsible for the governor's safety." Killing the Governor could "wash out" McGarrett, as Chin puts it.
McGarrett gets another call from the would-be killer who is angry that McGarrett's been holding the story from the press (why does the press hold off?). Steve asks him, "What are you hung up on?" The killer lets it slip in anger that he thinks Steve is "playing judge, tin idol, judging better men than you are!" This outburst sticks in Steve's mind. In a great scene showing his tenacity, McGarrett plays the tape over and over during the night and finally remembers where he has heard it before.
The team rushes the home of the would-be killer, Bill Cameron. McGarrett performs a classic TV cop door-busting move. He knocks first, of course.
Cameron is gone but leaves a redundant clue.
McGarrett loads up on the security for the Gov on Kamehameha Day for his parade-viewing duties.
The Gov grouses a bit about working out of Steve's office. He says he'd rather not have so many security measures, then adds, "But you're the boss." Steve explains to the Governor that he served on the board that dismissed Cameron from the police force after incidents of brutality were discovered. The Gov sums up, "Therefore he shoots me and ruins you."
McGarrett tells the Gov that Cameron was first in marksmanship in his class. The Gov says, "That's not a comforting thought." McGarrett replies, "It wasn't meant to be."
McGarrett insists that the governor wear a vest.
Another Kamehameha Day Parade on Five-O.
Bullet proof glass protects the Governor. McGarrett and Kono indiscreetly pace back and forth in front of it while the Gov puts on his best face for the crowd.
Cameron sets up and makes his assassination attempt.
Kono and the Governor are hit.
Danny takes out Cameron.
Cameron gloats as he dies. He thinks he has killed the Governor. McGarrett informs him that the Governor is fine and Cameron realizes that he wore a vest. This is the one detail that Cameron overlooked. Deranged minds are bound to miss something. He says, "If he's not dead, why did I do all this?"
The Governor is okay and thanks Steve.
Steve tells Kono, "Some guys will do anything to get Kamehameha Day off."
Pau.
