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Baywatch: The Lost Treasure of Tower 12 (1992)
The Muse
Another Shauni story for the A plot. And another pair of thinly characterised criminals. They steal some jewels. Then stash them under her tower. Meantime she's being wooed by Ian. Would be poet. Will she fall for him? Will Eddie get jealous?
Do we care?
Not a terrible storyline. But it's impossible to care about these two and romance. Also Ian does go a bit too far at points and get obsessive. There's also a fantasy sequence which comes out of nowhere. Erika Eleniak does look amazing in it though. And at least Ian does do the right thing in the end. An action sequence in this one is badly coreographed.
B plot has Harvey teach a girl's windsurfing class. Because Mitch is quickly written out of this one just like last week's. Harvey doesn't know his subject. Good job Ben is around. It's as annoying as it sounds, which means the payoff that should be satisfying isn't as much as it could be.
No Hobie. No Captain Thorpe. A couple of Garner moments. Background Lifeguard Brooke actually gets a line. Some good montage music. But no less than three scenes and five lines for Newmie! Most awesome episode so far. Just for that.
Baywatch: Shark's Cove (1992)
He ain't heavy, he's my half brother
This takes a fair while to get going. Montage of ladies swimming to Enya. So the music is at least good. Then expository dialogue sets up a Shauni story about an unhappy friend with a disapproving dad.
Said friend is missing presumed dead after a shark attack. A Shauni storyline. They are a bit thin on the ground.
This is one of those that has to rush to an ending. I didn't initially see it coming, i must say. It's not a terrible plot. But it's not got much consequence.
Main one is Eddie suddenly remembering he has a half brother. Who has schizophrenia so he is in care. The Doctor lets him stay with Eddie for the weekend. Can Eddie look after him?
Horrible plot contrivance in the middle of this one. And you know it's going to hit the reset button at the end and never be mentioned again. But as a raising awareness bit of tv goes, this is actually pretty good. It teaches you about the condition. The actor playing Bobby the half brother is also very good. And Billy Warlock's acting isn't bad. The writing not letting him down too much.
Some of the usual faults. But for getting something very right, worth a higher grade than usual.
Hardly any Mitch he has just two scenes. Only one Ben scene. No Garner. No Hobie. No Captain Thorpe. Two Harvey scenes but only the first annoys. They also remember Jill existed as well. Continuity! Who would have thought?
Baywatch: The Chamber (1992)
A Baywatch clip show
It's the who should Hobie live with plot! Again! Which he says he's been waiting five episodes to talk about.
Shock follows as we get continuity! They say what Craig and Gina are doing now. Who saw that coming? Mitch and Captain Thorpe have the responsibilities conversation. Again.
Mitch then does a daring rescue. Gets the bends. And hallucinates.
He sees clips from earlier episodes. Yes, it's a clip show.
And then it tries to go supernatural again to sort it all out.
Things get sorted out. The end.
This could be worse. The montage music is good. The continuity is nice to have. Newmie figures reasonably prominently and does get a line. Harvey doesn't appear at all. Interesting that everybody else crowds round when concerned about Mitch but not him. There is some drama in the first half.
But it's all a bit pointless ultimately. You could watch this without the clips and it would work better. Also as ever they really can't make supernatural stuff work at all. No Garner this week either.
Not terrible. Not brilliant. Just skippable.
Baywatch: Now Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale (1992)
A quick three hour tour
A homage to sitcom Gilligan's Island. With guest actors Bob Denver and Dawn Wells from that show.
But we start with Harvey for the first time in a fair while. Doing the same old unfunny stuff. A rapid cut to Eddie and all but Mitch being obsessed with Gilligan's Island. This scene is also more irksome than funny.
Eddie loves the show. Long story short he bumps his head things happen and it becomes a Gilligan's Island homage. You can guess how it explains itself.
This is going to be a love or hate episode. I really rather liked it. It actually manages to be quite amusing at points. Something Baywatch doesn't do very often at all. It gives the actors a chance to stretch themselves. Monte Markham in particular doing really good at comedy. And the production values are amazingly good. It really feels like an episode of Gilligan's Island at times.
There is stuff about Eddie's feelings from childhood for the programme which almost works as a character arc. Almost.
