TV Show review
Review basis: 3 seasons, 54 episodes · through May 6, 2024
September 20, 2021 · 45 min · TV-14 · Canceled
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
NCIS: Hawaiʻi is a police procedural following Jane Tennant, the first female Special Agent in Charge of the NCIS Pearl Harbor office, and her team as they investigate military crimes and national security threats in Hawaii while balancing family and personal lives. The show runs three seasons with 54 episodes total. It features a central lesbian relationship between two agents that begins in the pilot and continues with ongoing storylines across seasons, plus marketing that highlights the female lead.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for NCIS: Hawaiʻi.
Woke representation / casting
Lead role is the first female SAC played by Filipino-American actress Vanessa Lachey and heavily promoted that way. Diverse cast reflecting Hawaii. Prominent lesbian relationship between Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler is foregrounded from the pilot with multiple seasons of arcs.
Woke political dialogue
Brief mentions of Jane succeeding despite a system that pushed back on her. One episode involves eco-activists and a tech billionaire. Most dialogue stays on case work and personal relationships.
Identity-driven story themes
Jane's leadership as a woman and single mother is emphasized. The ongoing Lucy and Kate romance is a key personal thread. Some episodes draw on Hawaiian local culture without heavy identity messaging.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Light references to obstacles in male systems for Jane. Eco versus corporate episode lightly touches anti-rich themes. No sustained modern activist framing of institutions or culture.
Production
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Viewer complaints about the lesbian scenes appeared on Reddit and in comments, with some saying they stopped watching. Mentions of "woke" elements in fan forums. No large-scale media campaign or widespread protests against the show for pushing agendas.
Creator track record context
Matt Bosack has no noted activist background. Jan Nash is openly LGBTQ and supported placing the lesbian couple early to reflect real life. Christopher Silber has standard TV credits. Directors include LeVar Burton with liberal advocacy on education and literacy issues, and others with standard TV directing backgrounds.
