Season Overview:
Baywatch Season 3 aired from September 19, 1992, to May 10, 1993, consisting of 22 episodes. This season introduced new characters and continued to focus on the professional and personal lives of the Baywatch lifeguards.
At the end of Season 2 both Erika Eleniak and Billy Warlock decided now was the time to hang up their bathing suits. The exit sent shockwaves across the world and producers needed to fill the void left by the shows big stars, who had become household names, especially internationally.
New stars were case, including “Charles in Charge” star Nicole Eggert, Alexandra Paul, Kelly Slater, David Charvet and the little known Pamela Denise Anderson. Eleniak and Warlock returned for the season premier episode to round off their storylines, a wedding and a move to Australia for a lifeguard exchange.
Lucky for Baywatch its new cast continued to propel Baywatch in the ratings and overnight its new young cast were international icons! Especially Pamela Anderson…
“River of No Return” was the Season Three two-part opener. Eddie and Shauni went white-water rafting, decided to get married and moved to Australia.
That covered their exit from the show. We also met C.J. Parker, their guide, who Mitch convinced to come back to Los Angeles and become a lifeguard. Baywatch went on location for the first time – “River of No Return” was shot in the river country of Northern California, while the episode “Vacation” took place on a cruise-line boat to Mexico.
It was an exciting year for Berk. He had the task of replacing popular characters and making them fit in. And it worked. During Year Three, the international response rose to one hundred countries proving that the formula worked well. More real-life issues like bulimia, blindness and Alzheimer’s disease were added. Schwartz says: “We felt that there was a responsibility and a sense of conscience to get a message out along with the action and the entertainment. Real-world issues became important to us.”
Looking at ratings, the show particularly appealed to women aged 18 to 34, with approximately 65% of its audience being female.
Main Cast
Episode Guide
| Episode Number | Episode | Synopsis | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | S03E01 | RIVER OF NO RETURN PART 1 | A relative’s mysterious drowning death finds Mitch, Hobie, Eddie, and Shauni traveling to California’s gold country for a whitewater rafting adventure they’ll never forget. READ MORE… Note: First appearance of Pamela Anderson Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montages: “Poison Girl” – Christ Whitley |
 | S03E02 | RIVER OF NO RETURN PART 2 | A whitewater rafting vacation turns deadly when Mitch, Hobie, Eddie, Shauni and CJ are pursued by murderous miners in California’s gold country. READ MORE… Note: last appearance of Erika Eleniak and Billy Warlock. Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montages: “All My Life” – Linda Kronstadt |
 | S03E03 | TEQUILA BAY | Jimmy Slade and Matt Brody tangle with a violent surf gang, while Mitch’s life is thrown into turmoil when former lover Stephanie Holden assumes command of Baywatch headquarters. READ MORE… Note: First appearance of Kelly Slater Written By: David Braff Montages: “Diamanté” – Zucchero “As Time Goes By” – Harry Nillson |
 | S03E04 | ROOKIE OF THE YEAR | Summer and Matt face grueling personal and physical challenges in Rookie School, the “boot camp” of lifeguarding, while CJ and Stephanie are forced to share an apartment.. READ MORE… Note: First appearance of David Charvet & Alexandra Paul Written By: Deborah Schwartz & Doug Schwartz Montages: “Color Me You” – Colorhaus “Guardian of the breath” – Howard Jones |
 | S03E05 | LIFEGUARDS CAN’T JUMP | Mitch and Garner go undercover as a two-on-two street basketball team to solve a young athlete’s murder, while CJ becomes involved with an amorous, honeymooning Midwestern tourist. READ MORE… Written by: Lloyd Schwartz Montages: “Running Wild” – Soup Dragons “Taste of Love” – Jimi Jamison “Good Times” Arc Angels |
