The elite North Shore lifeguards face saving the lives of inexperienced tourist surfers and local teenagers while managing their own personal dilemmas.
FOX is clearly betting on Rescue: HI-Surf to be its next big hit. For years, the broadcast network's drama lineup was led by 9-1-1 and its Lone Star spinoff. However, the former has since moved to another network while the latter is coming to an end with its fifth season. The network obviously sees power in the storytelling of the lives of first responders. As such, Rescue: HI-Surf serves as the new entry into the procedural format. It offers reverence for the hard work required to serve as lifeguards on the North Shore of O'ahu in Hawai'i. The opening scene both shows and tells the audience about this being the most dangerous terrain in the world. It draws tourists throughout the year. The people who patrol the beaches must be keenly aware of their surroundings at all time. They must maintain a level of physical fitness to battle the bruising conditions. They are called upon to rescue numerous lives each day. Yet they aren't trying to change the local culture. It's a celebration while still highlighting the danger that can happen at any moment.
The narrative offers a much more grounded telling of these stories. It doesn't embrace the same melodramatic qualities present in the shows that have worked for FOX in this space previously. That's a risk. It requires the story to be unique while delivering entertaining stories and characters. In the early going, it's full of familiar tropes. Sonny is the captain struggling with the death of his nephew after failing to save him during an accident at sea. Em has her eyes set on advancing in the ranks. She also sees the value in lifting other women up in this profession. That makes it somewhat unfortunate that she's also trapped in a complicated romantic past with Will. He's potentially leaving to become a fireman because of how his fiancé feels about him continuing to work with Em. Meanwhile, Laka frequently blurs the line between professional and personal. He gladly accepts the perks of being an attractive lifeguard saving lives - namely hooking up with those grateful for his services. And finally, Kainalu and Hina are the newcomers learning the ropes of what it means to serve in this role.
The basic structure offers that familiarity. Of course, it's also on the show to provide more depth and personality. It has that in spades when it comes to the stunning location. However, the narrative instincts feel like so many shows that have come before it. Those tropes are cliche for a reason. They still have the potential to work. The audience simply needs to invest in the characters. Each role has to stand on their own offering a compelling reason to tune in every week. That's too much pressure for the first episode of any show. Yet that's the necessity to fulfill the aspirations the network clearly has for the program. It's being given a launch following a doubleheader of football with the second episode airing the following night. In February, it will air an episode after the Super Bowl. That's so much confidence. The network already ordered more episodes of the first season before it started airing. The product still has to deliver. Right now, the premise is the hook. The characters don't offer much intrigue at all. It's stiff trying to develop some camaraderie or tension amongst the team. That's problematic and threatens to derail things quickly.
It's assumed that more drama from the characters' personal lives will be forthcoming. That's not the enticing element at the moment. It's annoying that the show suggests Will could be leaving the team. Sure, it's crucial to see the lifeguards working in coordination with other first responders. However, that's not the prime focus. The attention is directed out towards the waves. That's where the show comes alive. Instead, Will is reduced down to nothing more than a man in a relationship with the wrong woman. Nothing is suggested as to why he and Em would be a better couple. It's communicated that they have a tortured romantic history. That just gets in the way unfortunately. It's more compelling to see Em worried about Sonny. They still encourage each other to remain qualified for this job. They aren't leaving anytime soon. However, they have to play politics in the hopes of getting more funding and better resources. That affords them two recruits. Yet they too come across as a tortured dynamic where more will be revealed shortly. It needs to be more than Kainalu pouting over being beaten by a girl. That's lame and unoriginal. The show suggests more depth will come. It just does so without a central compelling reason beyond its premise. Characters matter. That should be the more immediate focus on developing in the short term in the hopes of offering success.
