Let's cut to the chase--season 12 of the original "Hawaii Five-O" was horrible. While the show had been great for 10 seasons, it took a huge nosedive in the last two seasons--presumably because they simply ran out of ideas and began using previously rejected scripts. This can only explain the inanity of many of these shows. Fortunately, while "Clash of Shadows" is a mediocre episode at best, at least it's a good bit better than most shows from this ill-fated final season.
The biggest problem with "Clash of Shadows" is that the idea is tired. During the 1960s, LOTS of TV shows did episodes about the new 'Fourth Reich'--especially on "Mission: Impossible". But, by 1980, WWII was so far in the past and so many other shows dealt with a re-emerging Nazi party that it just felt clichéd and a bit silly. Fortunately, while the idea wasn't great, the execution wasn't bad. The story was involving and the ending quite enjoyable. But, more importantly, the show seemed solid--without the usual plot holes that usually marred season 12. So, while I was not at all thrilled by the show, it did exceed my expectations just a bit!
The biggest problem with "Clash of Shadows" is that the idea is tired. During the 1960s, LOTS of TV shows did episodes about the new 'Fourth Reich'--especially on "Mission: Impossible". But, by 1980, WWII was so far in the past and so many other shows dealt with a re-emerging Nazi party that it just felt clichéd and a bit silly. Fortunately, while the idea wasn't great, the execution wasn't bad. The story was involving and the ending quite enjoyable. But, more importantly, the show seemed solid--without the usual plot holes that usually marred season 12. So, while I was not at all thrilled by the show, it did exceed my expectations just a bit!
