Television is filled with first-responder shows. From paramedics and firefighters to police officers, these procedural dramas have become a staple on network TV.
The formula is often simple: a group of professionals—usually a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh-faced rookies—faces various daily emergencies, all while showing personal challenges.
This formula has been successful in shows like 9-1-1, Chicago Fire, and Law & Order. Now, Rescue HI-Surf follows this familiar path but focuses on a unique set of first responders: open-water lifeguards patrolling the dangerous waters of Oahu’s North Shore.
Created by Matt Kester, known for his work on Animal Kingdom, Rescue HI-Surf takes viewers into the lives of these lifeguards as they battle unpredictable waves, intense rescues, and their personal lives.
The show sheds light on a profession that often goes unnoticed in the show of first responders. However, despite this fresh perspective, Rescue HI-Surf struggles to stand out among its competitors.
The Challenges of Being a Lifeguard Are Front and Center in Rescue HI-Surf
The last lifeguard-focused show to leave a significant impact was Baywatch, which ran for 11 seasons and became a global sensation.
However, Baywatch was not known for its realistic depiction of lifeguarding. Instead, it focused more on its cast of beautiful people running in slow motion across the beach.
While the characters saved lives, the show was more famous for its glamorous portrayal of beach life, thanks to stars like David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson.
In contrast, Rescue HI-Surf moves far away from this glamorous image. The show aims to depict the true physical and mental challenges lifeguards face every day.
Sure, the characters are still good-looking, but they aren’t just there to look attractive. The series emphasizes the demanding nature of their jobs, from intense ocean rescues to their rigorous physical training.
One of the key elements that makes Rescue HI-Surf feel real is its setting. The show is filmed on location in Hawaii, specifically on the North Shore of Oahu. The North Shore is known for its gigantic waves, some reaching heights of 30 feet or more.
Even experienced surfers find these waves challenging, so it’s no surprise that the lifeguards who patrol these waters must be highly trained and physically fit.
Watching the lifeguards in action, running across soft sand, paddling through powerful waves, and performing rescues in dangerous conditions, gives viewers a view into the true intensity of their work.
The cast underwent intense physical training to prepare for their roles, and it shows in the episodes. These aren’t actors merely pretending to be lifeguards; they’ve worked hard to understand the physical demands of the job. This authenticity is one of the show’s strongest aspects.
The characters are more than just beach eye candy—they are tough, skilled first responders who are ready to go into dangerous situations at a moment’s notice.
Character Storylines in Rescue HI-Surf Need Improvement
While the show succeeds in portraying the lifeguard profession, it stumbles when it comes to developing compelling character arcs. The series primarily revolves around the team’s captain, Sonny, played by Robbie Magasiva.
Sonny is a seasoned lifeguard dealing with the grief of losing a family member—a person he couldn’t save, despite all his skills.
This tragedy weighs heavily on him throughout the season, and the show frequently returns to his struggles with this loss. Magasiva’s portrayal of Sonny is heartfelt, and his more serious moments are some of the highlights of the show.
However, where Rescue HI-Surf falters is in building chemistry between the other characters. Em, played by Arielle Kebbel, is an experienced lifeguard who serves as Sonny’s right hand. Will, portrayed by Adam Demos, is an Australian lifeguard with a complicated relationship with Em.
Will is currently thinking about leaving the beach to pursue a career as a firefighter, but his past with Em complicates things.
The dynamic between Em and Will is a classic “will-they-won’t-they” relationship, but unfortunately, Kebbel and Demos struggle to bring the necessary spark to their scenes. Will is engaged to someone else, but the tension between him and Em lingers.
However, their interactions lack the emotional depth that viewers might expect from such a storyline. Without strong chemistry, the relationship feels forced, and the scenes between Em and Will don’t have the impact they should.
Meanwhile, Laka, played by Kekoa Kekumano, is a carefree lifeguard with a wild party lifestyle. Though skilled at his job, his reckless behavior off-duty hints at potential problems down the line.
The show also introduces two rookies: Kainalu, played by Alex Aiono, is the son of a powerful politician on the island, while Hina, portrayed by Zoe Cipres, is a talented female lifeguard who graduated at the top of her class.
Hina and Kainalu are set up as rivals, both excelling in their training but coming from very different backgrounds. Hina grew up near the North Shore in a family that struggled financially, while Kainalu comes from a privileged upbringing.
Their rivalry is a classic “opposites attract” setup, but the show spends more time pitting them against each other than developing their individual stories or relationships with the rest of the team. More focus on their growth as lifeguards and as part of the team could help Rescue HI-Surf find its emotional core.
Rescue HI-Surf Has Potential but Struggles to Stand Out
Despite being one of the few shows about lifeguards currently on air, Rescue HI-Surf doesn’t feel groundbreaking. Shows like 9-1-1 and Chicago P.D. often feature over-the-top emergencies that stick in the viewer’s mind.
For example, it’s hard to forget when a baby got stuck in bathroom plumbing on 9-1-1. In contrast, Rescue HI-Surf offers more realistic emergencies, but they tend to be forgettable. While this may be a growing pain that the show will overcome as it develops, the lack of memorable rescue moments could hurt its long-term success.
The series needs to find a better balance between the action-packed rescues and the personal drama of its characters. Sonny’s grief storyline is compelling, but it feels jarring at times, especially since viewers haven’t had enough time to get emotionally invested in his character.
Similarly, the show begins after Em and Will’s relationship has already ended, which might have been a good idea if we could see more of why their relationship matters. Instead, the show needs to convince the audience that their connection is worth caring about.
For fans of procedural dramas, Rescue HI-Surf offers more of what they expect. The show follows the traditional format, complete with season-long character arcs and weekly rescues. However, it still lacks that “spark” that makes viewers want to return week after week.
It’s a shame because the show embraces Hawaiian culture and includes a strong cast of Asian and Pacific Islander actors, something not often seen on network television. Additionally, filming on location in Hawaii brings authenticity to the setting and helps boost the local economy.
Though Rescue HI-Surf is still trying to find its footing, it could improve as the season progresses. Many shows take time to fully develop their tone and character dynamics, especially when they balance weekly emergencies with deeper storylines.
It’s possible that with more time, Rescue HI-Surf will grow into a show that can stand alongside other successful first-responder dramas. For now, however, it remains a show with potential that has yet to fully deliver.
Rescue HI-Surf premieres Sunday, September 22, on Fox and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
