The darkness of unlucky episode 13, Chance of a Lifetime meant
Lieutenant Stephanie Holden's destined death. And it had to be episode 13
too! You'd have to wonder if it was actually planned this way or not. Although I thought that Stephanie could have been killed
off in a completely different way, the Executive Producers chose to end the popular character's life while she
was saving someone elses' in a dangerous storm...on her honeymoon of all things.
Alexandra Paul was a favorite cast member with a huge following. Many
were extremely disappointed and questioned why Stephanie was killed off in the first place. She was one of the cast members
that Baywatch fans definitely wanted to come back for appearances. Actually, Alexandra asked the Executive Producers to kill
off her character. The Executive Producers were going to marry her off to Tom (Vincent Van Patten) and have her move on. Alexandra
knew that once she left the show, that she was never coming back. And that her character Stephanie would never leave Baywatch
unless she was killed. Alexandra wanted Stephanie to die at sea.
The first idea was for Stephanie to die in a boat explosion, but for the
body not to be found. This would open up an avenue for her to return. Alexandra wanted her death to be seen. She got her own
montage and song in honor of her character's death. The wonderful team of Robin and Judithe Randall wrote the song Bless
A Brand New Angel. The vocal was by talented Diana DeWitt. It was such a beautiful, spirtual song that was accented
with memorable scenes of Stephanie with each lifeguard having flashbacks representing their relationships with her. It was
perfect. It was such a sad moment that the show lost such a valuable actress. She left with a lot of class and never had anything
negative to say about the show. As in any business, you just don't burn bridges. Smoke from a burning bridge could come
back later to choke you.
The episode did have its drawbacks though. Stephanie was also very close
to Newmy and Hobie. And Logan Fowler should have been there as well. Although they were no longer together, he could have
offered Caroline the support she needed during this time. It would have shown that he cared.
And then there should have been words said by Captain Samantha Thomas. After
all, she was the Captain and this was her team. Stephanie was a part of her
team and the loss of one of her lifeguards should have been enough so that the writers could see this logic.
I thought that Trisha showed more emotion than Mitch did. Mitch's words
and body language during the service were done with attitude rather than with a saddened tone. He didn't sound as if he cared
enough. Mitch used to date Stephanie and he still had strong feelings for her. He should have had tears flowing from
his eyes a lot more. He showed more emotion for Jill (Shawn Weatherly) in the 1st season when she was attacked by a shark
while helping rescue children. Once she got them up safely to Shauni (Erika Eleniak), it was too late for her to climb
up to the safety of the Scarab. Held in the clutches of razor sharp teeth, she was dragged through the water and later died
after she seemed to be getting better in the hospital. Chance of a Lifetime was well written and hails as one of
the best episodes for the season. Stephanie's death scene was one of two standout events of the episode. The other was the
funeral.
A small ship was tossed on the waves by the roughness of a serious storm.
Below deck, Stephanie and a young boy wearing round glasses were in lifejackets. She asked him if he was all right. The frightened
boy nodded in silence. Above, her new husband, Tom and Mitch were fighting to keep the boat steady while trying to keep it
from getting tossed by the fierce wind and waves. They lost control of the rudder.
Below, a young girl named Diana asked Stephanie if they were going
to die. Stephanie told her that they were not going to die. She was holding an arm around another young girl to comfort her.
She reassured the girl by telling her that again. But the boy cried about the radio. No one knew where they were. Stephanie
told Benjamin that she had been in worse spots than this. She told him how she had fallen overboard from a boat but she had
survived. And he would too. They would survive. She told them to go to the seating area and hold onto each other. The four
teenagers did as they were instructed. They sat down at a table with Stephanie standing there to comfort them.
"We're gonna be all right." She assured them once more.
Stephanie, who was cool on the outside as not to alarm the teens thought,
"I WISH I COULD BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT. THIS CAN'T BE REAL. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING. IT ALL STARTED OUT SO PERFECT."
Her memory etched out a happier flashback on the hot crowded beach.
Stephanie pulled up to Caroline's tower in her lifeguard truck. They greeted each other. Stephanie made her way out of the
lifeguard truck and up the tower ramp. She asked Caroline if they were still on for dinner tonight. Caroline told her absolutely!
