Hawaii Five-O (TV Series) Deep Cover (1977) User Reviews

The good far outweighs the bad in this one.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 20 November 2012]

It's odd that this is the second episode in a row that dealt with Soviet spies and Cold War tensions but like the last one, it's pretty original. The show begins with a guy getting assassinated on the beach by a pretty but very cold lady (Maud Adams). Why is uncertain but the man was an officer in the submarine service. Because a US Navy serviceman was killed, McGarrett is once again activated and now Commander McGarrett teams up with a navy man (Geoffery Lewis) to investigate. Eventually, it turns out that the man was murdered simply because he knew another officer in the training program--and these spies didn't want him to be alive to identify the fake officer they've inserted into the program. Sounds like a lot of trouble? Well, to get a new guidance system, the enemy will stop at nothing--not even a crazy plan--to get the information.

For the most part this is a good episode mostly because it's pretty original. My only complaints are logical ones that SHOULD have been worked out better. First, the naval officer assisting McGarrett didn't seem the least bit concerned when the fake officer has dental work that would indicate he's a fake! He even says that McGarrett has 'no evidence' to support his theory that the man has been switched!! This makes no sense at all. What also didn't make sense was how these spies were able to suddenly brainwash the real officer to go back to his duty and have no idea he'd been held incommunicado for all this time! Huh?! These logical errors aside, it's actually one of the better shows of season 10, but surely the good plot idea needed a bit more work.

I gave this an 8 out of prejudice, even though it is probably more like a 7

[Gatorman9 · 8/10 · 17 November 2019]

Here we have another perfectly serviceable episode of Five-O, this time, one of those with a Navy slant. As fans know, main character Steve McGarrett was a US Naval Reserve Officer, and here he once more he dons his commander's uniform to solve yet another glitzy law enforcement conundrum, this time, naturally enough, a caucasoid spy ring intent on stealing naval secrets. As noted in the credits, this episode wouldn't have been possible the way it is shown without the generous cooperation of the United States Navy, through its lending numerous personnel and some of its more fun Hawaii-based training training facilities to liven up this installment.

As a result, I gave this an 8 out of prejudice, even though it is probably more like a 7, because I was just beside myself with glee to be surprised to see not only a bit of a real damage control flooding trainer exercise but the old Pearl Harbor submarine escape practice tank in operation, through both of which they appear to have actually put the guest-starring actor at the center of this drama, but also the FBM Dive Trainer, where he also gets his feet wet as a Chief of The Watch (even though he was WAY too senior for that, but should have not been doing but standing there giving orders). Even so, it was great fun to relive a jam-dive casualty (of the stern planes) in the trainer after nearly 40 years. It was all the better because it came as a total surprise. One does not expect to see a real multi-million-dollar (roughly $1.5 million in 1964 dollars) submarine training device like that in an episode of even as glamorous a cop show as Hawaii Five-O. The end result is that this installment came off looking a bit like a "public affairs" (Navy for "P.R.") promotion, but so what. No viewer will be hurt by it, and it relieves the monotony of the usual retinue of sleezy-smooth organized crime bosses, lowly hoods and thugs, beach bums, and even spies that form the normal fare of this program.

And that's not all. Yet equally noteworthy was the leading female guest star. The rest of the show would be standard for what you normally expect from this series, except for the presence of a real-live genuine Bond Girl (yes, THAT "Bond"), Maud Adams of MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN fame, looking as striking as ever. I won't spoil things by going into any detail just what she does in this episode (although I see nothing wrong with divulging that she does get a beach scene in a bikini, and what else?).

Given these high points it is easier to excuse some of the usual kinds of of flubs endemic to weekly TV show production, such as overlooking that naval officers have their fingerprints on their Navy ID cards, the fact that no experienced submariner calls a submarine a "sub" (he would call it a "boat"), and the mysterious mid-episode promotion of Lieutenant Commander Harner to full Commander. I also still have to wonder about the admission of a pure civilian to a Navy or other military hospital; and I still have to wonder about the nurse's uniforms, which are not the way I remember them.

All that said, needless to say I highly recommend this episode to any other ex-submariners out there (as well as to all you "non-quals, too).

Whatever Floats Your Boat!

[FloridaFred · 8/10 · 15 October 2023]

A tension-filled spy episode, featuring the stunning "Bond Girl" Maud Adams, and Geoffrey Lewis, who co-starred in several Clint Eastwood movies.

Other reviewers mentioned several plot holes, but hey it's a TV show, you have to give it some leeway. There are also some Military goofs (which is surprising, since the Department of Defense gets a thank-you at the start of the show). Those goofs include haircuts and moustaches that are out of regulation, a lack of salutes, and a few other errors that Navy Vets will pick up on.

The key player is actress Maud Adams as Russian spy "Maria Noble". She is so good looking that even McGarrett takes a second, longer look as she is led away at the conclusion of the show. But the gorgeous lady is a cold-blooded killer, who will accomplish the mission at any and all costs.

Danny, Duke, and Chin Ho don't get much air time here, except at the end, where they capture and arrest the Russian goons on the beach.

The episode involves a lot of real life Navy training, from the diving tank to the simulated flood control. Navy veterans, especially those who served at Pearl Harbor, will enjoy this show.

I rate "Deep Cover" 8 stars!

Quite good, with a spy angle

[shakspryn · 3 December 2021]

I always like the episodes where Steve & Company tangle with, and match wits against, international spies, most memorably Steve's arch-enemy, Wo Fat. Here the spies are Soviet agents, led by the beautiful and ruthless Maud Adams.

The plot is good and interesting, and it is an enjoyable episode. This is one of those episodes where there just is not a lot for Danny, Chin Ho and Duke to do, compared with some cases, but that is the nature of the story here, where we are following the twists and turns of the spy plot and of course there is an emphasis on that. With Maud Adams and her team, it's a bit like watching a bizarro-Mission Impossible, if the MI team were bad guys.

I've read many comments and reviews by fans, who feel that in general the later season of 5-0 were not as good as, say, the first four or five seasons; but this is an entirely watchable episode.