Jenna was talking to Sean on the beach. She was in a lounge chair. She spoke of some orders given by Councilman McKenna. Noting her new cropped haircut, Sean asked Jenna if Councilman McKenna had told her to cut her hair. Jenna just told Sean that she wanted a change. She seemed concerned if he liked it, placing a hand there to emphasize the new short style. There was a silence as she displayed hopefulness in her eyes. He said that he did, but they could talk about that later. He had work to do. With that, he left. Jenna watched him go with regret of the trouble started after their breakup. It was apparent that she wanted him back, but knew that there was no chance for her now. 

You just can't stalk and harass someone who you claim to want so badly or are madly in love with. You are going to lose. The person whom you make trouble for will view you as an enemy. You will never be able to work your way into that person's heart.  

Zack was showing a new trainee named Peggy the ropes on the switchboard.  Jenna marched in toward Sean at the desk with a public relations reporter and a photographer. It was her aim to get some photos of her in action for publicity. Sean, who had a rough day so far, told Jenna to do this on another day. He told her that he had a rash of calls for false emergencies, trainees to take care of, packed beaches, etc. Jenna pointed out that it was the perfect time for her to help out. Zack got an emergency call from a scuba troupe. Two of their divers were missing and the boat was caught on the other side of the reef. Sean asked who reported it. Zack stated the troupe leader-he was panicky. Sean decided that it didn't sound like a false alarm and would need a Scarab and a Jet Ski. He asked Zack who was available. Zack told Sean that he was it-the only one available. 

Zack left the trainee Peggy at the switchboard alone and was counting on her as they hurried to the scene. Sean did not want to take Jenna along, but she insisted, not standing down. She was soon with Sean and Zack on the rescue. Jenna drove the ski with Zack riding behind her. Sean was on the Scarab with the Public Relations personnel and photographer. The photographer got shots of her racing to the accident. Zack told her to stop hot-dogging it and get them there in one piece. He was having trouble holding on. She told him that they were going to get there first and to hang on.

Zack telling someone to slow down? That was new! And did Jenna think that this was a race? She seemed to have forgotten that she had done lifeguarding for a long time now and as brought out earlier. She was rusty and should have been honing her skills.  

Sean looked through his binoculars and didn't see the hazard markers as they approached the reef area. He warned Jenna and told her to pull into deeper water. She shrugged the direct order off and kept racing toward the rescue site. She pointed out that she was on a Jet Ski. She belonged in shallow water. Sean warned her again. There was no sign of the diver's boat. The call was bogus. They had no time. He ordered her to pull into the channel! NOW! Jenna again ignored Sean. As a result, they approached the reef area, which was extremely shallow.  Jenna and Zack were thrown from the Ski. Sean immediately contacted Control to report the incident, for back up, The Coast Guard and an ambulance. Before Sean went into the water, he warned the two men on the boat to stay there.

Sean saw Zack and asked where Jenna was. Zack figured that Jenna went under. Sean suddenly realized that they had to move fast if they were going to save Jenna. He told Zack to check one side of the beach and he would dive down. When Zack held his ear, Sean asked if he was O.K. Zack assured Sean that he was. Sean then continued by saying that Jenna had to be under 3 minutes, so they had to get going. Zack found her down about 20 feet. Sean told Zack that he lost his eardrum, so he was to stay put. Zack insisted that there was no time. He just ignored Sean's orders and chose to go down to help. Zack went to get her from against the rocks. Sean gave her mouth to mouth. She came to just as Zack's ear suddenly started to give him great pain.

