S08.E09: Open Season

[Danielg342]

Quote

20-Squad must race to uncover a dangerous enemy intent on revenge. Also, Deacon and Tan butt heads over Tan's changes to SWAT academy.

Series Star Jay Harrington Directs

From The Futon Critic

[Snazzy Daisy]

[Danielg342]

Was Commander Hicks referencing Criminal Minds, specifically "In Plain Sight" (CM S01.E04)? That was when Spencer Reid told Hondo Derek Morgan, "we're really looking for a needle in a bunch of needles (because) a needle would stick out in a haystack".

Meta jokes aside, we had a middling return from the winter finale, where, once again, we had the ingredients for a good episode but we were left with a concoction that is more befuddling than satisfying.

To be fair, there were some great moments, like seeing Emerson Brooks (Doubs) again, the moment at the end with Powell and Neesy, and Trey Williams' story (and Hondo eventually becoming a father figure for him), plus the old guy at the end coming through for Hondo.

There also were times when the tension rang true and the pacing was great.

...but...

Like a lot of episodes of late, the writers seem to just jam too much into one episode and hope it works.

Maybe the show's one-too-many brushes with cancellation is catching up to the writers, because they're getting too afraid of not being able to tell the stories they want to tell, which is why they jam too many of them into one episode.

As much as I like Neesy and Doubs, those stories could have been episodes of their own, as could a broader episode be made about SWAT Academy. I'm not really sure the Tan-Deacon drama is a great narrative choice, but if they were going to do something with that story, then do something with it instead of just tying it off with a few lines.

...and no, Tan and Deacon don't have to be at each other's throats...but seeing Tan navigate the Academy, Doubs' training and seeing Deacon help Tan out (because Deacon probably would in Tan's first go-around with the Academy) could have been a great story to follow.

I grant we still may get that story, but it's important that we give it it's proper due and not just give it a few lines per episode.

This show may still have some legs left in it, but to utilize them it needs to start having a better direction- and not run around all over the place aimlessly like they have been doing.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Of course the bounty is on Hondo’s head. What a cliché. 🙄 Don’t like this story because am not a fan of reckless, angry Hondo.

Since when Tan becomes so cocky and defensive? 

It’s good to see Dobes again. I hope he’ll make it to SWAT.

The subplot involving Powell and her former cellmate is a waste of time. The writers are working overtime to make Powell likeable. Her cockiness has totally vanished. 🙄

When it comes to second chances and a white knight, it’s all about recycling ♻️ the plot. First we have Raymont Harris, then Darryl Henderson and now Trae Williams. Boring! 😣

[threebluestars]

Why is this show so boring?

I don't know whether it's the new characters on the team or the plots, but it's just a snoozefest for me.

[jabRI]

i have a hard time caring much less remembering half of these new characters back story

[KeithJ]

I don’t understand why working out two times a day is going to help you keep up with the younger recruits during SWAT training. If anything isn’t that just going to wear you out faster?