 | S03E06 | MALIBU BEACH HIGH | Malibu Beach High students square off against the administrations’ plans to sell sacred Chumash Indian lands, while Garner quits the beach for an office job. READ MORE… Note: This was a “backdoor pilot” for a spin off series “Malibu Beach High”, which was not picked up for season. Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montages: “Young love” – The Outfield “I Just wanna make love to you” – Rythmn Syndicate “Freedom” – Noiseworks |
 | S03E07 | POINT DOOM | Matt’s tempestuous affair with a gorgeous motorcycle racer takes him to the brink, while Mitch and Stephanie go head-to-head in a spirited battle of the sexes. READ MORE… Note: First appearance of Jennifer Lynn Campbell, who would take on the role of Neely in Season 9 Written by: Dan Peterson & David Trim Montages: “Who Do You Think You Are” – Sass Jordan “I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred “Save Me Tonight” – Giant |
 | S03E08 | PRINCESS OF TIDES | A thrilling muscle boat competition is the backdrop for a whirlwind romance between Mitch and a beautiful woman he doesn’t know is a princess who is the target of an assassination plot. READ MORE… Written by: Michael Berk & Peter Kiwitt Montages: “In the hands of time” – Hardine “Killer” – Seal |
 | S03E09 | MASQUERADE | When Mitch and Stephanie board a yacht disguised as wealthy southern honeymooners, in order to capture a group of modern-day pirates, they find themselves attracted to each other’s assumed character. READ MORE… Written by: I.C Rapoport Montages: “Evening” – Pat Benetar |
 | S03E10 | A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH | A dispute between Mitch’s lifeguard career and his father’s desire to have him take over the family business becomes intensified by devastating news about the elder Buchannon. Meanwhile, Summer struggles with a childhood trauma that threatens her future as a lifeguard. READ MORE… Written by: Gary Capo & Julian Whatley Montages: “Caribbean Blue” – Enya “Life is a highway” – Tom Cochran |
 | S03E11 | ISLAND OF ROMANCE | CJ and Stephanie travel to Catalina Island for a “girls-only” weekend getaway, only to find love with two handsome men and danger while underwater scuba diving. Mitch and Hobie hire a live-in housekeeper, whose efficiency and beauty turn their lives upside down. READ MORE… Written by: Michael Berk & Doug Schwartz Montgages: “Sighs smells of farewell” The Cocteau Twins “I Just Wanna Be With You” – Chris Rea |
 | S03E12 | STRANGERS AMONG US | Mitch and Stephanie cope with an odd assebly of UFO enthusiasts camping on the beach in anticipation of an extra-terrestrial visit. Slade and Summer become the unknowing targets of ruthless jewel thieves. READ MORE… Written by: John Whelpley Montages: “Around the World” – the Weathermen “Bare” – Geoffrey Williams |
 | S03E13 | VACATION PART 1 | The Baywatch lifeguards set sail on a romantic cruise, only to encounter a dangerous fugitive, who forces Mitch and Stephanie overboard into the stormy Pacific Ocean. READ MORE… Written by: David Braff Montages: “A kissed out float boat” – The Cocteau Twins “All I need is you” – Blue Train “Heavens Gate” – Toni Childs |
 | S03E14 | VACATION PART 2 | While on vacation cruise, the Baywatch lifeguards encounter high-seas hijackers, leaving Mitch and Stephanie stranded in the stormy Pacific, and Summer, Matt, CJ and Guido faced with outwitting ruthless killers who have overtaken the ship. READ MORE… Written by: David Braff Montages: “A kissed out float boat” – The Cocteau Twins “All I need is you” – Blue Train “Heavens Gate” – Toni Childs |
 | S03E15 | THE TOWER | An escaped psychopath takes Summer and Stephanie hostage in a lifeguard tower, setting the stage for a thriling subterranean rescue attempt by Mitch and Matt. READ MORE… Written by: Doug Schwartz & Michael Berk Montgages: “Chase the clouds” – The Rembrandts “Sentinel” – Tubular Bells |
 | S03E16 | STAKEOUT AT SURFRIDER BEACH | Mitch finds himself falling for an Italian actress who is being stalked by ruthless, follow home robbers. Meanwhile, CJ and Stephanie help Guido pretend to be a lifeguard in order to impress his visiting mother. READ MORE… Note: First Baywatch episode directed by former star Parker Stevenson Written by: David Braff Montgages: “Working Man” – Glen Frey “Damn, I wish I was Your Lover” Sophie B Hawkins |
