Hawaii Five-0 Season 9 Episode 23 Recap: Ho'okahi no la o ka malihini (A stranger only for a day) - TV Fanatic

In this episode of Hawaii Five-0, family ties, mysterious neighbors, and a deadly crime all collide, making for an action-packed and emotional journey. McGarrett's routine is interrupted when his sister, Mary, pays him a visit, but things quickly spiral into a much bigger adventure.

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1. Mary's Visit and McGarrett's Annoyance

The episode begins with McGarrett's sister, Mary, returning to Hawaii for a visit. Instead of staying at her brother's house as he expects, Mary decides to rent an Airbnb nearby. This choice annoys McGarrett, who wonders why she wouldn't prefer to be under his roof. The tension between the siblings is lighthearted but noticeable.

"He's annoyed that she's staying at an Airbnb instead of his house."

That little family squabble sets the tone for the episode, showing how even superheroes have regular life frustrations! 🏠

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2. The Crime: Carjacking Gone Deadly

Shifting gears to the case of the week, things take a dark turn when a man carjacks a ride-share vehicle and its driver. The shocking twist? Both the driver and the carjacker, Carter Hill, are soon found shot dead. This murder-mystery quickly sucks the Five-0 team into action.

The team discovers that Carter Hill was actually a visiting statistical analyst—not your usual criminal type. The oddity sparks further investigation, especially when Noelani, the team's medical examiner, finds drugs in Carter's system:

"Noelani finds cocaine and PCP in Hill's system."

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3. Suspicious Neighbors and Home Intrigue

While the main team investigates the crime, Mary's storyline gets even more interesting. At her Airbnb, she's drawn into drama with her host and a suspicious neighbor, Ben Miller. Ben has a heated argument with the host, and things get worse when the host suddenly wants Mary to leave.

To get to the bottom of this weird situation, Mary and Steve confront Miller directly. He reluctantly agrees to let her stay, but not before both siblings are left wondering: who is this guy, and is he hiding something?

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4. Twists, Blood, and A Child's Secret

As the Five-0 team continues to peel back layers on the murder case, they find female blood in Hill's motel room. The story starts shifting towards Kira, a mysterious woman who was seen leaving a bar with Hill before he was killed.

Meanwhile, a new player emerges: a young boy throws a rock with a note at Mary and Steve. He claims to have dirt on Miller—but first, he wants them to recover his lost drone from Miller's property. This little exchange leads the group down a rabbit hole filled with more questions than answers.

"His intel is sketchy."

This means the boy's information is unreliable, but it's enough to keep everyone on edge!

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5. The Real Culprit and Meth Lab Discovery

The investigation takes an unexpected turn. Kira, the woman involved, has disappeared, and evidence suggests she was alive but injured at the time of the initial murder. The theory becomes that she was hidden in the car trunk, then surprised and killed both the carjacker and the driver as she escaped.

But the real shock comes thanks to Mary's curiosity: she breaks into Miller's basement, suspecting there's more than meets the eye. McGarrett discovers a false wall that reveals—surprise!—a secret meth lab. As danger mounts, Miller and his wife return, armed and ready to defend their secret. With some quick thinking, Mary creates a gas using instructions she found online, and the siblings manage to overpower Miller and his wife.

"Mary creates a gas off the internet and they overcome Miller and his wife."

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6. Rescue, Romance, and Sweet Goodbyes

While the chaos wraps up back at the meth lab, Eddie the dog helps track down Kira, who is hanging precariously from a branch on the side of a cliff. Team member Junior bravely climbs down to secure her and bring her to safety.

As things wind down, the episode switches to lighter moments: Junior and Tani get ready for a wedding together. The two try to outdo each other on the dance floor before sharing a slow dance that almost, but not quite, turns into a kiss. Meanwhile, Mary decides to extend her visit and stay with Steve for a bit longer, finally feeling at home.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Hawaii Five-0 shines with its mix of family dynamics, surprising plot twists, and classic crime-solving teamwork. From Mary's mischievous bravery to McGarrett's grouchy concern, it balances fun, drama, and suspense. Whether you're here for the action or the heartfelt moments, this episode delivers on both fronts! 🌺🕵️‍♂️