Charlie Review

This is a review for the episode "Charlie". In this episode, based on a true story, April’s brother Charlie, comes to visit the beach. Charlie has a rare type of cancer and is dying. He’s been in and out of the hospital for tests and research. April and her mother know that Charlie doesn’t have very much time to live. This episode focuses on Charlie’s last few days at the beach. It’s a very heart-warming and touching episode. I would give this episode a 5. Definitely one of Baywatch’s best.

Now Charlie is your average kid. He’s energetic, funny, and wants to enjoy life. But when Charlie and his mother come to visit Baywatch, April gets upset. She doesn’t want other people “wasting their time helping and playing with Charlie because they feel sorry for him”. But as Mitch tells April, “We’re not helping him because we feel sorry for him, we’re helping because we love him”. Mitch also calls Charlie a hero because Charlie is willing to go through tests and research for the sake of trying to save other people’s lives who have this cancer.

Note:
Kelly Packard’s acting is really great in the episode. The episode allows her to expand on her acting abilities. Kelly does a fantastic job. Her acting really shines through in this episode, proving herself as a great actress.

The episode basically goes on, showing Charlie spending his last few days on the beach, having the time of his life. He bonds with all the lifeguards, especially Mitch and Hobie. Hobie acts like a big brother towards Charlie, and their relationship really grows throughout the episode.

Meanwhile, the Taplin dory race approaches. For seven years Mitch and Newman have won, but this year Mitch decides not to participate. He wants Hobie to have a chance at winning. Hobie, on the other hand, insists his dad to compete. He wants to be able to beat his dad. Hobie ends up beating Mitch in the race, and wins the trophy. As a gift, Hobie decides to give the trophy to Charlie. But sadly, Charlie dies that day. The lifeguards give him a special funeral---one which I’ll never forget. The funeral is very touching.

Conclusion:
This episode is a must to see. It makes you really understand the value of life. The episode had a great storyline and great acting Michael Cuccioni, who portrays Charlie Hays, was superb. In the very end of the episode, there is footage of the real Charlie Hays, with some of the Baywatch cast members. Charlie died on January 30, 1997. The tribute to him was very nice.

PRODUCERS NOTE (from the Baywatch Homepage):
This is the true story of Charlie Everett Hays (June 29, 1984 - January 30, 1997). Because of his life, researchers found the genetic marker for Medullary Thyroid Cancer, a rare disease found in children. In the future, early detection of this form of cancer should prevent children from dying.

Michael Cuccioni, who portrays Charlie Hays in this episode, is one of those children Charlie helped save. Michael has been in remission for two years.