The Bind That Ties offered us a crude look into the world of children
who are kidnapped by another parent. The pain it causes over the course of the years. And the parent who goes into hiding.
I thought that the plot could have been much stronger and more believable. As for the A-1 classification plot, it
was just that Zack not receive anything. He should have been shipped back to his own "Chicago" lifeguarding
position. His bosses there should have decided Zack's fate. As for Carrie getting classification and the
spot designated as the open position was a mistake. Who could ever take someone like her seriously? Over the course of the
season, she has not displayed what it takes to be a lifeguard. I couldn't see how she became a lifeguard at the San Diego
unit. But the decision rested on Jason's shoulders and he chose her.
Zack was angry over it, and claimed that it was becuase of their intimate one-nighter, but the truth was, neither one should
have made the cut. There were other deserving trainees to choose from. Zack has displayed himself to be nothing more than
a thorn for Sean and The Training Center. I had to take one rescue can off. The writing just wasn't
believable here! I was disappointed.
With the training period coming to an end, all of the trainees
were anxious to see who would get valued A-1 classification. All of the trainees were sent to The Train Center
for polishing to better their lifeguarding skills. They were expected to come back. And most will go home back to their positions.
And one will choose to stay to accept the one open postion. During
the final "heat" everyone pushed themselves to the limit, including Zack and Carrie. Everyone wanted to get the A-1 certification.
Meanwhile, a man named Barney Poe and his daughter Liv were on the
beach. A thief was looking at Liv taking out a wad of bills. He tried to rob her. Zack saw what was going on and chased
the thief through the crowds in the water. When he finally caught the thief, knew that he was in trouble with Sean
for acting without thinking. Sean had always stressed that it wasn't their place to catch criminals. He wondered
if it would affect his ability to get his much needed qualifying certification.
Liv was smitten with Zack. Why? I don't know. He wasn't exactly anyone
to swoon over. He is not even charming. And Zack was attracted to Liv,
as he was to all other pretty girls. As they looked around The Training Center, Barney explained to Sean
that he has been a widower for eight years. Sean, thinking of Ben, understood Barney's position and was sympathetic.
It was soon revealed to Zack that he didn't get the A-1 certification
as he had hoped. Zack, of couse is completely devastated, particularly when Carrie consoles him on washing out in front of
Liv. He went on his usual drinking binge when things didn't go his way. He complained and blamed everything on Sean.
The next day, Jason picked him up from the scarab, where he had passed out. After he comes to, Zack still angry,
took a swing at Jason. Jason ducked and Zack ended up in the water.
While Sean gave Barney and Liv a tour of The Training Center,
he offered Liv a chance to take some of the classes. It sounded great until Sean asked for personal information
to complete registration. Barney seemed rather nervous when asked for their social security numbers. Eight years ago,
Barney had abducted Liv after her mother nearly killed her in a drunk driving accident. He has been on the run ever since.
A detective finally tracked them down to Hawaii, and Barney needed to get out of town as soon as possible. This
meant that he had to figure out how th get to Maui. He would have to take a plane to Australia from there.
The man was desperate. He trusted Zack and knew that he was attracted to his daughter. So he asked for his help.
Zack was hurting, but he still got Barney the boat. He said goodbye to Liv. But she promised that she would see
him again. She would get in touch with him as soon as she was settled.
On the way to Maui, Barney and Liv got into a boating accident. Liv's
arm was broken in the process. In order to search for help, Barney unwittingly left her on a reef. Things didn't
go as planned, as The Coast Guard picked him up. He complicated matters by lying, stating that Liv was
not with him when the boat had an accident.
After years of running and hiding, things came back around to haunt him.
Back at headquarters, Val Lawton, his ex-wife, confronted Barney. She was angry and very unforgiving. Zack, who
knew the truth had to speak up. Sean who understood Barney, gave him a heart-to-heart talk. Barney finally broke down
and confessed the truth. Then was taken to the police station. With no time to waste, Sean and Jason rushed to save Liv. Zack
finally obeys orders and stays back. A Coast Guard pilot spotted her stuck in what was called "the washing Machine."
A whirlpool. She was only spared from being sucked in by a thin rope that was now coming apart. Sean and Jason performed
a daring Jet Ski rescue by riding a wave in. They managed to get Liv.
Back at The Training Center, Liv was introduced to her mother,
Val. At this time, she was angry and didn't want anything to do with her mother. Years of feeling abandoned
and lied to had added up. Sean got some bad news. When Barney was released on bail, he had committed suicide by
jumping off a cliff near Diamond Head. They retrieved the body. It was Sean who had to tell Liv that her father was
gone. Liv needed support during this time, and she would get it from her loving mother. This opened the door for a relationship
for Val and her daughter.
Later, Zack approached Sean and Jason. He really wanted that A-1 certification
and to join Sean's team. He would earn it this time. He was willing to work to pay for an additional session with The
Team-he would do anything to stay. Sean and Jason came to the decision to let him do it.
Later, when the session with a new set of trainees were brought in.
Carrie, who was given the open spot, stood on a platform to address them. In her new Baywatch uniform, she introduced
herself and explained the training program they would go through. And what was expected of them. She stressed that went for Zack
too!
As I mentioned above, why even bother with an open spot? It would be better just to contract
the trainees and let them come and go so that the viewers could see new actors every season. That was supposed to be the idea
of The Training Center. Zack should have been sent packing. The guy just didn't take the training seriously. He was
a trainee. He was supposed to follow orders. He was not supposed to manipulate a lifeguard into slacking off and
getting into trouble. He was not supposed to cause a lot of damage. Carrie should have gone home as well. She was too
mousy to be a lifeguard. Well, we will see what happens in the episodes ahead. My
Score: 2 Rescue Cans
Next Review: Black Widow