Surprisingly little Mitch. You have to wonder what the Hoff thought of this one and that might be why. His final appearance in the episode is quite fun though. Probably the first time him trying humour in the show worked.
Worked for me, anyway. You will either find this stupid and unfunny beyond belief. Or you will like it's ambition and originality and enjoy it for that. I went for the latter.
It also gives Garner a little character detail. Which is nice.
No Hobie. No Newmie either.
Baywatch: Sea of Flames (1992)
Running the waves
Advent of the Waverunner TM. Mitch loves these machines for zooming across the waves from the off.
First story. Hobie has a bad dream of his dad getting killed in a replica of a shot from Jaws. As ever Mitch goes through scenes with his son with gritted teeth. It does tie into second story and sort itself out. But it's one of those where they try to do supernatural stuff and it doesn't really click.
Second story. People are taking a dangerous new drug. Someone high on it tries to burn Eddie's tower down. Whilst he's not doing his job properly. They find where the drug is being made and an action scene sorts it all out. One of those plotlines that doesn't really get the space and development it needs.
Third story. Ben meets an old film star he idolised thirty years ago. They get closer. That's it. This isn't bad as actual proper drama. But you know she'll never be seen or mentioned again and Ben is so maudlin most times it's hard to care.
No Harvey. Garner just gets mentioned. Captain Thorpe suddenly pops up again though. Pretending to have never been away. Detective Connors reappears though. Which was a surprise. Don't get used to it.
This one does have some absolutely terrible editing. Although they were probably just working with what they had and trying to do the best. The first montage is messy. The second goes on a bit.
But we do get two scenes with Newmie and Shippy. The former also showing how tough he is. And both of them high fiving. This is one of the greatest moments of tv ever. This one is worth it just for this.
Baywatch: Big Monday (1992)
I don't like Mondays
Three stories.
Mitch finds he gets distracted when thinking about a certain type of monday when there are big waves. He's saved from missing a save by a Hawaiian guy who pops out of nowhere. All turns out he has a repressed memory from when he was seven of a similar monday when someone drowned and he didn't. Just the kind of thing you'd forget about.
This one tries for a bit of a hint of the mystical and can't quite balance that with the realism.
Second story. Kay meets a deaf girl. Who ends up being the above save. Lili, the girl has a very protective mother who won't let her learn sign language. Kay gets persistently pushy. Things all sort themselves out.
Not bad because it does try to do a raise awareness thing. It almost works but Kay is annoyingly pushy. The mother is doing what the plot requires. And it does have one of those rushed endings to finish the storyline off as we don't have more space for it endings. Kay's swimsuit is pretty nice though.
Then there's Hobie. Who has friends of the week that we've never seen before and will never see again. They think he's a chicken when it comes to surfing. He may or may not give into peer pressure. This one sorts itself out too.
Hobie and Shauni at least have better chemistry together than in that season one episode where he kissed her. There is a nice bit of cinematography. It doesn't rush it's ending too much. This strand could be worse.
No Ben. Garner. No Captain Thorp. No Harvey but he does get mentioned. During some product placement.
No Eddie. They do say where he is though. Frankly Shauni is more tolerable without him around.
Newmie is on the credits. I think I blinked and missed him.
Could be a lot worse. But as ever could be a fair bit better.
Baywatch: War of Nerves (1992)
Revenge
Main plot sees Mitch doing the kind of thing Eddie normally would. When someone who hates him for past actions and wants revenge turns up, Mitch tells him off. Then tells him off again. Then acts as if nothing is happening when talking to others. It all escalates and things are sorted out as a result of a fight scene. The kind where everyone lets the participants get on with it.
The guest actor in this is superb. But as mentioned, Mitch behaves in an annoying way. And it's supposed to be psychological suspense. But it's too slow burn early on which gets a bit dull.
Oh and Kay's back in time to get involved in this one. Nobody seems to have decided whether she and Mitch are a couple yet or not. This one also doesn't do Garner any favours, as he just tells Mitch he can't do anything when crimes are being committed. But he gets to wear trousers for a change.
Can't even call the other plot a B plot. Because it's two scenes. Shauni asks Ben for surfing lessons. They get ready. He remembers surfing back in his day. Credit to getting the period fashions right and doing this in black and white. But that's that. There's no more on this one after.
The opening montage is time filling. The Ben memory montage uses the same song as well.
