Fox’s Lifeguard Drama Makes a Splash in This Thrilling Ride

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Rescue HI-Surf shows off just how hard it is to be a lifeguard. Spanning 11 seasons, the last notable lifeguard TV series was Baywatch, a show populated by beautiful people who run slowly on the beach. Sure, sometimes they saved lives, but that’s not exactly what Baywatch was known for. As times have changed, so have these types of procedural shows. Rescue HI-Surf is now a far cry from a show made famous by the likes of David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. While the show digs into the personal lives of the lifeguards, it also depicts just how challenging and physically demanding the job is.

From running through soft sand to paddling out and back through choppy waters, we witness what it takes to keep up with the standards required to be an open-water lifeguard. The intense training pushed the cast to the limit, but it pays off when watching the episodes; these aren’t just beautiful people on a beach. They are people ready to jump into one of the most unpredictable environments on earth to save lives. Filmed in Hawai’i, the show has a definite feeling of authenticity, and the fact that it is set in Oahu helps add to that authenticity. The waves in Oahu are famously massive (which can be as tall as 30 feet) and can be dangerous even for the most experienced surfers.

What Rescue HI-Surf needs is to find a better balance between the rescues that play out each episode on the beach and the character drama it is trying to create on land with its leads. Having complimented Magasiva for his scenes as Sonny, one of the issues with the show is that, oftentimes, Sonny’s grief and the scenes of him mourning feel almost jarring to cut to in each episode. We barely have any emotional investment in Sonny’s life. We don’t know him very well. His plotline following a lost family member feels like a better fit for later episodes or seasons, where we have become invested in him as a character. Similarly, starting the show after Em and Will have already had a failed relationship might not be an awful idea, but in this case, we need to be convinced that they were actually a good couple whose relationship is worth rooting for.

For those who love procedurals, this is more of what you expect. The series follows the classic television format pretty closely and seems to be adopting season-long arcs for all the characters. However, the show still lacks a spark that immediately grabs the audience’s attention and keeps them coming back for more. It’s unfortunate because the show fully embraces Hawai’i and Hawaiian culture and has an impressive roster of Asian and Pacific Islander actors on the cast. Aside from the more recent Hawaii Five-0, few shows have been set in Hawai’i, and even fewer depict the lives of locals. It doesn’t hurt that filming on location helps boost the local economy in Oahu. It is possible that Rescue HI-Surf is still trying to find its footing, and the show might feel more cohesive as the season continues. Oftentimes, shows like this need some time to become fully formed, especially when it has to balance the "emergency of the week" alongside deeper character development. Time will tell if the show will sink or swim.

Rescue HI-Surf premieres Sunday, September 22 on Fox and is available to stream next-day on Hulu.

Conclusion:

Rescue HI-Surf is a show that has the potential to be a great addition to the world of first-responder television shows. With its unique setting and diverse cast, it has the potential to stand out from other shows in the genre. However, it needs to find a better balance between the rescues and the character drama to truly grab the audience’s attention.

FAQs:

• What is Rescue HI-Surf about?
  Rescue HI-Surf is a television show that follows the lives of a group of open-water lifeguards on the North Shore of Oahu.
• Is Rescue HI-Surf a new show?
  Yes, Rescue HI-Surf is a new show that premiered on September 22 on Fox and is available to stream next-day on Hulu.
• What is the setting of Rescue HI-Surf?
  The show is set in Hawai’i, specifically on the North Shore of Oahu.
• What is the cast of Rescue HI-Surf like?
  The show has an impressive roster of Asian and Pacific Islander actors on the cast, including Alex Aiono, Kekoa Kekumano, and Adam Demos.