Darren Waller

Darren Waller is a passionate and determined individual with a strong sense of responsibility towards the well-being of marine creatures. He introduces himself proudly to the colleagues of Simon Banks as a marine biologist in training, he is also a former student in Marine Biology at Lincoln University and has a strong desire to protect and understand marine life. His actions are motivated by a sense of duty, curiosity, and a genuine belief in the importance of his work. However, his decisions and lack of judgment ultimately lead to tragic consequences.

## Episodes

### 1.06 Deep Water

Following a mysterious death at the coastal nature reserve called Gibraltar Point, the police are trying to keep the public back as, along with the body, something unnatural (later revealed to be a Mermaid) thus making the police deem the beach a safety hazard.

Despite the officers' refusal to allow him near the mermaid, Darren remains resolute in his mission. He runs towards the mermaid, driven by his determination to save her. However, his efforts are thwarted when the officer stops him, causing Darren to deflate momentarily. He tries to reason with the officer, emphasizing that the mermaid is in trouble and needs their help, he is physically restrained and forced to retreat, Darren remains calm and continues to advocate for the mermaid's well-being. He expresses his belief that the creature should not have died alone and justifies his actions by asserting that he has morals and genuinely wants to help.

Darren keeps his promise and returns later that night to rescue the mermaid. He sets up a tank in his home, providing a safe and comfortable environment for her. He takes care of her, feeding her and attending to her needs. He shows genuine concern and remorse when he mistakenly believes she has died and apologizes profusely, promising not to hurt her - as the story progresses, it becomes evident that Darren's actions are driven by his passion for marine biology and his desire to study the ocean and its inhabitants. He sees the encounter with the mermaid as an opportunity to further his own research. He believes he is doing the right thing by saving her and feels a sense of purpose in his actions.

Despite Darren's good intentions, his decision to keep the mermaid hidden and away from her natural habitat creates tension and conflict with the authorities, namely the hunter Shane and the detective inspector leading the investigation, Simon Banks, They consider his actions dangerous and are determined to return the mermaid to the sea before she can harm herself or Darren despite Simon being skeptical and even calls the goings on "strange."

Darren's character is depicted as intelligent but lacking judgment at times, as mentioned by Dr. Rachael Williams, his superior at the University. She acknowledges his potential but also highlights his tendency to pursue unconventional hypotheses. Darren's dedication to his studies and his passion for exploring the mysteries of the ocean are evident, even though he may be prone to making impulsive decisions - In the final moments, Darren falls victim to a hallucination created by the mermaid, who has changed into a human form called Lily leading to his demise. His character demonstrates vulnerability and naivety as he follows the mermaid's deceptive invitation, ultimately resulting in his death.