Book 'Em, Danno

The best heroes in fiction embody more than one heroic trait, but there’s usually one that’s stronger than all the others, that runs core deep in the character. It’s always a strength, but it’s often also a flaw.

I love Danny Williams, aka Danno, on Hawaii Five-0. I love all the characters, but he’s what keeps me coming back each week, and it’s because of his sense of responsibility.

Yeah, okay, all of the members of Five-0 have that trait. Chin’s led him to leave the woman he loved to protect her, and to fight for his work even when those around him betrayed him. Steve’s a Navy SEAL—how much more driven by responsibility can you get? And even Kono takes it very hard when she believes she made a mistake, feeling responsible for letting the kidnapper/beheader go in an episode back in January.

But Danno really embodies the trait. There are millions of single dads out there, far too many of whom fail their kids in one way or another. Not Danny. He left his home in New Jersey for what might as well be another planet for how well he fits in on the island, just to be near his daughter.

And boy, does he love Grace. He didn’t become a cop because of her, but she’s why he’s one now. He wants the world to be safe for her, and he’ll personally ensure that it is. His dedication to doing things by the book (well, at least close to the book) is to provide a framework for order and security.

”His idea of communication is dropping a witty one-liner and shooting you in the face.”

That dedication is the cause of most of the friction between Danny and his partner, Steve. Steve is hot-headed and impulsive. He’ll jump into any situation without regard for his own safety or many regulations—and without regret, too. Danny’s steady and assessing. He’s never afraid to leap into the fray, but he’ll make sure to catalog all the variables first. What I love is that despite all the bickering between them, they have a core of respect and trust that makes them function as a perfect team.

Danny’s responsibility feeds that as much as Steve’s fierce loyalty, and it’s embodied in the shirt and tie he insists on wearing to work, and the Santa suit he insists on wearing for his daughter every Christmas.

And to me, he’s just as hot hugging Grace and bickering with Steve as he is rolling out of a moving vehicle, weapon at the ready.

Danno: Oh! Whoa! Whoa! What the hell are you doing?
McGarrett: Probable cause. We were just doing a thing. I thought...
Danno: I meant we could get a key from the manager, you Neanderthal animal.


So what do you think? Agree about Danno? Disagree? What other heroes embody the trait of responsibility? Anyone you name will be added to the showdown at the end of the month, AND, every commenter (anywhere this full blog post appears) will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift certificate!

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