Training Day – The show begins with Summer Torres (Sky Katz) being startled awake by Ari Gibson (Kai Lewins). Honey Gibson (Asmara Feik) questions why he is creeping around in Summer’s room. He denies creeping when Abbie Gibson (Arienne Pickering) approaches to see if Summer is all right. She satirically tells them she woke up before anything bad happened. Laughing, Ari says he was going to see if Summer wanted to go surfing. She asks the time. When Honey says it is 5:18am, she assures her there is no such time. They continue going back and forth until Summer covers her face with a pillow and screams into it.

Poppy Tetanui (Lilliana Bowrey) returns from a run to discover Manu (Chris Alosio) has her scheduled for a week of beginner surfing lessons. He tells her it is a school holiday. She voices her concern about not getting a result from Jackson Bay, which would mean saying goodbye to the state team. He promises to take her out for surfing lesson later today. As soon as she helps a student surfer get into his swimsuit, he needs to go to the restroom.

A group of surfers asks Ari if he is going to join them. Manu asks if he is still grounded from surfing. Ari asks if would speak to his parents for him. He admits to having family issues that need to be addressed before encouraging him to train.

Honey and Summer skateboarding interfere with Poppy’s surfing lesson. She watches as Honey comes down the ramp onto her rear end.

Carrying his surfboard, Ari rushes across the beach into the water, passing Bodhi Mercer (Savannah La Rain) and Marion Sousa (Joao Marinho). He exercises his right shoulder while watching them catch a wave. Marion isn’t happy when he sees Bodhi smiling while watching Ari ride the waves.

Manu reminds the surfers of Jackson Bay being only two weeks away. As Bodhi snuggles up with Marion, Manu points out their errors in a recording. He describes Ari as looking tense in the water. Ari assures him that he is okay.

Marion, Bodhi, Marion, and Poppy watch Summer give Honey skateboarding lessons. Poppy sarcastically suggests Summer keep an eye on Honey if she wants her to learn. Laughing, Summer asks why as it is how she learned to skateboard. Honey assures her it is okay. Summer suggests she mimic her “drill sergeant” attitude. Poppy asks them to take their skateboarding elsewhere because she has another surfing session. Summer questions why lessons are needed to stay on a surfboard. Poppy accuses her of being void of the commitment and patience needed for surfing. As she walks away, Summer calls the Tetanui Surf School a children’s “con-job.” She informs her that her mother died, and her dad is away.

Summer accuses Ari of making her seem like a horrible person. He assures her that she didn’t need any help. Honey informs Thommo (Dustin Clare) that Ari failed to inform Summer of Poppy’s mother dying. Ari asks why he is responsible for telling her. Honey suggests Ari is feeling guilty because he missed Poppy’s mum’s funeral. He reminds her of his accident. She sarcastically responds that he didn’t lose function of his legs. He complains about Poppy and the others not visiting him while he was in the hospital. Honey boasts of her new ability to ride a rail.

Poppy is riding a stationary bike when Bodhi voices a complaint about Summer. She agrees without skipping a beat. Manu greets Bodhi before asking Poppy if she worked on her backhand. She complains that it was too late after her surfing sessions were finally done. He apologizes for her missing the video reviews yesterday. Before leaving he promises they will work on her backhand when the swell picks up. She unenthusiastically says, “Whenever.”

Ari goes out for a run. Poppy teaches a surfing class about being overconfident as Summer watches. While her young students ride the waves, she looks over to see Summer falling off a surfboard. She assists in holding her surfboard to allow her to climb aboard. Summer celebrates when she finally succeeds.

While Ari works out, Marion hits Bodhi with an exercise ball. He watches as they frolic around. Manu isn’t happy with what he sees. He suggests they start being serious like Ari, so they can win. Marion assures him no one cares because Ari is banned from surfing.

Summer assures Poppy that she didn’t need her to catch the wave. When she compliments her teaching skills, Poppy describes her mum as the best teacher. Poppy informs her that both their mums were in Shorehaven Boardriders. She asks for her assistance in doing something.

Manu approaches as Summer records Poppy practicing. He tells her that Poppy’s mum swore she would be a champion one day. He describes her as an “optimist.”

Ari is pulling weeds when Summer approaches to give him a hard time about trying to win their approval. He assures her that he is trying to help them out. She tells him that there is an easier way to convince his parents in permitting him to participate in the surfing competition. As he asks how she rushes into the house to speak with Thommo and Abbie. She informs them of her decision to start surfing again. Honey expresses disappointment. Abbie asks if she has been surfing with Ari. Summer tells them that she will participate in the competition at Jackson Bay. Thommo tells her good try. Swearing to be truthful, she claims Ari calls her a natural.

Ari reminds them of their suggestion to spend more time with Summer. Abbie warns her that surfing is for experienced kids. Summer claims it may help bring her and her mother, Margo (Kate Beahan) closer together. Ari stares at her strangely. Thommo agrees to find her a surfboard while Abbie gets her a swimsuit. When Honey expresses her disappointment, Summer walks over and gives her a hug.

Poppy listens to her surfing video, in which Manu talks about her mum swearing she would be a champion someday. Slamming the laptop shot, she informs Manu of her decision to not teach the beginner classes tomorrow. She accuses him of thinking her surfing skills are not good. He tries to explain why he called her an “optimist.” She reminds him of not being there when mum got sick. Prawnie Tetanul (Cantona Stewart) listens quietly from the kitchen.

Thommo and Ari hit the waves. Summer is disappointed when Poppy refuses her offer to go surfing with her. Thommo asks Ari how his shoulder is feeling. Ari pleads with Thommo to let him join one more surfing competition. Thommo assures him that he will end up short-changed if he treats everything like a transaction.

Summer is swallowed up by big wave after big wave. She pleads with Poppy for assistance. Poppy orders her to stay on her surfboard. When Ari sees Summer crawling on the beach, he demands to be let out. Summer suggests she warn people to never surf alone. Ari approaches to ask what just happened. She informs him that Poppy saved her life before falling facedown in the sand. Ari apologizes for missing her mum’s funeral. Summer agrees with him. Remembering she never caught a wave, Summer is ready to try again. Ari turns around to look at Thommo before catching up with them as the episode comes to an end.

 

Surviving Summer Review

The show is somewhat predictable, but entertaining, nonetheless. Character development is moving along quite nicely. The pace sped up some, which is an improvement.

The show is set in the fictional Victorian town of Shorehaven on the Great Ocean Road, where filming took place.

The Brooklyn teen still struggles to fit in with the Australian surfers of her own age. She is gradually letting down her guard. In the meantime, Ari and Poppy have their own set of problems.

The small cast is ideal as it provides adequate airtime for each member of the main cast to bring their characters to life.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Surviving Summer recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.