At the hospital, Sean reported what had happened to J.D. Jenna would be released but the end of the day, but Zack would be kept a while longer. His ear was no good. J.D. realized that Zack could lose his certification if his ear was permanently damaged. Sean told J.D. that Zack was all lifeguard. If he loses that, he didn't know what he would do. J.D. blamed Jenna for the incident. But Sean tried to move the blame because of what happened. J.D. told Sean that he knew that it was true. Sean had to acknowledge it but it didn't help. He thanked J.D. for holding down the fort on his day off. He appreciated it. Brian walked up to him as he signed off. Brian had heard all about the incident. He filled him in concerning Councilman McKenna and his funding to The Center. He had to work fast before Emergency Services found out that Jenna had been on with the other lifeguard. It was either her or him. Sean was the good guy. Sean told Brian that with all of the politics, someone took those channel markers pulled the false alarm. 

J.D. was discussing the idea of Kekoa's Dad going fishing with J.D. It would give them a chance to get to know each other and set aside their differences. But really, the only person who had any differences was Mr. Tanaka.

Meanwhile, Jenna visited Zack's hospital room. Peggy was there with him. He introduced them both. Jenna recalled seeing her at The Center. Peggy actually met Zack a few months back before he made it to The Center. BW Hawaii saved her life and she was now a trainee. Jenna insisted that her story was cute and wanted a moment alone with Zack. Peggy asked if he wanted anything before she left. He insisted on trashy tabloids. When they were alone, Jenna asked how he was in pain. Zack was on pain killers, so he was not complaining. She asked if the doctors had any idea when he would get his hearing back. Zack tol her not yet, but it would be O.K. He blamed his having to play the hapless hero to go-to save her-the water pressure was the result of his current condition. If he hadn't, he would have been in better shape. Jenna, for once had a heart, feeling guilty. Or was she concerned about her own career? After all, two reporters had been on the scarab.

She managed to get the words out that he saved her life. She thanked Zack for that. It was an accident. She never meant to...! Sean suddenly interrupted her. It didn't matter what she meant. She turned to see him in the doorway. What mattered was what she did is what she was going to do now. Jenna was irritated and told him that if it was time for a self-righteous lecture from him-go ahead! Jenna tried to walk out, but Sean stopped her. He informed Jenna that her head was on the chopping block next to his and he needed her to help him in finding out who took those channel markers. That was the person who was really at fault. There was a silence as she knew that Sean was right even as she looked over at Zack.

Later at The Tropics Bar, Sean sat with his drink and a man with a folder joined him. The man immediately told Sean that he worked for Councilman McKenna and did not want to be there. Sean would be the last person he would help. He was doing this because Jenna told him to. But he had some news for Sean. He had an out of focus photo that was at the location with a light blue the truck and maybe three figures inside it. One of the channel markers was visible in the back. He pushed it over across the table where Sean opened it to see for himself.

The Tanakas' were running some errands. Kekoa saw them and told her father of the idea to go fishing with J.D. To her suprise and her mother's, Mr. Tanaka immediately agreed. After Kekoa was gone, Mrs. Tanaka pressured him to know what he was up to. He hated fishing and couldn't stand boats. She compared him to her father. Her father told her not to marry Japanese-very indevious. 

Meanwhile, The Public Relations (PR) personnel was talking to Jenna. He was informing her of an investigation-immediately. It was the Councilman's call. In order to free Jenna, Sean had to be framed for the hole incident. He put both Jenna and Zack in danger on a wild goose rescue. The Councilman wanted to get rid of Sean. Jenna told him that  someone called in a false alarm. The Public Relations personnel told her that it wasn't their problem. The opportunity to remove BW Hawaii was there and she could do what she wanted with the access. Jenna wanted to know what Councilman McKenna wanted from her. She was to be the star witness claiming how Sean Monroe tried to kill her and the innocent trainee. She decided there had to be a better way. She'd be lying outright and there were too many holes in the story. The PR said according to the councilman that if she didn't co-operate, the whole island would know that she was out with no certification. Jenna pointed out that it was an over-site. The PR said an over-site that Councilman McKenna would shove down her throat. If she was lucky, Sean would screw up again before the session and make things easy for her. It was her call. He then left, bidding her goodbye. It left her stunned.

