Love on the Reef (2023) Movie Script
1
Have a good day, guys.
Good morning, Pete!
Dr. Waters, how are ya?
I'm good, how are you?
Oh, baby watch has
officially started, hasn't it?
I know, I'm gonna be
a grandfather,
can you believe it?
I can't, I'm so excited for you!
- Next.
- Hey.
Can I get
two black coffees, please?
Sure! That'll be $7.13.
It's been six months
since Bay Cove's very own
and world-renowned surfer,
Liam Smith,
threw the surf community
for a loop,
throwing in the towel
the same day
that he nearly won
the Pipeline Masters.
While we are speculating
as to why,
our sources can confirm
that Liam, as of today,
has not gotten back
on the board.
Excuse me, Mr. Smith,
can I get your autograph?
Yeah, of course.
- What's your name?
- Ally.
Ally, A-L-L-Y?
However you want to spell it.
Thank you.
You got it, have a great day.
You too!
Connie, hey!
Hello to our surf world bad boy!
I've been trying to get
a hold of you for days,
where have you been?
You know, just livin', laughing.
As you should be.
Listen, did you get my message
about the competition?
Yeah, I did.
I think I'm gonna have to pass
on that one.
Pass?
You're basically guaranteed
to win if you compete.
Just think about it, would you?
No, no, no,
I want to talk to him!
Hey, I gotta run.
Could you post one of
those pictures I sent you?
Gotta keep that image up.
Bye.
- Ah!
- Who are you?
Who are you?
I asked first,
why are you on my boat?
I'm Dr. Waters,
and this is my boat!
Look what you made me do!
I didn't make you do anything,
and no, this is my boat.
Base, this is Dr. Waters.
There's a suspicious person
on my boat...
Base, there is a suspicious
person on my boat.
Hey, what's going on here?
Who are you?
I'm one of the Marine
Institute's divemasters.
- Who are you?
- I'm...
beginning to believe
I might be on the wrong boat.
Oh, really?
I think you dropped this.
Oh, thank you, thank you!
All right!
Wait, you're that guy, right?
That surfer guy?
I think that you're confusing me
with some other
very handsome guy.
Anyway, this has been fun,
but I gotta run.
Swim.
That was weird.
Thank you for this.
Hey!
Mm, hey!
- Here you go!
- Thank you!
Cardboard straw.
Yup, Rise and Grind
took your words to heart.
No more plastic straws.
Mm!
You get used to it.
It's worth it
if it's for the reef.
Dr. Maris!
I noticed in your last report
- you're close to a breakthrough.
- Mhm.
What you've got here,
Dr. Waters,
something that could reverse
coral bleaching
would be massive
for the ecological community.
The Board was very impressed
with the idea.
The Board?
You showed the Board?
I may have given them
a sneak preview.
- And?
- I have a feeling
they're gonna choose
a certain top marine biologist
for the spot.
Wait, you're not talking
about Nancy, right?
Because she is brilliant.
I'm talking about you.
The Board has had
its eye on you for years.
This is the natural next step.
Thank you.
Mhm. Now, your 12 o'clock
is here.
Oh, great!
Thank you.
Thought that was gonna be
the WaterLight display.
Well, it was,
but in order for us
to keep our green certification,
we can only sell
environmentally safe products.
Okay.
How'd it go today?
Absolutely pointless.
But you got in the water.
Yeah.
Your agent called today.
She called you?
I guess you got an offer
to be a judge
at this year's Pipeline Masters.
And what'd you tell her?
That you'd call her back!
This could be
a good opportunity, a comeback!
I'm not looking
for a comeback, Dad.
I don't need a comeback.
Diving is fine, working
with you guys is fine, I'm fine.
It's all fine.
- Dad?
- Hm?
What's this?
Oh. It's nothing.
Dad.
It's all under control, Liam.
Yeah, well, that didn't look
under control.
Had a few tough months.
Let me help you guys out.
I know starting a business
in this market...
Everything is fine, son.
I have to have
some equipment washed down.
Do you mind holding the fort
while I go do that?
Yeah.
Hey!
Hey!
- What are you working on?
- Nothing.
Did inspiration for
the Wallston Art School
- application finally strike?
- I'm just doodling.
Seriously, it's nothing.
You know what you should do?
One of me,
but as a Grecian mermaid.
That would absolutely impress
the Admissions Council!
You sound like Dad.
Yeah,
'cause we're both geniuses.
Speaking of Dad,
we need to get to dinner.
Yes. Let's go!
Okay, what about one of me
but as a real estate agent
for aquatic properties
like Atlantis?
Are we brainstorming ideas
about Brooke's
grad school application?
We are,
and if I do say so myself,
it is going very well.
I cannot with you two.
She just doesn't
understand genius.
That's what I said.
Whatcha got there, Dad?
Oh, I found these
up in the attic.
Your mother must've
put them up there
and forgot about 'em.
I thought you each
should take one.
I have your mother's art
hanging all over my house.
- Thanks.
- I love that, thanks, Dad!
Oh, sounds like dinner's ready!
Got it, got it, got it!
How about me as a pirate,
but on a sunken ship?
Ooh, I love that,
like a mer-pirate!
Mhm!
Um, yup, that's it.
That's the winner! Done.
- I mean, I think it's brilliant.
- Mhm!
It is a masterpiece
waiting to be brought to life.
Great!
Yes!
Thank you!
Who was that?
Dr. Maris over
at the Marine Institute.
We are officially
the new temporary divemasters.
And if it all goes well,
this could lead
to a full-time contract,
which means that...
The shop will be able
to stay open?
I may or may not have done
some snooping.
Yeah, things have been
a little tight recently.
But this is exactly
what we need.
Now let's get this place
locked up,
because you have
an early dive in the morning.
Sounds good.
Well, I think it's great, honey.
- What's great?
- Hey!
Hey!
Isla turned in
her grant application
for her Save the Reef project
today.
Which means
your experiment worked.
Almost.
I've found a way
to help the coral regenerate,
but we're not seeing
the long-term effects
that we'd like,
so I need the grant,
and I'm hoping that Mayor Wade
will overlook the fact
that I'm your daughter.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Dad and Mayor Wade have had
this competition thing
for like the last 20 years.
They're exaggerating.
Literally since high school,
they have competed
for everything.
- The scholarship.
- Dad won.
- The valedictorian spot.
- Mayor Wade won!
Dad beat out Mayor Wade
for Bay Cove's best pie
at this year's summer bake sale.
And the year before.
But there is
no competition there.
No, none.
You know,
they spend so much time
thinking about each other,
you'd think
they were secretly in love.
Sorry.
Hey, I just got
a new client meeting.
Congratulations!
And make sure you save room
for dessert,
because I made pie.
Wait, what kind?
Dutch apple, your favorite.
Do you believe in soul mates?
You mean those two?
Mhm.
Yeah, absolutely.
Why, do you not?
I think it's a nice idea
in theory,
but something about it
seems so unattainable.
I mean, statistically speaking,
the odds of finding someone
that you'll like
for that extended period of time
are astronomically low.
Honey, some things
you can't look at
with a scientific eye.
Sometimes you just gotta
go with the flow,
see where it takes you.
I've never done that.
I know you haven't.
Marsha!
Mayor Wade.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
I think I'm your nine o'clock.
Uh, not unless
you're Kenzie Robey.
That would be my assistant.
She must have given you
her name.
And she did give you
the right specs.
These are beautiful.
I mean, the color scheme
of the cushions is all wrong.
It's an easy fix.
Flower choice is impractical.
Adjustable.
The seating area that's here
is not quite right.
Nothing we can't tweak.
But I don't hate it.
Oh, isn't that a glowing review.
Hey, Dad,
I brought you a coffee.
Uh, Mayor Wade, hi.
Um, what's up?
Mayor Wade is
my new potential client.
Oh, well, that's unexpected.
On many levels.
I have to say,
I've been shopping
for landscape architects
for months.
No one's gotten my vision
the way you have.
I'll send you my notes
tomorrow morning.
I'm looking forward
to your pitch
at the municipal grant funds
hearing, Dr. Waters.
Your Save the Reef project
sounds very intriguing.
Thank you!
Uh, what just happened?
I have no idea.
Dr. Waters.
Paging Dr. Isla Waters,
your boat is ready!
You know you don't have
to call me Dr. Waters.
I'm proud of my sister, the PhD.
Paging Dr. Waters.
I'll let the divemaster know
you're on your way.
Thank you.
Hey, Pete, I...
You.
And you.
What are you doing here?
What are you doing here?
Why are you just repeating
what I'm saying?
I'm not,
I'm just asking questions.
That happen to be
the same ones you're asking.
I'm the new divemaster.
You? You're joking.
Serious as a shark attack.
You can't even tell
which boat is yours,
how are you gonna be my backup
on the open water?
Looks like you're just gonna
have to trust me, Doc.
Give me a minute.
Bay Cove Aquarium.
Brooke.
Isla? What's wrong?
Where's Pete? Is he okay?
Oh, yeah.
His daughter went into labor
a little early,
so he had to leave, why?
How long will he be gone?
A month. Why?
Do you know
who the new divemaster is?
Um, Liam something, right?
Yeah, Liam Smith,
that surfer guy that went MIA
after last year's
Pipeline Masters?
Oh, my gosh. Yes!
Wait, wait,
he's our new divemaster?
Uh-huh.
It looks like his shop
was the only one
on the approved list
from the Board
that had the availability,
so if you want to go out
to the reef in the next month,
he's your only option.
Okay, thank you.
Ready, Doc?
Yes, but I'm navigating.
What's wrong, Doc?
I think I forgot my hat.
Oh, I have one.
It would look
really good on you.
What is this?
A hat.
So what are we going out for?
No, thank you, I got it.
Um, we are not going out
for anything.
I am going out
to collect samples,
and you are driving.
And protecting your face
from the sun.
I will have you know
that this hat
is for emergencies only.
What are you doing?
Going diving.
No, no, the divemaster
stays on the boat
in case I have any problems.
Yeah, but your other guy
dove with you.
That was different.
How?
It just was.
Don't worry, Doc,
I'll keep the radio on me.
That's not how this works.
Sorry, I'm not done loading...
I'm not done loading that yet.
Thanks for the charter.
Yeah, well, it's my job now.
Speaking of, how did
a world-renowned surfer
become a boat driver
for scientists?
Just riding the wave of life,
I guess.
Hey, so those photos
you were taking,
what are they for?
Just keeping tabs
on what's going on down there.
That spot peaked my interest
a couple months ago.
Uh, could you send them to me?
I'm putting together a pitch
for the municipal funds grant,
and they could be
really helpful.
It is him. Liam?
Hey, how's it going?
Hey, can I please
have your autograph?
Yeah, of course.
What are your names?
- I'm Riley.
- Sarah.
Riley and Sarah,
it's a pleasure to meet you.
You are my favorite surfer!
Do you think
we could get a selfie?
- Yeah, of course!
- Thank you, thank you.
- Here, you want me to take it?
- Yeah.
Or actually, here,
why don't you snap it, Doc?
Are you serious?
Yeah, of course.
Come on.
Thank you!
Yay, thank you!
Thank you, hope to see you back
on the board soon!
Have a nice day!
Bet that never gets old.
You know, it doesn't, no
Okay, so about those photos.
Yeah, listen,
I'm gonna need something
in return for them, Doc.
You give my diving services
a glowing review.
From the dive we just took?
Yeah, my parents are up for
one of the full-time contracts
with you guys,
which would be pretty rad
for all parties involved.
Sure, I won't tell Dr. Maris
that you dove with me,
that you spent company time
taking selfies with your fans,
or about your incredibly
annoying attitude.
Great, then the pics are yours!
Speaking of, do you want
a selfie with me?
Content featuring my face
does very well
on other people's
social media pages.
I don't do social media,
but thanks.
If you could just
send the photos
to the email address
on this card,
that would be fantastic.
Aye-aye, Captain!
Thank you!
Dr. Waters.
Good afternoon,
Dr. Waters.
We received your application
for the municipal funds grant,
but you were missing a section.
I was?
Yes, it looks like
you were working
from an old application.
The guidelines for the grant
changed six months ago.
Everything else
on your application is correct,
it's just missing the portion
about the 100 community members
voting at the hearing.
I can process your application
without the information
of your 100 community members,
but we can't hear your cause
without their votes.
Okay, yes, go ahead
and process the application.
The 100 required voters
will be in attendance.
Mhm. Yes, we have field trips
every day,
including the weekends.
Yes, they...
I'm gonna have to put you
on a brief hold.
- What's wrong?
- What are you doing on the 30th?
Uh, something very important
that you need me for?
So it turns out I need
100 community members
to come vote at the hearing
in order to have
our cause heard.
Okay, how many
do you have signed up?
Well, that section
wasn't on the application
that I was working from.
Um, okay.
Do you know what you need?
A spokesperson.
Someone to get the word out,
get people excited to support.
What do you think
I've been doing?
Right, and you've been doing
a great job,
but do you remember
when you were trying
to get people involved
with your project
and you hosted
that Games and Gills night
instead of knocking on doors
and maybe like five people
showed up?
Well, six, if you count Dad.
My point exactly.
And that was with
the Marine Institute's
directory of contacts.
This endeavor,
as valiant as it is,
has historically not had
the best turn out.
So if you want people
to commit their time,
you need to give them something
to get excited about!
Just a thought.
Oh! Like that dog
that skateboards!
Sparky would get people excited.
Sparky.
Go call Sparky's agent.
Call Sparky's agent.
Is that something
I can find online,
the phone number?
You think it's...
Yeah, you'll find it!
- All right.
- Thank you for holding.
Thank you.
Hi, my name is Dr. Isla Waters
and I'm calling on behalf
of the Save the Reef project
at the Bay Cove
Marine Institute.
I'm interested in booking Sparky
for a few days.
$3,000 for one day?
Okay, I'm gonna have
to circle back with you.
Thanks.
Change your mind
about that selfie, Doc?
Absolutely not.
Listen, what if I told you
there was a way
that I could guarantee
your family the contract?
I'm listening.
You know that stuff is
really bad
for the environment, right?
Like it could kill off
entire ecosystems
of micro bacteria?
I was told that it's safe
for human use.