She was looking forward to it as was Stephanie. She told Caroline that she had to go to Headquarters. Tom was meeting her
there. The kids would be arriving soon. She would see her tonight. Caroline told her to wait up while reaching for
her rescue can and then raced down the ramp after her. "Speaking of parties..."
"I don't believe we were." Stephanie told her. But Caroline told her
that actually, they were and told Stephanie not to worry about it as it had all been taken care of. Stephanie sighed
and told her that they had already been through this. Caroline was determined to throw Stephanie a party and told her that
she knew that she hated surprises-especially parties, but she knew about it, so it wasn't a surprise anymore and she
couldn't object. Without giving her sister a chance to get a word in, she quickly added that she was glad that they worked
it all out. Stephanie told her that she was stubborn. Caroline laughed, telling her that it ran in the family.
Later, the kids arrived and were all sitting before a group consisting of
Mitch, Stephanie, Tom and Neely. Mitch told them that they were going to do roll call. Diana, Trisha, Benjamin, Randy, Terry,
and Megan were all present. Megan was a young, sad eyed red-head who looked on in silence. She was withdrawn.
Mitch told them that they would meet tomorrow morning at the Marina at 7:00 a.m. and cautioned them not to be late. Tom reminded
them to get their medical releases from their parents, and for Diana to bring her asthma inhaler. Stephanie reminded them
to follow the list of things to pack because it was a working vessel, not a cruise. Even though they would be going for two
weeks, they only had room for the essentials.
After they were all ordered to go with Neely, Mitch noted problems with
some of the kids and discussed them with Stephanie and Tom. He knew that there were going to be problems concerning Terry
and Randy. Tom told Mitch about Terry and Randy being stepbrothers. And they blamed the respective parents for the divorce.
They both refused to accept their new family and that they were now brothers. One of them had a crush on Neely. There was
Benjamin who had the IQ of a genius. Unfortunately, when he tries to make friends-it backfires. Mitch asked about Megan because
she hadn't uttered a word since she had been there. Stephanie explained that her parents died in a car accident when she was
five years old. She and the family dog were the only ones that survived. When she was adopted, she wouldn't go unless the
dog was adopted too. And that dog died three months ago. She was devasted and hadn't spoken a word since. Her adoptive parents
tried everything. They even bought her a new puppy. But she wouldn't have anything to do with it. They were hoping the trip
would help her. Mitch couldn't believe it! A group of troubled teenagers!
Soon, Caroline, Cody and C.J. showed up with the groceries that they needed for the trip. Stephanie
stressed that everyone had to work, and when Diana told her that she didn't want to break her nails, Stephanie still handed
her a bag and said, "Life's all about taking risks, so here! Carry a bag and take a chance." Neely enforced Stephanie's order
and told everyone to take a bag. Mitch told everyone that it was time to go and everyone was soon saying goodbye to their
parents and then boarded the small ship named Chance of a Lifetime. Stephanie sternly reminded Caroline, "No Party!"
The ship was now at sea and the kids were gathered in a group to listen to the lecture that Tom
gave about seasickness. While Tom rattled on, Megan got up quietly and walked away from the group to be by herself. She pulled
a photo from her pocket. It was of her and her dog. Stephanie and Mitch noticed and Mitch told Stephanie that he would handle
it. Stephanie took the wheel.
Mitch went over to the girl and asked if he could join her and sat down. He started a conversation...well,
a one-sided conversation. She didn't do any talking. Mitch told her that wnen she signed up for the trip, he got a chance
to look at her school records. Straight A's...that was pretty cool. He told her that he wasn't the smartest kid in class,
but he had this intuition about people. He would know what was going on inside of them. There was no indication of interest
from Megan, but he continued. He knew when his parents would have a fight even before they had a fight, that his brother would
get grounded before he got grounded and when his favoite dog Buster was going to the Vet and this time he wasn't coming
back. And he told her that he knew something about her as well. That she needed a friend. She looked up at him then as he
continued. He went on to say that he would like to be her friend. Megan nodded and Mitch pulled her close. "O.K.,"
he said softly. Having a way with kids, he managed to break the ice. The trip proceeded and the ship moved through
the water. Tom and Stephanie got in a few hugs and smooches.
