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The Best Episodes of Baywatch Season 1

Every episode of Baywatch Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Baywatch Season 1!

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Join the Baywatch lifeguards on their thrilling adventures filled with beautiful beaches and those iconic red swimsuits.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Baywatch Season 1 Episode 1 - Panic at Malibu Pier
    6.5/10(425 votes)

    #1 - Panic at Malibu Pier

    S1:E1

    Mitch Buchannon has just been promoted to lieutenant. Mitch and his ex-wife Gayle have an argument about what's best for their son Hobie. Eddie Kramer is the top rookie in the rookie class of '89, and Shauni McClain is one of the last ones to qualify. Shauni starts off as a terrible lifeguard, but the experienced Jill Riley teaches her how to become a good lifeguard.

    Director:Richard Compton
    Writers:Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk

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  2. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 2 - In Deep
    6.3/10(335 votes)

    #2 - In Deep

    S1:E2

    Instead of attending summer school, Hobie decides to go power skiing with two friends, whose recklessness leads to a tragic accident. Eddie's lack of financial resources is revealed when Craig finds him sleeping in one of the lifeguard towers.

    Director:Peter H. Hunt
    Writers:Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk

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  3. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 3 - Heat Wave
    6.5/10(340 votes)

    #3 - Heat Wave

    S1:E3

    Los Angeles is having a heat wave and it's going to be a busy day for the lifeguards.

    Director:Gus Trikonis
    Writer:Ernie Wallengren

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  4. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 4 - Second Wave
    6.2/10(310 votes)

    #4 - Second Wave

    S1:E4

    An old acquaintance of Eddie's comes to L.A. but it quickly becomes apparent that Eddie does not welcome this visit. Trevor dates a rich woman that is a handful for him to deal with and Mitch worries about upcoming mandatory tests that all lieutenants, including him, must take.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writer:Jill Donner

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  5. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 5 - Message in a Bottle
    6.3/10(299 votes)

    #5 - Message in a Bottle

    S1:E5

    Mitch's former wife is planning to move to Ohio and wants to take Hobie with her. Upset over the squabbling that ensues, Hobie takes off with a friend and runs into pirates on a nearby island. Eddie and Shauni squabble after Shauni accidentally hurts Eddie.

    Director:Kim Manners
    Writer:Terry Erwin

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  6. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 6 - The Sky is Falling
    6.6/10(306 votes)

    #6 - The Sky is Falling

    S1:E6

    Gayle and Mitch continue to fight over Gayle's plan to take Hobie with her. She ultimately changes her mind after Hobie risks his life to save a drowning young girl. A plane crashes into the water near the beach with the occupants, after they are rescued, looking to recover a suitcase of stolen money that they had with them. Captain Thorpe decides to join Eddie and Shauni on their tower in order to teach them.

    Director:Kim Manners
    Writers:Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

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  7. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 7 - The Drowning Pool
    6.4/10(295 votes)

    #7 - The Drowning Pool

    S1:E7

    A man is found drowned off the beach and Jill suspects foul play is the reason. She begins seeing the son of the victim and during the investigation discovers the man's cousin was responsible for his father's death. A man who helped Jill bring the victim ashore decides he wants to be a lifeguard as well even though he is not qualified.

    Director:Mario DiLeo
    Writer:William A. Schwartz

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  8. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 8 - Rookie School
    6.4/10(289 votes)

    #8 - Rookie School

    S1:E8

    A woman steals a book from a powerful man and hides out from him with the help of Eddie. Craig and Gina contemplate having children when they are married but have second thoughts after meeting a couple while on a romantic weekend. Trevor discovers that his hardest competitor among the rookies is doped.

    Director:Bruce Seth Green
    Writers:Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

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  9. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 9 - Cruise Ship
    6.2/10(291 votes)

    #9 - Cruise Ship

    S1:E9

    Eddie does not like Shauni's new boyfriend or the way he treats her when things do not go the way he wants. Also Hobie gets in trouble with a girl who likes him.

    Director:Tommy Lee Wallace
    Writers:Jill Donner, William A. Schwartz

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  10. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 10 - The Cretin of the Shallows
    6.6/10(292 votes)

    #10 - The Cretin of the Shallows

    S1:E10

    A new hotel opens near the beach and a string of murders occur around the same time which convinces Craig the two may be connected.