No Harvey or Captain Thorpe. No surprise.
No Eddie! A plus.
And Two Newmie scenes! He's so cool he can make sunglasses appear and disappear from shot to shot!
Also future cast member Kelly Packard turns up again as a beach girl. Unclear if it's the same character as before.
Her and Newmie's time will come.
As will Buzz Belmondo's. You found him unfunny as Eduardo. Now find him equally unfunny as Vito. He'll be back....
Baywatch: Reunion (1992)
High school musical reunion
I will not spoiler the opening set piece for this one. It has to be seen to be believed. But we do get Shippy on the beach, so there is that.
Then in the main plot Mitch ends up being browbeaten into going to his high school reunion. Gail of course is going too. So it's the will they get back together plotline again. Which is interrupted by two nerds trying to get revenge. Who are stopped by a rather big deus ex machina.
Almost solid drama which has moments, but it's Mitch's ego that means it doesn't quite work as ever. He acts at times like a big baby. Watch for another scene I won't spoiler. Which is funny for the fact that they even try it. Then we get probably the worst montage ever. Although this one all finishes with guys on the beach in front of some lovely cinematography.
In the other plot Eddie has to look after an abandoned baby. Which of course doesn't quite work because nobody can stand Eddie. It think it's funny that everyone runs off and leaves him to it. It's one of those plots that doesn't get that much attention. Although Billy Warlock does well with one scene along the way. As with such plots it does get a quick wrap up.
Anyone remember Captain Thorpe? Still no sign this week. Still no Harvey either. No matter. Garner just gets mentioned.
But Newmie is in two scenes! And gets two lines of dialogue!
Out of all the plus points, that's the best.
Baywatch: If Looks Could Kill (1991)
Lady killer
Just one storyline for a change. Meet Allison. Played by Shannon Tweed. She's a cold blooded killer. Who ends up being a Mitch save. He falls for her. But the audience know more. And thus we know better.
Mitch is looking to take a chance on love. So what will he do when he learns the truth?
This one almost comes close to eight out of ten. Surprisingly light on cast. Just Mitch Shauni and Eddie. Although it does say Hobie is with his mother. Eddie actually does something sensible. The script does give motivation for wanting to fall for someone. But it's that he took romantic advice from Eddie. Yeah right.
It convinces until the final act when we do get into people doing it for the plot territory. Which drags it down. Odd we get a guest police character rather than Garner. But at least we get to see Shippy again. Newmie is in the credits. But blink and miss him. I did.
Better than some. But still could be better. So nice to not have a Shauni and Eddie storyline for once though.
Baywatch: The Trophy: Part 2 (1991)
Men in a mood
Picking up from where we left off....
Eddie is bailed out by all his colleagues. But is naturally in such a mood he can't say thanks. He mopes around for most of the rest of the episode. In usual Eddie not dealing with things mode.
Shauni tries to sort it all out. Mitch gives her possibly confidential info so she can find Caroline. And they all work it out. In somewhat typical wrap this up quick it's last act time.
Eddie and Shauni are lovey dovey again by the end. This record is getting stuck. Although the cinematography in that scene is great.
Turner is still moping. Goes hang gliding. Persuading some bros to let him do it because the plot requires it. Post rescue Mitch eventually yells some sense into him.
Another that almost makes it and does some decent drama at points. But as ever lets itself down. Rushed resolutions. Plot convenience. Why bring Caroline to Baywatch HQ?
Montages have some good music though. It's kind of satisfying how Mitch sorts Turner out by not holding back. And Baywatch does continuity! They mention what happened to Craig in the pilot episode. I say again: They do continuity! I can't believe it either.
Fleeting Garner appearance. Short Hobie one. Ben gets one single scene again. Doing the inspirational talk bit now Craig's no longer around. Again no Harvey or Captain Thorpe.
The listing promises us Newmie. But no luck. That seems to be credits for the two parter as a whole. He'll be back...
Baywatch: The Trophy: Part 1 (1991)
Mean Beach Girls
Hands up who thought we'd see Megan from the One that Got Away ever again? No me neither. But here she is. Back story reveals she's allegedly always been there.
Also meet Turner. Who was once there till an accident we find out about in flashback that left him in a wheelchair. He looks exactly like Eddie's old criminal buddy from season one. Maybe they thought we wouldn't notice.