That doesn't mean it's safe
for the beings
we share the planet with.
Well, I'm building an empire!
Wait, are you sponsored by them?
Liam, you have a platform.
People in this community care
what you have to say,
and you're using it
to sell that?
That isn't just anything,
that is WaterLight.
It turns any water
that it touches
into medical grade cleaner.
There are not enough hours
in the day
for me to break down
how incredibly problematic
that sentence was.
I was gonna ask you
to be the spokesperson
of the Save the Reef project,
help me get people committed
to come vote
in exchange
for making your family
one of our permanent
divemasters.
However, upon reflection,
I now realize that
that was the wrong move.
Goodbye.
Isla, Isla, Isla, Isla, wait.
Okay, that is Dr. Waters to you.
Okay, sorry, Dr. Waters.
I'm in, I want to do it,
be the spokesperson
for your Save the Reef thing
in exchange for the contract.
While that is
incredibly generous,
the offer is no longer
on the table, so...
I am not above
pushing you off of this dock
and into the water
if you do not get out of my way.
As much as I would love
to see you try,
I just did my hair, so.
What would you need me to do
as a spokesperson?
Hypothetically, I would need you
to help me get people committed
to come vote
at the hearing
on municipal funds on the 30th.
That's it?
I could totally do that.
I know you can.
Which is why I asked.
Well, technically,
you didn't ask, I offered.
Are you always this infuriating?
Only to the people
that I really like.
Great. Goodbye.
Okay, I think that we may have
gotten off on the wrong fin.
"Fin."
Was that a fish pun?
I'm Liam Smith,
professional surfer,
and I don't normally do this,
but I would like to help.
Okay, look, I didn't know
that those products
were bad for the environment.
They just offered me
a lot of money.
Okay, look, I've noticed
the changes at the reef, too.
If we lose the reef, my parents
are gonna lose their business.
Let's do a trial run.
Meet me at Ocean Park
at nine A.M. sharp.
You got it, Doc.
Maybe don't call me that.
Connie, hey.
I was just wondering if you'd
had a chance to reconsider.
Connie...
I know, I know.
I'm just trying to keep
you relevant in the surf world.
Anyways, the new
WaterLight contract
should be in your inbox
this week,
so this is super hush-hush,
but they're planning on opening
a new packaging plant
right there in Bay Cove.
The PR team loves
this hometown thing
you've got going on,
and they want to put you
on a billboard
right on Main Street.
Right, right.
While that is
technically super cool,
and I would love to be
on a billboard in my hometown
and show the people
that I really made it,
I'm not sure
this is the kind of thing
I want my face
plastered next to.
Well, it's a little too late
for that, isn't it?
I've done some reading
on WaterLight,
and this stuff's not good at all
for the environment.
That's nonsense,
that's all just hearsay.
What really matters is that
the check clears,
and boy, did that check clear.
All right, well, the contract
with them ends this week,
you know, maybe we don't re-up
and we find another partnership.
When the new WaterLight contract
comes in,
we'll chat about it.
Oh, whoops.
Getting another call.
Gotta go. Don't be a stranger.
- Morning, Doc!
- Good morning!
So what are we doing here?
We are here
to get people signed up
to come support us
at the hearing in a few days.
Twelve! Cool.
We need how many?
A hundred.
So I was thinking that
you could introduce yourself,
say your role in the cause,
get people excited to show up.
This is Daphne, the Director
of Community Events.
It is a pleasure to meet you,
Liam.
- We are big fans.
- Thank you!
My son and I cannot wait
to see you back up on the board.
All right, um,
shall we get started?
Yeah, I'll just...
I'll make a quick intro
and then the floor is all yours.
Sounds good.
Great, so if we just
stick to the script,
I think we should be able
to get a few people to commit
to come show up and vote.
- Okay!
- Yeah.
"It is our esteemed honor
to invite you to participate
in a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity
to show your support for
this incredibly sacred endeavor
on which we are embarking."
I'm not gonna read this.
What? Why not?
Come on, the back
of a cereal box
is more interesting than this.
We need to get people excited,
you know,
make them feel included
in the mission.
All right, good morning,
Bay Cove! Woo!
And welcome to the 25th annual
community summer field day!
Now, before the games begin,
I have a quick announcement.
We have a very special
guest with us
who has a worthy cause
and needs our help,
so please welcome
four-time Pipeline winner,
Liam Smith!
Wait, don't you need these?
What up, Bay Cove,
how you doing today?
When I say "Liam,"
you say, "Smith." Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
Smith!
Now that is what
I'm talking about!
Okay, listen, I need your help,
are you guys ready?
Is it true that you're hosting
the Pipeline Masters this year?
I heard you're judging it.
Nothing's decided yet. Now...
When's your book coming out
and are you gonna surf again?
Potentially.
Now, uh, back to the reef.
There's a hearing coming up
on the 30th
that we would love for you guys
to come out
and vote at Town Hall.
How's that sound?
Can... I have your autograph?
Yeah, sure.
Uh... all right, Liam.
Uh, let the games begin!
Come on, everybody, let's go!
I think that went well.
Did it, though?
We need to get all of these
people to agree to vote
and then have them
actually show up to do it.
All right.
I have an idea.
What?
- Absolutely not.
- Why not?
Because, Liam, now is
not the time for a break.
No, but now is the time to get
some attention for winning.
It works every time.
No!
Come on, just one game, Doc.
If we lose, we can call it a day
and we go back
to your way of doing things.
But if we win,
we do things my way.
Unless you're scared.
Scared?
Of losing
in front of the whole town?
I'm not scared.
Then let's do this, Doc!
Come on.
- Okay, fine.
- Yes!
Okay.
All right, everybody.
It is time for
the Bay Cove Challenge!
So grab a partner,
find a station,
let the games begin.
All right, here we go.
Okay.
Oh, good job, good job!
- Are you any good?
- Are you?
Touch.
So, underhand, overhand?
It'll be overhand.
Why don't you show me?
- Okay.
- It was close.
Nice!
Nice! There you go!
It's okay, it's okay.
Okay. One more,
and then we get back to work.
Unless we win.
Unless we win.
I think that we're
gonna win this, Doc.
Any "fin" is possible.
Was that another fish pun?
All right, everybody,
it is time for the baton race!
Runners, you ready?
Get set go!
Whoo, he's fast!
Come on, Isla!
Go, go, go!
Whoo! All right!
You did it, Doc!
The winners are Isla and Liam!
Congratulations! That was great!
That was great!
Go, Isla, whoo!
They're going down.
Ooh, is the doc
feeling competitive?
What? No. No!
It's... it's for the reef,
for the reef.
All right!
Here we go.
On your marks, go!
Let's go, Doc!
Let's go!
Oh! Congratulations!
We did it!
Isla... Isla and Liam
are the winners!
- Lemme get this.
- Thank you.
Okay, that was fun,
but we didn't actually
get anybody signed up.
Excuse me, guys.
My wife and I would love
to show support for the reef
by voting at the hearing.
- Oh!
- Yeah, just, uh,
just put in your name
and your contact info,
and then you hit "submit"
and the details on how to vote
will be emailed to you.
- Well, there.
- Great.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
Thank you. Have a good day.
Whoo-hoo!
What?
I was right. It worked.
You got two people signed up.
Yeah, but it's more
than you had before.
So, my job here
is basically done.
What? No, no, you are committed
to this cause
until all 100 people
are signed up to come vote
at the hearing.
Otherwise, I'm not gonna
push you guys
through for the contract.
Are you always this literal?
Excuse me?
I'm... I'm joking, Doc!
Of course, I know that
two people isn't enough.
Lighten up a little bit, okay?
It didn't sound like a joke.
That's because you don't have
a sense of humor.
Well, that's extremely rude.
Can't help it
if the truth hurts, Doc.
We need to come up
with a better strategy
if we're gonna get
all 100 people
signed up to vote
at the hearing.
All right. Well, uh...
I'll think of something, okay?
See you later, Doc.
Sorry, what does
"think of something".
We only have a couple of days!
- Uh, Isla?
- Yeah?
You have a visitor.
What can I do for you, Liam?
I had a couple ideas
I wanted to run by you.
Please have a seat.
As the face of this movement,
I was thinking
that we could do a fish fry
where everybody dresses up
as sea creatures.
Or, or a water-based
obstacle course
that ends in a balloon fight.
"Gill" -iant, right?
Hm.
Does that enthusiastic reaction
mean yes
or does it mean no?
No, Liam.
Contentless flash
will not get people
to come vote at the hearing.
It will entertain them
for an afternoon
and that's it.
I tried.
Okay, please don't touch
anything.
Okay, stop, stop, stop.
What's this over here?
It is the reason the votes
are so important.
This formula could be
a game changer
for conservation efforts,
but I need more funding
to finish it.
How's it work?
Basically, it replenishes
the coral's food supply
and stops it from bleaching.
Stabilizes it and
makes it less susceptible
to environmental factors.
Wow. That's really impressive.
Yeah, we're seeing some
really promising results.
I mean, it's only about 65%
effective right now, hence...
Why you need the grant money.
Precisely.
Precisely.
- Just...
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Who's this cutie?
Uh, that's my mom.
She did everything she could
to help the reef thrive.
She knew that without it,
none of this matters.
And I wanna leave a legacy
behind like that as well,
one where I do everything I can
to make the world
a better place.
How much do you know
about coral bleaching?
I can confidently say
that any previous knowledge
on that topic was not retained.
Great. Well, come on.
As the "face" of the movement,
you can help me get people
signed up at this demonstration.
Bring all of that
wondrous charm.
Follow my lead.
Okay, but you didn't even hear
my dunk tank idea.
- Is everybody ready?
- Yeah!
The coral reef.
It is a bright
and vibrant landscape
that is home to many species
and protects our coasts.
But when the coral
gets stressed,
it expels zooxanthellae,
the tissue that gives the coral
its bright color,
and it causes it to bleach,
which disrupts
the entire ecosystem
and sets off a chain of events
that affects everything,
including you and me.
Which is why
it is so important for us
to protect our oceans
and the aquatic beings
that call it home.
Ooh!
Does anybody have any questions?
Me! Me! Me!
Great. Uh, Ben.
What's faster,
a marlin or a dolphin?
A marlin.
Who's next?
Me! Me! Me!
Mia.
Do seahorses live
outside salt water?
So there are over 50 species
of seahorses,
and yes, some of them
can live in brackish water.
- Anybody else?
- Me! Me! Me!
Mila.
So how'd you do?
Uh, three. You?
Four.
Ooh, look at you, Doc!
Oh!
- Oh... that's okay.
- Sorry.
Um...
My bad.
It's okay,
it happens all the time.
My mom worked here on weekends
when I was growing up,
and I used to pack a lunch
and just sit
and watch them swim.
When I was growing up,
my friends used to hate
swimming with me,
'cause they said
I'd go underwater
and I wouldn't come back up.
All good?
Yeah, it's just my agent,
it's nothing.
Doesn't sound like nothing.
I'm trying to get out of my
situation with WaterLight.
But your empire!
It's not worth it
if it harms any of this.
You know, I used to wanna be
a marine biologist
when I grew up,
before surfing kinda
took over my life
over the past decade, but...
now, I don't know,
I'm just trying to figure out
if there's still space for it.
Sounds to me like
a classic identity crisis.
Well, you are the doctor.
I say that...
if you want surfing
to be part of your life again,
then make surfing
part of your life again.
You ever surf before?
Um, negative.
You wanna learn?
Not really.
- You sure?
- Very.
Really?
I feel like learning how to surf
from a former pipeline
champion is, like,
a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
It seems like you really wanna
teach me how to surf.
I kinda do.
Just for the satisfaction of
seeing you fall off the board.
You know what?
I would love to learn to surf.
Oh.
Mm-hm. I'll make you a deal.
If you get us to 45 committed
community members
by the end of the day,
I will let you
teach me how to surf.
You have yourself a deal.
And I will see you
in the morning, Doc.
We'll see about that.
We will see about that.
We will see about that.
We will see about that.
What's up, Connie?
Liam, where have you been?
Have you seen the new
WaterLight contract?
I told you that I wanna pass.
As your agent,
I cannot advise you to do that.
Well, as my agent,
I'm asking you to do it.
I don't wanna work
with them anymore, Connie.
I don't think that's
really an option here, Liam.
They've already put a bid in
for the land
for the distribution site
and have purchased
the billboard space.
Well, there are better brands
out there
that we can partner with.
WaterLight was the only brand
to offer you
a sponsorship, Liam.
Great.
Then I won't be sponsored.
What has gotten into you, Liam?
People listen
to what I have to say.
I need to be careful with
who and what I'm promoting.
Not when they're offering you
six-figure contracts, you don't.
Look, I'm not signing
that contract, Connie.
The partnership is over.
You're making a huge mistake.
You know, for the first time
in a long time,
I actually feel
like I'm doing the right thing.
Pass on the contract.
Thank you, Connie.
Hey.
Whoa, Jumpy McGee,
what you working on there?
- Uh, nothing.
- Brooke, that is not nothing.
- That is beautiful.
- They're just...
they're just doodles.
Brooke!
Brooke, I love this.
You know what?
It might be cool
to use these as branding
for the pitch.
It could maybe give us an edge.
Well, I... could create a logo
using that design, if you want.
That would be amazing.
Thank you.
And in return,
I can offer you surf lessons
from a world-renowned surfer.
I told Liam that if he got
45 people committed to vote
by the end of the day
that I would let him
teach me how to surf.
You didn't think he could do it,
did you?
No, I didn't.
But I'm not gonna give him the
satisfaction of knowing that,
so I need you and Charlie
to come and help distract
from my lack of coordination
and athletic ability.
- You got it, sis.
- Thank you.
Those are beautiful.
I can't wait to see the logo.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Um... just felt like
giving it a wax?
I'm teaching a lesson, actually.
A surfing lesson?
Yeah.
Well, that sounds like fun.
Yeah. I think it will be.
Oh, and I, uh,
I reached out to everyone
on Mom's contact list,
got us to 45.
I'm, uh, I'm still waiting
to hear back
from the Wilsons
and the Wends, but, uh,
there's this thing
tomorrow night,
a charity event for
the Small Business Association.
That might be a good place
to get more people
committed to vote.
