One of the more entertaining elements of “Hawaii Five-0” is the inclusion of humor within the fabric of their storylines and characters. While Jerry Ortega, played by former “Lost” star, Jorge Garcia, is a recent addition to the series, he definitely adds a layer of humor, as well as loyalty and friendship, to the close-knit Five-0 team.

For most fans, the addition of Garcia to the cast, has given the show an interesting dimension. His character brings the beliefs of all conspiracy theorists, their code breaking skills, and deep suspicion of the mainstream, into the Five-0 world. The team first met Garcia’s character in the fan favorite episode, “Ka ʻoiaʻiʻo maloko” (“The Truth Within”), when Jerry is brought into the investigation of a double-murder that has ties to a conspiracy theory surrounding the King Kamehameha statue.

I think what made us all fall in love with Jerry was his connection to Chin (Daniel Dae Kim), who was his Kukui High School band and mathlete bestie, and his obvious desire to actually experience the truth of one of his theories. From the start of Chin’s introduction of Jerry to the team, his good-hearted nature and obvious McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) man-crush got us to overlook his crazy conspiracy beliefs.

But Jerry, for the most part, is beloved because of our fondness for actor Jorge Garcia. Fans loved him as Hugo “Hurley” Reyes in the hit television show “Lost” — which most know was also filmed in Hawaiʻi. I was completely devoted to his short-lived series “Alcatraz,” in which he played Dr. Diego “Doc” Soto, a San Francisco comic book store owner, who was also an expert on Alcatraz. When I met Garcia at the season six blessing ceremony, he was just starting as a permanent series regular. We had a great conversation about his time on “Alcatraz” (which was written and created in part by “Five-0” producers and writers Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt), and his expanded role on “Hawaii Five-0.”

I think much of what I love about Jerry, is tied to my admiration of Garcia as an actor. But Jerry is still a really great character, and seems as if he is someone any actor would love to portray. There’s a sweet element of complete innocence submerged among all of the conspiracy suspicion. He means well, he wants to do well for his good friend Chin and his hero McG, and he sincerely believes in doing what is right and just. There’s no shame in his game — regardless if people doubt or laugh at him.

Another element that makes Jerry so endearing is his deep desire and drive to help the team. He was the one who deciphered McGarrett’s Champ box/Shelburne cypher, which led McG to find another connection to Wo Fat; he helped the team catch a Chinese spy; and his unconventional knowledge has consistently helped the team to find connections where they might have tragically overlooked.

I also love how he gets to sing on the show, and when he got to dress (and sing) like Elvis in “Ua Helele’i ka Hōkū (Fallen Star).” This was a dream come true both for Jerry, as well as for Garcia, who is also a big fan of The King. We like the fact that Jerry can get specially made malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery, and that he has a red rotary phone that is a direct line to McGarrett. When McG makes him a Five-0 Consultant and gave him his basement office, we cheer for Jerry and his obvious joy. We love when McGarrett gives him a special case — to find out who stole Mrs. Tennenbaum’s (guest star Cloris Leachman) fern in  “Kū kaʻawale” (“Stakeout”). When his Jerry Alert goes off, letting McGarrett know he’s got intel to help the team, we may shake our heads and laugh, but we know it’s just another Jerry-ism that we’ll grow to love.

I do find that when Jerry is included in a case, or sent to do some deep investigation, for the team — the case is far more interesting. He finds out details that may not seem necessary on the surface, yet they matter in the end. I think this is what makes Jerry a character that has become integral to the success of the Five-0 ʻohana. We may laugh at some of his antics and habits, but when the team needs to lean on him, he is as strong as his convictions and as loyal as his beliefs. No conspiracy there.

REDUX SIDE NOTE

CBS released a few details about the “Hawaii Five-0” season premiere this week, just in time to keep us thinking about the highly anticipated start of season seven. It seems as if the first episode will focus on McGarrett’s recovery from his liver transplant, and will send the Five-0 team on the hunt of a vigilante who has focused his killing ways on known serial killers.  

I think fans will also be treated to a return to McDanno bromance. The episode promises conflict between the two partners, as “McGarrett will ignore Danno’s pleas to take it easy while recovering from his surgery.” Which is pretty ironic as Danno is the one who donated his liver to save McG’s life. But after “the body of a serial killer is left in the Five-0 headquarters with an ivory chess piece in his mouth,” I’m sure we’re not surprised that McG will refuse to listen to Danno. The investigation will continue “when a second serial killer is found dead with another chess piece, and the entire team goes on the hunt for the vigilante as fear grows that it’s not safe to travel to Hawaii.”

Sounds like there will be lots of action, as well as touching moments between our two favorite heroes. The episode also promises that McGarrett will “find comfort in talking to someone with a very special connection to the team.”

The title of the episode was not included in the press release about the season premiere, but the title was leaked via executive producer Peter Lenkov’s pic of the front cover of the script for episode 701. It seems as the title, “Mākaukau ʻoe e Pāʻani,” which I translated as “Ready to Play” makes a bit more sense now, as it could be a reference to the chess pieces placed in the mouths of the dead serial killers. We’ll have to still wait and see what writer’s Peter Lenkov and Eric Guggenheim actually had in mind when they titled the season starter.

All in all, fans are already making their plans to travel to Hawaii in September in anticipation for the “Sunset on the Beach” premiere — even if the date for the event has not been released yet by CBS.

Wendie Burbridge is a published author, playwright and teacher. Reach her via Facebook and follow her on Twitter  and Instagram.