Ep 15. The Hero

The popular television series Baywatch ran for 11 seasons from 1989 to 2001. Season 10, Episode 15 titled "The Hero" is a notable episode in the series.

The episode opens with Mitch Buchanan (played by David Hasselhoff) directing a rescue operation on a rocky shore. A woman has fallen off the cliff and is stuck between rocks, and the team has to quickly work together to save her. It's a tense moment as Mitch and the others race against time to rescue her before the tide comes in. But the rescue is successful, and the woman survives.

Mitch's actions during the rescue earn him recognition from the mayor, whom he saved from a fire in a previous episode. The mayor wants to award Mitch with a "Hero of the Year" award. Even though Mitch shrugs it off, it's clear he's pleased with the recognition.

Meanwhile, things aren't going well for Eddie Kramer (played by Billy Warlock). At the start of the episode, he's fired from his job as a lifeguard, due to budget cuts. He's having trouble finding work and is struggling to make ends meet. To make matters worse, Eddie's girlfriend Shauni McClain (played by Erika Eleniak) is putting pressure on him to help her find a place to live since she's been evicted from her apartment. Eddie wants to help but feels like he's hitting a dead end.

Enter a new character, Ty (played by Ty Miller), a former Navy SEAL who is in town to compete in a lifeguard competition. He's confident, charismatic, and the complete opposite of Eddie in every way. Shauni is immediately drawn to him, and Eddie becomes jealous and resentful.

During the competition, Ty's team wins the first event, and Eddie's team finishes last. The second event is a beach relay, which includes a rescue simulation. The scenario is that a boat has capsized, and one of the passengers is trapped underwater. One of the participants has to free the passenger from the tangled wreckage. Ty volunteers for the task, and his team finishes the event in record time, earning them another win.

After the competition, Eddie confronts Ty about his behavior towards Shauni, and the two get into a physical altercation. Ty walks away, and Shauni confronts Eddie about his insecurities. She tells him that he's a great guy and that she loves him, but she can't be with someone who doesn't believe in himself.

The episode concludes at the "Hero of the Year" ceremony. Mitch takes the stage to accept his award and gives a speech acknowledging the hard work of the entire lifeguard team. As the ceremony ends, Eddie approaches Mitch and tells him that he's ready to come back to work. Mitch is pleased, and the two shake hands, indicating a newfound respect and understanding between them.

Overall, "The Hero" is a classic Baywatch episode that highlights the teamwork, spirit, and camaraderie of the lifeguard team. It also touches on themes of jealousy, insecurity, and the importance of believing in oneself.