SBA loves this kind of thing.
That is a great idea.
Thanks, Dad.
All right, thank you so much.
All the voting info will be
emailed to you guys, okay?
Have a nice day.
Hey!
This is my sister Brooke
and her husband Charlie.
- Hi. Nice to meet you, man.
- Yeah.
- Heard a lot about you.
- Nice to meet you.
Uh... so let's go check out
the surf, bae, all right?
Is there a problem?
No problem at all.
Good.
Let's learn to surf.
Let's do it.
I got the boards over here.
Okay.
All right, so you're gonna start
on your belly,
and you're gonna paddle
like this,
and then, when you feel
the pull of the wave,
pop up.
You pop and glide, all right?
Now, don't worry if you
don't get up your first time.
Most people don't.
And usually,
the hand that you write with
is gonna be the foot that
goes in back for stability,
but I'm the opposite
and surf goofy,
so mine goes in front.
Well, that's fitting.
Obviously,
we're just learning here,
so I was thinking
we could give it
a couple rounds in the land,
then give it a quick go
in the water.
All right,
who wants to go first?
Um... we'll meet you
in the water.
- Yeah, let's do that.
- I thought that you guys di...
Have a good time, guys.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that
they already know how to surf.
So you made me give them
that whole demonstration
thinking that they were newbies
and you knew that they weren't.
Uh, maybe.
All right, so I'm gonna just...
Hey, this was your idea.
If you wanna give up,
I'm happy to go back to the lab.
We start with a paddle,
all right?
Okay, we're paddlin'.
- Paddle.
- Okay.
All right, here it comes.
You feel the wave pulling you,
and then you pop up.
Did I do it?
Yeah, Doc.
You nailed it.
I'm gonna just...
I'll do it...
I'll do it one more time.
Yeah, one more time.
We're gonna get that balance
thing squared away.
Oh, well that's probably
never gonna happen,
but it's worth a shot.
So we're back on the board
and we're paddling.
- Paddling.
- And we're paddling fast.
So how did you do it?
Do what?
Get the 45
to commit that quickly?
What can I say, Doc?
People love a local celebrity.
No, I called in
every single favor I could
with every single person
I could get a hold of
and begged them to come.
But hey. It worked.
Yeah. It did.
I, uh, ended my partnership
with WaterLight yesterday.
You did?
I mean, the relationship
had run its course.
Does this have anything
to do with what I said?
That the products are bad
for the environment?
No. I'm just ready for a change.
So what are you gonna do now?
Keep helping my parents
run the dive shop, I guess.
Maybe start surfing again?
This is my first time
back on a board
since my accident.
What happened, anyway?
If you don't mind me asking.
Usually, in the past,
when I fell,
I would just get back
on the board, you know?
The faster the better, but...
that last one got to me.
What was different about it?
When I first started surfing,
it was like
my way of processing things.
Like, nothing was too hard
when I was out on the waves.
I could just clear my mind,
find a way to solve any problem.
And the bigger the problem
or the madder I got,
the harder I'd push myself.
But then I started
to get attention for it,
which led to my image...
The "bad boy" thing.
Exactly.
But, you know,
I'm a different person now.
So what was different
about that last fall?
Well, I tried
to get back on the board
like I always do,
but for some reason, I couldn't.
And that, compounded with
the shame of the actual fall,
was a lot.
So I walked away.
And I know... I know
I'm gonna surf again.
I just... I know it'll have to be
as a different version
of myself.
So how do you feel now?
I was expecting
to feel something big.
Like terror or joy or something.
But instead, you realized
you're hollow inside?
Yes, Doc. Hollow.
No, I feel, uh... I feel calm.
Yeah. Like coming home.
It's not easy but it's familiar.
That's really poetic.
If you had told me the reason
that I'd be getting
back on the board
was because I was
working with a scientist
on what is basically
a grown-up group project,
then I'd tell you you're insane.
Well, sometimes life
can surprise you.
Ain't that the truth.
All right, you two. Play nice!
We will.
Thanks for coming, guys!
I gotta say, Doc, you looked
pretty good out there.
Oh yeah, thanks.
Once I found my sea legs,
really, uh... loved it?
Yes!!
Liam, Liam!
- Can we get a photo?
- Yeah, of course.
We're going to the billboard
reveal on the 30th.
We can't wait.
Thanks again!
Bye!
What was that all about?
I have no idea.
I wonder what's going on there.
We've been petitioning the city
to protect that land for months.
Why?
I'll show you.
So, these turtles,
they're endangered.
And this is their
favorite nesting spot,
so if this land sells,
it could mean
some big problems for them.
Hey. I got an idea.
You thirsty?
Yeah?
I haven't drank
straight from the coconut
since I was a kid.
Then you've been missing out
on years of the best water
on the Florida coast.
My mom used to say
the same thing.
You know, this Save the Reef
project is exactly
the sort of thing
she used to do.
She was on the board
at the Marine Institute.
A founding member, actually.
Wow.
I'm hoping to follow
in her footsteps
with a board seat.
She's what inspired me
to become a marine biologist.
It's funny how parents
will do that to you.
Yeah.
So there's this, uh,
this charity event
that my parents go to
every single year.
It's tomorrow, hosted by
the Small Business Association.
That's cool.
And I was thinking, you know,
maybe it'd be cool
if we went, we mingled,
we get some people to sign up
to come to the hearing.
That's... a really good idea.
Was that a compliment?
Absolutely not.
I'll talk to Brooke,
see if she can get us
some materials made up.
Yeah, this, this
doesn't exactly scream,
"Let's change the world."
Okay, I was in a hurry
and I will ask Brooke to fix it.
Good, because this is terrible.
So how long
have you been working
on your little
experiment thingie?
"Experiment thingy"?
You know what I mean.
Uh, about two years.
I came up with the idea while
I was on a dive in school,
and the idea's just been
rolling around
in the back of my brain
ever since.
And then, when I learned
that the board was
opening up a new seat
to a candidate with
a fully funded research project,
I got to work.
And now, here we are,
trying to get the grant from
the municipal funds hearing.
I'm worried
that the committee is
gonna look down on my product
because it's not 100% effective,
but I'm trying to get it up
to at least 90% effectiveness
by the hearing.
Which, speaking of,
I need to get back to the lab.
I'm testing out
a new phylo substance
on the coral today.
Sounds exceptionally nerdy.
But potentially world-changing!
I'll see you tomorrow.
- What's up, Mom?
- Hey, honey.
Did you go surfing today?
Just taught a lesson.
Anyway, is that ticket
to the charity event
still on the table?
I think we can make that happen.
What about two?
- Two?
- Yeah, one for me
and one for Dr. Waters.
Look, it's a long story, Mom.
Can we make two tickets happen?
- Sure, absolutely.
- Cool.
- Hey.
- Don't look!
Okay.
Making something for me?
I won't know
until it's finished.
Coast is clear...
What is going on?
Oh. Mayor Wade is
Dad's new client.
And apparently,
it's going pretty well.
- So, huge favor to ask.
- Huh-huh.
Well, two favors, technically.
One: How hard would it be
to make a new information page
for when people sign up
to vote at the hearing?
Oh, not hard at all.
What are we working with?
Yeah, that is bad.
That's why I need your help.
All right, if that's one,
what's two?
So Liam invited me to this
charity event thing,
and I was wondering
if we could have
some materials made up
to hand out.
What kind of things?
Like pamphlets, info packets,
that kinda thing?
Yeah, absolutely.
When do you need 'em?
Tomorrow?
Tomorrow tomorrow.
Yes.
Great. Sure!
Absolutely, I can do that.
Thank you, thank you,
thank you...
Well, if it gets you
that spot on the board finally,
it'll be worth it.
Thank you.
No prob.
So.
This morning was fun.
What?
Surfing! With Liam.
You know, when he started
at the Institute,
I thought for sure
you two would kill each other.
Uh, yeah, we definitely
did not start off
- on the right fin.
- Fin?
Foot.
Did you just make a fish pun?
Uh, Liam must be
rubbing off on me.
Uh-huh.
- What?
- Nothing!
It's just nice
seeing you like this.
Like what?
Relaxed. Chill.
- I'm always chill.
- Yes, I know, but...
there is something different.
You seem happier.
Do not read into it,
it is a good thing.
Whatever you say.
I will see you soon.
- All right.
- Thank you. I love you.
I love you.
- You are the best.
- I know.
Dr. Waters.
Oh, Dr. Maris. Hi!
- How's it going?
- Uh, good.
I'm just working
on my presentation,
and it's going really well,
actually.
The data is solid
and the plan of action is
thoroughly researched.
All we need is the 100
community members in attendance,
and with our new spokesperson,
I actually think
that that might happen.
About that.
The board is a bit hesitant
about the involvement
of Liam Smith.
What? Why?
His past partnerships
have raised some concerns.
They're worried he might be
sending the wrong message.
I understand your hesitancy,
and to be honest, I shared it.
But Liam is completely on board
with the mission.
He's given up
his WaterLight contract,
he's invested in the reef.
I hope you're right, Isla.
If not, you could have
hitched your horse
to the wrong wagon.
Liam can be trusted.
I'm sure of it.
Great.
I look forward to the hearing
and your presentation
to the board.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hm.
Oh, uh, Dr. Maris.
Do you know anything
about the sale of the land
at Pebble Beach?
No, I don't. Why?
There was a pending
for sale sign there.
Let me look into it.
- Okay. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Hey.
Did you go surfing this morning?
What prompted that?
I don't know, just...
felt like time, I guess.
Really proud of you, son.
Oh, you know, we've got
a dive with Dr. Waters
- in 15 minutes.
- Oh, I can handle it.
- Are you sure? Cause I...
- No, no, no, no.
I got it.
All right.
And I'll see you soon.
Have a great dive!
Hey!
- One, um, your boat is ready.
- Thank you.
And two...
I have a surprise for you.
Can you stop by my studio
before the charity event?
Yeah, sure.
Have a nice dive.
Thanks, sis.
I'm Mr. Seahorse.
Yee-haw! Yee-haw!
And I'm Mr. Octopus.
You make me nervous and I ink.
Pew! Pew!
You like the octopus?
Here you go. He's all yours,
but if you promise
to keep him safe, okay?
All right, go run on back
to your parents.
Hey.
Is everything okay?
You were serious, right,
about ending your contract
with WaterLight?
No, Doc, I just agreed
to sell them my life rights.
Of course I was serious. Why?
I guess the board
is feeling hesitant
about you being
the face of our cause,
what with that partnership
being...
Environmentally damaging
and very off-brand
for a wildlife-based cause?
- Exactly.
- Look, I totally get it,
but seriously,
you have nothing to worry about.
As much as it pains me
to admit it,
you were right, okay?
I got a platform
and I should be using it
for things that matter.
Like, uh, saving the reef.
All right, Doc?
Let's do it.
Do you always park this far out?
All the boats should be
parked out this far.
We all gotta try to be better
about leaving no trace.
Which is why I mistook
your boat for mine.
You were parked
in my eco-friendly spot.
What's the story with that?
Well, I made that
right after I became
a certified dive instructor.
I found that when
I take people out,
there tend to be nerves,
especially in kids
and first-time divers.
And, uh, well, these guys here
help them to relax
and remind them
that this is supposed
to be fun, ya know?
So I've had it with me
ever since.
All right.
I'll be right here
if you need me, Doc.
You're not diving with me?
Well, it's the divemaster's job
to make sure that the diver
is safe.
But you have a radio.
So, I don't see the harm
in you coming with me.
After you, Doc.
Let's do this thing.
All right,
I will see you tonight.
See ya tonight.
Connie, hey.
Well, hello
to my favorite surfer!
Alright,
everything is good to go
for your extension
with WaterLight,
and good news, your billboard
will officially debut tomorrow.
Hopefully it will give your
mayor the push he needs
to sign off
on that packaging plant.
What are you talking about?
I told you!
WaterLight's new
packaging plant in Bay Cove
and the hometown billboard
to promote!
You're the face of the fastest
growing cleaning product
in North America!
I don't want to continue
the partnership, Connie.
That's not...
Look, I don't have anything
more to say than that.
I understand you're going
through an identity crisis
but this deal
is bigger than that,
so I went around you, Liam.
Sorry to say it but somebody's
got to save your career
and it's looking like
it's not going to be you.
My career doesn't need saving.
Shred the contract, Connie.
We can't.
We've reached a verbal
agreement with them, Liam.
If we don't move forward
they'd be well
within their right to sue.
I know this is hard for you,
but I'm just trying
to keep the door open
to the world of pro surfing
so whenever you've worked out
whatever it is
you need to work out,
you have a career
to come back to.
- Hey.
- Hey!
Do you know
what this is all about?
- I have no idea. You?
- No idea.
Great, glad we're
on the same page.
Hey, guys!
Thank you all for coming.
As you know, Isla gave me
free rein on the design
for the Small Business
Association event tonight,
which you will not regret,
hopefully.
Uh...
Okay, close your eyes.
Just...
She always does this,
doesn't she?
Every single time.
Anyway, I wanted
to create something
timeless and special
for the charity event
and my mind kept coming back
to Mom's painting.
Alright, three, two, one, open!
What do you guys think?
Oh my gosh, you guys hate it.
No, no.
It's stunning!
It's absolutely incredible.
Um, everything is printed
and ready to go.
I even had stickers made,
I mean, because who doesn't
love a sticker, right?
I was worried I had gone too far
finishing Mom's painting.
No.
No.
I'm so glad you did.
You know, you girls make up
the best parts of her.
You know, she would be so proud
of the women you grew up to be.
You two have given your mother
another chance
to be a part
of the efforts to saving
one of her favorite places.
I love you so much.
I love you too.
- Hey.
- Hey!
Look at you.
Don't you clean up nice.
Right back at ya, Doc.
Was that a compliment?
Absolutely not.
- Isla, there's something that...
- So I...
Sorry, ladies first.
What's this?
To replace the one
you gave away this morning.
We can't have the emergency hat
lacking in backup.
So what was it that
you wanted to tell me?
Um, it can wait until tomorrow.
Are you sure?
Shall we get going?
- Yeah.
- After you.
Thank you, thank you.
This is a beautiful house.
Thank you.
Oh, Liam. Look at this.
