Hawaii Five-0 Season 10 Episode 1 Recap: Ua 'eha ka 'ili i ka maka o ka ihe (The skin has been hurt by the point of the spear) - TV Fanatic

In this exciting Season 10 opener of Hawaii Five-0, the team faces an intense string of events that kick off with a dramatic recovery, a classy night out gone wrong, and a shocking assassination. This episode also introduces major new threats, brings a fresh face into the mix, and sees a touching farewell for one beloved character—all while tackling deep themes around trauma and revenge.

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1. Aftermath and Interrupted Plans

The episode begins with Jerry recovering from his previous gunshot wound. While he's on the mend, we see Tani and Junior dressing up for an elegant evening at the opera. Meanwhile, McGarrett's romantic dinner with Brooke doesn't last, as their date is interrupted by a call from Danny, who originally set them up.

This peaceful start is quickly shattered when disaster strikes at the opera. In the audience, a mob boss is assassinated in dramatic fashion. Tani and Junior are right there and immediately come face-to-face with the shooter. As McGarrett joins the chase, he manages to wound the assassin, but the suspect slips away after a long pursuit.

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2. The Assassin's Trail and New Alliances

The team soon realizes they're dealing with a highly skilled opponent. It's obvious the assassin has a military background, which raises the stakes. Grover comes into the picture to interview Wes Cullen, a realtor whose stolen car was used by the shooter, introducing a new thread into the investigation.

Next, we're introduced to Sgt. Quinn Liu of CID, who quickly demonstrates she's not someone to mess with. She confronts McGarrett and Danny, clearly on the assassin's trail herself. Liu reveals the suspect is Tom Kendall, a missing veteran, laying the groundwork for more revelations.

"She identifies him as Tom Kendall, a missing veteran."

At the same time, Tani and Junior follow a lead at a hospital after finding a blood trail and realizing a doctor has gone missing. Their investigation points to a warehouse, where they discover that Kendall has shot himself when cornered. However, his mysterious accomplice is still at large.

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3. Uncovering the Larger Plot

While the team is piecing things together, McGarrett uses Kendall's phone to send a strategic text and learns that additional assassinations are in the works. Meanwhile, Adam convenes a meeting with surviving mob bosses to find a suspect, but the scene takes another twist when Quinn interrupts the negotiation. She confidently walks in and gives a direct warning:

"She tells Tamiko's father Masuda he is the next target."

As tension mounts, a sniper named Sanders attacks, taking out several key gangsters. Quinn and Adam manage to get Masuda to safety, but during the chaos, Quinn is shot. Sanders makes a daring escape in a monster truck—a scene that really ramps up the episode's action.

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4. Understanding the Motive

The investigation leads the team to an essential clue: both Kendall and Sanders were part of a PTSD treatment study. It turns out the real targets are members of an old loan-sharking gang, indicating someone is out for revenge against them.

The next target is identified as Zhang, the gang's former boss. McGarrett and Quinn race to Zhang's residence for a tense showdown. They chase Sanders through the house, culminating in a dramatic fight where:

"McGarrett and Sanders battle, then Quinn kills him when he won't drop his gun."

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5. Twists, Resolutions, and Farewells

It doesn't take long for the team to unravel who is pulling the strings. The realtor Cullen, whose stolen car started the investigation, is revealed to have financed the PTSD study and recruited the assassins. The tragic twist? His own wife and daughter were killed when his car exploded—a motive that drove him to orchestrate the revenge campaign.

"Cullen the realtor financed the PTSD study and recruited the assassins. His wife and daughter were killed when his car exploded."

With the case seemingly wrapped up, McGarrett decides to keep Quinn on the team's investigation, even though she's been demoted from CID. In a sentimental moment, Jerry tells McGarrett he's leaving Five-0 to write a conspiracy book but reassures the team:

"But he's willing to remain a consultant."

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Final Thoughts

This season premiere packs a punch, combining edge-of-your-seat action with new faces, emotional moments, and a complex revenge plot. The Five-0 team proves once again their determination to see justice served, and with Jerry's bittersweet departure, the stage is set for an intriguing season ahead.