Anyway Megan and Turner broke apart after his accident. Now he's back and they might get back together. But he's clearly still coming to terms with things.
This one is perfectly capable as storylines, and I can't criticise it much. So far. There's nothing wrong with any of the writing or acting in it.
Other story sees Eddie and Shauni. Again. I don't really recall or care what stage their relationship is at as it goes up and down every week. All the mean girls on the Beach idolise Eddie. You have to suspend your disbelief. When underage Caroline spins a little lie about him to get in with the girls, things begin to spiral and Eddie is in legal trouble.
Caroline is doing what the plot requires. But it can happen. Eddie is being stupid but not quite so much as usual, it has to be said. We shall see how they sort it in part two.
A decent amount of Garner this time. Despite one rather pointless scene with Mitch that doesn't know what it's trying to do.
Ben even shows up briefly. Two Hobie scenes. I can't even recall the last time we saw Captain Thorp. No change here. But No Harvey. Which is nice.
Watch out for Kelly Packard as one of the mean girls. Six years from now, she'll be a series regular.
Plus a Newmie sighting! Alas no dialogue. But any Newmie moments are always worth it.
Not bad and I could even rate it higher. If not for it being Eddie.
Baywatch: Thin or Die (1991)
Beach body positivity
Two plots this week. Pretty equally balanced. Are they running out of ideas though? Because it's Mitch and dogs. Again. He rescues one from the sea. Takes it home to look after while they find the owner. Everyone loves this dog that Hobie calls Sandy. But it gets in the way of Mitch's love life and beauty sleep.
Oh dear. The most painful comedy they've ever tried so far. David Hasselhoff's anguished expression is as ever meant to be funny but it's not. Comic pratfalls don't help either. Garner then gets in on the act and it all sorts itself out with Mitch not being able to say no to an old lady. It's that expression again.
During this one Garner does at least get more to do than he's ever done before. He gets a comic montage also. Which could be worse. We also get to see Shippy again. Which is a result.
Other plot. Eddie and Shauni are arguing again because the plot requires it. Eddie decides to make her jealous by answering out sultry voiced message phone lady Nicole. The latter turns out to be fat. What's an Eddie to do?
This is trying to do body positivity. The actress playing Nicole is very good and she is a very likeable character. The scene that sorts this one all out tries hard to be real drama and almost clicks. But some will have issues. Reasons.
No Captain Thorp and No Ben again. The latter has been in just three of eight episodes. Even Jill got more to do. Not too much Harvey though and he doesn't get the chance to annoy. Which is nice.
A lower rating than I usually give. One or two plus points. But the worst bits really drag it down.
Baywatch: Sandcastles (1991)
Home
There's homeless people around. One of them likes other people's things and stabs Eddie. Who is creeped out by the homeless. Having clearly forgotten he once was
one.
Hobie, like his predecessor, has discovered girls. And gets involved with a homeless one. Who is looking for her mum. The guy who stabbed Eddie crosses paths with her.
Harvey is kicked out by his girfriend. Yes a woman actually agreed to go out with him. He needs a place to stay.
Common theme across stories. A serious issue. Again almost works but not quite. Eddie doing things without great reason and only justifying them. Rushing things. The explanation of where the mum was misses things out.
Plus once again it's trying to make us like the domestic life of Mitch and Hobie. David Hasselhoff just can't play sympathetic in these moments.
The Harvey plot doesn't make you dislike him less. Two scenes from it need a bit of context earlier than you get it. Unless they're in his mind. It's not clear.
Oh and Kaye pops up again.
No Captain Thorp again. No Ben either. Who seemingly only works part time.
Another that could click. But just doesn't quite.
Baywatch: Point of Attack (1991)
Eddie inspires
After all the Mitch stuff we've had lately, here's what nobody's been demanding. An Eddie centred one. Plus the return of Cort. No. Me neither. Although it does address him vanishing. Continuity. It's rare.
Two gangs of mexican kids are fighting on the beach. They all end up in a programme that Eddie is supposed to run. He inspires them. Somehow. One kid really wants to take part but his dad won't let him. Can Eddie help him get what he wants?
Just one storyline for an episode gives it focus. And it so nearly works. There is some good character stuff here. Telling a moral that is so commonplace in fiction today. But it's the little things again that hurt. That is to say Eddie. Once again doing things the plot requires.