Look at this.
Yeah, don't worry, Brooke
made sure we were covered.
- What?
- You sign right here.
I may or may not have been
in on the surprise.
Hey!
Thank you for holding down
the fort.
Happy to.
You must be Dr. Waters.
- I'm Lana and this is Kevin.
- Hi!
Nice to meet you, Doctor.
Nice to meet you.
And please call me Isla.
My mom and my dad.
Hey, thanks again
for setting up.
It's our pleasure.
So nice to meet you.
You as well.
This looks beautiful.
Thank you again.
This is amazing.
- Check this out.
- Wait, Liam,
when did we get up
to 87 confirmed voters?
Turns out that my parents
would have made
a better spokesperson than me.
I told them about the cause
and they were happy to help.
- Shall we get to work?
- Please.
Uh, you take that side,
I'll take this side.
Sounds good, Doc.
Hi, you guys have a moment
to talk about our local reef?
All right, thank you so much.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Thanks, guys.
That looks like fun.
You know what?
It does.
You thinking what I'm thinking?
Are you thinking dancing?
I'm thinking dancing. Yeah.
Let's dance.
Okay, so you got any moves?
Yeah, I got this one right here,
it's called
the Thumbs to the Side.
Oh, I like that one.
This is almost like disco.
- The Isla Waters.
- Isla Waters?
Isla Waters, like the ocean.
- That's called the Robot.
- I know it.
Can I have this dance, Doc?
I would love that.
You know, when I first met you
I thought you were
this know-it-all,
fussy perfectionist
who didn't have any fun.
But I was wrong.
You're not so bad yourself.
You know,
I heard through the grapevine
that someone surfed
this morning.
It's a small town, people talk.
I'd love to give credit
to the humor-less scientist
who helped me
get back on the board,
but then I'd have
to admit to her
that she might be kinda great.
And you wouldn't
want to do that.
No, no, no.
Because I wouldn't want it
to get to her head.
She's got enough
going for her already.
I have a surprise for you.
You do?
Come check this out.
Wait, what?
We have 102 confirmed
community members
coming to the vote tomorrow.
Liam, are you serious?
As a shark attack.
Well, isn't that... "fintastic"?
Was that a fish pun, Doc?
Maybe.
Liam, thank you for all of this.
I couldn't have done
any of this without you.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Thank you for trusting me
to be your spokesperson.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Isla, there is something
that I need to tell you.
- Oh, sorry.
- Go ahead.
- I'll be quick.
- Okay.
Hello?
How'd we do?
You guys crushed it.
Seriously, you're hired.
I'm so happy we could help.
You know, this has been
really refreshing to see.
You reminded me
of your old self.
What do you mean?
The Liam before the awards
and the accolades.
The Liam
who just loved the ocean.
Look, I know coming back to Bay
Cove wasn't what you wanted.
That's the understatement
of the year.
But seeing you like this,
with a mission, a purpose,
working on something bigger
than yourself,
it's been really incredible.
She's one special girl.
Yeah, she is.
Did you see the email?
- No.
- The grant hearing
and the vote have been canceled.
What? Why?
I guess something came up
and they decided
to push it indefinitely.
But the board, what does this
mean for the board?
The board has held off
as long as they could
on making a decision.
Since you won't be presenting,
I'm afraid they'll have to go
in a different direction.
By the way,
I looked into the sale
of the land near Pebble Beach.
It looks like a packaging plant
is going up there.
I'm sorry, Isla.
We did all we could.
Hey, hey, is everything okay?
It's canceled.
The hearing tomorrow.
What? Why?
I don't know, Dr. Maris
just said that the mayor
pushed it indefinitely.
Well, they can't just do that,
can they?
Apparently they can.
Then, you know what?
We'll find another way. Okay?
There he is!
Liam, that reef demonstration
video you posted? Genius.
You've got the environmentalists
back on your good side.
Could be a nice rebrand.
"From bad boy to
conservationist."
Oh! It's you!
You look great on camera.
Ever thought about hosting?
You posted a video of my work on
social media without telling me?
I didn't think that
it'd be a big deal.
What you were doing was so
educational and if I thought...
Genius!
I couldn't have thought of
a better PR move myself!
Now, you know the mayor?
She's gonna be the one
leading the event.
What event?
The reveal of Liam's
new WaterLight billboard
right on Main Street.
We're gonna start there
for the press conference
then we're gonna move up
to their new site
right on Pebble Beach.
Sorry, Pebble Beach?
Yes, honey, WaterLight
has plans to buy that land.
Build a plant.
You knew that
that land was important.
I did not know that that
was the site for the plant.
But you knew about the plant?
Liam, you told me you ended
your WaterLight contract.
You said you were done.
Oh no, we re-upped
for another three years.
Liam, this lighting is perfect.
Give me one minute, okay?
Isla, please listen to me.
You told me you weren't
working with them anymore.
So what, you lied to me?
Not, exactly.
I don't want to work
with them anymore.
But you still have
a contract with them?
I tried to end my contract but...
They offered too much money.
I didn't have a choice.
So you used me?
You used my cause
to bolster your image?
Make yourself the face
of the Save the Reef Project
and share it all over
social media so what,
you could clear your conscience
about cashing
your WaterLight check?
I can't believe this.
Isla, wait.
Everyone
was right about you, Liam.
All you care about is yourself.
Okay, this is perfect.
Let's snap a couple of pics
of you two,
this lighting is fantastic.
Now, if I get this printed,
you'll sign it for me, right?
Excuse me.
Irving Conway is on his way.
The CEO of WaterLight? Why?
To make sure that everything
goes as planned tomorrow.
I mentioned to him
that you wanted out
and now he's threatening to sue.
Good. Let him.
For five million dollars.
So it's in everyone's
best interest
that you just see this through.
They need this to go well
for the mayor
to approve their request
to build on the coast.
Now get over there and give
everyone that megawatt smile
that you're known for.
I can't believe I trusted him.
You had no reason not to.
Well, I can't believe
I let this happen.
You had no way of knowing that
this was how things
were gonna shake out.
But if I'm being honest,
this doesn't sound
like Liam at all.
He came by the studio after you,
he asked me to help make
something for the booth
for the charity event.
He lit up
when he talked about you.
About the reef. About what
you two were doing together.
Right.
Trust me.
I was there.
He cares about you, Isla.
Just not enough
to tell me the truth.
I should get back.
I really need to finish
my presentation.
Okay. I'll come with you.
Hey, if it wasn't for you,
I would have missed the deadline
to apply to Walleston.
It's the least I can do.
Come on, let's go.
Okay, I'm almost done.
What do you think?
It doesn't matter what I think.
It matters what you think.
And what the board thinks.
Nothing is going to make up
for my lack of funding.
But at least you'll have
something to show the board.
We're live at Town
Hall with Mayor Wade
and four time Pipeline winner,
Liam Smith.
Uh... Isla?
Liam, do you have a few words
for our loyal viewers?
What's going on?
We have an incredible
opportunity here as a community
to show support for a cause
that can make a real difference.
The Save the Reef Project.
Now, the Save the Reef Project
is spearheaded
by the incomparable
Dr. Isla Waters
of the Marine Institute
which aims to protect and
preserve our precious reefs
and the ecosystems
that call it home.
But the grant hearing today
was cancelled.
We have an opportunity here
to demand change.
To hold our leaders accountable
to do what is best
for our community.
So I'm asking you
to join me at Town Hall
and show your support of
the Save the Reef Project
and demand that they hear
our presentation
as previously scheduled.
I'm sorry, I thought
we were here to discuss
a new billboard
for the WaterLight spot
and the pending packaging plant
in Bay Cove.
Right. About that...
This is no longer about me.
I urge you to head down
to Town Hall today
and cast your votes,
let your voices be heard.
We want that land protected,
not sold to WaterLight.
And I know you feel
the same way, Mrs. Mayor.
Of course.
Which is why the hearing today
is so important.
It's not up to me, Mr. Smith.
You wouldn't want to let down
your community
after they came all this way to
show their support, would you?
No. Of course not.
I know how hard Dr. Waters
and this entire community
has worked on this project
and the municipal council
would love to hear her speak
this afternoon.
Thank you. We're gonna continue
live from Town Hall.
This is a developing story.
You heard it first from us.
This is Christina Figueroa.
Back to you.
Um... I think we need to get you
to Town Hall.
- I think we do.
- Come on!
Yeah. Yeah, that's perfect.
Okay.
All right, I'll see you soon.
Bye.
Liam! What was that?
Me, doing the right thing.
Mr. Conway is
not going to be happy...
That's not my problem.
I never signed the contract
with WaterLight.
I don't owe them anything.
- You can't do this...
- I'm done.
With all of this, Connie.
Thank you for everything.
Excuse me?
You're fired, Connie.
Are all of these people here
to vote for our cause?
There you two are!
Hi, what are
you guys doing here?
Well, Liam called us.
Yeah, we came
as soon as we heard.
Already cast our vote.
Didn't he call you?
Um, I must have missed it.
Couple of times.
If you guys don't mind,
I'll be right back.
Thank you guys so much
for voting.
- I'll tell you later.
- Okay, what's going on?
I will fill you in.
- Oh, there she is.
- Hi!
Mr. Gregson,
what are you doing here?
Not that I'm not honored
that a member of the board
showed up to support.
I wouldn't have missed it!
As soon as the board heard
that the mayor
was pushing this hearing,
we had to support you
and give you our votes.
Thank you.
But how did you know about that?
I may have given them a sneak
peek at your presentation.
You did?
It was incredibly compelling.
It's a project
we'd love to get behind.
Thank you.
That means so much.
We'll see you inside, okay?
Okay. Thank you!
Hey.
Hey.
So, your billboard?
Yeah, I called in some favors
to get it replaced.
It's amazing what offering
an autographed photo will do.
What about your contract?
Well, I looked into it and
since I technically
never signed the contract
with WaterLight,
I don't owe them anything.
I'm a free agent.
You better get in there.
You've got a grant to win.
Did you hear? Could you
hear what I was saying?
- They loved it!
- It felt really good.
So, how'd it go?
- I think I crushed it.
- She totally crushed it.
Dad, this is Liam Smith.
- Good to meet you, son.
- Good to meet you too.
You know,
I used to love to shred
a big curl back in the day.
- Yeah?
- Dad!
We should totally
catch a wave sometime.
Dude, that would be awesome!
Never has he crushed a wave.
- Dr. Waters?
- Yes?
I wanted you to hear it from me.
I'm so sorry
but the committee opted
to go in a different direction.
What?
Your presentation was fantastic,
your voter turnout was great.
The committee just felt
that it wasn't the right use
of the community funds
at this time.
I'm so sorry, Dr. Waters.
But...
What happened?
It's over.
It's all over.
Liam, I am so sorry.
For what?
That you gave it all up
for nothing.
Come on, it wasn't for nothing.
This means I'm not getting
the board seat.
Right.
I'll find a way
to break the news to my parents.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Okay.
Hey, it's gonna be okay.
I'm sorry.
It's kinda cool that he did.
Thank you.
Hey, buddy!
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
You know, you two could really
do something with this.
We could make it worthwhile,
add a link to a donation page,
get some more funding
for the research.
Since the grant is
no longer an option.
There's always next year, Isla.
What I'm worried about
is the Smiths
and their dive shop
and the reef.
I mean, at the rate
we're going, next year...
might be too late.
Then we might have
to do something about that.
Dad, Mayor Wade. Hi.
Dr. Waters. Hi, Brooke.
I have something
I'd like to present to you.
If you're open to it.
Of course.
The committee didn't feel
they were in a position
to release the funds.
I disagreed.
So I'd like to offer you
grassroots funding
as part of my campaign.
The Save the Reef Project
would be
one of the tent poles
of my campaign
and I guarantee that my first
order of business as Mayor
would be to fully fund
this project
in partnership with
the Marine Institute
and oppose the sale
of Pebble Beach to WaterLight.
I reached out to the board
before coming here
and got their approval
and they are 100% in favor.
So, the decision is yours, Isla.
I'll give you a moment
to think about it.
Can I get you
something to drink?
That would be great. Thanks.
This way.
- I have to go.
- Where are you going?
To find Liam.
I'll be right back!
Hey, um, is Liam here?
We haven't seen him.
Maybe check the dock?
Okay, thank you.
You have a really amazing son.
Like, he might be one of
the best people I've ever met.
Oh, and I'm looking forward
to our continued partnership.
Did she really just say that?
- She did.
- Oh my God!
That's fantastic!
Are you kidding me?
Don't worry.
It's my mom's formula.
Totally safe, I triple checked.
Good, we wouldn't want you
falling back into your old ways.
No, I have no time for that.
No, you don't.
Because as a divemaster
for the Marine Institute,
you are going to be very busy.
What?
Mayor Wade wants
to fund our project
as part of her campaign.
Liam, we did it, the
Save the Reef Project is a go!
The board is 100% behind us.
- You got the board seat?
- Yes!
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh! Yes!
Wow.
So now next time when
you climb into my boat,
it will be the right one.
And I guess this technically
means I'm your boss now.
I think since
we're contracted out
we're more like partners.
Partners implies that
we'll be working together.
Something I think
we're rather good at.
- Oh, do you now?
- Do you not?
I'll have to get back
to you on that.
Oh, so about the video.
I will take it down.
No, no! Don't!
While I don't agree with
the unethical practice
of posting without
somebody's permission,
you were right.
Giving people
something to engage with
is a great way to
get them involved.
And I was thinking
that maybe we could
turn the video into a series?
As long as we leave
the branding to Brooke.
Fair enough.
Look, Liam, I am so sorry
for what I said last night.
I was upset and I took it out
on you and that is not okay...
You had every right to.
I mean, you weren't
entirely wrong.
I was being selfish
and I cared
way too much about my hair
and I may have been
a little bit cocky.
But then I met this woman
and she showed me that
there's more to life
than just focusing on myself.
Plus she helped me
get back on the board
when nothing else could.
Hm, well, she sounds
pretty "fintastic."
And like she might be
your "sole" mate.
Get it, sole, like the fish?
Yes, you goof, I get it.
Can I kiss you now?
That would be absolutely
"krilliant."
Have a good day, guys.
Good morning, Pete!
