Things You Never Noticed In Hawaii Five-0's First Episode

Hawaii Five-0 is known for its explosive action, memorable characters, and iconic setting, but the pilot episode is full of subtle details, Easter eggs, and even a few mistakes that you might have missed the first time around. This guide dives into the little-noticed moments and fun facts from the very first episode, covering everything from special cameos to historical goofs and trivia that connects the reboot to the original series.

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1. A Nostalgic Nod to the Original Hawaii Five-O

The first thing worth highlighting is the timing of the pilot's premiere. Not many caught this, but the Hawaii Five-0 reboot made its debut on September 20, 2010. That date is exactly 42 years after the original Hawaii Five-O (with an 'O', not a zero!) aired its first episode back in 1968.

"What does that have to do with the remake's pilot, you ask? Well, it happened to first air on September 20, 2010 — exactly 42 years after the original."

Even though 42 isn't necessarily a magical number, the almost serendipitous alignment of the dates seems symbolic, bridging the old with the new. For long-time fans, this was a touching tribute that may have signaled a good omen for the reboot. And indeed, the series ran for a solid ten seasons — proving that sometimes history does repeat itself, in a good way!

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2. A Blink-and-You'll-Miss-It Cameo by Norman Reedus

The pilot wastes no time diving into action — and drops in a surprise you probably overlooked: Norman Reedus (who would later become famous as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead) appears as Anton Hesse, the brother of villain Victor Hesse.

In the opening minutes, Steve McGarrett is escorting Anton in a military convoy when things go terribly wrong. Anton meets an early end, being killed in a dramatic ambush. What's wild is imagining the alternative universe where Reedus had a recurring role as a major villain, possibly making him unavailable for his breakthrough zombie-slaying character on AMC.

"That got us thinking about how the TV landscape might be different had Reedus, for instance, been cast to play Victor, who is a recurring antagonist throughout the first season, instead of Anton, who dies within the first five minutes of the pilot."

It's one of those fun Easter eggs that shows how interconnected TV casting decisions can be — and how close we came to a very different Walking Dead!

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3. Danny's Sudden Switch in Car Loyalty 🚗

Detective Danny Williams is almost as famous for his cars as he is for his fast-talking personality. Throughout the bulk of the show, Danny is committed to his Chevy Camaro. But eagle-eyed fans (especially car enthusiasts) noticed that in the very first episode, he's actually behind the wheel of a 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0.

"For the pilot and the pilot only, Danny drives a 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0."

The show never explains this temporary brand switch, but a clever online commenter pointed out a subtle joke:

"It's a 5-0, I get it... Nice tie-in, Ford."

So, even if it wasn't intentional, it's a fitting wink to the show's title — after all, "5-0" is a common nickname for the police!

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4. McGarrett's Historical Hiccup

The pilot doesn't shy away from heavy subject matter — including a tense interrogation where McGarrett threatens Sang Min by referencing Rwanda's tragic past.

"And your son? Seven's old enough to hold a gun for the Hutu Militia."

He's alluding to the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, when the Hutu majority infamously attacked the Tutsi minority. The problem? By 2010, Rwanda was being recognized for its safety and recovery, and threats based on 1994's events seemed out of date.

"On the fifteenth anniversary of the genocide, Rwanda is one of the safest and the most orderly countries in Africa."

While McGarrett's threat may not make sense by the pilot's timeline, it's a reminder that even our heroes sometimes get their facts wrong under pressure!

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Conclusion

The pilot episode of Hawaii Five-0 is more than just an introduction to the team — it's packed with callbacks, clever casting, quirky details, and the kind of small mistakes that make a rewatch feel fresh. If you're a fan, it's definitely worth another look, now that you know what to spot! From surprising cameos to meaningful nods to the show's roots, there's always something new to discover in paradise. 🌴