Meanwhile at Baywatch Headquarters, Cody made his way down the stairs. He saw a surfer pal of
his. He greeted Chad and asked how it was out there today. Chad told him that it was mushy, but it wouldn't last long. There
was a big storm coming up in Baja. There was some serious surf coming their way. Cody told him that he hadn't heard anything
about any storm. Chad explained that his brother lived down in Baja and it was storming there now. It was now headed
their way. They said their good-byes and Cody tapped his rescue can on his leg. He then proceeded to make his way back up
the stairs.
The Chance of a Lifetime was sailing on calm water with Terry and Randy below polishing
the brass. Randy shook his head and said that he could have stayed at home and looked at his ugly face. Instead, he was stuck
out in the middle of nowhere. Terry retaliated by telling him that if he thought that his face was ugly, it was nothing compared
to Randy's mother's. She was so ugly that...His words were then cut off. Neely had overheard them and had issued a warning,
telling them that they choose their words very carefully. The brass needed polishing on a daily basis. Terry told her that
it wasn't the brass that was bothering him, it was Randy. He didn't know why his father even sent him on this trip. Neely
pointed out that maybe he thought that they would both have a good time and learn to get along. She let out an exasperated
sigh and then left. Terry was looking after her. Randy, who wouldn't let up just had to keep things rolling. "You like her,
don't you?" He asked with a bit of sarcasm in his voice. "I'll bet your dad would like her too, wouldn't he? He likes all
the young girls around." Terry growled, shoving Randy onto a bunk telling him if that was the case, it was only because he
couldn't stand being married to his 'ugly' mother! The boys began to fight.
While they tore the cabin apart as well as each other, the communication system flashed an urgent
message. They were too lost in their selfish fighting to listen. "THE COAST GUARD CALLING ALL SHIPS AT SEA...THE COAST GUARD
CALLING ALL SHIPS AT SEA. THERE IS A STORM APPROACHING SEVERE WEATHER EFFECTIVE. RETURN TO NEAREST PORT IMMEDIATELY! RETURN
TO NEAREST PORT IMMEDIATELY!" Just then the boys had scuffled their way toward the communications system and while aiming
for Randy, Terry punched and hit the radio and it was ripped from the wall! They stopped fighting after it happened. Wondering
what to do, they then realized that there was no contact to the outside world.
Things didn't look too good on deck as Tom, Stephanie and Mitch looked ahead of them at the ominous
sky. Tom told them that there was no way that they could outrun that storm. Mitch told them that they would head straight
into it. Keep her steady! After Tom took the wheel, Mitch walked past the kids and toward Neely. Mitch told Neely
to go down below and contact the Coast Guard and tell them that they were about to encounter a severe storm. Give them their
position and tell them that they were heading straight into it. Neely did as ordered. Benjamin asked if something was wrong.
He had been sitting beside Neely. Mitch calmly told him that they were about to encounter a little bad weather. Neely
told him that that there was nothing to be afraid of, they were going to be fine. She even invited him to come down below
while she radioed the Coast Guard. Suddenly Terry and Randy appeared on deck. It sure took them long enough, didn't
it? They tried to find a way to explain and told Neely and Mitch to come below with them.
Mitch went below and saw the destroyed unit as a result of the boy's fight. He examined the box.
They stood before Mitch. Benjamin came as well to see what was going on. Randy explained that they were fighting. They tried
to fix it. He also told Mitch that they were sorry. Benjamin panicked and told them if they realized the seriousness of no
communication. The hot-tempered Terry, grabbed Benjamin by the collar and Mitch told him to knock it off! They had enough
problems already. Terry apologized. Mitch told them to go upstairs and put their lifejackets on. There was a storm coming.
They boys did as they were told. As they went up, Stephanie entered the cabin and issued warnings concerning the storm, but
her words were cut short as Mitch held up the destroyed unit. Stephanie was shocked as she took the news. She muttered,
"Oh, no," under her breath.
