Hi guys,
Per many suggestions, tried pushing down on the hood and having the wife pull the release; also tried beating the shit out of the hood with the lever both in and out and no dice.
AFAICT the cable is intact, as I hear the latch mechanism moving when the release lever is pulled.
Only interesting thing, when I push down on the hood then pry up on it, I get a single "click" from the latch.
Doc