Small Witness at 50 years

50 years ago tonight, CBS aired S07E17 – "Small Witness, Large Crime".

The episode starts with a typical day in Honolulu. A homeless moppet (Joshua N. Farin) steals some milk and donuts from a lady (Elizabeth Smith) who just arrived back from the store. She gives chase but the moppet, Moki, finds a tower and sits on the steps to enjoy his prize. But he gets more than he bargained for.

A sniper (John Kerry) fires a rifle to kill a guy nearly a mile away. The shot scares the crap out of Moki, who takes off, spilling chocolate milk along the way. The sniper attempted to time his shot while a 747 took off from Honolulu International, but that doesn't stop someone just below him from hearing the shot – that's where Moki was.

Since the kid stepped in the milk trying to get away, Five-O finds him pretty quick. They arrange to hold the kid because of the milk and donut theft but a burr up her butt busybody child advocate, Frances Chai (Frances Nuyen) gets in McGarrett's way and inadvertently puts Moki's life in danger by getting him released.

Turns out, a buddy of McGarrett's (can we call him that?) is the true culprit. Arnold Hubbard (Bert Convy) is the executive assistant to Chun Hong, the sniper's victim. Hong is a bigwig with Sino-Hawaii Trust Company and he was on his way out of Honolulu Harbor on a month-long trip but he ordered his boat captain (Wright Esser) to turn around. This was when Hong met his end.

Hubbard has been hiding massive amounts of embezzlement and Hong finally got wind of it. Five-O arrests Hubbard who points out the sniper to them. In the end, there is a serious cat-and-mouse chase in the junkyard where Moki lives as everyone is trying to find him. In the end, Moki is reunited with his father, who he calls "Papa." (more on this in a minute)

Mr. Mike does a much, much better job than I. His review is here: https://www.fiveohomepage.com/5-0log7.htm#161

I'm not a super fan of this episode – there are a lot things that are forced where they could have let things unfold more organically. For example, the relationship between McGarrett and Hubbard. Yes, they play handball together but how close are they really? It's kind of weird.

I also like Frances Nuyen but she is a squirrel on double espresso (I've been called this myself, so I'm stealing it! LOL!) in this episode. She did a much better job in S04E01, "Highest Castle, Deepest Grave" – which is one of Five-O's best episodes. She is difficult to take in some places, however, I like that her character is a staunch advocate for kids. The problem is she doesn't stop long enough to see what consequences her actions has. But that's a nitpick. :)

The ending scene gets on my last nerve. I don't mind the reunion between Moki and his dad, but it's as if the three actors (Lord, MacArthur, and Nuyen) don't know what to do during that time. It's stupid! :mad:

Anyway, Happy 50th, “Small Witness, Large Crime”!! :cool:

Quick Review Season 7 Small Witness, Large Crime 1 ⭐ 1/2 Stars Out Of 4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.

Definitely 1 of the weakest episodes in Season 7 and in the Series. A strong beginning! Some hitman standing on a tower synchronizes a hit with the takeoff of a plane. He hits his target 🎯 Hong on a boat. Moki a lonely kid with no parents around steals some food from a woman's grocery order. He takes the food and milk to the tower to consume it. The Hitman realizes there's a witness...This small kid Moki around middle of the tower runs and escapes from the Hitman. Neither the Hitman or Moki the kid speak which is bothersome. They are the 2 important characters in the episode. A Child Care advocate Frances has Moki released as McGarrett had Moki protected from the sniper. Very stupid! Arnold Hubbard the Executive Assistant to Hong has hired the Hitman who completes the work killing Hong. It appears Hong realized Hubbard was embezzling money. Hubbard knew he would be arrested and go to jail and Hong was eliminated. Moki returns to his junkyard home and the Sniper tries to eliminate him there. I did like the reunion between Moki and his Father. JC