The episode begins with some drug dealers inside Oahu State Prison threatening another prisoner, Carl Swanson (veteran TV actor Gerald S. O'Loughlin). However, Swanson has had enough and pulls a gun on the dealer and shoots him. Then, in a spontaneous act, takes several guards and prisoner hostage. Among them is "Big Chicken" (Gavin MacLeod), who had appeared in an earlier episode ("...And They Painted Daisies on His Coffin"). Chicken hates the cops and hates McGarrett (who is outside negotiating with them using a bullhorn) and he sees this as a chance to get revenge for his incarceration (though, if you saw this earlier episode, you'll know he's a three-time loser who peddles drugs). In an effort to try to keep the prisoners from being killed, McGarrett offers himself as a hostage--and Chicken is biding his time--hoping to get a change to kill the big cheese from Five-O. As for McGarrett, he just wants to convince Swanson to give up and free the hostages--even if it means bargaining with him and listening to his grievances.
Overall, this is one of the simpler episodes of the season. While this might sound bad, it isn't because the acting is very good and the show was well written. There is a lot of tension and the macho posturing is kept to a minimum. Plus, at one point, McGarrett gets to deck the pudgy and very annoying Big Chicken--a wonderful scene, actually! A very nice job.
Overall, this is one of the simpler episodes of the season. While this might sound bad, it isn't because the acting is very good and the show was well written. There is a lot of tension and the macho posturing is kept to a minimum. Plus, at one point, McGarrett gets to deck the pudgy and very annoying Big Chicken--a wonderful scene, actually! A very nice job.