Dr. Waters, how are ya?
I'm good, how are you?
Oh, baby watch has
officially started, hasn't it?
I know, I'm gonna be
a grandfather,
can you believe it?
I can't, I'm so excited for you!
- Next.
- Hey.
Can I get
two black coffees, please?
Sure! That'll be $7.13.
It's been six months
since Bay Cove's very own
and world-renowned surfer,
Liam Smith,
threw the surf community
for a loop,
throwing in the towel
the same day
that he nearly won
the Pipeline Masters.
While we are speculating
as to why,
our sources can confirm
that Liam, as of today,
has not gotten back
on the board.
Excuse me, Mr. Smith,
can I get your autograph?
Yeah, of course.
- What's your name?
- Ally.
Ally, A-L-L-Y?
However you want to spell it.
Thank you.
You got it, have a great day.
You too!
Connie, hey!
Hello to our surf world bad boy!
I've been trying to get
a hold of you for days,
where have you been?
You know, just livin', laughing.
As you should be.
Listen, did you get my message
about the competition?
Yeah, I did.
I think I'm gonna have to pass
on that one.
Pass?
You're basically guaranteed
to win if you compete.
Just think about it, would you?
No, no, no,
I want to talk to him!
Hey, I gotta run.
Could you post one of
those pictures I sent you?
Gotta keep that image up.
Bye.
- Ah!
- Who are you?
Who are you?
I asked first,
why are you on my boat?
I'm Dr. Waters,
and this is my boat!
Look what you made me do!
I didn't make you do anything,
and no, this is my boat.
Base, this is Dr. Waters.
There's a suspicious person
on my boat...
Base, there is a suspicious
person on my boat.
Hey, what's going on here?
Who are you?
I'm one of the Marine
Institute's divemasters.
- Who are you?
- I'm...
beginning to believe
I might be on the wrong boat.
Oh, really?
I think you dropped this.
Oh, thank you, thank you!
All right!
Wait, you're that guy, right?
That surfer guy?
I think that you're confusing me
with some other
very handsome guy.
Anyway, this has been fun,
but I gotta run.
Swim.
That was weird.
Thank you for this.
Hey!
Mm, hey!
- Here you go!
- Thank you!
Cardboard straw.
Yup, Rise and Grind
took your words to heart.
No more plastic straws.
Mm!
You get used to it.
It's worth it
if it's for the reef.
Dr. Maris!
I noticed in your last report
- you're close to a breakthrough.
- Mhm.
What you've got here,
Dr. Waters,
something that could reverse
coral bleaching
would be massive
for the ecological community.
The Board was very impressed
with the idea.
The Board?
You showed the Board?
I may have given them
a sneak preview.
- And?
- I have a feeling
they're gonna choose
a certain top marine biologist
for the spot.
Wait, you're not talking
about Nancy, right?
Because she is brilliant.
I'm talking about you.
The Board has had
its eye on you for years.
This is the natural next step.
Thank you.
Mhm. Now, your 12 o'clock
is here.
Oh, great!
Thank you.
Thought that was gonna be
the WaterLight display.
Well, it was,
but in order for us
to keep our green certification,
we can only sell
environmentally safe products.
Okay.
How'd it go today?
Absolutely pointless.
But you got in the water.
Yeah.
Your agent called today.
She called you?
I guess you got an offer
to be a judge
at this year's Pipeline Masters.
And what'd you tell her?
That you'd call her back!
This could be
a good opportunity, a comeback!
I'm not looking
for a comeback, Dad.
I don't need a comeback.
Diving is fine, working
with you guys is fine, I'm fine.
It's all fine.
- Dad?
- Hm?
What's this?
Oh. It's nothing.
Dad.
It's all under control, Liam.
Yeah, well, that didn't look
under control.
Had a few tough months.
Let me help you guys out.
I know starting a business
in this market...
Everything is fine, son.
I have to have
some equipment washed down.
Do you mind holding the fort
while I go do that?
Yeah.
Hey!
Hey!
- What are you working on?
- Nothing.
Did inspiration for
the Wallston Art School
- application finally strike?
- I'm just doodling.
Seriously, it's nothing.
You know what you should do?
One of me,
but as a Grecian mermaid.
That would absolutely impress
the Admissions Council!
You sound like Dad.
Yeah,
'cause we're both geniuses.
Speaking of Dad,
we need to get to dinner.
Yes. Let's go!
Okay, what about one of me
but as a real estate agent
for aquatic properties
like Atlantis?
Are we brainstorming ideas
about Brooke's
grad school application?
We are,
and if I do say so myself,
it is going very well.
I cannot with you two.
She just doesn't
understand genius.
That's what I said.
Whatcha got there, Dad?
Oh, I found these
up in the attic.
Your mother must've
put them up there
and forgot about 'em.
I thought you each
should take one.
I have your mother's art
hanging all over my house.
- Thanks.
- I love that, thanks, Dad!
Oh, sounds like dinner's ready!
Got it, got it, got it!
How about me as a pirate,
but on a sunken ship?
Ooh, I love that,
like a mer-pirate!
Mhm!
Um, yup, that's it.
That's the winner! Done.
- I mean, I think it's brilliant.
- Mhm!
It is a masterpiece
waiting to be brought to life.
Great!
Yes!
Thank you!
Who was that?
Dr. Maris over
at the Marine Institute.
We are officially
the new temporary divemasters.
And if it all goes well,
this could lead
to a full-time contract,
which means that...
The shop will be able
to stay open?
I may or may not have done
some snooping.
Yeah, things have been
a little tight recently.
But this is exactly
what we need.
Now let's get this place
locked up,
because you have
an early dive in the morning.
Sounds good.
Well, I think it's great, honey.
- What's great?
- Hey!
Hey!
Isla turned in
her grant application
for her Save the Reef project
today.
Which means
your experiment worked.
Almost.
I've found a way
to help the coral regenerate,
but we're not seeing
the long-term effects
that we'd like,
so I need the grant,
and I'm hoping that Mayor Wade
will overlook the fact
that I'm your daughter.
I have no idea
what you're talking about.
Dad and Mayor Wade have had
this competition thing
for like the last 20 years.
They're exaggerating.
Literally since high school,
they have competed
for everything.
- The scholarship.
- Dad won.
- The valedictorian spot.
- Mayor Wade won!
Dad beat out Mayor Wade
for Bay Cove's best pie
at this year's summer bake sale.
And the year before.
But there is
no competition there.
No, none.
You know,
they spend so much time
thinking about each other,
you'd think
they were secretly in love.
Sorry.
Hey, I just got
a new client meeting.
Congratulations!
And make sure you save room
for dessert,
because I made pie.
Wait, what kind?
Dutch apple, your favorite.
Do you believe in soul mates?
You mean those two?
Mhm.
Yeah, absolutely.
Why, do you not?
I think it's a nice idea
in theory,
but something about it
seems so unattainable.
I mean, statistically speaking,
the odds of finding someone
that you'll like
for that extended period of time
are astronomically low.
Honey, some things
you can't look at
with a scientific eye.
Sometimes you just gotta
go with the flow,
see where it takes you.
I've never done that.
I know you haven't.
Marsha!
Mayor Wade.
To what do I owe the pleasure?
I think I'm your nine o'clock.
Uh, not unless
you're Kenzie Robey.
That would be my assistant.
She must have given you
her name.
And she did give you
the right specs.
These are beautiful.
I mean, the color scheme
of the cushions is all wrong.
It's an easy fix.
Flower choice is impractical.
Adjustable.
The seating area that's here
is not quite right.
Nothing we can't tweak.
But I don't hate it.
Oh, isn't that a glowing review.
Hey, Dad,
I brought you a coffee.
Uh, Mayor Wade, hi.
Um, what's up?
Mayor Wade is
my new potential client.
Oh, well, that's unexpected.
On many levels.
I have to say,
I've been shopping
for landscape architects
for months.
No one's gotten my vision
the way you have.
I'll send you my notes
tomorrow morning.
I'm looking forward
to your pitch
at the municipal grant funds
hearing, Dr. Waters.
Your Save the Reef project
sounds very intriguing.
Thank you!
Uh, what just happened?
I have no idea.
Dr. Waters.
Paging Dr. Isla Waters,
your boat is ready!
You know you don't have
to call me Dr. Waters.
I'm proud of my sister, the PhD.
Paging Dr. Waters.
I'll let the divemaster know
you're on your way.
Thank you.
Hey, Pete, I...
You.
And you.
What are you doing here?
What are you doing here?
Why are you just repeating
what I'm saying?
I'm not,
I'm just asking questions.
That happen to be
the same ones you're asking.
I'm the new divemaster.
You? You're joking.
Serious as a shark attack.
You can't even tell
which boat is yours,
how are you gonna be my backup
on the open water?
Looks like you're just gonna
have to trust me, Doc.
Give me a minute.
Bay Cove Aquarium.
Brooke.
Isla? What's wrong?
Where's Pete? Is he okay?
Oh, yeah.
His daughter went into labor
a little early,
so he had to leave, why?
How long will he be gone?
A month. Why?
Do you know
who the new divemaster is?
Um, Liam something, right?
Yeah, Liam Smith,
that surfer guy that went MIA
after last year's
Pipeline Masters?
Oh, my gosh. Yes!
Wait, wait,
he's our new divemaster?
Uh-huh.
It looks like his shop
was the only one
on the approved list
from the Board
that had the availability,
so if you want to go out
to the reef in the next month,
he's your only option.
Okay, thank you.
Ready, Doc?
Yes, but I'm navigating.
What's wrong, Doc?
I think I forgot my hat.
Oh, I have one.
It would look
really good on you.
What is this?
A hat.
So what are we going out for?
No, thank you, I got it.
Um, we are not going out
for anything.
I am going out
to collect samples,
and you are driving.
And protecting your face
from the sun.
I will have you know
that this hat
is for emergencies only.
What are you doing?
Going diving.
No, no, the divemaster
stays on the boat
in case I have any problems.
Yeah, but your other guy
dove with you.
That was different.
How?
It just was.
Don't worry, Doc,
I'll keep the radio on me.
That's not how this works.
Sorry, I'm not done loading...
I'm not done loading that yet.
Thanks for the charter.
Yeah, well, it's my job now.
Speaking of, how did
a world-renowned surfer
become a boat driver
for scientists?
Just riding the wave of life,
I guess.
Hey, so those photos
you were taking,
what are they for?
Just keeping tabs
on what's going on down there.
That spot peaked my interest
a couple months ago.
Uh, could you send them to me?
I'm putting together a pitch
for the municipal funds grant,
and they could be
really helpful.
It is him. Liam?
Hey, how's it going?
Hey, can I please
have your autograph?
Yeah, of course.
What are your names?
- I'm Riley.
- Sarah.
Riley and Sarah,
it's a pleasure to meet you.
You are my favorite surfer!
Do you think
we could get a selfie?
- Yeah, of course!
- Thank you, thank you.
- Here, you want me to take it?
- Yeah.
Or actually, here,
why don't you snap it, Doc?
Are you serious?
Yeah, of course.
Come on.
Thank you!
Yay, thank you!
Thank you, hope to see you back
on the board soon!
Have a nice day!
Bet that never gets old.
You know, it doesn't, no
Okay, so about those photos.
Yeah, listen,
I'm gonna need something
in return for them, Doc.
You give my diving services
a glowing review.
From the dive we just took?
Yeah, my parents are up for
one of the full-time contracts
with you guys,
which would be pretty rad
for all parties involved.
Sure, I won't tell Dr. Maris
that you dove with me,
that you spent company time
taking selfies with your fans,
or about your incredibly
annoying attitude.
Great, then the pics are yours!
Speaking of, do you want
a selfie with me?
Content featuring my face
does very well
on other people's
social media pages.
I don't do social media,
but thanks.
If you could just
send the photos
to the email address
on this card,
that would be fantastic.
Aye-aye, Captain!
Thank you!
Dr. Waters.
Good afternoon,
Dr. Waters.
We received your application
for the municipal funds grant,
but you were missing a section.
I was?
Yes, it looks like
you were working
from an old application.
The guidelines for the grant
changed six months ago.
Everything else
on your application is correct,
it's just missing the portion
about the 100 community members
voting at the hearing.
I can process your application
without the information
of your 100 community members,
but we can't hear your cause
without their votes.
Okay, yes, go ahead
and process the application.
The 100 required voters
will be in attendance.
Mhm. Yes, we have field trips
every day,
including the weekends.
Yes, they...
I'm gonna have to put you
on a brief hold.
- What's wrong?
- What are you doing on the 30th?
Uh, something very important
that you need me for?
So it turns out I need
100 community members
to come vote at the hearing
in order to have
our cause heard.
Okay, how many
do you have signed up?
Well, that section
wasn't on the application
that I was working from.
Um, okay.
Do you know what you need?
A spokesperson.
Someone to get the word out,
get people excited to support.
What do you think
I've been doing?
Right, and you've been doing
a great job,
but do you remember
when you were trying
to get people involved
with your project
and you hosted
that Games and Gills night
instead of knocking on doors
and maybe like five people
showed up?
Well, six, if you count Dad.
My point exactly.
And that was with
the Marine Institute's
directory of contacts.
This endeavor,
as valiant as it is,
has historically not had
the best turn out.
So if you want people
to commit their time,
you need to give them something
to get excited about!
Just a thought.
Oh! Like that dog
that skateboards!
Sparky would get people excited.
Sparky.
Go call Sparky's agent.
Call Sparky's agent.
Is that something
I can find online,
the phone number?
You think it's...
Yeah, you'll find it!
- All right.
- Thank you for holding.
Thank you.
Hi, my name is Dr. Isla Waters
and I'm calling on behalf
of the Save the Reef project
at the Bay Cove
Marine Institute.
I'm interested in booking Sparky
for a few days.
$3,000 for one day?
Okay, I'm gonna have
to circle back with you.
Thanks.
Change your mind
about that selfie, Doc?
Absolutely not.
Listen, what if I told you
there was a way
that I could guarantee
your family the contract?
I'm listening.
You know that stuff is
really bad
for the environment, right?
Like it could kill off
entire ecosystems
of micro bacteria?
I was told that it's safe
for human use.
That doesn't mean it's safe
for the beings
we share the planet with.
