Krista Allen (Jenna) goes from recurring in the previous season to being a series regular beginning with this episode. She was added into the opening credits as of this episode.
This episode introduced two brand new main characters Leigh Dyer (Brande Roderick), and Zack McEwan (Charlie Brumbly).
The intro was changed with the departure of Mitch Buchannon (David Hasselhoff, who was killed off in the last episode of the previous season and would later return for the reunion movie), Jessie Owens (Brooke Burns, who would later guest star in a few episodes, Allie Reese (Simmone Jade MacKinnon) and Dawn Masterton (Brandy Ledford).
It's a mystery about what happened to Newmie, if he's either retired, killed or still working at the training center, teaching the recent rookies, plus Mitch is no longer mentioned, after dying, but in heaven is seeing that his new training center is ok, not even mentioning that the training center was his idea, plus Hobie is not mentioned anymore.
The music was also changed from the familiar "I'm Always Here" to "Let Me Be The One."