Warning: this article contains spoilers for Rescue: HI-Surf season 1, episode 9.Rescue: HI-Surf’s midseason twist of reuniting Em and Will stunts any growth the characters had and sets them both up for failure. The pilot season of Fox’snew show streaming on Hulufollows professional lifeguards in O’ahu, Hawaii. The beautiful setting, mixed with the complicated relationship dynamics, makeFox’sRescue: HI-Surfa newBaywatchreplacement, best exemplified by the cryptic and unfulfilling romance between Lieutenant Emily“Em”Wright (Arielle Kebbel) and Will Ready (Adam Demos). After hinting at a past breakup in the pilot episode, Em and Will explore other romances (with Will even being engaged) before starting an affair.
While it was obvious that Em and Will’s relationship history would be a source of conflict in the first season,Rescue: HI-Surffails to justify the infidelitythat hits at the conclusion of episode 8, “Drop In”. Their passionate kiss lacked any real momentum aside from a few fleeting moments of jealousy on Will’s part, but there was never an indication that Em reciprocated those feelings until her sudden speech about them"missing their chance.“It makes their get-together feel out of character and gives the audience nothing to root for in themodern procedural TV genre.
Will And Em’s Affair In Rescue: HI-Surf Undercuts Their Growth
They Took One Step Forward And Five Steps Back
One of the first impressions the audience gets of Will is his readiness to leave the North Shore. Coworker Laka Hanohano (Kekoa Scott Kekumano) even teases him for seeking a firefighter position and trying to leave lifeguarding entirely to avoid Em. After Will is rejected and Em begins dating Sean Harimoto (Ian Anthony Dale)–who, for the record, is a firefighter–the two lifeguards commit to amicably working together. Will even encourages Em to be honest with Sean about her feelings when the firefighter invites her to potentially relocate with him. Despite awkwardness, they appear to maintain maturity.
They abandon all morals and disrespect their partners for nothing more than a thrill.
Meanwhile, Will has a fiancée named Julie (Hayley Malia Johnson).Rescue: HI-Surfpresents her almost as villainous for not wanting Emily at the wedding, butWill gives Julie ample reason to be insecure. Breakups in TV shows are notorious for being either devastating or short-lived, and Julie knows Will maintains a soft spot for Em. Will repeatedly reassuring Julie that he’s over his ex and Em repeatedly reassuring Sean that he’s the one she wants only makes their relationship worse. Both pretend to move on, but they abandon all morals and disrespect their partners for nothing more than a thrill.
Will And Em’s Relationship In Rescue: HI-Surf Is Already Doomed
Too Many Factors Can Sabotage Their Affair
SomeTV couples lose their spark when they get together, butEm and Will never have a sparkto begin with. The only tension they have is awkward and fuels petty conflict between them at work, butRescue: HI-Surfexpects the audience to accept their sudden veer into romance. Their tryst feels like nothing more than Will and Em seeking out closure in the worst possible way. Sean’s openness and clear affection for Em (coupled with his firefighter status) make Will insecure, while Julie’s obvious disdain makes Em feel threatened. The affair is built on self-sabotage with no actual potential.
Rescue: HI-Surf Can Finally Break Arielle Kebbel’s Disappointing 8-Year TV Streak
Arielle Kebbel is a part of the main cast of Rescue: HI-Surf, a new drama series on Fox, and the show has the potential to break her unlucky streak.
Even if Will and Em don’t come to their senses and end the infidelity, they are aTV romance that’ll get worse with time. As of episode 9 (“The Aftermath”), Will has yet to call off his upcoming wedding, Sean is still serious about Em, and Laka knows about their affair. Laka keeps silent until Will judges his behavior, at which point Laka reminds Will they’ve been less than discreet. While he kept it secret until provoked, their affair staying secret seems improbable. But one thing is certain:Will and Em deserve the judgmentthat awaits them inRescue: HI-Surf.
Rescue: HI-Surfreturns Monday, January 20 on Fox.
Rescue: HI-Surf
Rescue: HI-Surf follows the dedicated lifeguards of O’ahu’s North Shore as they navigate the challenging conditions of Hawaii’s Seven Mile Miracle, showcasing their heroism and adrenaline-seeking nature while saving lives. Released in 2024, the film captures the high-stakes environment faced by these courageous individuals.
