S03.E01: Fire in the Sky

[thewhiteowl]

SWAT works to stop a serial bomber that is using drones as detonation devices.

[Danielg342]

Five long months but the wait is over! Let's blow some stuff up, guys.

[Raja]

Super Lieutenant who knows the folks who know everything.  A new technical consultant. The show is doubling down on its impossibility.  

[Danielg342]

I asked them to blow some stuff up and they did- literally. This show is back in a big way.

It wasn't without its faults- for one, the show once again went to the well of "our criminal is a former military man" (is Los Angeles overcrowded with disgruntled vets or something?), and I kind of wondered if a criminal really would behave the way our guy did (I got some strong "profiling" vibes watching this episode. Guess Shemar Moore missed that).

...and, well, it's a minor thing but Criminal Minds did it too- that beach scene had way too many people with clothes on. I mean, I get it- perhaps the producers were worried someone would complain about "the cheap attempt at sex appeal", but c'mon- I think nowadays people accept that shirtless attire and bikinis are common at a beach. A bikini-clad girl doesn't always have to be there for fanservice, am I right?

Maybe it is just me...anyway...

...but those were just minor issues in what was a wonderful, action-packed hour. Once again, what elevated the episode was the characters, how lively and developed they are. The camaraderie the SWAT team showed Hondo with their "Hondo bingo" was really touching and a lot of fun, really bringing home the vibe that this team truly is a family.

Then there was Street doing the favour for the Chief's daughter, with the obvious question being how much of that was because Street likes Molly Hicks. It might not be as clear cut as we'd think, since we've seen that Street really does have a heart and has grown from his beginnings as a macho airhead.

That, and I really think Street and Molly work well together...even though I'm sure Street + Chris will wind up being the endgame. It's how Hollywood works, unfortunately.

Of course the big character story going forward will be how Daddy Hondo and Mommy Hondo can co-exist, or will they co-exist. You begin to wonder just how bad things were with the elder Hondos, and if Senior really can (or even should) get a second chance. There's some great character drama there, and, given Moore's past on The Young and the Restless, he knows how to milk it.

A good start.

[Mars477]

Why would SWAT abandon a planned raid on a high threat individual to serve as first responders to an emergent incident in a completely different place?  Especially when they have reason to believe their presence has been compromised, tipping off the target of their raid and allowing him to potentially escape.

One of the things about the SRU in Flashpoint was that they were the cavalry, not the first responders.  There were always patrol cops around to establish a cordon and detectives to interview witnesses.

Not sure why they’d bring in a Hollywood Division Lieutenant to advise a SWAT team on tactical matters.  If Farrington were another senior Metro Division cop that would be another matter, but SWAT team leaders specialize in dynamic tactical situations rather than having a job description similar to that of a detective.

Again, the SRU doubled as a hostage negotiation unit and so could be expected to investigate subjects and interview witnesses, but SWAT is purely tactical.

That scene where Molly Hicks is talking to Street about her problems at the beginning had some very bad acting on her part.  Apparently the actress is more of a model, which kinda shows.

This is a very dumb show.

Now I just want to watch the early seasons of Flashpoint again.

Edited October 3, 2019 by Mars477

[Raja]

4 hours ago, Mars477 said:

Why would SWAT abandon a planned raid on a high threat individual to serve as first responders to an emergent incident in a completely different place?  Especially when they have reason to believe their presence has been compromised, tipping off the target of their raid and allowing him to potentially escape.

One of the things about the SRU in Flashpoint was that they were the cavalry, not the first responders.  There were always patrol cops around to establish a cordon and detectives to interview witnesses.

Not sure why they’d bring in a Hollywood Division Lieutenant to advise a SWAT team on tactical matters.  If Farrington were another senior Metro Division cop that would be another matter, but SWAT team leaders specialize in dynamic tactical situations rather than having a job description similar to that of a detective.

Again, the SRU doubled as a hostage negotiation unit and so could be expected to investigate subjects and interview witnesses, but SWAT is purely tactical.

That scene where Molly Hicks is talking to Street about her problems at the beginning had some very bad acting on her part.  Apparently the actress is more of a model, which kinda shows.

This is a very dumb show.

Now I just want to watch the early seasons of Flashpoint again.

I am not sure how "high value" a target we are talking about police making an arrest here. The very real world complaints that police have become more militarized due to not enough high value work so their SWAT teams are serving raid warrants where in previous generations the police knocked on the door during business hours.

As for the future boss Lieutenant she wasn't advising on raids, she was the detective providing the information instead of the extra scene of Deacon and Tan talking to a contact one knew from pre SWAT days

Right now I would call S.W.A.T. dumb in a good way as oppose to the N.C.I.S franchise which is dumb in a tired way or S.E.A.L. Team which is dumb in a bad way.

[Sweet Tooth]

I was not impressed with the "acting" talents of the chief's daughter. Her face barely moved. I do hope Street was doing it because he's a good guy and was in an abusive household.

Also agree that Street and Chris are endgame, but shows always have to do this dance, so here we are. 

Usually, with the ex-military guy, they've just gone nutty/have PTSD. Here at least they gave him a deeper reason.