    Director:Vern Gillum
    Writers:Ernie Wallengren, William A. Schwartz

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  11. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 11 - Shelter Me
    6.0/10(278 votes)

    #11 - Shelter Me

    S1:E11

    An approaching tropical storm has the Baywatch lifeguards preparing for its effects but the presence of two wanted criminals cause unforeseen events. Eddie and Shauni rest. Hobie and a girl have storm parties.

    Director:Scott Brazil
    Writer:Terry Erwin

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  12. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 12 - The Reunion
    6.3/10(285 votes)

    #12 - The Reunion

    S1:E12

    Mitch attends his high school reunion and meets a classmate that stirs up old feelings. Eddie, frustrated at having no car, buys one at an extremely low price from a buddy but quickly discovers the reason why the cost was so low.

    Director:Rob Bowman
    Writer:W. Reed Moran

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  13. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 13 - Armored Car
    6.2/10(272 votes)

    #13 - Armored Car

    S1:E13

    A pro-am beach volleyball tournament is being held and Trevor tries to convince Jill to be his partner for the competition. Their main rival in the competition is Jill's ex-partner which cements Jill's resolve to compete.

    Director:Michael Ray Rhodes
    Writers:Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

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  14. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 14 - Home Cort
    6.2/10(279 votes)

    #14 - Home Cort

    S1:E14

    A new lifeguard arrives at Baywatch and stirs up different emotions for the current staff. Jill and Shauni go into business selling sandwiches but find competition to be stiffer than expected.

    Director:Paul Schneider
    Writers:William A. Schwartz, Terry Erwin

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  15. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 15 - We Need a Vacation
    6.6/10(283 votes)

    #15 - We Need a Vacation

    S1:E15

    Craig joins Cort and Eddie on a trip to Mexico for a long overdue vacation but things turn out very differently from their expectations.

    Director:Gus Trikonis
    Writers:Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

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  16. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 16 - Muddy Waters
    6.2/10(261 votes)

    #16 - Muddy Waters

    S1:E16

    Cort and Eddie go to a local water theme park to teach teenagers about lifeguard duties but one of them quickly resents Eddie's presence. At Baywatch, Hobie finds out that parents of his fellow students at school have a dim view of the occupation of lifeguarding and Shauni gets into trouble over her pinup magazine pictures.

    Director:Paul Schneider
    Writers:William A. Schwartz, Terry Erwin

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  17. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 17 - Snake Eyes
    6.4/10(267 votes)

    #17 - Snake Eyes

    S1:E17

    An illegal offshore casino causes problems for Cort and some of his fellow lifeguards. Hobie thinks his English class is going to be a breeze when Mitch starts dating his teacher but soon learns otherwise.

    Director:Gus Trikonis
    Writer:Kate Boutilier

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  18. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 18 - Eclipse
    7.2/10(325 votes)

    #18 - Eclipse

    S1:E18

    Eddie believes he sees a ghost by the water and the others believe that he is losing his mind. Hobie learns that a friend's pet is going to be euthanized for an alleged attack and resolves to help both of them.

    Director:Paul Schneider
    Writer:Claire Whitaker

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  19. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 19 - Shark Derby
    6.3/10(242 votes)

    #19 - Shark Derby

    S1:E19

    A local business owner organizes a shark derby but the event quickly spirals out of control and leads Jill to run into the water to save a little boy but then is attacked by the shark.

    Director:Gregory J. Bonann
    Writers:Kate Boutilier, Terry Erwin

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  20. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 20 - The Big Race
    6.4/10(248 votes)

    #20 - The Big Race

    S1:E20

    Cort enters a race to win the prize money and fulfil a pledge he makes on a yearly basis.

    Director:Kevin Inch
    Writer:Rolf Wallengren

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  21. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 21 - Old Friends
    6.7/10(259 votes)

    #21 - Old Friends

    S1:E21

    Mitch, Craig and Garner go on a hang gliding trip that results in a series of accidents for all three.

    Director:Douglas Schwartz
    Writer:William A. Schwartz

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  22. Baywatch Season 1 Episode 22 - The End?
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #22 - The End?

    S1:E22

    An earthquake shakes Baywatch headquarters and causes many problems for the lifeguards and for one, a life altering decision is made.

    Director:Reza Badiyi
    Writers:Lee Goldberg, William Rabkin

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Panic at Malibu Pier" is the best rated episode of "Baywatch" season 1. It scored 6.5/10 based on 425 votes. Directed by Richard Compton and written by Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk, it aired on 4/23/1989. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "In Deep".