Brian and Sean walked along the crowded beach. On duty, Sean told Brian that the city council could meet whenever they want and call anyone, but he was only interested in who owned the pickup truck. That was the person who caused the incident. The cops thought that it was local kids pulling pranks. The calls had been going on for a month with each prank more elaborate than the one before.

As they watched the water, Kekoa and J.D. shared a tower and talked about her Dad agreeing to go on the fishing trip. She warned him that her Dad could not swim. Meanwhile, Peggy got another call. Five kids capsizing in an inflatable alongside the Kalogi rocks. Two were no longer visible. Sean was suspicious and told her to keep them on the line. He asked her questions as to if it was a male voice so that he could establish a pattern. While Peggy stalled to keep them on the line, Sean called J.D. on his radio. He wanted him and Kekoa to go to the scene of the incident on Jet Ski. They were warned to proceed with caution as it could be a bogus call. Leaving the tower empty? You would have to wonder who was going to watch the beach! This was a problem as there was not enough staff. Sean drove to the scene while using his radio to talk to Brian. He kept a sharp eye out for the suspicious truck. He told Brian that the guys should show up by  the rocks at any minute. It sounded like their guys.

The boys who started the call and causing the trouble were looking for lifeguards to show up. One of the boys, who was peeking through binoculars appeared to be the leader. Brian showed up with other Hawaiian Lifeguards just as Sean was pulling up. The boys tried to escape but were stopped. Sean got out of his truck quickly as the head troublemaker tried getting out of his truck. He had realized that it was too late to drive off. Sean grabbed the boy. The boys were in trouble and confessed. Councilman McKenna had used his own son and the boy's friends to do the fake calls and set up the traps to get rid of The Training Center. The Councilman wasn't talking and his son was pleading his case juvenile court. Sean pointed it out that they finally found out who was doing it and they put a stop to it.

Sean asked Zack how he was doing. Zack assured him that he was fine. The doctor was going to do some tests tomorrow to establish whether his hearing was O.K. or not. If it didn't turn out as expected, he could always do something else.  Sean, feeling guilty, told Zack that he would always have a place at The Center. If not as a lifeguard, it would be management or communications. He knew what Baywatch Hawaii meant to him. Zack told him that he didn't go for handouts. Whatever The Big Guy deals, he would handle it. Sean assured Zack that he wasn't talking about a handout. Zack knew a handout when he saw one. He told Sean not to worry. He just had to get his hearing back to put the shades back on. Peggy told Sean that no matter what happens, Zack would be back.

J.D. was wiping off the boat at the dock. He saw Mr. Tanaka and called him over with a wave. Mr. Tanaka asked him where he got the junky looking boat. J.D. admitted that he borrowed the boat from a friend of Essie Jackson. J.D. tried to help the man on board. But Mr. Tanaka yanked away. Mr. Tanaka knew Essie's  brother and declared her an embarrassment to her family. Marrying a lifeguard. He couldn't remember Max Jackson's name until J.D. reminded him. They got started with J.D. eager to please. He assured Mr. Tanaka that the boat was seaworthy-he tested it out earlier. Mr. Tanaka told J.D. that he would have to trust him on that one. J.D. then pulled out a red lifejacket for Mr. Tanaka. Mr. Tanaka was stunned and asked why. J.D. wasn't wearing one. J.D. reminded him that he was a strong swimmer. Mr. Tanaka still did not want to put the jacket on and stated that he was too. Mr. Tanaka asked J.D. if someone told him that he wasn't. Seeing that Mr. Tanaka was not going to yield, he had to put one on as well so both were wearing a jacket. Soon, the two were casting off.

