Jack wasn’t diagnosed yet with Alzheimer’s while the show was on...although there are rumors he was starting to show signs of the disease towards the end of the last season. His wife Marie tried to deny he had the disease for years, but eventually it was revealed he did have it...and had it at least 7 years or so before he died. However, he didn’t die until 1998, actually from congestive heart failure. That was almost 20 years after 5-0 was canceled...I’m not sure once some develops Alzheimer’s that they live that long?Raykv423 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 28, 2023 7:02 am Just seen the series finale (I tend to watch some shows out of order and it didn't ruin my perception of them) and oh wow, Khigh Dhiegh looks very young despite being 70. Dude has to be the youngest looking 70 year old haha. I thought he's like 50.
Still have a long way with the original Five-0 but to be honest, the conclusion felt pretty lackluster but action scenes are really fantastic. I guess the crew giving it all with Jack Lord being diagnosed with Alzheimer's (idk if he's planning to retire before his diagnosis or his diagnosis is the reason for his eventual retirement) and the fact this is the series finale, which I don't blame them for. Still a decent episode overall despite the conclusion being lacking.
Now on to more Five-0.....
Also I might misinterpret it but I get the feeling that Jack and Khigh's smile at the last scene are a subtle way of saying goodbye to not just to viewers but to each other after 12 years. I'm sure they have a professional mutual respect for each other.
However, Season 11 was supposed to be the final season, and everyone was planning on it ending. But, for some reason CBS did renew it for one more season. James MacArthur, however, declined to return & wanted to move on. Once the show was definitely ending, they purposely wanted to do a finale where McGarrett finally captures Wo Fat...as they had phased out that character & feud between them several years before.The last scene though has Wo Fat smiling...with a secret key, letting us know he plans to escape & purposely leaving open the possibility of a reunion TV movie at some point.
Sadly that never came to be. Khigh Dheigh passed away in 1991, and at some point Jack Lord became too ill with Alzheimer’s that he wasn’t able to work or function much anymore.