Season Overview:
Baywatch Season 4 aired from September 20, 1993, to May 23, 1994, consisting of 22 episodes. This season continued to follow the lives and adventures of the Baywatch lifeguards.
The cast survived intact into Season Four. The emphasis on real-life stories continued with the episode on Down’s syndrome, “The Child Inside” proving to be a high point. Also, romance was favoured over sex. “We’ve had sexy scenes but we’ve never had sex”, says Schwartz.
For Executive Producer-writer Berk, Season Four saw one of his may ride-alongs with the Los Angeles county Lifeguards turn into a real-life adventure and ultimately a high-point Baywatchable. “I was riding in a lifeguard call car when we got a call that two brothers had been swept out to sea in a riptide. A lifeguard swam out, rescued one of the brothers, and secured him on his rescue can. While he went after the other brother, the first slipped off the rescue can. The lifeguard got to him again and he was rushed to the hospital, where he eventually died. That lifeguard began to suffer post-traumatic stress and required counselling sessions. I was allowed to observe those sessions and turned those true-life incidents into a story involving Mitch called ‘Submersion.’ At this stage, Baywatch was the fastest produced programme on TV, taking only five months to film twenty-two episodes.
This season would be the final season for Nicole Eggert. The show had already become the most popular show on the planet by season 4, a status the show would hold for several seasons.
Main Cast:
Episode List
Episode Number | Episode | Synopsis | |
---|---|---|---|
S04E01 | RACE AGAINST TIME PART 1 |
A dramatic ocean plane crash underscores a series of personal crises amongst the Baywatch lifeguards. Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montgages: |
|
S04E02 | RACE AGAINST TIME PART 2 – |
Hobie and his mother are trapped in the plane crash, 40 feet beneath the surface, while Mitch and the Baywatch lifeguards mount a massive rescue effort to save the trapped passengers and crew. Note: First episode in syndication Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montgages: |
|
S04E03 | LOVER’S COVE |
Romance is in the air at Baywatch as Mitch and Jackie’s friendship grows more intense, Summer and Matt begin a relationship, Hobie falls in love with Lauren, a junior lifeguard with a devastating secret. Written by: Steven Barnes Montages: |
|
S04E04 | BLINDSIDE |
John D. Cort, Mitch’s friend and a former lifeguard, returns to Baywatch where his life undergoes a devastating change. Meanwhile, Hobie meets a very “unique” new friend. Guess stars season one regular John Allen Nelson Written By: Deborah Schwartz Montgages: |
|
S04E05 | SKYRIDER |
Summer has love problems when Slade returns from a world surfing tour to discover Matt and Summer dating, and CJ is pursued by a bungee-jumping balloonist. Meanwhile, Garner patrols the beach on horseback. Written by: Sherri Ziff & Michael Berk Montages: |
|
S04E06 | TENTACLES PART 1 |
A prison break gone awry finds Mitch held hostage by a beautiful woman and forced to perform surgery on her escaped convict husband. Meanwhile, Matt and Slade decide to settle their mutual affection for Summer in a daring surfing contest, and accidentally stumble upon a secret and dangerous underwater cavern Written By: Sherri Ziff & Michael Berk Montgages: |
|
S04E07 | TENTACLES PART 2 |
Mitch, taken hostage and held at gunpoint, performs surgery on an escaped convict with a bullet wound. Stephanie’s sister visits with her fiance, an environmental investigor, who is mysteriously attacked underwater in a high stakes double-cross. First appearance by Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden. Written by: Sherri Ziff & Michael Berk Montgages: |
|
S04E08 | SUBMERSION |
When Mitch spots two young brothers caught in a rip current, he must make agut-wrenching decision to help one and not the other. Nearly drowned, the boy clings to life in a coma. Mitch must deal with the anguished parents and his own deep feelings of guilt. Written by: Michael Berk Montgages: |
|
S04E09 | IRONMAN BUCHANNON |
Mitch’s impending birthday prompts him to train for a grueling Ironman competition, along the way being swept off his feet by a younger woman. Matt, meanwhile, takes a night job to save money for a motorcycle, jeopardizing his co-workers through his exhaustion. Written by: David Braff Montgages: |
|
S04E10 | TOWER OF POWER |
A new lifeguard helps Mitch and the Baywatch lifeguards confront and upsurge in gang activity, and CJ is enamored with a beach magician who nearly drowns during a bungled underwater stunt. Written by: David Braff Montgages: |
|
S04E11 | THE CHILD INSIDE |
The Baywatch lifeguards stage a beach-oriented Special Olympics, becoming involved with two young athletes whose parents have abandoned them. Mary Lou Retton guest stars. Written by: Deborah Schwartz Montgages: |
|
S04E12 | SECOND TIME AROUND |
Jessie Majors, the beautiful motorcycle racer with whom Matt Brody fell in love in “Point Doom,” returns to Baywatch, working as an actress for an obsessed video director who wants more than a professional relationship with her. Written by: Garner Simmons Montages: |
|
S04E13 | RED KNIGHTS |
