Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Three plots again.

Cort and Eddie end up training would be lifeguards at a water park. But someone is sabotaging the place. Garner joins them to find the culprit and gets to wear different shorts.

Not bad. Nice location. Cort has some less brash moments. Which are welcome. One very good bit of actual drama. Obvious resolution and one chase doesn't quite come off. A girl likes Eddie though? Come on.

Also Shauni was tricked into posing for a calendar. Fully clothed. Captain Thorpe wants her fired for this. Craig to the rescue.

Craig actually lawyers again. The resolution is quite clever and has one genuine chuckle. Which is rare. Thorpe does what the plot requires though which doesn't work. Gina pops up again for one single scene. I had forgotten what she looked like.

Also Hobie's school should do a field trip to Baywatch. Which would be good for Mitch's ego. It's called off. Hobie gets in trouble. But will Mitch get hot for teacher?

Quite nice to actually have Mitch get a plot in a way. This exists though just to bring in the teacher as a love interest. Did it not work out with that old flame he was trying again with it? Last scene is comedy and doesn't quite click. And poor old Jill just gets one scene only. Again.

They did get everyone in though but you do wish they'd spread the main plots around. Not a bad episode at all. But another that's just not quite entirely there.

Three plots again:

A: Cort Craig and Eddie go surfing in Mexico. Things go wrong. They get caught up with a town under threat from a nasty gringo.

B: Capt Thorpe is dumped by his wife. Moves in with Mitch. And wants to recapture his youth.

C; Hobie gets a crush on Shauni.

Hangs together quite well as a script. But again it's nearly there but not quite. The trouble is what the writers think is funny just isn't. The Thorpe plot line does pay off better than you initially expect. The Hobie plot line gets horribly awkward. Then has a final scene that is better than you would expect. But still has issues.

They do seem to have a little bit of budget for the main one. But Cort is again self centred and thus a bit annoying. The resolution scene isn't that great directing wise. The punchline could be worse though.

Another like some from this season. Nearly there. But just not quite.

Still no Gina. Trevor is still in the titles but never coming back. No Garner. No Newmie sighting or even heavily suntanned lifeguard. Jill gets one whole scene. How fed up must Shawn Weatherly have been by now? Watch out though for B'elanna from Voyager in an earlier role. I never realised till the end credits.

You notice change from the off in this one. Two new people in the titles. Garner now a regular. As is John D. Cort.

The latter being an old colleague and Buddy of Mitch's who naturally never got mentioned before. He's the cool kid in class. Cool as it do whatever he wants without thinking of the consequences.

No wonder Eddie latches onto him. He only wishes he was that cool.

That's the main plot this week. As Cort lifeguards but is actually there to do a shady job with another old buddy we've not seen before. When things go wrong he wants revenge.

Not a terrible plot line. But it doesn't know how to finish and has to throw things out of nowhere in to bring it to a wrap up. Cort is well played. You can see how Jon Allen Nelson got the Deathstalker part in that franchise. But he's also completely self absorbed, and you would get a bit annoyed with a real person who behaves like he does.

In the second plot line Jill and Shauni go into the sandwich business as Shauni doesn't like another vendor. This has a handful of scenes. Then an ending that thinks it's funny. So you know how funny it really is. Still, at least Jill gets something to do and her competitive side comes out again. Would that she had more character.

Trevor gets one brief scene. And that is the last you ever see of him in the show. He will be missed. For a bit.

No Gina yet. No Hobie. Captain Thorp only gets mentioned. No Newmie sighting either. But heavily tanned lifeguard pops up for his third showing of the season again. That was at least a surprise.

Not bad as an episode. Just depends on how you like Cort really.

Strewth mate! Remember early on when they hinted at Jill and Trevor as a couple? Well now they do too. Jill gets a storyline and some backstory and character as well! She used to play volleyball. And gets back into it to show her ex partner she's annoyed with him.

Meantime the death pier is breaking apart. So someone puts an armored car full of money on the edge. Shauni and Eddie are in it when things come tumbling down.

Trevor and Jill's story does get a bit more time. And gives both some needed character. Some of the shots seemed to be reused for the volleyball games. You don't know how this story will end, but the ending you get is satisfying. Although you will have a hard time suspending disbelief. It seems will to win can overcome injuries. Apparently.

The other story sees Shauni and Eddie bonded further as a couple by their experience. It's not a bad story but one of those that is looking to end as quickly as possible. Again though the two are a little less annoying when they have good drama to work with.

We do get a Newmie sighting. And I think we shaw Shippy as well. The construction crew boss is quite cool and well acted. No Captain Thorpe and no Gina once again.

Hobie also does something that would get him in trouble nowadays. Mitch thinks it's cool though. Ah, the 80's.

