If ever a TV show felt like it came out of a focus group, it’s CBS’s latest “NCIS” spinoff. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but when you look at “NCIS: Hawaii” (Monday, 10 EDT/PDT, ★★½ out of four), it’s hard not to think someone down at ViacomCBS corporate headquarters thought, “Hey! What if we combined ‘NCIS’ and ‘Hawaii Five-0’!”
If you’ve ever sipped a fruity cocktail on the beach and thought, “You know what this needs? A murder investigation,” then ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ might just be your new guilty pleasure. The show has stirred up serious buzz by walking a tightrope — trying to stay loyal to its NCIS roots while carving out a unique island identity. But does it pull it off? Or is it just the same old story with a tropical twist? Let’s dive in.
Hawaii Isn’t Just a Setting – It’s a Character
From lush jungles to sweeping coastlines, ‘NCIS: Hawaii’ milks its location for everything it’s worth. It’s more than just eye candy. The setting deeply influences the mood, pace, and even the cases.
Embracing Local Culture Adds Depth. The show makes a real effort to incorporate Hawaiian culture, from language and customs to real historical tensions. That’s a step forward for authenticity — and a smart way to build connection with a modern audience.
What if, indeed. The latest series in the mega-popular “NCIS” franchise, which includes the original, “LA” and the recently canceled “New Orleans,” recycles familiar parts of the Naval investigative formula against the starkly gorgeous backdrop of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Although the one major change here is that instead of a Mark Harmon-type baby boomer hunk at the center like in the original and “New Orleans” (or a Chris O’Donnell-type Gen X hunk, like in “LA”), “Hawaii” is anchored by Vanessa Lachey, a younger woman of color. It also includes LGBTQ characters in the ensemble cast. It’s a modicum of a new direction for “NCIS,” one that might alienate some fans but also bring new ones to the franchise that has a reputation for being enjoyed by very old (and old-fashioned) viewers. But overall, “Hawaii” doesn’t change much about the core structure of “NCIS,” in which agents investigate crimes involving members of the U.S. Navy, this time in Hawaii.
The first episode of the new series had all the trappings of a typical “NCIS” affair: Dramatic crime, joking NCIS agents, connections to international espionage, patriotism, an action set-piece and a predictable ending. As an extension of the popular procedural, “Hawaii” is a perfectly serviceable series. Lachey plays the leader of our new group, Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, a soccer mom and a tough-as-nails agent. Her team includes newbie Kai (Alex Tarrant), a native Hawaiian who reluctantly returned home because of his father’s health; Lucy (Yasmine Al-Bustami), a rule breaker dealing with romance complications; tech expert Ernie (Jason Antoon); and second-in-command Jesse (Noah Mills), who has few defining traits (so far). Also occasionally involved is CIA agent Kate (Tori Anderson), a sometimes foe of her NCIS colleagues.
If you’re looking for familiar comfort with a dash of paradise, this show delivers. But if you want innovation that shakes up the genre, you might feel let down. It’s got heart, potential, and plenty of aloha spirit — but it’s still finding its voice. With time (and a few risks), it could become more than just another spinoff.