Well, I'm building an empire!
Wait, are you sponsored by them?
Liam, you have a platform.
People in this community care
what you have to say,
and you're using it
to sell that?
That isn't just anything,
that is WaterLight.
It turns any water
that it touches
into medical grade cleaner.
There are not enough hours
in the day
for me to break down
how incredibly problematic
that sentence was.
I was gonna ask you
to be the spokesperson
of the Save the Reef project,
help me get people committed
to come vote
in exchange
for making your family
one of our permanent
divemasters.
However, upon reflection,
I now realize that
that was the wrong move.
Goodbye.
Isla, Isla, Isla, Isla, wait.
Okay, that is Dr. Waters to you.
Okay, sorry, Dr. Waters.
I'm in, I want to do it,
be the spokesperson
for your Save the Reef thing
in exchange for the contract.
While that is
incredibly generous,
the offer is no longer
on the table, so...
I am not above
pushing you off of this dock
and into the water
if you do not get out of my way.
As much as I would love
to see you try,
I just did my hair, so.
What would you need me to do
as a spokesperson?
Hypothetically, I would need you
to help me get people committed
to come vote
at the hearing
on municipal funds on the 30th.
That's it?
I could totally do that.
I know you can.
Which is why I asked.
Well, technically,
you didn't ask, I offered.
Are you always this infuriating?
Only to the people
that I really like.
Great. Goodbye.
Okay, I think that we may have
gotten off on the wrong fin.
"Fin."
Was that a fish pun?
I'm Liam Smith,
professional surfer,
and I don't normally do this,
but I would like to help.
Okay, look, I didn't know
that those products
were bad for the environment.
They just offered me
a lot of money.
Okay, look, I've noticed
the changes at the reef, too.
If we lose the reef, my parents
are gonna lose their business.
Let's do a trial run.
Meet me at Ocean Park
at nine A.M. sharp.
You got it, Doc.
Maybe don't call me that.
Connie, hey.
I was just wondering if you'd
had a chance to reconsider.
Connie...
I know, I know.
I'm just trying to keep
you relevant in the surf world.
Anyways, the new
WaterLight contract
should be in your inbox
this week,
so this is super hush-hush,
but they're planning on opening
a new packaging plant
right there in Bay Cove.
The PR team loves
this hometown thing
you've got going on,
and they want to put you
on a billboard
right on Main Street.
Right, right.
While that is
technically super cool,
and I would love to be
on a billboard in my hometown
and show the people
that I really made it,
I'm not sure
this is the kind of thing
I want my face
plastered next to.
Well, it's a little too late
for that, isn't it?
I've done some reading
on WaterLight,
and this stuff's not good at all
for the environment.
That's nonsense,
that's all just hearsay.
What really matters is that
the check clears,
and boy, did that check clear.
All right, well, the contract
with them ends this week,
you know, maybe we don't re-up
and we find another partnership.
When the new WaterLight contract
comes in,
we'll chat about it.
Oh, whoops.
Getting another call.
Gotta go. Don't be a stranger.
- Morning, Doc!
- Good morning!
So what are we doing here?
We are here
to get people signed up
to come support us
at the hearing in a few days.
Twelve! Cool.
We need how many?
A hundred.
So I was thinking that
you could introduce yourself,
say your role in the cause,
get people excited to show up.
This is Daphne, the Director
of Community Events.
It is a pleasure to meet you,
Liam.
- We are big fans.
- Thank you!
My son and I cannot wait
to see you back up on the board.
All right, um,
shall we get started?
Yeah, I'll just...
I'll make a quick intro
and then the floor is all yours.
Sounds good.
Great, so if we just
stick to the script,
I think we should be able
to get a few people to commit
to come show up and vote.
- Okay!
- Yeah.
"It is our esteemed honor
to invite you to participate
in a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity
to show your support for
this incredibly sacred endeavor
on which we are embarking."
I'm not gonna read this.
What? Why not?
Come on, the back
of a cereal box
is more interesting than this.
We need to get people excited,
you know,
make them feel included
in the mission.
All right, good morning,
Bay Cove! Woo!
And welcome to the 25th annual
community summer field day!
Now, before the games begin,
I have a quick announcement.
We have a very special
guest with us
who has a worthy cause
and needs our help,
so please welcome
four-time Pipeline winner,
Liam Smith!
Wait, don't you need these?
What up, Bay Cove,
how you doing today?
When I say "Liam,"
you say, "Smith." Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
- Smith!
- Liam!
Smith!
Now that is what
I'm talking about!
Okay, listen, I need your help,
are you guys ready?
Is it true that you're hosting
the Pipeline Masters this year?
I heard you're judging it.
Nothing's decided yet. Now...
When's your book coming out
and are you gonna surf again?
Potentially.
Now, uh, back to the reef.
There's a hearing coming up
on the 30th
that we would love for you guys
to come out
and vote at Town Hall.
How's that sound?
Can... I have your autograph?
Yeah, sure.
Uh... all right, Liam.
Uh, let the games begin!
Come on, everybody, let's go!
I think that went well.
Did it, though?
We need to get all of these
people to agree to vote
and then have them
actually show up to do it.
All right.
I have an idea.
What?
- Absolutely not.
- Why not?
Because, Liam, now is
not the time for a break.
No, but now is the time to get
some attention for winning.
It works every time.
No!
Come on, just one game, Doc.
If we lose, we can call it a day
and we go back
to your way of doing things.
But if we win,
we do things my way.
Unless you're scared.
Scared?
Of losing
in front of the whole town?
I'm not scared.
Then let's do this, Doc!
Come on.
- Okay, fine.
- Yes!
Okay.
All right, everybody.
It is time for
the Bay Cove Challenge!
So grab a partner,
find a station,
let the games begin.
All right, here we go.
Okay.
Oh, good job, good job!
- Are you any good?
- Are you?
Touch.
So, underhand, overhand?
It'll be overhand.
Why don't you show me?
- Okay.
- It was close.
Nice!
Nice! There you go!
It's okay, it's okay.
Okay. One more,
and then we get back to work.
Unless we win.
Unless we win.
I think that we're
gonna win this, Doc.
Any "fin" is possible.
Was that another fish pun?
All right, everybody,
it is time for the baton race!
Runners, you ready?
Get set go!
Whoo, he's fast!
Come on, Isla!
Go, go, go!
Whoo! All right!
You did it, Doc!
The winners are Isla and Liam!
Congratulations! That was great!
That was great!
Go, Isla, whoo!
They're going down.
Ooh, is the doc
feeling competitive?
What? No. No!
It's... it's for the reef,
for the reef.
All right!
Here we go.
On your marks, go!
Let's go, Doc!
Let's go!
Oh! Congratulations!
We did it!
Isla... Isla and Liam
are the winners!
- Lemme get this.
- Thank you.
Okay, that was fun,
but we didn't actually
get anybody signed up.
Excuse me, guys.
My wife and I would love
to show support for the reef
by voting at the hearing.
- Oh!
- Yeah, just, uh,
just put in your name
and your contact info,
and then you hit "submit"
and the details on how to vote
will be emailed to you.
- Well, there.
- Great.
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
Thank you. Have a good day.
Whoo-hoo!
What?
I was right. It worked.
You got two people signed up.
Yeah, but it's more
than you had before.
So, my job here
is basically done.
What? No, no, you are committed
to this cause
until all 100 people
are signed up to come vote
at the hearing.
Otherwise, I'm not gonna
push you guys
through for the contract.
Are you always this literal?
Excuse me?
I'm... I'm joking, Doc!
Of course, I know that
two people isn't enough.
Lighten up a little bit, okay?
It didn't sound like a joke.
That's because you don't have
a sense of humor.
Well, that's extremely rude.
Can't help it
if the truth hurts, Doc.
We need to come up
with a better strategy
if we're gonna get
all 100 people
signed up to vote
at the hearing.
All right. Well, uh...
I'll think of something, okay?
See you later, Doc.
Sorry, what does
"think of something".
We only have a couple of days!
- Uh, Isla?
- Yeah?
You have a visitor.
What can I do for you, Liam?
I had a couple ideas
I wanted to run by you.
Please have a seat.
As the face of this movement,
I was thinking
that we could do a fish fry
where everybody dresses up
as sea creatures.
Or, or a water-based
obstacle course
that ends in a balloon fight.
"Gill" -iant, right?
Hm.
Does that enthusiastic reaction
mean yes
or does it mean no?
No, Liam.
Contentless flash
will not get people
to come vote at the hearing.
It will entertain them
for an afternoon
and that's it.
I tried.
Okay, please don't touch
anything.
Okay, stop, stop, stop.
What's this over here?
It is the reason the votes
are so important.
This formula could be
a game changer
for conservation efforts,
but I need more funding
to finish it.
How's it work?
Basically, it replenishes
the coral's food supply
and stops it from bleaching.
Stabilizes it and
makes it less susceptible
to environmental factors.
Wow. That's really impressive.
Yeah, we're seeing some
really promising results.
I mean, it's only about 65%
effective right now, hence...
Why you need the grant money.
Precisely.
Precisely.
- Just...
- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Who's this cutie?
Uh, that's my mom.
She did everything she could
to help the reef thrive.
She knew that without it,
none of this matters.
And I wanna leave a legacy
behind like that as well,
one where I do everything I can
to make the world
a better place.
How much do you know
about coral bleaching?
I can confidently say
that any previous knowledge
on that topic was not retained.
Great. Well, come on.
As the "face" of the movement,
you can help me get people
signed up at this demonstration.
Bring all of that
wondrous charm.
Follow my lead.
Okay, but you didn't even hear
my dunk tank idea.
- Is everybody ready?
- Yeah!
The coral reef.
It is a bright
and vibrant landscape
that is home to many species
and protects our coasts.
But when the coral
gets stressed,
it expels zooxanthellae,
the tissue that gives the coral
its bright color,
and it causes it to bleach,
which disrupts
the entire ecosystem
and sets off a chain of events
that affects everything,
including you and me.
Which is why
it is so important for us
to protect our oceans
and the aquatic beings
that call it home.
Ooh!
Does anybody have any questions?
Me! Me! Me!
Great. Uh, Ben.
What's faster,
a marlin or a dolphin?
A marlin.
Who's next?
Me! Me! Me!
Mia.
Do seahorses live
outside salt water?
So there are over 50 species
of seahorses,
and yes, some of them
can live in brackish water.
- Anybody else?
- Me! Me! Me!
Mila.
So how'd you do?
Uh, three. You?
Four.
Ooh, look at you, Doc!
Oh!
- Oh... that's okay.
- Sorry.
Um...
My bad.
It's okay,
it happens all the time.
My mom worked here on weekends
when I was growing up,
and I used to pack a lunch
and just sit
and watch them swim.
When I was growing up,
my friends used to hate
swimming with me,
'cause they said
I'd go underwater
and I wouldn't come back up.
All good?
Yeah, it's just my agent,
it's nothing.
Doesn't sound like nothing.
I'm trying to get out of my
situation with WaterLight.
But your empire!
It's not worth it
if it harms any of this.
You know, I used to wanna be
a marine biologist
when I grew up,
before surfing kinda
took over my life
over the past decade, but...
now, I don't know,
I'm just trying to figure out
if there's still space for it.
Sounds to me like
a classic identity crisis.
Well, you are the doctor.
I say that...
if you want surfing
to be part of your life again,
then make surfing
part of your life again.
You ever surf before?
Um, negative.
You wanna learn?
Not really.
- You sure?
- Very.
Really?
I feel like learning how to surf
from a former pipeline
champion is, like,
a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
It seems like you really wanna
teach me how to surf.
I kinda do.
Just for the satisfaction of
seeing you fall off the board.
You know what?
I would love to learn to surf.
Oh.
Mm-hm. I'll make you a deal.
If you get us to 45 committed
community members
by the end of the day,
I will let you
teach me how to surf.
You have yourself a deal.
And I will see you
in the morning, Doc.
We'll see about that.
We will see about that.
We will see about that.
We will see about that.
What's up, Connie?
Liam, where have you been?
Have you seen the new
WaterLight contract?
I told you that I wanna pass.
As your agent,
I cannot advise you to do that.
Well, as my agent,
I'm asking you to do it.
I don't wanna work
with them anymore, Connie.
I don't think that's
really an option here, Liam.
They've already put a bid in
for the land
for the distribution site
and have purchased
the billboard space.
Well, there are better brands
out there
that we can partner with.
WaterLight was the only brand
to offer you
a sponsorship, Liam.
Great.
Then I won't be sponsored.
What has gotten into you, Liam?
People listen
to what I have to say.
I need to be careful with
who and what I'm promoting.
Not when they're offering you
six-figure contracts, you don't.
Look, I'm not signing
that contract, Connie.
The partnership is over.
You're making a huge mistake.
You know, for the first time
in a long time,
I actually feel
like I'm doing the right thing.
Pass on the contract.
Thank you, Connie.
Hey.
Whoa, Jumpy McGee,
what you working on there?
- Uh, nothing.
- Brooke, that is not nothing.
- That is beautiful.
- They're just...
they're just doodles.
Brooke!
Brooke, I love this.
You know what?
It might be cool
to use these as branding
for the pitch.
It could maybe give us an edge.
Well, I... could create a logo
using that design, if you want.
That would be amazing.
Thank you.
And in return,
I can offer you surf lessons
from a world-renowned surfer.
I told Liam that if he got
45 people committed to vote
by the end of the day
that I would let him
teach me how to surf.
You didn't think he could do it,
did you?
No, I didn't.
But I'm not gonna give him the
satisfaction of knowing that,
so I need you and Charlie
to come and help distract
from my lack of coordination
and athletic ability.
- You got it, sis.
- Thank you.
Those are beautiful.
I can't wait to see the logo.
- Morning.
- Morning.
Um... just felt like
giving it a wax?
I'm teaching a lesson, actually.
A surfing lesson?
Yeah.
Well, that sounds like fun.
Yeah. I think it will be.
Oh, and I, uh,
I reached out to everyone
on Mom's contact list,
got us to 45.
I'm, uh, I'm still waiting
to hear back
from the Wilsons
and the Wends, but, uh,
there's this thing
tomorrow night,
a charity event for
the Small Business Association.
