Why Jorge Garcia’s Jerry Ortega Left Hawaii Five-0 – SlashFilm

It is unusual to assume that top-of-the-line characters in “Hawaii 5-O” did not really present up till season 4, and did not grow to be a essential character till season 5. Jorge Garcia’s Jerry Ortega debuted in “Ka ‘oia’i’o ma lok,” launched as a childhood pal of Chin Ho Kelly (Daniel Dae Kim). Ortega is a conspiracy theorist, however fortunately, he is the enjoyable sort of conspiracy theorist. He is somebody with an earnest curiosity concerning the world who approaches his theories with a way of childlike surprise.

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In season 5, Ortega is employed to assist the 5-O group regularly. By season 6, he is received his personal workplace and by season 7, he is received an official badge. It appeared like Ortega was right here to remain, however within the season 10 premiere, he left the present for good. So, what’s up with that? Why would Ortega depart the 5-O group? And extra importantly, why would Jorge Garcia depart a present that lets him hand around in Hawaii once more full-time?

The season 9 finale, “Hana Mao ‘ole ka ua o Waianae,” ended with a cliffhanger the place both Jerry or McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) had been shot by the season’s massive unhealthy. Followers spent months ready to see which considered one of them took the bullet, solely to seek out out it was Jerry within the season 10 premiere. He jumped in the best way, sacrificing himself for McGarrett. Fortunately, the gunshot wound in his abdomen is not sufficient to kill him. He recovers rapidly and, as an alternative of returning to the workplace like nothing occurred, decides to depart his job and concentrate on “the subsequent chapter” of his life. What’s that, you ask?

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“I need to write a ebook,” he explains. “I have been researching it for years. It is concerning the connection between the Federal Reserve and the sinking of the Titanic.” 

Ah, traditional Jerry! He additionally tells the crew to not be too upset about him leaving, as he can all the time return to assist with the occasional conspiracy case right here or there. However as a result of this was the ultimate season of the present (not that anybody knew that stepping into), the group by no means received to take him up on this provide. Jerry’s amicable goodbye within the premiere is the final we see of him, not less than so far as “Hawaii 5-O” is anxious.

So far as goodbyes go, this one’s fairly healthful. Provided that Jerry was shot within the earlier episode, it might’ve been simpler and extra dramatic for the present to easily kill him off. I suppose the present wished to maintain issues mild and breezy and to depart the door open for Garcia to come back again each time he wished. Each on and off-display, it was a far lighter departure than when solid members Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park left the present after season 7 as a result of CBS refused to pay them the identical as their white co-stars.

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Garcia has by no means actually spoken a lot about his departure, aside from in short, PR-pleasant phrases. “I am grateful for my time on ‘Hawaii Five-0,'” Garcia advised TVLine on the time. “I liked attending to return to the islands and creating a personality that linked with so many individuals. Enjoying Jerry was a blast, and I sit up for popping in once more to play with my TV ohana.”

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Shortly after his character’s departure, Garcia may very well be discovered taking part in the lead position within the Netflix movie “Nadie Sabe Que Estoy Aqui,” or “No person Is aware of I am Right here.” There, he performs a depressed former baby singer who’s residing as a recluse on a small Chilean island. It is a severe, artsy movie, and Garcia’s carrying it. It is an fascinating change of tempo for an actor who’s so usually relegated to sharing the stage in an ensemble solid. It isn’t clear if he would’ve had sufficient time in his schedule to movie it if he’d been engaged on one other full season of “Hawaii 5-O.”

Though Garcia by no means returned earlier than “Hawaii 5-O” was canceled after season 10, followers did get to see his character another time. He returned as Jerry Ortega in a season 5 episode of “MacGyver,” a present that takes place in the identical fictional universe. It was a enjoyable episode, though sadly, we by no means received an replace on how that Titanic ebook of his panned out. Possibly in a number of years there will be one other “Hawaii 5-O” reboot that’ll reply that thriller.

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