‘Hawaii Five-0’ season 7 photo: Steve McGarrett running wild

Sure, we’ve all seen plenty of “running McGarrett” photos over the years with “Hawaii Five-0.” This is the sort of show this is: It’s about the police, and in theory you are supposed to run, swim, go undercover, dance, shout, or do whatever else you need to in order to catch the bad guys. Somewhere in there, you’re also putting your life on the line.

What’s the key difference with the upcoming season 7? Oh, it ties back to a little thing known as Steve McGarrett needing a liver transplant and almost dying. We like to think that this is kinda important. It’s the sort of life-altering event that makes a normal person sit back and reflect on their choices. You’re getting older, you’ve been hurt, and there are other people out there capable of handing the more physical aspects of the job … including running after the bad guys.

Yet, Steve can’t quite let go. There is an addictive quality to being a crime-fighting badass that is not often played out on many shows in this genre, but it’s there. McGarrett cannot take a back seat, and it could get him in trouble. The first “running McGarrett” photo of season 7 (see below) comes via TVLine, it may seem normal before you look at the SECOND photo. There, it becomes clear that there be trouble on the horizon. (Yep, that sentence may have been written by a pirate.)

Executive producer Peter M. Lenkov also lends some of his own insight into the McGarrett storyline to the aforementioned site:

“There is an arc with Danny trying to get McGarrett to slow down a bit and appreciate the fact that he’s been given a second chance — or fifth chance, maybe sixth, based on all the stuff he’s gone through in the series.”

At this point, we don’t know quite what is going to get Steve to listen. Maybe he needs to carry with him some affirmation recordings like what Angela’s listening to on “Mr. Robot” — but we figure he’d eventually rip out the headphones and throw them dramatically in the middle of a police chase. He’s just gotta learn the hard way.

Want more “Hawaii Five-0” goodness? Then head over here for what we’d like to see in the premiere! Also, be sure to sign up to get some other TV scoop via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)