Cody was on switchboard checking on the boat, while at the girl's apartment, Caroline prepared
for the party. She was making candy. She rattled on about how Stephanie was going to be so surprised. There was a signal knock
at the door and C.J. knew that it was him. Cody started with the urgent news right away, telling them that they had a
problem. The Coast Guard tried to reach Chance of a Lifetime. They haven't been able to reach anyone. Didn't know
if they copied and didn't know where they were. Caroline froze then, her eyes wide while fixed on him.
The storm was in full force, its violent waves tossing the small ship around. The crew got
into their lifejackets and suits against the elements. Mitch gave orders for them to make sure that everything was tight and
secure, they didn't want water in their suits. And not to take their lifejackets off. He ordered Randy and Terry to help him
with the sail and the rest were to go below deck. Mitch lead Megan by the hand toward the cabin entrance. He assured her that
she was going to be O.K. She went below. He asked Neely to take the wheel and keep her steady. Mitch went below to check on
the kids. With everyone else secure, Tom and Mitch worked on the sail while Neely kept the boat steady. The stubborn sail
came down as Mitch manned the line. They finally managed to gather it.
Below deck Stephanie asked if Benjamin if he was all right. The boy nodded
in fear. Trisha and Megan worked theier way over toward Stephanie. She placed her arm around Megan to comfort her. Trisha
asked, if they were going to die. Stephanie assured her that they were not going to die. Benjamin reminded her of the radio.
No one knew where they were. Stephanie told him that she had been in worse spots than this.
At Headquarters, Cody was on the phone checking on the boat again. Caroline paced back and forth
in an area of about two feet. When Cody finished, C.J. asked him what he managed to find out. Cody told her that the Coast
Guard was putting a search plan into effect. They were conducting a first light search with a C-130 out of San Diego. When
Caroline asked how bad was it out there, Cody was silent and lowered his eyes as he shook his head. He really didn't know.
The ship was continually getting tossed. The pouring rain and wind made it even harder to keep
the wheel steady. Neely fought hard so that she would not lose control of her grip. Tom got blown off, but he managed to get
back on to help in steading it. Tom and Neely yelled for help as they were being blown around by the wind. Mitch made
his way down toward the wheel and his grip helped to regain control. He told Neely and the boys to go down below. Neely enforced
the order by telling them to hurry and go below!
Below, out of the rain, the boys saw the effects of the storm out of the
boat's porthole. Benjamin looked frightened. Neely was comforting a frightened Trisha. Benjamin went over toward them and
didn't hesitate at all to say that he was scared. She told him that it was O.K. to be scared as even the bravest people get
scared sometimes. He whined that they were headed into the storm. Neely told him that it was their best chance. The boy sat
at a table crying. Stephanie was now behind Diana. The girl cried and addressed them all screaming, "Don't you all get it?
We don't have a chance at all!" Her fear was uncontrollable. "We're all gonna die!" She screamed in a trembling voice. Stephanie
tried to comfort her by assuring that they were not going to die. They would be all right. The girl found it hard to
breathe while crying. Stephanie asked where her inhaler was. Diana tried to tell her but no sound came out. Stephanie search
Diana' lifejacket. When she couldn't find it, she told her to sit. That she would find her inhaler. Diana sat down next
to Benjamin.
Suddenly, Megan, who had not uttered a word the entire trip issued words of encouragement
and strength. She told them to try to calm down. Take a deep breath. That everything was going to be O.K. She held Diana
close to comfort her and kissed her on the head. She added that she was right there with her.
That was so touching. Looking at this young withdrawn girl come out of her shell to comfort someone
else. She didn't think about herself. She seemed to have a lot of confidence since Mitch told her that everything would be
all right.
On deck, Mitch and Tom struggled until they lost the rudder. They were blown about as the wheel
suddenly became useless. Mitch yelled that they lost the rudder. Below, everything was rough. Neely held onto Trisha.
There was a serious jolt and they were thrown to the floor. They tried to get up only to be tossed again. This time, Trisha
was thrown unseen against the wall resulting in a hard blow to the head to render her unconscious. She was lying between the
wall and a cushioned seat. The lights were off, so no one knew that she was missing. There was screaming and the kids
hung on to each other. Stephanie and Neely found the latern flashlights and soon had them on.