Jenna now knew of the Councilman's involvement concerning the bogus calls.   She tried to get Sean to sue Councilman McKenna. It was time to strike while he was weak. She told Sean that the Councilman thought that he was a pompous jerk who's taking up money and space. Sean needed to hurt the Councilman back. When someone hurts you, it is necessary to come back to hurt them twice as hard. Sean pointed out that it was a good thing that Zack didn't think like that. Although they both knew that Councilman McKenna was largely responsible for Zacks injury, Sean pointed out sternly that Jenna piloted a craft she hadn't been on in over a year. She was going too fast, ignored her passenger's advice and his orders. Jenna contributed to the accident and Zack's injuries. Her crash would have been a done deal if not for Zack's heroism. Jenna sighed and told him that she knew that Zack saved her life. She wasn't cold. That meant something to her. She said "thank you." After further efforts to get him to sue failed, Sean wanted nothing to do with it. He had work to do. Jenna had no choice but to move on to another plan.

J.D. and Mr. Tanaka were out to sea. J.D. checked the line. There was no bite yet. He tried to keep a conversation going. It was time to eat and Mr. Tanaka took the roast beef sandwich and a cold beer. He told J.D. to stop kissing his butt like some 3rd class geisha girl. J.D. gave him the sandwich and beer. He had a beer for himself. He noted J.D.'s extreme happiness. The conversation got around to Mr. Tanaka's saying he honored honesty above everything else. What about him? J.D. shrugged and said he guess so. Mr. Tanaka said that it takes conflict to achieve honesty. Why bother with the conflict in the first place? He brought up J.D.s happy-go-lucky demeanor. This was not the real him. He was not worthy of his daughter...or anyone else's daughter for that matter. This angered J.D. And who could blame J.D.? This man was high on himself. He couldn't think back when it was him who was not well liked. And by his own wife's father.

At The Tropics Bar, Zack, who was waiting for the doctor's verdict was sipping alcoholic beverages. Something he should not be doing while injured in the first place. Jenna, being who she was, decided to work on Zack. She ordered herself a drink and another for Zack. She told the waitress that she would pay the tab. Jenna addressed Zack about how he could make money for his injuries.

Meanwhile, J.D. was telling Mr. Tanaka off and Mr. Tanaka had some words of his own-how fishing was boring and a waste of time. Life was a challenge. Life should be shaped into something your family could feel safe in. J.D. said that according to Mr. Tanaka, that safety is a lie. So was charity, empathy and helping another human being or the pleasure in saving a life. Mr. Tanaka showed a great deal of unintelligence here by asking an extremely stupid question. "What was the monetary value of saving a life?" J.D. was stunned and asked what was he talking about. A life was immeasurable! Mr. Tanaka continued his ignorance by stating that society measures everything. If it was valued above everything, he would be paid immensely. He might even be able to support a family. J.D. told him that Kekoa was right about him. Her father was empty. Only caring about money. At least she found a man with a soul. She was lucky she found him. While Mr. Tanaka was counting his pennies, they would live. Their rewards would be a lot more important than his.

Mr. Tanaka told J.D. that Kekoa was his daughter. He raised her. Deep inside her was the seed that aches for the warmth for security. J.D. got so angry that he told him that he was full of Japanese crap. Mr. Tanaka pointed a sarcastic finger at him singling out "racism." Just then the fishing line got very busy. The fish had to be huge for the activity displayed. Mr. Tanaka was suddenly excited, saying that it was his pole. J.D. told him that now he knew that he was crazy. Mr. Tanaka brought up the fact that J.D. assigned the pole to him and he should have the joy and experience of catching this fish. Mr. Tanaka demanded that he hand the fishing rod over. J.D. felt that he had no choice than to give in. J.D. forced him to get into the chair and buckle in. Mr. Tanaka assured J.D. that he was ready. J.D. got the rod off the holder and asked where his jacketwas. The man had taken the life jacket off. J.D. clipped Mr. Tanaka to the pole and went to get it. As soon as he left, Mr. Tanaka was yanked out of his seat and into the ocean despite J.D.'s yelling for him to let go of the pole. J.D. called The Coast Guard for help, giving the location of the victim before jumping into the water to find Mr. Tanaka. He finally found him at the bottom after a search and gave him CPR because he was not breathing with no pulse. He cried and called him names as he did so. He would not let him die. Mr. Tanaka came to and J.D. was relieved, holding the stubborn, selfish man close.

