Anybody Can Build a Bomb

In the episode directly previous to this, one of the "world's experts" on the crime in process was brought in by 5-0 to assist with the investigation.

In this episode, Lew Ayers isn't the mastermind behind the operation, but he assisted and then after being called in, did everything he could to convince 5-0 and everyone else that an atomic bomb COULD be built privately and they should pay one hundred million dollars ransom.

TV writers can come up with some far-fetched premises, but this one is over the moon far-fetched. And the script has the criminal organization leaving a trail the dullest detective could have followed ... right to where they've placed the bomb.

And the organization behind this threat is left almost untouched, with the promise that further investigation will expose them. However, I don't think they ever returned to that plotline in the remainder of the series.

We're BIG fans of the original Hawaii 5-0, but there was simply too much wrong with the episode to reward it with many stars.

I have to say that I always have loved this episode.

In fact despite the technological superiority that shadowy crime syndicate "Mercury" displayed in construction of a circa 1945 era atomic bomb they pretty much demonstrated why no city has ever been hit by nuclear terror.

The plot basically is that mysterious and well-funded gangsters have a nuclear bomb factory somewhere in Honolulu- and will deliver the destructive device by moving van. Yes- you heard me right- an atomic bomb delivered by diesel.

The plot hinges on the watchman for the building at ground-zero signing for a five-ton parcel, which is emanating a loud ticking noise- on a Saturday no less. I bet that HE got fired.

There is a subplot about a radiological test which kills the bomb designer- and Danno giving the order to blow up a plane carrying a hundred million dollars- which is all the money in the West Coast- in cash. I certainly hope that McGarrett wrote down the serial numbers for all those bills.

Now if a nuke could just be made that fits in a suitcase....................................