Are all the Will and Em shippers rejoicing? Because Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 8 finally DID something with that pairing, and it’s injected a lot of juice into the storyline.
Surely, we all knew it was heading here eventually, but we didn’t know when.
Doing it now, pre-wedding, and whatever is about to follow at the station makes for some exciting storylines.
Coming off of Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 7, which was heavy on personal drama, I was less than impressed because the emergencies drive this show.
They’re the best part, but even I must admit that this one was once again light on rescues but one of the better hours this season.
Perhaps they just need the right drama to really make an impression.
The Will and Em saga has existed since long before we met them, and I always enjoy the moments when Laka is in the background and walks away when the two of them are engaged in one of those stare-into-each-others-eyes moments they’re so fond of.
We still only know bits and pieces of their history, but they clearly parlayed heartbreak into a very strong and respectful friendship. That doesn’t mask the fact that they’re still in love, but give them props for trying!
Julie’s not wanting Em at the wedding was perfectly reasonable, and maybe Em had no right to feel offended. However, it most likely had less to do with the snub and more with the continued reality that Will was moving on.
I’ve been waiting for these two to have their big fight, where they actually talk to each other about the situation because it often feels like they dance around everything.
They are a well-oiled machine in every aspect except how they communicate their conflicted and complicated feelings about one another and Will’s impending marriage.
Em didn’t know that Sonny sending her to reprimand Will was a bit of a test, but it did allow her to finally get a little dig in about his relationship, which I know she’s been sitting on forever.
Will immediately jumping to Em being jealous or hurt and not doing her job was disappointing, but that’s where those personal and professional lines blur when you work with people you are in love with.
Is that part of the reason why they broke up? Was it because Em became Lieutenant? Dating a subordinate is typically frowned upon in all jobs, but we need to know more about their history to know if that’s the case.
It would make sense, especially with how many times we’ve heard about Em wanting to advance her career, but I find it hard to believe that’s the only reason things went south. They like each other too much to end it over a job.
But seeing these two in a little tiff didn’t last long in the here and now because they’re Will and Em. They are truly best friends, and when the one rescue came along, it was the two of them who stepped up together to save the day.
The paragliding rescue was great. They saved Curt and then realized that there was a second person out there they could have never known about based on the limited information they were working with.
How scary would it be to be sucked into a cave under the water and essentially just be stranded in there with no idea if anyone would come or just how quickly the tide would rise?
Before it aired, the promotion for this show often talked about how dangerous these waters were, and the show does a tremendous job of showcasing just how treacherous it can be out there alongside the need to respect the ocean.
That poor lady washed up in a cave and must have been terrified.
We’ve seen all the lifeguards at various times but themselves in tough situations, but seeing Em and Will down in those caves unlocked a new fear in me. What if they couldn’t turn around?
What if they thought they were heads to a pocket of air, but it wasn’t there? All the what-ifs!
You will not see something like this anywhere else on television, and that’s what makes Rescue: HI-Surf stand out.
How did they film that? How thought of that? The questions are endless!
Coming out of that rescue, Em got the applause she deserved, and after her talk with Sonny (more on him in a minute!), she was probably feeling a surge of adrenaline and a whole host of swirling emotions.
Em believed her dream was coming true, and I’m sure there was no other person in the world she wanted to celebrate with than Will. But since that wasn’t possible, the next best thing was apologizing and making up with her person.
I was not sold on this pairing in the beginning, but they’ve grown on, and everything in this hour with them was pretty damn compelling.
Em’s apology and Will just taking her in his arms after she confessed to missing her chance was the stuff of your favorite rom-com. You just knew they were going to kiss, as there were just too many emotions coursing through them after the day they had.
But Will pulling away and then almost pulling away in that big-ass van? Oh, I yelled at the television! He could not leave her out there so vulnerable and unsure, and luckily, he came to his senses, but now what?
They’ve both crossed that line now. They’re both cheaters. But does it end with that kiss? Do they engage in a full-blown affair? Or do they remember why it didn’t work out the first time and pretend they can return to the status quo?
Much for those two to think about!
After telling his wife that he wanted to retire, Sonny had much to think about. He did the right thing by going to the Chief first, but he did the wrong thing by not heeding his advice.
God love Sonny, but the Chief told him pretty bluntly that he couldn’t just promise his job to Em, and yet that’s pretty much exactly what he did.
And while his intentions may have been noble, especially in the face of her just proving exactly why she’s the right person for the job, it was never his place to promise something like that to her.
It ultimately won’t be up to him, and it’ll be heartbreaking if the job doesn’t go to her and she’s passed over for someone else the Chief owes a favor to.
I’m still not sold on Sonny riding off into the sunset, and I’m more convinced than ever that his prematurely telling Em will come back to potentially bite them both in the behind.
Elsewhere during this fun hour, we continue to get the Kainalu and Hina roommates era, and the walls are slowly being peeled back. These two have way more in common than they’d like to admit, and you can tell that Kainalu’s trying.
You can still see shades of the arrogant kid on the beach during Rescue: HI-Surf Season 1 Episode 1, who asked his daddy to help make his dream come true. But he’s getting further and further away from that.
He and Hina make a lovely little duo when they allow themselves to forget about everything and enjoy each other’s company.
More of that, please! And give us more of their roommate shenanigans, please, and thank you.
Extra Rescue Notes
- Laka was trying SO hard, and one miscommunication ruined it with Jenn. That’s her loss, honestly. However, Laka could have been a bit more forceful with the woman on the beach.
- Julie not even trying to listen to Will talk about his day. And they want people not to root for Will and Em?
There is a lot to discuss after this one, and we only have one more hour before they break until next year.
What are you looking to see in that final installment?
Let me know how you’re feeling in the comments so we can discuss it!
You can watch Rescue: HI-Surf on FOX on Mondays at 9/8c.
Watch Rescue HI: Surf Online