 | S03E17 | SHATTERED PART 1 | Mitch is paralyzed when he risks his life to save three teenagers. Hobie, Stephanie, and Sophie, his physical therapist, rally to repair his shattered life. READ MORE… Written by: Deborah Schwartz Montgages: “Right Till The End” – Terry Reid “5th July” – Terry Reid |
 | S03E18 | SHATTERED PART 2 | Paralyzed in a heroic rescue, Mitch undergoes a vigorous rehabilitation regimen. Meanwhile, Jason, a ten-year old paraplegic, is pursued by a hit man trying to keep him from testifying against gangsters. READ MORE… Montgages: “Right Till The End” – Terry Reid “5th July” – Terry Reid |
 | S03E19 | KICKS | Mitch coaches Matt in an amateur kickboxing tournament, but the competition turns deadly when an enemy from Mitch’s past gets him into the ring. Meanwhile, CJ is seduced by a fashion photographer. READ MORE… |
 | S03E20 | FATAL EXCHANGE | Mitch contends with an unorthodox, risk-taking, Australian lifeguard, and rekindles his love affair with beautiful journalist, Kay Morgan. READ MORE… |
Main Cast Changes
- Alexandra Paul joined the main cast as Lt. Stephanie Holden
- David Charvet was introduced as Matt Brody
- Pamela Anderson joined as C.J. Parker
- Nicole Eggert became a series regular as Summer Quinn
Key Storylines and Themes
- New Leadership: The season began with changes in Baywatch leadership, as Captain Thorpe was promoted to chief, and Ben became captain. Lt. Stephanie Holden arrived as the new administrative commander, creating tension due to her past relationship with Mitch.
- Personal Relationships: The show continued to explore the personal lives of the lifeguards, including Mitch’s romantic entanglements and the developing relationships between the younger cast members.
- Action and Adventure: The season featured more high-stakes scenarios, including hostage situations, assassination attempts, and even a cruise ship hijacking.
- Environmental Issues: The show maintained its focus on environmental themes, with storylines involving marine life and ocean conservation.
- International Flavor: The introduction of characters from different backgrounds, like Australian lifeguard Wiley Brown, added an international dimension to the show.
Notable Episodes
- “River of No Return” (Parts 1 & 2): The season opener featured a treasure hunt in Northern California, setting the tone for more adventurous storylines.
- “Tequila Bay”: This episode introduced Matt Brody and explored the dynamics of surf gangs1.
- “Vacation” (Parts 1 & 2): A two-part episode featuring a dramatic cruise ship hijacking, showcasing the show’s move towards more action-packed plots.
- “The Tower”: A tense episode where Summer and Stephanie are held hostage in a lifeguard tower by a psychopath.
- “Fatal Exchange”: The season finale introduced Wiley Brown and featured a mysterious plot against Mitch.
Themes and Development
Season 3 marked a shift in Baywatch’s tone, balancing its trademark beach rescues and personal drama with more action-oriented storylines. The show expanded its scope beyond the beach, incorporating elements of mystery, crime, and even international intrigue.The season also delved deeper into the characters’ personal lives and relationships, particularly focusing on Mitch’s romantic entanglements and the challenges faced by the younger lifeguards.Environmental issues remained a consistent theme, with several episodes touching on marine conservation and the impact of human activity on ocean ecosystems.
Production Notes
This season saw an increase in production value, with more elaborate set pieces and action sequences. The introduction of new characters and the development of existing ones helped to keep the show fresh and engaging for its growing audience.Season 3 of Baywatch successfully built upon the foundation of previous seasons while expanding its scope and appeal, setting the stage for the show’s continued success in the years to come.