Above, Mitch was giving instructions after Tom noted the boat taking water. Mitch told Tom
that they were going down and to get everyone off. To go and get the liferafts together. He would get the radio beacon in
the water. Below with the exception of Trisha was around the table with the dimness of the flashlights. Tom and Mitch went
below and Mitch gave orders right away. He told everyone to listen. They had a radio beacon signaling their position
to the Coast Guard. But they were taking up water. They have no choice. They have to abandon ship. The lifeboats were inflated
and were ready to go. They had to do this as calmly and as quickly as possible. Mitch still looked after Megan to assure
her that she was going to be O.K. He told Neely to get Megan up there. He told Megan that the two were on the buddy system.
He held her head between his hands. For them to take care of each other. he was counting on her. Friend? Megan told him that
she wouldn't let him down. Neely then led Megan up. Mitch was telling Benjamin who he would be paired with when Terry
spoke up that he would take care of Benjamin. Randy told Terry that he was coming with him. They all went up together.
Stephanie and Mitch eased the petrified Diana up off the seat to get her up on deck. Just as Stephanie got Diana up and on
her way with the others, she noticed that Trisha was missing. She called out for her. But there was no answer. She kept
calling while giving the area a thorough search.
Above, everyone made their way to the lifeboats. They were all told to go as they moved. They
were then eased quickly into the lifeboats. Below, Stephanie searched cabin to cabin, opening doors frantically. Can
you imagine what would have happened if this girl had not been noted missing? How could anyone notice that she was not missing?
They knew exactly how many kids they brought on the trip and should have done a headcount.
On deck, orders were given for them to jump into the boats, one at a time. When everyone was
in, Mitch yelled if everyone was aboard. Tom yelled No! Below, Trisha was finally conscious. Stephanie asked if she was
O.K. She helped Trisha up as the girl nodded weakly. She asked if she was all right again and told her that the boat was sinking.
They had to get to the liferafts. When she get out there, she would help her. She helped the girl stand. Out in the liferafts,
Tom asked where Trisha and Stephanie were. Mitch reasoned that they still must be below. Stephanie made her way out with the
girl guided by her lantern flashlight. The boat was sinking fast as it took more water. Mitch and Tom finally saw them. Mitch
urged her to hurry. She yelled back while running, keeping Trisha in front of her. Mitch yelled that they had to get off the
boat! Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the highest mast. A huge section broke off and fell. Stephanie looked up and saw
it coming. "Trisha move!" Stephanie screamed. She gave the girl a small shove. She managed to get the girl out of the way,
but unfortunately, Stephanie didn't move with her. The action was set to be quick, but the audience was given a long look
at how she let out a loud scream as the mast fell on and crushed her.
Seeing this, Trisha screamed hysterically. She ran over to Stephanie and tried to get the mast
off. Mitch, Tom and Neely quickly got on deck. They pulled the girl away and Neely held her, trying to calm her down. The
guys work the heavyness of the mast off. They eased her up a bit so that her head rested on Mitch's lap. Tom quickly checked
her injuries. Stephanie's gasps for air and from pain were hard to ignore. Tom's face said it all. There was no hope. "How
bad is it?" Asked Mitch. Tom tried not to cry, as not to cause panic. Mitch then knew that Stephanie was doomed. He didn't want
to believe it. His eyes opened with a wide stare. Tom looked down at Stephanie and asked, "How do you feel?" Stephanie assured
him that it didn't hurt anymore and asked if he could help her get up. "It's just better if you lie there, baby," said Tom. "No,
I wanna get up. Help me up." She pleaded weakly. It was apparent that she was bleeding internally and was slipping away. "No,
you don't wanna get up now. You got two guys takin' good care of you here!" Said Mitch. "O.K.?"
Stephanie looked at Mitch and told him that he didn't look so good. She then realized that she
was going to die. Seeing his tears despite the fierce rain. She looked at her husband holding back tears. She asked them
not to start crying or she would start crying and then they were all going to make a big mess. There was a moment of
silence as Tom caressed his wife's cheek. She wanted the truth. She told him that she knew that it was bad. He confirmed it.