Sean warned Jenna. She had talked Zack into filing a lawsuit against Councilman McKenna. She knew how Sean felt about lawsuits in general. She told him that it was already done. Her lawyer worked fast, which was good. Sean told her to undo it. Zack hadn't realized how Sean felt about this. Jenna said that since Zack has no career in lifesaving, at least she could offer him some financial security. Sean told Zack that the job was not about making money. He was to look him in the eye and tell him that taking money from McKenna and his son would make up for what he dreamed about making than his original intent for coming to The Center to train. And his desire in lifesaving. He was not the person he thought he was. Zack explained that Jenna got him drunk. Jenna said Sean's view was full of baloney. Sean told Jenna that she was the person he thought she was. Jenna responded sarcastically. She finally got a complement from the world's most boring man. After Jenna was gone, Peggy asked Zack how he was. Zack said that he was suddenly a lot better. Sean was on the phone contacting the Councilman's office.

Kekoa met J.D. and her father at the pier. She realized that they were both soaking wet. She asked what happened. Her father was still a bit stunned and said "big fish." J.D. answered that it was a REALLY BIG FISH that GOT AWAY. Suddenly Mr. Tanaka was agreeable and not so feisty. He went to the car. When she and J.D. were alone, she asked what really happened out there. J.D. told her "big fish." She left for the car confused.

Zack and Peggy approached Sean and Kekoa at a tower. Zack informed them that he had good news from the doctor. His hearing was ging to be O.K. He was healing very fast. He would be ready for duty within two weeks. They were happy to hear it. Sean said it would be good to get his favorite "pain in the butt" back. Zack remarked that it was a compliment coming from the most "boring man in the world." After Zack and Peggy left, Kekoa asked Sean what that was all about. Sean laughed that it was a long story. Kekoa left confused.

J.D. was working on equipment. Suddenly a wrench was handed to him. It was Mr. Tanaka with a gift for him. J.D. was surprised! Mr. Tanaka asked how he was and that he owed him a great debt of gratitude he could never repay for his saving his life. He understood why he saved lives. He learned a great deal concerning his own mortality and arrogance. He gave him the gift and wanted to make himself clear. Much has changed and much has stayed the same. He made it clear that he would never be a banker or entrepreneur. He made it clear to him that this was his choice. Therefore, he would never be able to provide his daughter with the security and comfort she needed. He started to leave when J.D. called after him. Mr. Tanaka turned, telling him that this is not a slight against him. And that was the truth. If he loved Kekoa as much as he says he does, he would accept the truth. He left after those words. J.D. stood stunned into silence.

Brian showed Sean the latest news in the paper. Councilman McKenna resigned and Jenna Avid was appointed temporary new Councilwoman. After Brian left, Jenna paid Sean a visit. She thought that he was clever. Her lawyer dropped the lawsuit, McKenna reigned and she was appointed Councilwoman. Maybe he wasn't so boring after all. Sean said that he never thought he was. 

I can honestly state that Jenna couldn't become a Councilwoman. She had no political background. She hadn't been voted into office. But it was nice to see that Councilman McKenna was out of the way. The man was married and he had an affair with Jenna. If it hadn't been Jenna, it would have been someone else. The Councilman finally saw that the things he was trying to do to Sean finally came back around to haunt him. He made his own mess and now he has to clean it up. The next person in line would take the man's place. And still, Jenna is not someone to trust.

As for Mr. Tanaka, I thought that he was a sad, sad empty person. He had too much of a love for money. Money has its purpose, but it can't buy everything. Society may put a price on all material things, but a human life if valued above everything else on earth. You cannot put a price on it. People will risk their own lives to save another person's. It happens all of the time. Basically, it's something that is built in. The preservation of life. 

The writting and plots could have been stronger, but the episode manage to garner 2 rescue cans. It wasn't an exciting episode, but given the outcome to some of the more troublesome characters, I couldn't complain.  My Score: 2 Rescue Cans

Next Review: The Stalker