I was also a little confused as to why they went to where the injured people were. They couldn't administer aid, and I would think their first priority would be catching the guy who sent the drone. It's not like people could identify who did it. 

Interesting that they have their own Q now. 

As usual, though, it was the character moments I liked the best. Dad coming back really throws a monkey wrench into the family dynamic. Hondo is really getting a chance to deal with all of his baggage. And the kid has been a nice addition. 

I'm also glad they won't be concentrating on Deacon's financial woes. While I know it served a purpose, it was pretty tedious. They addressed it this episode and let it go with one line. I'm fine with that.

Edited October 5, 2019 by Sweet Tooth

[Mars477]

On 10/3/2019 at 7:42 AM, Raja said:

I am not sure how "high value" a target we are talking about police making an arrest here. The very real world complaints that police have become more militarized due to not enough high value work so their SWAT teams are serving raid warrants where in previous generations the police knocked on the door during business hours.

As for the future boss Lieutenant she wasn't advising on raids, she was the detective providing the information instead of the extra scene of Deacon and Tan talking to a contact one knew from pre SWAT days

Right now I would call S.W.A.T. dumb in a good way as oppose to the N.C.I.S franchise which is dumb in a tired way or S.E.A.L. Team which is dumb in a bad way.

They mentioned in the exposition dump that the suspect 1) was tied to a number of very high profile, high value burglaries affecting rich people aka a priority target, and 2) was known to collect many semi-automatic firearms.  In other words he was armed and dangerous and probably somebody that necessitated a SWAT presence to arrest.

[Raja]

I guess it comes down to what peace officers do. Arrest isn't, or I think shouldn't, be their primary concern. When a big explosion happens nearby it should be no different than a "officer needs help" call is broadcast. When all officers abort any arrest mission they are on to go to where that officer called for help from 

[mythoughtis]

On 10/3/2019 at 1:24 AM, Danielg342 said:

...and, well, it's a minor thing but Criminal Minds did it too- that beach scene had way too many people with clothes on. I mean, I get it- perhaps the producers were worried someone would complain about "the cheap attempt at sex appeal", but c'mon- I think nowadays people accept that shirtless attire and bikinis are common at a beach. A bikini-clad girl doesn't always have to be there for fanservice, am I right?

Don’t worry... they made up for it with the large amount of cleavage the otherwise professional lieutenant was showing in the command center.   Seriously disappointed in the unrealistic way she was dressed.  We didn’t get that from what’s her name - was the only reason that she didn’t have any cleavage to show?

[Raja]

1 hour ago, mythoughtis said:

Don’t worry... they made up for it with the large amount of cleavage the otherwise professional lieutenant was showing in the command center.   Seriously disappointed in the unrealistic way she was dressed.  We didn’t get that from what’s her name - was the only reason that she didn’t have any cleavage to show?

I didn't even notice any cleavage. I do remember Captain Cortez for being unbelievable young for her rank.

[Mars477]

5 hours ago, mythoughtis said:

Don’t worry... they made up for it with the large amount of cleavage the otherwise professional lieutenant was showing in the command center.   Seriously disappointed in the unrealistic way she was dressed.  We didn’t get that from what’s her name - was the only reason that she didn’t have any cleavage to show?

If they were casting the unit officer role for sex appeal they wouldn’t have casted an actress in her 50s.  It didn’t look like Farrington was wearing anything more than street clothes, because she’s a cool detective.  And it’s not like Cortez was adverse to ramping up the sex appeal.

[mythoughtis]

10 hours ago, Mars477 said:

If they were casting the unit officer role for sex appeal they wouldn’t have casted an actress in her 50s.  It didn’t look like Farrington was wearing anything more than street clothes, because she’s a cool detective.  And it’s not like Cortez was adverse to ramping up the sex appeal.

When Cortez was at work and not in an undercover role, she dressed in a professional manner- slacks, nice top,suitable  coverage, and a jacket.  Undercover or on a date, she dressed appropriately for the occasion. 

This lieutenant, as you say, older than Cortez, seemed highly intelligent, professional, capable, all business, almost as if she could walk on water.  But then is shown with the men she COMMANDS, in the command center  in a low cut top.   Others may see it as appropriate attire for that  scene- I don’t. 

[zoey1996]

On 10/3/2019 at 2:24 AM, Danielg342 said:

Of course the big character story going forward will be how Daddy Hondo and Mommy Hondo can co-exist, or will they co-exist. You begin to wonder just how bad things were with the elder Hondos, and if Senior really can (or even should) get a second chance.

Then there was the Senior’s health problem anvil.  Coughing blood into a handkerchief is never a good thing.

I’m torn about Senior’s redemption arc.  It often seems too little, too late.  On the other hand if he can be there for the foster kid, isn’t that good?

[Danielg342]

On 10/15/2019 at 6:35 PM, zoey1996 said:

I’m torn about Senior’s redemption arc.  It often seems too little, too late.  On the other hand if he can be there for the foster kid, isn’t that good?

We never were told what, exactly, Danny Senior did other than he abandoned his kids when Junior was 14, but the way they talk about the past it sounds like what Senior did was more serious than abandonment (which is serious enough as it is). Charice looks at Senior like he's the dirt she scraped off her shoes...can you really redeem that kind of character?