She told him not to cry as she was not afraid to die. He told her that she wouldn't die. They hadn't had enough time...they
hadn't had any time at all. But Stephanie gave her last words, saying that she would never leave him. She would always
be with him everywhere he looked. There were so many things that Mitch wanted to tell Stephanie, but she told him that
there was nothing he could say that she already didn't know. She looked at her husband Tom and said that they were best friends
forever. She loved him. Tom returned the words. There was a pause. She was slipping. She said that she was in the arms of
the two men she loved most in the world.
"Stephanie," Tom cried.
"Mitch," said Stephanie with her last breath. "I love..." She then expired.
"No," said Tom in disbelief. "Oh, no! Don't go!"
Trisha cried bitterly in Neely's arms. Neely held her snuggly, trying to control her own muffled
cries.
"I love you too." Mitch said with a lump in his throat. The kids looked on while in the liferaft.
Tom finally hit with reality, broke down crying.
They finished boarding the lifeboats and got out of boat's vicinity to avoid suction. The lifeboat
had its SOS flag up. They all watched as the Chance of a Lifetime finished sinking. Stephanie's lifeless body lay
there in Tom's arms. They all managed to make it through the night as the weather finally cleared. A dolphin leaped through
the water as the crew waited to be rescued. Suddenly, everyone saw the Coast Guard's helicopter. The tired crew waved so that
they could be seen. A man was lowered down to assist them. They were all helped onto the helicopter. The helicopter made its
way toward Baywatch Headquarters where relatives, medical help and the ambulances waited. Upon landing, lifeguards quickly
made their way onto the scene.
The kids each wrapped in a blanket were all helped out. A gurney was rolled out to the helicopter.
A worried Caroline, C.J. and Cody made their way toward the helicopter. A covered body that was on a litter was eased onto
the gurney.
Mitch stopped Caroline as she ran toward the helicopter. She didn't see her sister!
"Caroline, Caroline!"
"Where's Stephanie?" She asked in a high-pitched, panicky voice.
"Caroline, come here!'" He said in tears, holding her. He led her toward the covered body despite
Caroline's slow resisting steps. "I'm sorry," Mitch said in tears, his voice cracking. "We tried to save her."
Tom also tried to console her.
"No, no!" Caroline cried, shaking her head slowly in disbelief. She stared at the covered body
with widened eyes. They were filled with tears. Mitch held her in his arms. Mitch gestured toward the paramedics, telling
them to go on. Caroline cried inconsolably in Mitch's arms.
THE FUNERAL:
A line of lifeguard trucks, headlights on made their way down the beach to the service. they
all parked in place and everyone got out. Mitch consoled Tom and they both walked over toward Caroline, who was sitting in
the front section reserved for family. Cody and C.J. sat there behind her. Tom embraced Caroline. Mitch walked over toward
the reef with Stephanie's photo in her Baywatch swimsuit displayed inside. Neely embraced Tom. She sat behind him.
Mitch then walked over to the podium. He then took his place to start. He did the honors. Megan
huddled with the puppy that her parents had bought her. She now saw life differently as had the others. As Mitch spoke,
the montage song Bless a Brand New Angel ran with scenes of in tribute to Stephanie with each of the cast remembering
her. And after it was over, the camera rested on the photo of Lieutenant Stephanie Holden.
Yes, it was a sad moment indeed. Pretty hard for most to get used
to. Stephanie was gone. Missing elements that could have made the episode complete caused Chance of a Lifetime to
garner 4 rescue cans. It could have easily earned 5, but those nagging facts that Newmy, Hobie, Logan and Captain
Samantha Thomas were missing, Mitch not displaying enough emotion for Stephanie (I mean, come on, the big guy should have
been torn to pieces...devastated). After watching these two for years, what was displayed was not enough for my taste. And
then you would have to wonder why their own family couldn't make it to the funeral. The family
wasn't tiny either. Stephanie and Caroline had three more sibblings. It would have been nice to at have seen them there. The Executive
Producers (and David Hasselhoff was one of them) could have given that little extra to show that Alexandra meant
a lot to them and the show. My Score: 4
Rescue Cans
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