Hawaii Five-0 triathlon episode, Thur. Sept. 5, 10 pm on TNT

TNT is now showing repeats of the modern “Hawaii Five-0” series on Thursday nights (two episodes back-to-back), starting with Season 1. This Thursday, Sept. 5, they will show “Heihei”, the episode that revolves around a fictional triathlon race on Oahu (most likely inspired by the famous Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island).

[Minor spoilers follow]

The criminals are among the contestants in the triathlon race. In addition to being professional criminals, they are shown to be dedicated triathletes. They have worked out a system of committing crimes around the time of various triathlon races around the country. The story is fanciful and not very realistic. But the action sequences are entertaining to watch. As long as you don’t expect too much realism from the episode, I think most cyclists and triathletes will have fun with it. Except maybe for the scene where a cyclist gets tackled off a bike, because he’s a felon on the run, not just because he’s riding a bike. (The show isn’t exactly realistic in terms of police procedure and constitutional rights either. In the 1st season, the Governor has given the Five-0 team broad authority to use whatever means necessary to fight crime, suspending constitutional protections for Five-0 investigations. Obviously that’s not the way it works in real life. So turn off that part of your brain too.)

Someone told me that the producers had recruited local amateur triathletes to participate in the mock race featured in the episode. They show scenes of a mass swim start as well as scenes from the bike leg.

I’ve seen the episode a couple times before. Actually, this episode was the reason that I started following the show. It’s not a deep, philosophical show, but it’s not intended to be. Enjoy the Hawaiian scenery and the action. Don’t worry about the details as much. (I know it’s not realistic for a cyclist to be running at full speed in tri bike shoes. Or doing other amazing feats off a bike while wearing tri bike shoes. Suspend your disbelief for a moment or two.)

Thursday, September 5, 10pm on TNT