An ad hoc reunion of elite 1950’s lifeguards, the “Red Knights,” triggers a bar room brawl and Ben’s resignation. Meanwhile, Mitch helps deliver a baby when the mother goes into premature labor while swimming at the beach. Note: Richard Jackals last episode Written by: Deborah Schwartz Montages: |
|
S04E14 | CORONADO DEL SOUL PART 1 |
The Baywatch lifeguards travel to San Diego’s Hotel Del Coronado for a week, where Matt and Summer are haunted by a mysterious presence, CJ grows attached to an orphaned dolphin at Sea World, and Mitch is stranded with his brother on the high seas when their sailboat capsizes. Written by: David Braff Montages: |
|
S04E15 | CORONADO DEL SOUL PART 2 |
Adrift in the ocean with his semi-conscious brother, Mitch struggles to keep himself and Buzzy alive through the long, cold night. CJ unites an orphaned dolphin with its injured mother, and Summer becomes involved with a haunting passion. Written by: David Braff Montages: |
|
S04E16 | MIRROR, MIRROR |
A beautiful woman and her plain sister compete for Mitch’s affection with perilous results. Meanwhile, Matt confronts his paralyzing fear of sharks. Written by: Doug Schwartz Montgages: |
|
S04E17 | THE FALCON MANIFESTO |
A beautiful investigative reporter captures Mitch’s heart, but what happens next makes Mitch the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Written by: Michael Berk Montages: |
|
S04E18 | WESTERN EXPOSURE |
The Baywatch lifeguards help a country singer find his estranged wife and child. Martina Mcbride guest stars. Written by: Deborah Schwartz Montages: |
|
S04E19 | THE LIFE YOU SAVE |
Severe budget cutbacks close many Los Angeles beaches with life-and-death consequences. Written by: Michael Berk Montages: |
|
S04E20 | TRADING PLACES |
Stephanie Holden spends a week with the Coast Guard, helping crack a dangerous arms smuggling ring. Written by: David Braff Montages: |
|
S04E21 | GUYS & DOLLS |
Matt’s rescue of a beautiful teenager finds him involved in an elaborate con artist scam. Stephanie’s romance with a Coast Guard officer deepens, causing conflict with Mitch. Written by: David Braff Montages: |
|
S04E22 | RESCUE BAY |
A Hollywood producer visits Baywatch and decides to create a television show based on lifeguarding, sending headquarters into a tizzy. Jeff Altman guest stars. Written by: Steven Barnes Montages: |
Main Cast
-
- David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon
-
- Alexandra Paul as Stephanie Holden
-
- Yasmine Bleeth as Caroline Holden
-
- David Charvet as Matt Brody
-
- Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker
-
- Nicole Eggert as Summer Quinn
-
- Jeremy Jackson as Hobie Buchannon
Key Storylines and Themes
-
- Family Dynamics: The season explored various family relationships, particularly focusing on Mitch’s struggles with his ex-wife Gayle over custody of Hobie.
-
- Personal Growth: Characters faced challenges that led to personal development, such as Matt dealing with his father’s expectations and Summer overcoming her fears.
-
- Romance and Relationships: The show continued to delve into the romantic lives of its characters, including Mitch’s new love interests and the developing relationships among the younger lifeguards.
-
- Environmental Issues: Consistent with previous seasons, environmental themes remained prominent, with storylines addressing marine conservation and the impact of human activities on the ocean.
-
- Action and Adventure: The season featured high-stakes scenarios, including rescue missions, criminal investigations, and even international intrigue.
Notable Episodes
-
- “Race Against Time” (Parts 1 & 2): A dramatic two-part episode involving a plane crash and underwater rescue.
-
- “Blindside”: This episode dealt with a former lifeguard, John D. Cort, returning to Baywatch while dealing with vision loss.
-
- “The Falcon Manifesto”: A mystery-thriller episode where Mitch becomes involved in an investigation of military technology sales.
Notable Guest Stars
-
- John Allen Nelson as John D. Cort: A recurring character who returned this season.
-
- Kelly Slater as Jimmy Slade: The professional surfer continued his recurring role.
-
- Carrie-Anne Moss: Made an appearance before her breakout role in “The Matrix”.
-
- Mariska Hargitay: Guest-starred before becoming famous for “Law & Order: SVU”.
Themes and Development
Season 4 of Baywatch maintained its signature blend of beach rescues, personal drama, and social issues while expanding its scope. The show continued to balance lighthearted moments with more serious storylines, addressing topics such as:
-
- Environmental conservation
-
- Family relationships and custody battles
-
- Personal and professional ethics
-
- Overcoming personal fears and challenges
-
- Romance and interpersonal dynamics
The season also saw an increase in action-oriented plots, with more complex rescue scenarios and even elements of mystery and crime-solving. This evolution helped keep the show fresh and engaging for its growing audience.
Production Notes
The production values continued to improve, with more elaborate rescue scenes and set pieces. The show’s popularity was at its peak during this period, cementing its status as a global phenomenon. Season 4 of Baywatch successfully built upon the foundation of previous seasons while introducing new elements and characters, ensuring its continued success and cultural impact.