Ooh!! It's that time of year again!!

50 years ago tonight, CBS aired Five-O's S06E01, "Hookman".

The episode follows Kurt Stoner (Jay J. Armes) who has hooks for hands and he's looking for vengeance against the four cops he blames for losing his hands. One of these officers is McGarrett.

Turns out, several years before, Stoner and an accomplice held up a bank and Stoner held explosives in his hands. They went off and stoner found himself without hands. However, as part of his prison sentence, the state paid for his to rehab and learn to use the hooks. It still doesn't take away the anger Stoner feels.

The villain begins assassinating the officers he blames starting with Keoki. On a beautiful Saturday morning, Keoki is escorting a funeral. Stoner shoots Keoki on his motorcycle as the procession is driving up a hill. Chaos ensues including the coffin flying out of the hearse!

Ookala is next and is killed during a shootout with a dimwit named McKinney (Donald Roessler). At first it's thought McKinney is behind the killings but he's not. Ookala is actually shot from a considerable height.

At each killing a rifle is left behind with a gold plate with each name stamped on it. It's these plates where McGarrett and Danno are setup by Stoner. The sniper lures them to a shop and as they're walking out the shop owner gives them a clue they're in a trap.

Fortunately, Stoner misses them but then the chase is on. McGarrett chases Stoner only to have Stoner and his Mustang wind up in the harbor. It's after this chase the pieces come together for McGarrett but it's too late for the third cop, Larry Thompson.

McGarrett tracks down where Stoner lives and with some teamwork and great sniper skills by Danno, Stoner is stopped- shot dead by Five-O.

There's far more detail to the his episode and Mr. Mike sums it up quite nicely here: https://www.fiveohomepage.com/5-0log6.htm#121

For me, this is an excellent episode and starts off Season 6 nicely. This was actually the first full season I bought on Amazon Prime because there are so many good episodes this year.

Stoner is the perfect villain because he doesn't tell anyone what he's doing! If you're going to commit a crime and expect to get away with it – this is how it's done!

There are moments that shock and surprise. There are also moments where we shake our heads. Just why is McGarrett whispering to Danno in the final confrontation!? They're outside and Stoner is across the street on the roof! He can't hear you !

Another highlight is the teamwork amongst the Five-O team. This is what made the show fun to watch.

Happy 50th, "Hookman"!!