Wilder, a marine biologist and ex-Navy S.E.A.L. secretly turns eco-warrior in a desperate attempt to shock his neighbors in a small New England fishing village into taking action to protect their fragile estuary and with it, their livelihoods. But they are too preoccupied with providing for the on-coming winter and dealing with the effects of their dwindling catch to respond. Instead they continue tussling with mean-spirited price wars, pranks, gossip, sabotage, theft, fisticuffs and gunfire; pitting friend against friend and father against son.Meanwhile Wilder discovers his partner, Jenny, the leader of a clandestine group of animal activists, has taken up with one of her associates, Whit, a graffiti artist whose personal signature is releasing dogs from overheated cars. Wilder’s response is an affair of his own with predatory grad student, Moira, and their relationship causes fireworks to explode in this fishbowl of a small village.

It is only when their son, Max, intervenes, that Jenny and Wilder are shaken out of their self-absorption and are able to act clearly. This contemporary town in crisis serves as a backdrop for an examination of relationships: across generations, across classes and across families.

Our courageous little group are willing to put everything on the line to fight for what they believe in and for their right to believe it. In this world of people whose circumstances compel them to fight against the rules in one form or another, all must swim against the tide of opinion, propriety, habit and convention – whatever stands in the way of their passion or conviction.

Ultimately the individualistic villagers must accomplish the difficult task of uniting or face perishing together. As a huge navy submarine makes its way towards their harbor, they must decide whether to stand together and confront the massive toxic dumping by the navy or continue just dealing with their own selfish particular problems. And even if they can rally, how can their small fishing boats make a stand against a nuclear powered sub?