Beachy Soap Opera
When I was considering new shows to try out in the fall of 2024, I decided to give Rescue: HI-Surf a chance. No, I don’t normally watch those types of shows, but I thought one following life guards on Hawaii would be worth at least checking out. While I did stay for all of season 1, I wasn’t really a fan.
The show follows part of the life guard crew on the North Shore of O’ahu. There’s Sonny (Robbie Magasiva), the boss who just lost a family member due to drowning and is considering retiring. His second in command is Emily (Arielle Kebbel), who used to date another member of the team, Will (Adam Demos). Just to complicate things, Will is about to get married to someone else, and Emily might not be other him. There’s Laka (Kekoa Kekumano), who wants a promotion even though he’s a bit of a partier. Meanwhile, we have the two rookies, Hina (Zoe Cipres), who was the best in the recruiting class but lost her choice at first assignments to Kainalu (Alex Aiono), who happens to be the mayor’s son. Not that the mayor wants his son out doing something like this.
Each episode finds the crew doing one of two rescues. Sometimes, it’s as many as three. And there are some creative rescues they have to perform. The problem is, they are over quickly. If that’s what you are tuning in for, which I was, you’ll be disappointed.
Instead, the show focuses on the soap opera lives of the characters. Each week brings some new complications as they try to figure out their lives. And, honestly, this is where I struggled. I didn’t feel that any of the characters were especially smart. Instead, it felt more like watching a train wreck. No, every week wasn’t that bad, although some were. It was just hard to get that invested.
I know what you’re saying, and I agree. There was something that drew me to keep coming back. Yes, I was curious how some storylines would play out. I did enjoy the setting. And, at first, I hoped it would get better. If there was a competing show I wanted to watch, I probably would have bailed. But with a quiet Monday, I decided I’d give it a season. Since the show wrapped up multiple storylines, leaving only a few dangling, I feel like I can walk away, which is a good thing since the show wasn’t renewed for a second season. If it had come back, I wouldn’t have.
Now, keep in mind I’m not blaming the actors. They are all great at bringing their characters to life. And the stunts used for the rescues are also entertaining.
Season 1 consisted of 19 episodes.
I don’t regret watching the first season of Rescue: HI-Surf. But I also have no desire to find out what happens to the characters next. I can close that chapter of my TV watching and find something else to fill that time with.
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