Ep 5. Eagle Eyes
- February 26, 2012
- 45 min
The show Arctic Air takes place in the remote northern Canadian town of Yellowknife, where a small airline company named Arctic Air is located and follows the lives of its owners, pilots, and other staff members. In season 1 episode 5 titled "Eagle Eyes," the focus is on Bobby, the company's chief pilot.
After being given a new plane by the company's wealthy financier, Ronnie Dearman, Bobby is eager to test it out with a long-distance flight to an oil rig in the Arctic. However, the flight faces multiple challenges from the start: first, Bobby's own daughter Krista shows up to surprise him, causing him some emotional turmoil and making him question his own ability to be a good father and a pilot simultaneously. Second, while en route, Bobby spots two hunters who are dangerously close to the flight path, which creates a risk of collision. When Bobby radioes the hunters, they don't respond initially, causing even more anxiety. Finally, just when Bobby is starting to think that the flight couldn't get any more complicated, the plane's engine fails, and Bobby and his crew must come up with a plan to land safely on the oil rig.
Meanwhile, back in Yellowknife, the other members of the Arctic Air team are dealing with their own issues. Mel, the flight attendant, is trying to get in touch with her estranged husband, while Bobby's business partner, Krista's mother, is worrying about Bobby's tendency to put his work before anyone else in his life. All of these storylines come to a head when Krista ends up getting involved in the oil rig situation, putting her own life at risk in the process.
Overall, "Eagle Eyes" is an intense and high-stakes episode that showcases the unique challenges faced by pilots flying in remote and unforgiving landscapes like the Arctic. It also delves deeper into the personal lives of the show's characters, pointing to the fact that this high-stakes work comes with significant emotional and relationship costs.