It all sorts itself out nicely enough. And wants to be heartwarming. That will be a matter of opinion.
Some really dull montage segments don't help either.
No Captain Thorpe. Harvey. Hobie. Or Ben this week. Far too little Garner. Surprisingly little Mitch. Cort annoys as ever. But does have one good bit of dialogue with Garner. Characterisation. Who knew?
Baywatch: The Fabulous Buchannon Boys (1991)
Don't be a Barney
Mitch has a brother. Who is a completely irresponsible live for the moment surfer dude. But now he's got a kid. Both come to visit. Both have issues. Not least Mitch being annoyed with him for not taking life as seriously as he does. Might it all result in someone running off and getting into trouble?
There's also Kay. Her newspaper needs it's first story. There's a dangerous pier. Not the usual one. And Shauni and Eddie have to deal with Eduardo. Who sells bikinis that don't last.
There is a decent sibling issues plot at the heart of this which has it's moments. It helps that the brother is played by Tim Thomerson who is a very good actor. And it's not too bad an episode thanks to this. But the usual problems surface. Trying too hard to make us like Mitch. People doing things because the plot requires it. Desperately unfunny humour. Particularly when David Hasselhoff tries it. Plus some rather hasty resolution to the pier story.
The Eddie Shauni one only lasts two scenes. So you wonder why they bothered. Eduardo from this is even more annoying than Harvey. Who isn't around this week. But you won't be thinking come back Harvey all is forgiven.
Ben pops up again for one scene. No Garner. But Newmie gets two scenes and two lines. Totally worth it for that.
Baywatch: Money, Honey (1991)
Mitch and the movies
Mitch needs money. Rescuing people who jump into the water off a boat brings him to the attention of a lady film producer. She wants him to be an action star. Everyone else loves the idea. Mitch does not.
Hilarity ensues. Not.
Oh and Shauni wants to save an animal hospital from closure.
Just the two plotlines, which do mesh together okay. And not a terrible script as it actually flows quite well.
But this is Baywatching trying hard to be funny and trying as they've done all the time this season to make us find Mitch Loveable. And see him bare chested. It doesn't work. At all. It's just painful at times. Especially when Harvey does what Harvey does.
There are parts of this episode that are okay. One or two bits are actually not unfunny. One sight is horrible and something that will traumatise you for life. But the painful parts push this one down a bit from my usual rating.
No Ben and No Garner this week. No Newmie sighting either. But check out the crowd at the bikini contest for a sighting of the very first tv appearance from Dorian Gregory. Baywatch Nights and Charmed will see him again.
Baywatch: The One That Got Away (1991)
Bait
Meet Meghan. She's another we've never seen before and will probably never see again. Lifeguard Marine Biologist who becomes a target of a serial killer called the Fisherman. She helps Mitch and Garner lay a trap for him.
Also, Shauni has a very mildly annoying day and suddenly doesn't like job anymore. Evidently saving lives as she did last story is no longer enough. Can Eddie cheer her up?
As ever not terrible but flawed. It tries to make us think Harvey being a voyeur is funny. It does actually get a little bit of character into him which is quite good. But then royally fumbles the moment.
Shauni and Eddie as a storyline does move on well. But it depends if you actually care about these two and like them.
Megan's story isn't terrible. She has better reason for initially not telling people about it than Eddie ever did with his issues. One attempt to catch us off guard actually works. But the climax of this when she Mitch and Garner set a trap for the killer is completely characters doing things for the sake of the plot. And it really is a bit annoying thanks to that. But her character arc for the episode isn't too bad all in all and just about works.
No Thorpe. Ben or Hobie this week. No Newmie sighting. Watch out for Shippy out of a boat for a change though. Which makes up for no Newmie. Also watch out for shirtless Mitch, which you have a horrible feeling will become a regular thing. Nice to see Garner again at least. Getting about as much to do as ever though.
Baywatch: Nightmare Bay: Part 2 (1991)
Monster Hunt
Following on from last weeks. The press are bad. Ben is surprisingly canny and frankly might make a better captain than Thorpe. Devon gets more character in two episodes than Jill was ever allowed.
Harvey is an even more annoying Cort.
And the monster plot sorts itself out. A bit too quickly.
