Steve McGarrett is the leader of Hawaii Five-O, a Hawaii State Police unit empowered to act on all seven Hawaii islands. Five-O can mobilize and draw support from local police departments and seal harbors and airports quickly, if necessary.McGarrett grew up with a sister, Mary Ann (Once Upon a Time parts I and II). His father was killed by criminals (Number One With a Bullet Part II) and life was difficult after that. McGarrett also contracted polio as a child but this caused no permanent physical effects on the lawman (Once Upon a Time Part II).McGarrett served in Naval Intelligence. One of his friends there was Ron Nicholson. After McGarrett resigned his commission, Nicholson took over McGarrett's former position and became a full Commander (F.O.B. Honolulu Part I). They would meet again during a case involving perfect counterfeit $20 plates. Only this time, Nicholson went into business for himself as McGarrett aide Danny Williams observes (F.O.B. Honolulu Part I). The results would be tragic for Nicholson, who had fallen in love with an international criminal.McGarrett drives himself and those who serve under him hard. Working until midnight (The Ninety-Second War Part I) or later is not unusual. It is said that only the Governor and God can tell McGarrett what to do (Hawaii Five-O pilot TV movie) and even they have trouble.McGarrett, perhaps because of his Navy Intelligence connections, was friends with Hennessy, a U.S. intelligence operative tortured and killed by Wo Fat, at the time a Chinese intelligence agent. (Pilot TV movie.).McGarrett, at times, displays a temper. When a witness against a Hawaii crime lord is killed by mysterious means, he explodes at aide Danny Williams before apologizing. (Samuri) Even the Governor on occasion remarks about McGarrett's temper.Despite the tough exterior, McGarrett cares about his men and those closest to him. He cries upon hearing about the death of his infant nephew (Once Upon a Time Part I). The lawman extends genuine sympathy to Dan Williams when his girlfriend is murdered (Beautiful Screamer). When Five-O member Chin Ho Kelly is framed (Cry, Lie), McGarrett is upset and moves to break the frame. He also shows much concern when Kono is captured by the kidnappers of a young boy and when Chin Ho was severely injured. And, years later, when Chin is killed while working undercover, McGarrett is grief stricken.Five-O often is drawn into cases with intelligence and/or national security implications, presumably because of military bases on the islands and Hawaii's strategic location in the Pacific Ocean.McGarrett's toughest foe is the aforementioned Wo Fat. Wo initially operated as an agent of China. By 1972, there are signs that China frowns upon Wo's murderous methods (The Jinn Who Clears the Way). By 1974, Wo Fat has apparently gone independent, as he expresses his displeasure to the warming relations between his country and the U.S. (Presenting...In the Center Ring...Murder). Wo Fat isn't merely disgrunted; he attempts the assassination of a Chinese official visiting Hawaii.Eventually, Wo Fat captured McGarrett and brainwashes him as part of an expansive plot to create a coup in China (Nine Dragons). McGarrett and Five-O, with the aid of British authorities in Hong Kong, spoil the plot minutes before the water supply of a major Chinese city (where Chinese leaders are meeting) is poisoned. At the end of the case, it is reported that Wo Fat was found dead. But McGarrett, properly, treats the report with skepticism.McGarrett eventually stops drinking alcohol (Number One With a Bullet Part I). The reason for this is not explained.The Five-O crew had quite a bit of turnover during the 12 years of the series. McGarrett's longest-serving aide was Dan Williams, who was around for 11 seasons of the show. Chin Ho Kelley served 10 years, his tenure ending when he was killed during the aforementioned undercover assignment. Kono, Ben and Truck were among the native Hawaiian men employed by McGarrett during the course of the show. Only Chin Ho's departure was explained.McGarrett had a number of serious relationships, none of which resulted in marriage.The lawman finally did capture Wo Fat in the show's finale. A satisified McGarrett cracks a smile as he leaves Wo Fat in his cell. However, the fact that Wo was able to smuggle a file in his shoe suggests the master criminal did not plan on remaining in captivity permanently. Show less «