Let’s name a spade a spade: Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 had a tough begin.
On the floor, the sequence wasn’t terrible, however it wasn’t very partaking. The characters had been simply there, the storylines had been underwhelming, and the rescues had been the perfect half concerning the early hours.
The present couldn’t work out what it needed to be or get out of its personal approach, which left us with a really stale product mirrored within the dwindling viewership. However when the sequence returned to complete its run in 2025, it discovered one thing, lastly turning into the present many had been hoping to see.
Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 ended on a excessive word, and with the sequence’ destiny nonetheless in limbo, you possibly can make a stable case as to why the sequence ought to get a second effort.
Whereas we look forward to that information, we’re looking again on the first season, from the perfect character to the worst romance and every thing in between.
Now we have rather a lot to speak about, Fanatics.
So, let’s dig in and talk about!
Finest Character – Kainalu Emerson
You’re most likely considering, why would I select Kainalu as the perfect character of this season? And I’d say just because he was the character who most advanced and subverted early expectations.
The sequence units up the son of the incoming Mayor as an annoying nepo child who floated his approach by way of life and received every thing he needed on the expense of others. We noticed some flashes early within the season, particularly throughout Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 1.
However because the season progressed, it launched us to a person who needed to present again to his group. He wasn’t fascinated about residing off his father endlessly and strolling a path that others laid out for him, most likely earlier than he was even born.
After a rocky begin, Kainalu proved himself to be a reliable, headstrong lifeguard and somebody his teammates might rely on.
His journey to assist home his fellow lifeguards within the yurt group was an exquisite option to showcase that whereas he might have some traits of his business-like father, he was working on daily basis to be an excellent higher model of himself.
Most Irritating Character – Will Prepared
Will wasn’t probably the most irritating character solely as a result of he was a cheater; he was additionally a coward.
He floated between two ladies with out a lot care in the long run for a way he’d be breaking the guts of 1 and mainly refused to speak successfully with anybody the whole season.
One of many worst facets of the season was how little we really received to know a few of these characters past their preliminary conflicts or the one factor the sequence determined to hone in on.
With Will, there’s nonetheless a lot we don’t know, however all we might see was a grown man incapable of being decisive or emotionally conscious, which led to him hurting individuals after which operating away when issues received difficult.
Finest Romance – Hina & Kainalu
I’ve written concerning the Hina and Kainalu romance advert nauseum, however it’s value repeating how fantastic they’ve been, contemplating this sequence is bereft of stable ships to root for.
You might think about Hina and Kainalu a slow-ish burn at this level, although the 2 did hook up throughout Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 9. Issues by no means took off for the pair, primarily as a result of Hina was in denial, however every thing modified throughout the finish of the season.
Sadly, Kainalu was in a relationship with Hina’s buddy Rosie by the point Hina was prepared to confess her emotions, that means the 2 ended the season as pals. Nonetheless, it’s greater than apparent there’s plenty of love between the 2.
Rivals-to-lover storylines at all times hit when the couple has chemistry, and the emotional flip from hatred or indifference to real love and affection is well purchased.
Hina and Kainalu’s turning into roommates allowed their friendship to bloom first, placing them in a very good place to succeed when the 2 are finally on the identical web page.
Worst Romance – Will and Em
Will and Em are the loves of one another’s lives, however they have no idea how one can be in a wholesome, practical relationship.
After we met the pair, they had been finest pals and longtime exes, however it was apparent they nonetheless cared about each other rather a lot, and issues got here to a head throughout Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 8, after they kissed and set forth on their mini-affair.
However even whereas partaking in mentioned affair, they didn’t speak a lot about their emotions or their future, and as issues turned increasingly more undefined, you possibly can inform it was going to finish badly for Em, who at the very least had the foresight to inform Will that he wanted to decide.
If these two EVER need to give it an actual probability, they desperately want counseling as a result of they’ve horrible communication expertise. They look after each other however don’t know how one can shield each other’s hearts like it is best to with somebody you’re meant to like.
Finest Episode – Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 13
The sequence had an incredible run towards the top of the season with stable episode after stable episode, however Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 13 was the beginning of them discovering their id.
It was a ravishing showcase for Kainalu, who confirmed how honest he’d come as a lifeguard. It additionally did the not possible by making us really emotionally invested in a personality we’d simply met that hour.
The sequence has by no means struggled with motion, and the underwater bomb explosion was one other nice rescue — possibly probably the greatest of the season.
This hour additionally pushed the daddy/son dynamic between Kainalu and the underused Mayor Emerson to the forefront, and the sequence was all the higher for it.
Plus, we received an additional cute Hina and Kainalu hospital second, which was simply the icing on the cake for this one.
Worst Episode – Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 7
If I’m being trustworthy, you possibly can insert plenty of totally different episodes right here as a result of lots of them had been lackluster, particularly to start with.
However Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 7 was one of many earlier episodes that attempted to hone in on the characters extra, however it simply didn’t work. As a substitute, the hour slogged alongside, and whereas it moved storylines ahead, it didn’t accomplish that with a lot aplomb.
At this level within the season, the sequence nonetheless wasn’t certain whether or not it was an motion present or an motion present blended with soapy drama, and the hour suffered from stale storytelling at factors.
However once more, you possibly can say that about a number of of the sooner episodes, although this one was the primary one which highlighted simply how out of kinds the sequence was turning into.
Character Most In Want of Higher Materials – Laka Hanohano
Keko Scott Kekumano is an extremely charismatic actor; HI-Surf units Laka up as the marginally troubled, albeit kindhearted soul who simply wanted slightly steerage to interrupt dangerous habits and grow to be a greater model of himself and, thus, an excellent higher guard.
However as an alternative, Laka was form of a jerk for a lot of the season.
He insisted on getting in between Will and Em, which was by no means his place, and he was lower than appreciative of Sonny mentoring him at first, although he did finally come round. However it’s by no means felt just like the sequence knew what to do with him regardless of his apparent path value following.
He received there in the long run, however the street traveled was crammed with many frustrations for a personality that would have been a lot extra if the powers that be determined to present him extra to do.
Finest Friendship – Sonny & Em
Sonny’s the rock for thus many individuals in his life, and whereas the connection between him and Em did have some tense moments, their friendship is rooted in a deep respect and adoration for each other that shined by way of again and again.
Sonny is a good captain as a result of he at all times does what’s finest for the staff, and if which means being powerful on Em, he’ll do it. Em was trustworthy when she wanted to be, which once more confirmed their respect for each other.
Their relationship was extra outstanding within the earlier hours than in the direction of the top, however it was at all times there. The moments they checked in with each other had been at all times candy and mirrored simply how a lot they cared about one another.
A possible season 2 would do nicely to characteristic them extra, as their friendship was one of many brightest spots of the uneven first season.
General Grade – C
It’s been a minute since I used to be in grade college, however a C grade at all times meant common throughout my day, and that’s an ideal option to describe this primary effort.
The sequence was by no means going to be Baywatch, and I don’t suppose anybody ever needed it to be. Nonetheless, they struggled to search out their footing with lackluster plotlines and underdeveloped characters for thus lengthy that audiences misplaced curiosity.
Nice motion sequences can solely take you to this point.
However there have been apparent indicators of progress towards the top, they usually discovered the profitable components because the season wrapped.
Now, if FOX renews it, they should decide to it and increase upon the issues that labored whereas leaving what didn’t far behind.
What Grade Would You Give Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1?
Now it’s time to share all of your ideas within the remark part!
What had been your favourite moments? Least favourite moments? Does the sequence deserve a season 2?
Let all of it out beneath, and ensure to vote in our ballot!
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