Touch of Death (crossover event)

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Touch of Death is a two-part crossover event between Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS: Los Angeles that aired on CBS on April 30 and May 1, 2012. Part 1 is the Hawaii Five-0 episode titled Pa Make Loa (Hawaiian for “Touch of Death”), and Part 2 is the NCIS: Los Angeles episode titled Touch of Death. In both parts, actors appear across both shows: Scott Caan (Danny Williams), Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly), Chris O’Donnell (G. Callen), and LL Cool J (Sam Hanna) play the same characters on their respective series.

Plot summary
- Part 1 (Hawaii Five-0, April 30, 2012): When a man dies suddenly and is found to have smallpox, Hawaii Five-0 members Chin Ho Kelly, Danny Williams, and Kono Kalakaua join forces with NCIS: Los Angeles agents Callen and Sam after learning that the virus was handled by a mystery figure, Dracul Comescu. The investigation leads to a connection with Ken Tanner, a pharmaceutical trial manager, and later to Dracul’s partner, Jarrod Prodeman. The team uncovers a plan to sell the virus and races to stop it, recovering several vials but learning that more threats remain. The chase moves from Hawaii to Los Angeles.
- Part 2 (NCIS: Los Angeles, May 1, 2012): Callen, Sam, Chin, and Danny continue the hunt in Los Angeles, working with NCIS: LA agents Kensi Blye and Deeks. They uncover that Prodeman has been helped by Dr. Rachel Holden, who intends to reduce the planet’s population by infecting people via contaminated items. The teams capture Prodeman, learn Holden’s scheme, and recover all the remaining virus vials. Holden is stopped at a school festival, and the crossovers wrap with both teams dismantling the threat and returning the virus supplies to safety.

Production notes
- The crossover blended casts from both series, with occasional guest appearances from actors across the two shows.
- Due to scheduling and production considerations, Daniel Dae Kim joined the Hawaii Five-0 side of the story for the crossover when changes limited availability of other actors.
- Filming presented challenges because the two shows are produced in different locations, but the teams coordinated to deliver a continuous two-part story.

Reception
- The event received generally positive to favorable reviews for the two-part story and the collaboration between the shows.
- U.S. viewership was strong: Part 1 drew about 10.9 million live viewers, with time-shifted viewing bringing the total to around 14.3 million. Part 2 drew about 15.2 million live viewers, with total viewership around 18.5 million after seven days.
- The crossover also attracted international audiences, with solid ratings in Canada and Australia.