That might be a good place
to get more people
committed to vote.
SBA loves this kind of thing.
That is a great idea.
Thanks, Dad.
All right, thank you so much.
All the voting info will be
emailed to you guys, okay?
Have a nice day.
Hey!
This is my sister Brooke
and her husband Charlie.
- Hi. Nice to meet you, man.
- Yeah.
- Heard a lot about you.
- Nice to meet you.
Uh... so let's go check out
the surf, bae, all right?
Is there a problem?
No problem at all.
Good.
Let's learn to surf.
Let's do it.
I got the boards over here.
Okay.
All right, so you're gonna start
on your belly,
and you're gonna paddle
like this,
and then, when you feel
the pull of the wave,
pop up.
You pop and glide, all right?
Now, don't worry if you
don't get up your first time.
Most people don't.
And usually,
the hand that you write with
is gonna be the foot that
goes in back for stability,
but I'm the opposite
and surf goofy,
so mine goes in front.
Well, that's fitting.
Obviously,
we're just learning here,
so I was thinking
we could give it
a couple rounds in the land,
then give it a quick go
in the water.
All right,
who wants to go first?
Um... we'll meet you
in the water.
- Yeah, let's do that.
- I thought that you guys di...
Have a good time, guys.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that
they already know how to surf.
So you made me give them
that whole demonstration
thinking that they were newbies
and you knew that they weren't.
Uh, maybe.
All right, so I'm gonna just...
Hey, this was your idea.
If you wanna give up,
I'm happy to go back to the lab.
We start with a paddle,
all right?
Okay, we're paddlin'.
- Paddle.
- Okay.
All right, here it comes.
You feel the wave pulling you,
and then you pop up.
Did I do it?
Yeah, Doc.
You nailed it.
I'm gonna just...
I'll do it...
I'll do it one more time.
Yeah, one more time.
We're gonna get that balance
thing squared away.
Oh, well that's probably
never gonna happen,
but it's worth a shot.
So we're back on the board
and we're paddling.
- Paddling.
- And we're paddling fast.
So how did you do it?
Do what?
Get the 45
to commit that quickly?
What can I say, Doc?
People love a local celebrity.
No, I called in
every single favor I could
with every single person
I could get a hold of
and begged them to come.
But hey. It worked.
Yeah. It did.
I, uh, ended my partnership
with WaterLight yesterday.
You did?
I mean, the relationship
had run its course.
Does this have anything
to do with what I said?
That the products are bad
for the environment?
No. I'm just ready for a change.
So what are you gonna do now?
Keep helping my parents
run the dive shop, I guess.
Maybe start surfing again?
This is my first time
back on a board
since my accident.
What happened, anyway?
If you don't mind me asking.
Usually, in the past,
when I fell,
I would just get back
on the board, you know?
The faster the better, but...
that last one got to me.
What was different about it?
When I first started surfing,
it was like
my way of processing things.
Like, nothing was too hard
when I was out on the waves.
I could just clear my mind,
find a way to solve any problem.
And the bigger the problem
or the madder I got,
the harder I'd push myself.
But then I started
to get attention for it,
which led to my image...
The "bad boy" thing.
Exactly.
But, you know,
I'm a different person now.
So what was different
about that last fall?
Well, I tried
to get back on the board
like I always do,
but for some reason, I couldn't.
And that, compounded with
the shame of the actual fall,
was a lot.
So I walked away.
And I know... I know
I'm gonna surf again.
I just... I know it'll have to be
as a different version
of myself.
So how do you feel now?
I was expecting
to feel something big.
Like terror or joy or something.
But instead, you realized
you're hollow inside?
Yes, Doc. Hollow.
No, I feel, uh... I feel calm.
Yeah. Like coming home.
It's not easy but it's familiar.
That's really poetic.
If you had told me the reason
that I'd be getting
back on the board
was because I was
working with a scientist
on what is basically
a grown-up group project,
then I'd tell you you're insane.
Well, sometimes life
can surprise you.
Ain't that the truth.
All right, you two. Play nice!
We will.
Thanks for coming, guys!
I gotta say, Doc, you looked
pretty good out there.
Oh yeah, thanks.
Once I found my sea legs,
really, uh... loved it?
Yes!!
Liam, Liam!
- Can we get a photo?
- Yeah, of course.
We're going to the billboard
reveal on the 30th.
We can't wait.
Thanks again!
Bye!
What was that all about?
I have no idea.
I wonder what's going on there.
We've been petitioning the city
to protect that land for months.
Why?
I'll show you.
So, these turtles,
they're endangered.
And this is their
favorite nesting spot,
so if this land sells,
it could mean
some big problems for them.
Hey. I got an idea.
You thirsty?
Yeah?
I haven't drank
straight from the coconut
since I was a kid.
Then you've been missing out
on years of the best water
on the Florida coast.
My mom used to say
the same thing.
You know, this Save the Reef
project is exactly
the sort of thing
she used to do.
She was on the board
at the Marine Institute.
A founding member, actually.
Wow.
I'm hoping to follow
in her footsteps
with a board seat.
She's what inspired me
to become a marine biologist.
It's funny how parents
will do that to you.
Yeah.
So there's this, uh,
this charity event
that my parents go to
every single year.
It's tomorrow, hosted by
the Small Business Association.
That's cool.
And I was thinking, you know,
maybe it'd be cool
if we went, we mingled,
we get some people to sign up
to come to the hearing.
That's... a really good idea.
Was that a compliment?
Absolutely not.
I'll talk to Brooke,
see if she can get us
some materials made up.
Yeah, this, this
doesn't exactly scream,
"Let's change the world."
Okay, I was in a hurry
and I will ask Brooke to fix it.
Good, because this is terrible.
So how long
have you been working
on your little
experiment thingie?
"Experiment thingy"?
You know what I mean.
Uh, about two years.
I came up with the idea while
I was on a dive in school,
and the idea's just been
rolling around
in the back of my brain
ever since.
And then, when I learned
that the board was
opening up a new seat
to a candidate with
a fully funded research project,
I got to work.
And now, here we are,
trying to get the grant from
the municipal funds hearing.
I'm worried
that the committee is
gonna look down on my product
because it's not 100% effective,
but I'm trying to get it up
to at least 90% effectiveness
by the hearing.
Which, speaking of,
I need to get back to the lab.
I'm testing out
a new phylo substance
on the coral today.
Sounds exceptionally nerdy.
But potentially world-changing!
I'll see you tomorrow.
- What's up, Mom?
- Hey, honey.
Did you go surfing today?
Just taught a lesson.
Anyway, is that ticket
to the charity event
still on the table?
I think we can make that happen.
What about two?
- Two?
- Yeah, one for me
and one for Dr. Waters.
Look, it's a long story, Mom.
Can we make two tickets happen?
- Sure, absolutely.
- Cool.
- Hey.
- Don't look!
Okay.
Making something for me?
I won't know
until it's finished.
Coast is clear...
What is going on?
Oh. Mayor Wade is
Dad's new client.
And apparently,
it's going pretty well.
- So, huge favor to ask.
- Huh-huh.
Well, two favors, technically.
One: How hard would it be
to make a new information page
for when people sign up
to vote at the hearing?
Oh, not hard at all.
What are we working with?
Yeah, that is bad.
That's why I need your help.
All right, if that's one,
what's two?
So Liam invited me to this
charity event thing,
and I was wondering
if we could have
some materials made up
to hand out.
What kind of things?
Like pamphlets, info packets,
that kinda thing?
Yeah, absolutely.
When do you need 'em?
Tomorrow?
Tomorrow tomorrow.
Yes.
Great. Sure!
Absolutely, I can do that.
Thank you, thank you,
thank you...
Well, if it gets you
that spot on the board finally,
it'll be worth it.
Thank you.
No prob.
So.
This morning was fun.
What?
Surfing! With Liam.
You know, when he started
at the Institute,
I thought for sure
you two would kill each other.
Uh, yeah, we definitely
did not start off
- on the right fin.
- Fin?
Foot.
Did you just make a fish pun?
Uh, Liam must be
rubbing off on me.
Uh-huh.
- What?
- Nothing!
It's just nice
seeing you like this.
Like what?
Relaxed. Chill.
- I'm always chill.
- Yes, I know, but...
there is something different.
You seem happier.
Do not read into it,
it is a good thing.
Whatever you say.
I will see you soon.
- All right.
- Thank you. I love you.
I love you.
- You are the best.
- I know.
Dr. Waters.
Oh, Dr. Maris. Hi!
- How's it going?
- Uh, good.
I'm just working
on my presentation,
and it's going really well,
actually.
The data is solid
and the plan of action is
thoroughly researched.
All we need is the 100
community members in attendance,
and with our new spokesperson,
I actually think
that that might happen.
About that.
The board is a bit hesitant
about the involvement
of Liam Smith.
What? Why?
His past partnerships
have raised some concerns.
They're worried he might be
sending the wrong message.
I understand your hesitancy,
and to be honest, I shared it.
But Liam is completely on board
with the mission.
He's given up
his WaterLight contract,
he's invested in the reef.
I hope you're right, Isla.
If not, you could have
hitched your horse
to the wrong wagon.
Liam can be trusted.
I'm sure of it.
Great.
I look forward to the hearing
and your presentation
to the board.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hm.
Oh, uh, Dr. Maris.
Do you know anything
about the sale of the land
at Pebble Beach?
No, I don't. Why?
There was a pending
for sale sign there.
Let me look into it.
- Okay. Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Hey.
Did you go surfing this morning?
What prompted that?
I don't know, just...
felt like time, I guess.
Really proud of you, son.
Oh, you know, we've got
a dive with Dr. Waters
- in 15 minutes.
- Oh, I can handle it.
- Are you sure? Cause I...
- No, no, no, no.
I got it.
All right.
And I'll see you soon.
Have a great dive!
Hey!
- One, um, your boat is ready.
- Thank you.
And two...
I have a surprise for you.
Can you stop by my studio
before the charity event?
Yeah, sure.
Have a nice dive.
Thanks, sis.
I'm Mr. Seahorse.
Yee-haw! Yee-haw!
And I'm Mr. Octopus.
You make me nervous and I ink.
Pew! Pew!
You like the octopus?
Here you go. He's all yours,
but if you promise
to keep him safe, okay?
All right, go run on back
to your parents.
Hey.
Is everything okay?
You were serious, right,
about ending your contract
with WaterLight?
No, Doc, I just agreed
to sell them my life rights.
Of course I was serious. Why?
I guess the board
is feeling hesitant
about you being
the face of our cause,
what with that partnership
being...
Environmentally damaging
and very off-brand
for a wildlife-based cause?
- Exactly.
- Look, I totally get it,
but seriously,
you have nothing to worry about.
As much as it pains me
to admit it,
you were right, okay?
I got a platform
and I should be using it
for things that matter.
Like, uh, saving the reef.
All right, Doc?
Let's do it.
Do you always park this far out?
All the boats should be
parked out this far.
We all gotta try to be better
about leaving no trace.
Which is why I mistook
your boat for mine.
You were parked
in my eco-friendly spot.
What's the story with that?
Well, I made that
right after I became
a certified dive instructor.
I found that when
I take people out,
there tend to be nerves,
especially in kids
and first-time divers.
And, uh, well, these guys here
help them to relax
and remind them
that this is supposed
to be fun, ya know?
So I've had it with me
ever since.
All right.
I'll be right here
if you need me, Doc.
You're not diving with me?
Well, it's the divemaster's job
to make sure that the diver
is safe.
But you have a radio.
So, I don't see the harm
in you coming with me.
After you, Doc.
Let's do this thing.
All right,
I will see you tonight.
See ya tonight.
Connie, hey.
Well, hello
to my favorite surfer!
Alright,
everything is good to go
for your extension
with WaterLight,
and good news, your billboard
will officially debut tomorrow.
Hopefully it will give your
mayor the push he needs
to sign off
on that packaging plant.
What are you talking about?
I told you!
WaterLight's new
packaging plant in Bay Cove
and the hometown billboard
to promote!
You're the face of the fastest
growing cleaning product
in North America!
I don't want to continue
the partnership, Connie.
That's not...
Look, I don't have anything
more to say than that.
I understand you're going
through an identity crisis
but this deal
is bigger than that,
so I went around you, Liam.
Sorry to say it but somebody's
got to save your career
and it's looking like
it's not going to be you.
My career doesn't need saving.
Shred the contract, Connie.
We can't.
We've reached a verbal
agreement with them, Liam.
If we don't move forward
they'd be well
within their right to sue.
I know this is hard for you,
but I'm just trying
to keep the door open
to the world of pro surfing
so whenever you've worked out
whatever it is
you need to work out,
you have a career
to come back to.
- Hey.
- Hey!
Do you know
what this is all about?
- I have no idea. You?
- No idea.
Great, glad we're
on the same page.
Hey, guys!
Thank you all for coming.
As you know, Isla gave me
free rein on the design
for the Small Business
Association event tonight,
which you will not regret,
hopefully.
Uh...
Okay, close your eyes.
Just...
She always does this,
doesn't she?
Every single time.
Anyway, I wanted
to create something
timeless and special
for the charity event
and my mind kept coming back
to Mom's painting.
Alright, three, two, one, open!
What do you guys think?
Oh my gosh, you guys hate it.
No, no.
It's stunning!
It's absolutely incredible.
Um, everything is printed
and ready to go.
I even had stickers made,
I mean, because who doesn't
love a sticker, right?
I was worried I had gone too far
finishing Mom's painting.
No.
No.
I'm so glad you did.
You know, you girls make up
the best parts of her.
You know, she would be so proud
of the women you grew up to be.
You two have given your mother
another chance
to be a part
of the efforts to saving
one of her favorite places.
I love you so much.
I love you too.
- Hey.
- Hey!
Look at you.
Don't you clean up nice.
Right back at ya, Doc.
Was that a compliment?
Absolutely not.
- Isla, there's something that...
- So I...
Sorry, ladies first.
What's this?
To replace the one
you gave away this morning.
We can't have the emergency hat
lacking in backup.
So what was it that
you wanted to tell me?
Um, it can wait until tomorrow.
Are you sure?
Shall we get going?
- Yeah.
- After you.
Thank you, thank you.
This is a beautiful house.
Thank you.