Almost a bit above average, but just not quite.

Starts with a montage of people running around in the shallows for no apparent reason. But there's a Newmie sighting, so that's cool.

More montages than plots in this one. And Newmie's in the second of the former. Also cool.

Old friends of Mitch and Craig's are in town for lifeguard sports. Along with a girl who broke both Mitch's and Craig's hearts. Might the two fall out over her?

Meantime Eddie is with lifeguard Cory. Who we've never seen before so he must have shot through training. But he's in a car stealing racket and Eddie buys one from him. Who will end up in trouble?

Not terrible but the writing frustrates as characters are doing things because the plot requires it of them. There is some chemistry in the romantic moments. More than you would expect. But Mitch and Craig have a big bust up just because the plot requires it. Gina isn't in this one but is mentioned. Probably because she'd get in the way of the story otherwise. But it's a bit lazy writing wise to avoid that angle.

Still just when you think Eddie is going to be as stupid as ever the programme surprises you. With an action scene that seems to bring Garner in from an entirely different episode. But Eddie gets punched. Which is almost as cool as Newmie sightings.

Trevor has two really good scenes. Jill gets one average one and two moments of doing her usual nothing much. Hobie and Captain Thorp are around.

Not the worst one. But not the best.

Stock footage of a storm hits the area. Most of the characters end up at Baywatch HQ. Nice to see Henry again. Along with them are two escaped convicts. The situation escalates.

Meantime Garner is very slowly on the way to deal with things.

Not a bad episode. The main plot works well. It gets some Craig and Gina business in nicely. And remembers again he's a lawyer. There is some good directing in the final few minutes.

The pacing could be better though as sub plots get in the way. The Captain tries out for a radio job. They even fit Trevor in this one. It's not unfunny though and the pay off works.

Hobie meantime clearly regrets dumping Jenny as he wants to get close with a girl we've not seen before. And will Shauni and Eddie find sparks? They're barely in the first half. So that's nice.

Pretty solid episode all in all though. Not a bad watch.

There's a big debate about whether to try and communicate with those who made the anomaly.

Or just blow the whole thing up.

There's another debate about what to do with the new sentient Ai on the Discovery, since it's not being entirely cooperative.

Not terrible, but we've been through all these moral dilemmas before many times in other episodes. So it all feels a bit pointless. Gray and Aidra are in it again just because. Whereas the Bridge Crew are once again off doing whatever and hoping they might get some screen time next week. Maybe.

At least David Cronenburg does once again. He is always worth it. Nice to have a succinct character with certainties who doesn't dither.

Slightly unnecessary dropping of the F bomb at the end as one character does what the plot requires of them.

Ho hum.

Discovery goes to have a look at the anomaly. And runs into problems.

I was losing hope with this season, but this was so much better. It's not a bad episode. It's proper Star Trek. As they get into a situation and have to think their way out of it. Watching smart people thinking is always engaging, and that's what you get here.

The bridge crew some things to do! Look at the montage of them being called to the bridge early on and you can imagine them thinking of 'we're in this one?'. Owosekun actually gets a little moment of character also. Like her one about free diving in season three, you just want more of this. You want to know more about these characters.

But even so, this has solid plot and pace. Decent jeopardy. And subplots about certain characters and their feelings don't get in the way too much. Not a bad watch.

Focus almost totally on Callum in this one, as his mission to the great Bookery reaches it's destination. There's some great little delights in the unsettling nature of the city around it. The librarian girls delight at being back in the place.

And a flashback to earlier episodes that makes you realise how long it's been since the first three series.

One of the greatest things about this show for me is Amaya's facial expressions. The animation is always amazing. Even more amazing though is the last act of this one, a fight for survival that has tension and jeopardy galore. Anything that can make you really think they might kill someone off is doing it's job. The ending works. Thanks to some great set up. Could perhaps have been better shown than said. But even so, this is an amazing episode for the quality of that last act.

From late season two on, I thought this show just needs to be more episodic and more of an ensemble, and it would work.

It still hasn't done that.

The first two episodes did get a good season story going. Which is sidelined this week in favour of an actual plot of the week. Space nuns are stealing dilithium Murdering people in the process. Michael and Tilly, who is given character stuff to do at least, sort it all out. Killer is left off with a slap on the wrist. Probably. I was struggling to keep my eyes open by then.

Saru is being wise. Adira and Grey get some things sorted. Stamets and Booker try to deal with the anomaly.

The interplay between the latter two is pretty good. At least. But nothing else grabs here. Too much talking. Not enough action. And it's still not ensemble! The bridge crew who have been woefully underused since season two and really need some character aren't even seen! What a waste. You could go through this one on fast forward. In fact I would recommend it.