Mitch is about to get another love interest. Then she's gone.
Not terrible but even with two episodes for this it ends up being very rushed. Ditching the love interest too quickly. Kay suddenly develops a conscience out of nowhere. The montages are oddly stylised. And the final act especially is badly paced. Anything that has to have someone explaining the plot to others at the end doesn't really work.
Still we get another Newmie sighting. And not too much Shauni and Eddie. The former saying she has to look at the beach. Then not doing it.
Watchable enough. Just another that isn't quite there. Slightly better editing than usual though.
Baywatch: Nightmare Bay: Part 1 (1991)
Monster in the Bay
Eighteen months after the end of season one Baywatch returned. In Syndication.
The budget was lower. But this does hide that quite well. Although the number of sponsor companies in the credits is startling.
Craig is conspicious by his absence initially. But you get used to it. Gina is also no longer around. Hobie is now a different actor as the original had a growth spurt. Shauni and Eddie have had those too. But they still whine at each other. There's no mention of that cliffhanger either.
Captain Thorpe introduces veteran lifeguard Ben. Who is the long lost twin brother of Al from the pilot. Possibly. He doesn't want to work switchboard. Then does it anyway.
We also get Devon. Who gets more backstory than Jill managed. And an irksome reporter. Played by Mrs. Hasselhoff.
Then there's Harvey. Who is like Cort crossed with Jeff Altman. One scene only so far. But terrible.
Thank goodness for a Newmie sighting.
This is a two parter so ends on a cliffhanger. It sets up a story of there being a monster in the bay. The cliffhanger is decent.
Once again this isn't bad but the little things annoy. In addition to Shauni and Eddie. Choppy editing. Reporter lady is a bit of a cliche. Things just again don't hang together as well as they could.
Montage sequence tune is quite good though. There's a nice feel of summer at the sea.
Watchable enough. But still not quite all it could be.
Baywatch: The End? (1990)
Rocking Eddie's World.
Baywatch pulls out a surprise for it's first season finale. They remembered Rocky the dog! But not Ms. Keller.
Everyone is off doing things when there's an earth tremor. Then a fully fledged Earthquake hits. Cue stock disaster footage. The main plot is Cort and Craig getting trapped in a cave.
Oh and Shauni and Eddie have a silly fight.
Nobody missing this week. Even Gina. This tries for spectacle on a modest budget. And it's not too bad. But it's Eddie and Shauni doing things for the sake of the plot. Again.
Logic also goes out the window when the only way to rescue people in a cave of natural gas is with explosives.
On the plus side Captain Thorpe, whilst annoying in the first scene, comes over well when being a leader.
Cort isn't driving a storyline, and as before is more tolerable as a result.
And that's all I got.
Better than some others I've given seven out of ten to. But as ever, could have been so much more.
Baywatch: Old Friends (1990)
Outdoor survival
Two plots. In one Cort starts by trying to get a dog into danger so he can get to know a lady. Then forgets the lady when he thinks he sees an old friend. Who died a year ago. This opening brings us back to annoying self centred Cort. Which is not fun. Cort gets together with old friend's wife and finds she has a secret.
Not a terrible plotline ultimately because it tries to give him a moral dilemma. He does have chemistry with the wife also. But it's people doing things because the plot requires it.
In other plot: Mitch Garner and Craig go to the mountains. Mitch crashes his hang glider. More things go wrong and Craig is stranded with him as well. Can Garner get help? Can the two stranded friends survive?
This suffers from not enough location work at points and some studio bound bits. We do get some locations later in it though. It does allow for Garner to wear trousers for once and do something a little different. But it doesn't get any character moments in, which is a bit of a wasted opportunity. The rest of the rescue is fine and once again we get Newmie with dialogue. So there is that. Not what it could be though.
No Gina this week. Hobie is on the credits but I didn't spot him. Shauni pops up midway through and doesn't whine. So there's that too.
Not bad and better than some other seven out of ten ones. But could be better.
Baywatch: The Big Race (1990)
Cort needs cash
Two stories this week. In the B plot Baywatch does something very rare. Continuity. Shauni has PTSD over what happened to Jill. We get one fact about Jill that's new. So that's nice. It's the same kind of plot Eddie has too often. In that she won't admit she has a problem. But there is some actual drama in this one. It all sorts itself out in the end of course.
