Hi-Surf destroys Em & Will with its divisive plot twist

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Rescue: HI-Surf season 1, episode 9.Rescue: HI-SurfThe mid-season twist of reuniting Em and Will stunts any character growth and sets them up for failure. The pilot season of the new Fox show streaming on Hulu follows professional lifeguards on O'ahu, Hawaii. The beautiful setting, mixed with complicated relationship dynamics, make Fox's Rescue: HI-Surf a new Baywatch replacement, best exemplified by the enigmatic and unsatisfying romance between Lieutenant Emily “In” Wright (Arielle Kebbel) and Will Ready (Adam Demos). After hinting at a previous breakup in the pilot episode, Em and Will explore other romances (with Will even engaged) before beginning an affair.

Although it was obvious that the history of Em and Will's relationship would be a source of conflict in the first season, Rescue: HI-Surf cannot justify infidelity which arrives at the conclusion of episode 8, “Drop In”. Their passionate kiss lacked any real drive other than a few fleeting moments of jealousy on Will's part, but there was never an indication that Em reciprocated those feelings until her sudden rant about them. “missing the chance.” This makes the reunion feel out of character and gives the audience nothing to root for in the modern procedural TV genre.

Will and Em's Case for Rescue: HI-Surf Hurts Their Growth

They took one step forward and five steps back

One of the audience's first impressions of Will is his willingness to leave the North Shore. Co-worker Laka Hanohano (Kekoa Scott Kekumano) even teases him for looking for a firefighter position and trying to quit lifeguarding entirely to avoid Em. After Will is rejected and Em starts dating Sean Harimoto (Ian Anthony Dale) – who, for the record, is a firefighter – the two lifeguards commit to working together amicably. Will even encourages Em to be honest with Sean about her feelings when the firefighter invites her to potentially move in with him. Despite their strangeness, they seem to maintain their maturity.

Meanwhile, Will has a fiancee named Julie (Hayley Malia Johnson). Rescue: HI-Surf presents her almost as a villain for not wanting Emily at the wedding, but Will gives Julie ample reason to be insecure. Breakups on TV shows are notorious for being devastating or short-lived, and Julie knows Will has a crush on Em. Will repeatedly reassuring Julie that he's over her ex and Em repeatedly reassuring Sean that he's who she wants only makes their relationship worse. They both pretend to move on, but 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

Many factors can sabotage your case

Some TV couples lose their spark when they get together, but Em and Will will never have a spark to start. The only tension they have is awkward and fuels petty conflicts between them at work, but Rescue: HI-Surf hopes the audience will accept his sudden turn to romance. Their date feels like nothing more than Will and Em seeking closure in the worst way possible. Sean's bluntness and clear affection for Em (along with his status as a firefighter) leave Will insecure, while Julie's obvious disdain makes Em feel threatened. The case is based on self-sabotage with no real potential.

Even if Will and Em don't come to their senses and put an end to the infidelity, they're a TV romance that will only get worse over time. From episode 9 (“The Consequences”), Will hasn't called off his wedding yet, Sean is still serious about Em, and Laka knows about their affair. Laka remains silent until Will judges her behavior, at which point Laka reminds Will that they were anything but discreet. Although he kept it a secret until provoked, their affair remaining secret seems unlikely. But one thing is certain: Will and Em Deserve Judgment that awaits them in Rescue: HI-Surf.