Reviewer Rating: 3.8/5.0
3.8
You can usually tell when a series starts to find its groove.
Everything is in order and there is a clear direction. You know what kind of show they want to be and once they get into it, everything becomes easy.
We’re three hours into the rescue of HI-Surf, and they still need to figure out what show they want to make.
We get some somber moments mixed with fun and then all the action. The action element is one thing they’ve been going for on every cylinder so far.
The rescue remains the highlight of every hour. They’re beautifully shot, and the scene at the beginning of the hour is the kind of fast-paced action-adventure show you want centered around a lifeguard at one of the most dangerous beaches in the world.
I love the trio of Will, Em, and Laca, I love the pairing, even though you can see the friction brewing between Em and Laca a mile away.
They are both excellent lifeguards, but they are also different people.
Em is a natural leader, which she shows throughout the hour as she takes over Sonny’s job, while Will seems extremely laid-back and reliable, but also the one most likely to keep the peace.
Laka is strong and will do his job when called upon, but he also has a sense of defiance. It was clear something was going on with him outside of work.
The initial rescue happened so quickly I imagine this may be relatively common on many beaches, but still scary.
Two kayakers find themselves stranded on the rocks and are found by the terrifying foursome of Sonny, Raka, Will and Em.
Still, the water around those rocks was raging, the waves were peaking, and the rescue operation could quickly go wrong.
The rescue is a great way to build suspense, and watching them navigate the waves and pilot their jet ski was one of the highlights of the night.
Every time a rescue has to be carried out, there are a lot of dangers because they are there to save people, but they also have to take care of themselves.
Sonny stayed on the surface for a while, eventually causing him to collapse.
I thought there was going to be more here, like Sonny having some health issues or something, but that seems to be more or less a product of stress and the obvious sadness he feels. He was about to collapse.
Sonny is at an interesting crossroads because he knows he needs help. He knew he needed to face the pain and guilt he felt, but he wasn’t ready.
It’s a cliche, but if you’re not prepared to help yourself, no one can help you.
I loved following Sonny through the day outside of work, seeing him confide in Tommy, and then at the beach party. Sonny had a lot going on at work and outside of work, and things were getting worse for him.
He was close to losing it, really losing it, but he wasn’t ready to unravel it all just yet. But how to get him there?
It could be a lawsuit on the horizon thanks to Kainaroo’s misstep on Rescue HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 1, or there could be something worse to come.
Sonny’s story feels like it’s going to get worse before it gets better, and as the week goes by, I wonder more and more about the dynamic between him and Em, as it slowly becomes less and less intense.
I guess we’ll have to wait a while before we see Em take charge, but Sonny’s break makes Em the captain, and most everyone except Raka welcomes him.
I knew sooner or later Raka was going to do something that pissed me off, even though I still like the guy! He’s just a little too cocky, and he’s clearly used to having his own way, at least when it comes to work.
He was late, hungover, and obviously this wasn’t the first time this had happened, but he clearly didn’t care about it because I guess Sonny was never adamant about it.
But Em is not Sonny, and her first priority is making sure everyone knows that.
Em is in a unique position because she knows she can’t just be Sonny’s stand-in, nor does she want to. Sonny isn’t a bad captain or anything, but he’s also respected to a certain extent, which means Em has to jump right in and earn that respect.
Sonny says the job is about managing personalities, and while that’s true, it’s also about respect – respect for the water, respect for the job, respect for your superiors.
Em had to feel a little resentful when she came in, knowing that at least one person would resist. There are always.
I like Em even against Hina, Hina doesn’t want to work with Kainalu and Kainalu admits he needs to understand what he’s doing. However, she wasn’t really a veteran capable of making such a request.
It’s a bit stingy to have Laka pair up with them, but hey, he should show up on time too. Plus, the rookies need someone to back them up, even if he’s gone when things get crazy.
Of course, I knew Sheena was going to make a mistake when she mentioned Kainaru’s incompetence. Of course, that’s exactly what happened.
This show is predictable in a lot of ways, but that’s just the way television is. I don’t say this to sound like this is bad.
If I could see the plot from a mile away, I wouldn’t stress its lack of originality if done well.
The rivalry-to-friends-to-lovers storyline between Kainaru and Sheena can be seen from outer space, but there are sparks there. I see that, and with the cast of characters not yet mature, it’s too early to say it won’t be a hit.
I’m still more invested in this than all things Em and Will.
This is mostly a criticism of Will because he really has no inspiration. I didn’t get enough from him because he was so aloof, bordering on boring.
We finally met the elusive Julia, but the two didn’t last long.
If I had to guess how things would play out, it would be Em begging from a distance until she meets someone, and then Will and Julia will break up because Will never forgets Em but he’ll be too late .
If they go the love triangle route, or the exes become lovers, they need to spice things up. I see Will and Em as best friends, but I don’t see the love connection yet, and gosh, maybe that’s the point, because they’re not supposed to be in love at the moment.
Em and Will may have a great relationship, but the hour ends with Em HOT!
We’ve established that Sonny needs to talk to someone, but it’s obviously not going to be Em.
The two of them don’t see eye to eye, and Sonny’s cavalier attitude toward a bizarre lawsuit that could have major ramifications for Em and her future must be irritating to her.
Sonny could say not to worry about things he can’t control, and that’s not wrong, but he’d better not act like everything is fine at work when it’s not.
He can get away with it in his private life when he’s just lying to himself. But he has a group of people and an entire beach that depends on him.
He needs to remember this.
Additional rescue instructions
- I still like Raqqa as a character, but he makes me nervous. They have every right to be frustrated with him because people who think the rules don’t apply to them will always be on my shit list.
- Kainalu shooting with Hina and then having her turn around was cute, I’m sorry.
- I haven’t heard the name of the EMS lady that Chilaka has been flirting with, but could they be the same thing? I didn’t see it.
We’re three episodes in now and I’d love to hear what you guys think of the series so far!
Reviews have been mixed, and while they still need to grow, there’s still a lot to enjoy and support.
Please leave all your comments below so we can discuss it.
You can watch Rescue HI-Surf every Monday at 9/8c on FOX.
Watch Rescue HI: Surf Online