Oh, Liam. Look at this.
Look at this.
Yeah, don't worry, Brooke
made sure we were covered.
- What?
- You sign right here.
I may or may not have been
in on the surprise.
Hey!
Thank you for holding down
the fort.
Happy to.
You must be Dr. Waters.
- I'm Lana and this is Kevin.
- Hi!
Nice to meet you, Doctor.
Nice to meet you.
And please call me Isla.
My mom and my dad.
Hey, thanks again
for setting up.
It's our pleasure.
So nice to meet you.
You as well.
This looks beautiful.
Thank you again.
This is amazing.
- Check this out.
- Wait, Liam,
when did we get up
to 87 confirmed voters?
Turns out that my parents
would have made
a better spokesperson than me.
I told them about the cause
and they were happy to help.
- Shall we get to work?
- Please.
Uh, you take that side,
I'll take this side.
Sounds good, Doc.
Hi, you guys have a moment
to talk about our local reef?
All right, thank you so much.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Thanks, guys.
That looks like fun.
You know what?
It does.
You thinking what I'm thinking?
Are you thinking dancing?
I'm thinking dancing. Yeah.
Let's dance.
Okay, so you got any moves?
Yeah, I got this one right here,
it's called
the Thumbs to the Side.
Oh, I like that one.
This is almost like disco.
- The Isla Waters.
- Isla Waters?
Isla Waters, like the ocean.
- That's called the Robot.
- I know it.
Can I have this dance, Doc?
I would love that.
You know, when I first met you
I thought you were
this know-it-all,
fussy perfectionist
who didn't have any fun.
But I was wrong.
You're not so bad yourself.
You know,
I heard through the grapevine
that someone surfed
this morning.
It's a small town, people talk.
I'd love to give credit
to the humor-less scientist
who helped me
get back on the board,
but then I'd have
to admit to her
that she might be kinda great.
And you wouldn't
want to do that.
No, no, no.
Because I wouldn't want it
to get to her head.
She's got enough
going for her already.
I have a surprise for you.
You do?
Come check this out.
Wait, what?
We have 102 confirmed
community members
coming to the vote tomorrow.
Liam, are you serious?
As a shark attack.
Well, isn't that... "fintastic"?
Was that a fish pun, Doc?
Maybe.
Liam, thank you for all of this.
I couldn't have done
any of this without you.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Thank you for trusting me
to be your spokesperson.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Isla, there is something
that I need to tell you.
- Oh, sorry.
- Go ahead.
- I'll be quick.
- Okay.
Hello?
How'd we do?
You guys crushed it.
Seriously, you're hired.
I'm so happy we could help.
You know, this has been
really refreshing to see.
You reminded me
of your old self.
What do you mean?
The Liam before the awards
and the accolades.
The Liam
who just loved the ocean.
Look, I know coming back to Bay
Cove wasn't what you wanted.
That's the understatement
of the year.
But seeing you like this,
with a mission, a purpose,
working on something bigger
than yourself,
it's been really incredible.
She's one special girl.
Yeah, she is.
Did you see the email?
- No.
- The grant hearing
and the vote have been canceled.
What? Why?
I guess something came up
and they decided
to push it indefinitely.
But the board, what does this
mean for the board?
The board has held off
as long as they could
on making a decision.
Since you won't be presenting,
I'm afraid they'll have to go
in a different direction.
By the way,
I looked into the sale
of the land near Pebble Beach.
It looks like a packaging plant
is going up there.
I'm sorry, Isla.
We did all we could.
Hey, hey, is everything okay?
It's canceled.
The hearing tomorrow.
What? Why?
I don't know, Dr. Maris
just said that the mayor
pushed it indefinitely.
Well, they can't just do that,
can they?
Apparently they can.
Then, you know what?
We'll find another way. Okay?
There he is!
Liam, that reef demonstration
video you posted? Genius.
You've got the environmentalists
back on your good side.
Could be a nice rebrand.
"From bad boy to
conservationist."
Oh! It's you!
You look great on camera.
Ever thought about hosting?
You posted a video of my work on
social media without telling me?
I didn't think that
it'd be a big deal.
What you were doing was so
educational and if I thought...
Genius!
I couldn't have thought of
a better PR move myself!
Now, you know the mayor?
She's gonna be the one
leading the event.
What event?
The reveal of Liam's
new WaterLight billboard
right on Main Street.
We're gonna start there
for the press conference
then we're gonna move up
to their new site
right on Pebble Beach.
Sorry, Pebble Beach?
Yes, honey, WaterLight
has plans to buy that land.
Build a plant.
You knew that
that land was important.
I did not know that that
was the site for the plant.
But you knew about the plant?
Liam, you told me you ended
your WaterLight contract.
You said you were done.
Oh no, we re-upped
for another three years.
Liam, this lighting is perfect.
Give me one minute, okay?
Isla, please listen to me.
You told me you weren't
working with them anymore.
So what, you lied to me?
Not, exactly.
I don't want to work
with them anymore.
But you still have
a contract with them?
I tried to end my contract but...
They offered too much money.
I didn't have a choice.
So you used me?
You used my cause
to bolster your image?
Make yourself the face
of the Save the Reef Project
and share it all over
social media so what,
you could clear your conscience
about cashing
your WaterLight check?
I can't believe this.
Isla, wait.
Everyone
was right about you, Liam.
All you care about is yourself.
Okay, this is perfect.
Let's snap a couple of pics
of you two,
this lighting is fantastic.
Now, if I get this printed,
you'll sign it for me, right?
Excuse me.
Irving Conway is on his way.
The CEO of WaterLight? Why?
To make sure that everything
goes as planned tomorrow.
I mentioned to him
that you wanted out
and now he's threatening to sue.
Good. Let him.
For five million dollars.
So it's in everyone's
best interest
that you just see this through.
They need this to go well
for the mayor
to approve their request
to build on the coast.
Now get over there and give
everyone that megawatt smile
that you're known for.
I can't believe I trusted him.
You had no reason not to.
Well, I can't believe
I let this happen.
You had no way of knowing that
this was how things
were gonna shake out.
But if I'm being honest,
this doesn't sound
like Liam at all.
He came by the studio after you,
he asked me to help make
something for the booth
for the charity event.
He lit up
when he talked about you.
About the reef. About what
you two were doing together.
Right.
Trust me.
I was there.
He cares about you, Isla.
Just not enough
to tell me the truth.
I should get back.
I really need to finish
my presentation.
Okay. I'll come with you.
Hey, if it wasn't for you,
I would have missed the deadline
to apply to Walleston.
It's the least I can do.
Come on, let's go.
Okay, I'm almost done.
What do you think?
It doesn't matter what I think.
It matters what you think.
And what the board thinks.
Nothing is going to make up
for my lack of funding.
But at least you'll have
something to show the board.
We're live at Town
Hall with Mayor Wade
and four time Pipeline winner,
Liam Smith.
Uh... Isla?
Liam, do you have a few words
for our loyal viewers?
What's going on?
We have an incredible
opportunity here as a community
to show support for a cause
that can make a real difference.
The Save the Reef Project.
Now, the Save the Reef Project
is spearheaded
by the incomparable
Dr. Isla Waters
of the Marine Institute
which aims to protect and
preserve our precious reefs
and the ecosystems
that call it home.
But the grant hearing today
was cancelled.
We have an opportunity here
to demand change.
To hold our leaders accountable
to do what is best
for our community.
So I'm asking you
to join me at Town Hall
and show your support of
the Save the Reef Project
and demand that they hear
our presentation
as previously scheduled.
I'm sorry, I thought
we were here to discuss
a new billboard
for the WaterLight spot
and the pending packaging plant
in Bay Cove.
Right. About that...
This is no longer about me.
I urge you to head down
to Town Hall today
and cast your votes,
let your voices be heard.
We want that land protected,
not sold to WaterLight.
And I know you feel
the same way, Mrs. Mayor.
Of course.
Which is why the hearing today
is so important.
It's not up to me, Mr. Smith.
You wouldn't want to let down
your community
after they came all this way to
show their support, would you?
No. Of course not.
I know how hard Dr. Waters
and this entire community
has worked on this project
and the municipal council
would love to hear her speak
this afternoon.
Thank you. We're gonna continue
live from Town Hall.
This is a developing story.
You heard it first from us.
This is Christina Figueroa.
Back to you.
Um... I think we need to get you
to Town Hall.
- I think we do.
- Come on!
Yeah. Yeah, that's perfect.
Okay.
All right, I'll see you soon.
Bye.
Liam! What was that?
Me, doing the right thing.
Mr. Conway is
not going to be happy...
That's not my problem.
I never signed the contract
with WaterLight.
I don't owe them anything.
- You can't do this...
- I'm done.
With all of this, Connie.
Thank you for everything.
Excuse me?
You're fired, Connie.
Are all of these people here
to vote for our cause?
There you two are!
Hi, what are
you guys doing here?
Well, Liam called us.
Yeah, we came
as soon as we heard.
Already cast our vote.
Didn't he call you?
Um, I must have missed it.
Couple of times.
If you guys don't mind,
I'll be right back.
Thank you guys so much
for voting.
- I'll tell you later.
- Okay, what's going on?
I will fill you in.
- Oh, there she is.
- Hi!
Mr. Gregson,
what are you doing here?
Not that I'm not honored
that a member of the board
showed up to support.
I wouldn't have missed it!
As soon as the board heard
that the mayor
was pushing this hearing,
we had to support you
and give you our votes.
Thank you.
But how did you know about that?
I may have given them a sneak
peek at your presentation.
You did?
It was incredibly compelling.
It's a project
we'd love to get behind.
Thank you.
That means so much.
We'll see you inside, okay?
Okay. Thank you!
Hey.
Hey.
So, your billboard?
Yeah, I called in some favors
to get it replaced.
It's amazing what offering
an autographed photo will do.
What about your contract?
Well, I looked into it and
since I technically
never signed the contract
with WaterLight,
I don't owe them anything.
I'm a free agent.
You better get in there.
You've got a grant to win.
Did you hear? Could you
hear what I was saying?
- They loved it!
- It felt really good.
So, how'd it go?
- I think I crushed it.
- She totally crushed it.
Dad, this is Liam Smith.
- Good to meet you, son.
- Good to meet you too.
You know,
I used to love to shred
a big curl back in the day.
- Yeah?
- Dad!
We should totally
catch a wave sometime.
Dude, that would be awesome!
Never has he crushed a wave.
- Dr. Waters?
- Yes?
I wanted you to hear it from me.
I'm so sorry
but the committee opted
to go in a different direction.
What?
Your presentation was fantastic,
your voter turnout was great.
The committee just felt
that it wasn't the right use
of the community funds
at this time.
I'm so sorry, Dr. Waters.
But...
What happened?
It's over.
It's all over.
Liam, I am so sorry.
For what?
That you gave it all up
for nothing.
Come on, it wasn't for nothing.
This means I'm not getting
the board seat.
Right.
I'll find a way
to break the news to my parents.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
Come on. Let's get out of here.
Okay.
Hey, it's gonna be okay.
I'm sorry.
It's kinda cool that he did.
Thank you.
Hey, buddy!
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
You know, you two could really
do something with this.
We could make it worthwhile,
add a link to a donation page,
get some more funding
for the research.
Since the grant is
no longer an option.
There's always next year, Isla.
What I'm worried about
is the Smiths
and their dive shop
and the reef.
I mean, at the rate
we're going, next year...
might be too late.
Then we might have
to do something about that.
Dad, Mayor Wade. Hi.
Dr. Waters. Hi, Brooke.
I have something
I'd like to present to you.
If you're open to it.
Of course.
The committee didn't feel
they were in a position
to release the funds.
I disagreed.
So I'd like to offer you
grassroots funding
as part of my campaign.
The Save the Reef Project
would be
one of the tent poles
of my campaign
and I guarantee that my first
order of business as Mayor
would be to fully fund
this project
in partnership with
the Marine Institute
and oppose the sale
of Pebble Beach to WaterLight.
I reached out to the board
before coming here
and got their approval
and they are 100% in favor.
So, the decision is yours, Isla.
I'll give you a moment
to think about it.
Can I get you
something to drink?
That would be great. Thanks.
This way.
- I have to go.
- Where are you going?
To find Liam.
I'll be right back!
Hey, um, is Liam here?
We haven't seen him.
Maybe check the dock?
Okay, thank you.
You have a really amazing son.
Like, he might be one of
the best people I've ever met.
Oh, and I'm looking forward
to our continued partnership.
Did she really just say that?
- She did.
- Oh my God!
That's fantastic!
Are you kidding me?
Don't worry.
It's my mom's formula.
Totally safe, I triple checked.
Good, we wouldn't want you
falling back into your old ways.
No, I have no time for that.
No, you don't.
Because as a divemaster
for the Marine Institute,
you are going to be very busy.
What?
Mayor Wade wants
to fund our project
as part of her campaign.
Liam, we did it, the
Save the Reef Project is a go!
The board is 100% behind us.
- You got the board seat?
- Yes!
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh! Yes!
Wow.
So now next time when
you climb into my boat,
it will be the right one.
And I guess this technically
means I'm your boss now.
I think since
we're contracted out
we're more like partners.
Partners implies that
we'll be working together.
Something I think
we're rather good at.
- Oh, do you now?
- Do you not?
I'll have to get back
to you on that.
Oh, so about the video.
I will take it down.
No, no! Don't!
While I don't agree with
the unethical practice
of posting without
somebody's permission,
you were right.
Giving people
something to engage with
is a great way to
get them involved.
And I was thinking
that maybe we could
turn the video into a series?
As long as we leave
the branding to Brooke.
Fair enough.
Look, Liam, I am so sorry
for what I said last night.
I was upset and I took it out
on you and that is not okay...
You had every right to.
I mean, you weren't
entirely wrong.
I was being selfish
and I cared
way too much about my hair
and I may have been
a little bit cocky.
But then I met this woman
and she showed me that
there's more to life
than just focusing on myself.
Plus she helped me
get back on the board
when nothing else could.
Hm, well, she sounds
pretty "fintastic."
And like she might be
your "sole" mate.
Get it, sole, like the fish?
Yes, you goof, I get it.
Can I kiss you now?
That would be absolutely
"krilliant."