Main plot is something the show has alas done before. Cort has a scheme. He also appears to be a con man. But whilst he is as self centred as ever he actually has a better motivation in this one. Which gives him some back story. Which is less interesting than the Jill thing. Despite all the obstacles the story throws in the way of him Mitch and Craig winning a big race to get the money he needs you know how it will turn out.
However it does manage a bit more tension in the race than I expected. So there was that.
Gina is the only one missing this week. Miss Keller has now permanently vanished which of course is not mentioned.
I would give this a seven or perhaps seven point five. Just losing a mark or so because it's a cort story. But Garner gets to do a bit more thanks to being the one doing the heart to heart talk when Craig isn't around. And for the first time in seven weeks yes I was counting we get a Newmie sighting. And he gets only his third bit of dialogue this season.
So for that last bit alone this one is worth it.
Baywatch: Shark Derby (1990)
Jaws music
This week more lifeguarding. What's this show coming to?
Only one main plot. A promoter who is just as selfish and self absorbed as Cort tempts sharks into the bay to promote his restaurant. Jill is injured by one during a rescue. Someone is out for Blood. Mitch that is. Not the shark.
Not perfect. But not bad. Having only one plot helps. Especially one not focused on Cort or Eddie. Slight feel again of folks doing what the plot requires. But it's not terrible.
And Jill gets more backstory. And more scenes. And then gets killed off offscreen. The ending is emotional. Because you feel the loss of a wasted character.
The assembly of footage in the action scenes is rough. Slo mo running appears. And you will be laughing for the wrong reason as a result at action scenes that should be dramatic.
Even so, Cort is so much better when he's not the focus of a storyline. Eddie and Shauni don't get enough to do to annoy. And the Hoff as ever really does try when he has to emote. Bless him.
Gina the only one missing this week. Ms. Keller pops up again. But will be forgotten after. As seems to be the fate of that dog from last week.
Not perfect but better than some.
Baywatch: Eclipse (1990)
The Lady in White
A different kind of plot this week. We start with lifeguarding. Eddie has a partner who we've never seen before. He has potential. And then he's gone. Was he killed by a ghost? Eddie gets caught up in the supernatural shenanigans. Too bad there isn't a detective agency that specialises in such things yet eh? All of which for Eddie triggers a painful memory.
In the B plot Hobie's latest girl friend might lose her dog. Hobie to the rescue. Just don't tell Mitch.
Again not bad. But not quite there. It doesn't ever quite come together. The B plot is okay and the dog is lovely but its the kind of thing that will be quickly forgotten you think. Like Ms Keller who isn't around this week.
Main plot suffers from not getting the full focus. And it being Eddie being Eddie again. Keeping his troubles to himself is something he really should have gotten past by now. Thus the ending isn't as emotional as it should be.
Cort has a thing going on but it's quickly sorted. It's a nice change he's not a focus for once.
Garner is the only one missing this week. Jill gets her one scene of course. And I only just remembered where's Sid? He must be with Trevor.
Two great sunsets though and one lovely shot of sun on sea water. Those are totally worth it.
Baywatch: Snake Eyes (1990)
Gambling on Eddie
This week on the John D. Cort show Eddie does something stupid. Yes, that plotline again.
A trip to illegal offshore gambling turns into an addiction for him. It's all of course rigged. And Eddie still hasn't learned from past experience to tell people about problems from the off. Gambling addiction is real, but this does again feel like something happening for the needs of the plot. And it's Eddie so you can't care that much. Cort has a plan. It all gets sorted out. It's an ok storyline and would click if it wasn't Eddie.
The other story of the week is Mitch dating Hobie's teacher. Yes she's a character for a second episode. The dating montage is quite good. But Hobie has a few lessons to learn about his dad dating a teacher.
This is ok character stuff at first but lacks drama and what Hobie does feels too convenient. But the last scene is convincing character stuff.
Amazingly only Captain Thorpe goes missing this week. Trevor being gone alas. Also amazingly Craig doesn't turn up till the last third. Cort is actually a little less annoying. Garner only pops up at the end. Gina is back again. I think she's done her hair because she feels hard to recognise. Jill gets two whole scenes. Which is nothing if not different. And Newmie gets mentioned. His day will come.