Will, Laka and Em receive a call to rescue an influencer in a wedding dress that gets swept into the ocean while trying to film a new video. Kainalu and Hina discuss setting boundaries within their home. Mayor Emerson makes good on his word with Captain Sonny. Will breaks it to Em that his fiancé does not want her invited to their wedding. Jenn finally agrees to go on a date with Laka.
The ocean always wins. That's been the mantra that defines Sonny's career as a lifeguard. At times, he fought against that mentality. The lifeguards pulled many victims out of the water every single shift. They save more lives than they lose. When mistakes happen in the field, it's absolutely devastating. It showcases just how powerless they are in the face of such wonder. The ocean remains powerful. It doesn't take much for a situation to turn dangerous. Someone can be safely swimming one moment and need rescuing the next. That's how quick the current can turn. Sonny has been doing this long enough that he can read the water. He knows when danger is about to occur. He has much to teach Hina and Kainalu. He's struggling too though. He delivers for the job. He finally appears committed to work again. It's all an effort to leave the place better than how he found it. He was given responsibility as captain. He has to keep everyone focused on the task at hand. He needs the lifeguards to rely on their training and each other. That's the only way they can prevail. That isn't always enough. Rocky died. His body was swept out to sea. The ocean controlled that outcome. And now, it's time for Sonny to reflect on his life and what he wants moving forward.
Of course, the audience should look at Sonny's retirement plans with skepticism. It mirrors Will's plan to leave for the fire department. That quest defined the early episodes. Nothing came of it. It was a threat that this workplace could soon deal with more changes. However, it would have been foolish for the show to invest time in Will only to send him away. The narrative gave such a poor reason for why he didn't get the job too. It certainly didn't justify the amount of time spent talking about this possibility for him. A character from the fire department is still present on the show. Sean offers a slight perspective into that world. He mostly serves as a love interest for Em. He could offer an update to Will's circumstances at any point in time. No one is making that observation though. Instead, it's just accepted that the lifeguard unit will remain as it currently is. Sonny's recent struggles make his decision seem sensible. He finally opens up to his wife about how he's been feeling. He's been reckless. He's taken out his anger on others. That has alienated his family even further. And yet, it still seems unlikely the show would build him up as such a pivotal character only for him to exit this profession for good. Em wants to be captain. She deserves that responsibility and respect. It just seems unlikely to actually occur according to Sonny's plans. That undercuts the sentiment of that final moment because it just comes across as impossible to actually happen.
Sonny has a celebratory final act should this be the end of his career. The lifeguards frequently have contempt for people who make foolish mistakes and find themselves in need of saving. It largely comes across as them laughing and shaking their heads in disapproval. That's true when it's an influencer in a wedding gown trying to make some incomprehensible video for clout. That comes when tourists dismiss the warnings given to them because they believe they are good enough swimmers for these conditions. The lifeguards have dark humor about the people who they know will eventually need saving. They still spring into action. They don't get the appreciation they deserve. Sonny is grateful that Mayor Emerson delivers new equipment the shift after the request is made. Everything on his list is seemingly delivered with no further strings attached. That too almost seems too good to be true. It's still a victory for Sonny. Moreover, he knows precisely what to do when a swimmer gets caught up in a current. He sees it before it happens. He knows the plan to rescue her. Afterwards, she repeatedly thanks him. It was scary for her and her family. He saved her life. She delivered everything the lifeguards always want to hear afterwards. That's the satisfaction actually realized. That's a complete story that signals Sonny's ultimate decision.
The rest of the narrative is so incredibly aimless. Hina and her aunt laugh at the suggestion of boundaries. They don't understand the concept. Kainalu is perfectly reasonable in wanting a heads up before something happens. That's not an expression of privilege. It's him caring for his personal space. Of course, everything is fine in the end. He's more than comfortable with some light teasing. He endures plenty of it. He tries to make it on his own. No one sees him any differently now. Meanwhile, Em is only upset about not getting invited to Will's wedding because he already invited her. It would be awkward for her to be there given their history. Everyone constantly brings up their past. As such, it's impossible for either of them to truly move on. It's just inevitable that their connection will ignite again at some point. No one should expect otherwise. That still removes uncertainty and tension from the situation. The show should strive to surprise the audience. Right now, it wants to relax into a formula. That's reasonable too. It wants to present what it does and deliver that weekly. At this point though, it should still feel compelled to challenge what it can be. It should be willing to take risks. Instead, everything blends together without making anything feel emotionally resonate. Jenn and Laka finally go on a date. She shows more personality by teasing him. That too seems like it could work. It's just been so forced getting to this point that it takes the natural aspect of their connection out of it.
