S07.E13: Twenty Squad

[DanaK]

Quote

SWAT faces their deadliest adversary yet when a violent cell of extremists looks to extract vengeance by blowing up half of Los Angeles, potentially killing thousands. Still reeling from the anger and outrage directed at him by his own community, Hondo questions if he still has what it takes to lead 20-Squad, adding to the fear that he won't be able to pull the team together in time to save the city, on the seventh season finale of the CBS Original series S.W.A.T., Friday, May 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+

 

[Snazzy Daisy]

[Danielg342]

Looks like we're getting Vasquez again and, at the very least, Deacon's agreed to suit back up officially this one time. I wonder if the top photo will come at the end of the episode.

[Danielg342]

Well, there were some heartwarming moments in the end between Hondo Jr. and Senior, Deacon deciding to stay (and Annie letting him stay) and Alfaro and Tan patching things up.

I'm also left wondering just, exactly, what was re-shot and how this episode would have wound up if it really was the series finale.

Does Deacon decide to stay retired?

Does 20-Squad implode because of the Tan-Alfaro rift?

Does Hondo die on top of that tanker?

Lots of questions, but they, thankfully, don't have to be answered.

The only lingering thread- the hook for next season- will be what 20-Squad will look like come the fall.

Even though Tan and Alfaro patched things up, there's no guarantee that everyone will return.

Even if they do, Hicks told Hondo that there's a sixth spot where Hondo can pick "whomever he likes". I wonder if that spot will be reserved for whom I suspect will be the cast newcomer the show decides to hire in order to "freshen up" the series.

Lots to digest over the summer, a summer we didn't think we'd see after last summer, but, here we are.

As for this Season 7 finale...well, it was bleh, like the rest of the season. Diplomatically, the best I can say is that it was "there"...aside from Hondo's cool stunt, did any of it really register?

A good part of it was that the acting by those playing the villains was sub-par, as was the writing. Saying they were "going through the motions" is being kind.

Hopefully, now that the writers know they have a whole season to work with and one that may not even likely be the last one, they'll up their game and do better than this uneven season where the writing staff seemed largely disinterested.

Hondo was told to up his game...well, now Shemar Moore, you gotta get the writers to up theirs, if you all want to see the show go to S9, S10 and beyond.

[Snazzy Daisy]

For a season finale, it’s OK. Nothing groundbreaking. The characters are left on a good note and no cliffhanger. But it will be a disappointing series finale, TBH.

Tan being petty and acting like a brat is out of character. Powell acting like a mediator between Tan and Alfaro is pure high-and-mighty. UGH.

The double car chase in the parking garage and the tanker/chopper closing stunt - they are badass, solid stunts. It’s nice to have extra budget for a tanker and 2 choppers (one for camera) after downgrading 2 series regulars and replacing them with a cheaper option. 🙄

I truly hate Deacon’s fake retirement storyline. Really hate it. After losing Street and Luca, the potential of losing Deac is too much to bear. The way it’s being resolved is just an insult to our intelligence. A SIL, really show??! The Kays can always afford a professional nanny and their kids aren’t babies anymore. The person(s) who came out with this idea and wrote this fake retirement arc should all be fired. They toy with our emotions and make Annie even more unlikeable. 

Obba Babatundé and his delivery always make me cry. There’s so much heart to it. Dammit. 😭

Andrew Dettman (the showrunner) already said in an interview that they won’t be able to bring Street and Luca back as series regulars for next season. He also said that Alfaro and Powell are a keeper. Doesn’t he realize that both these characters are terrible and unlikeable? I don’t trust this guy. Season 8 won’t be much different than season 7. Keeping my expectations low. 😣

[Quark]

I've just caught up with this series and quite enjoy it! Although it's not half as fun as the earlier seasons.

I found the beef between Tan and Alfaro hilarious these last couple episodes. I like seeing a bit of team friction. Tan is always very passive (and the actor is mediocre), so it is always nice when he puts a bit of oomph in his performance.

 

Edited May 20 by Quark