S.W.A.T. Season 7 is all set to debut on Netflix ahead of the season 8 premiere on October 18, 2024. The beloved police drama previously aired on Paramount Plus and Apple TV before Netflix acquired its streaming rights.
Initially, S.W.A.T. was en route to get scrapped after season 7, but after a hike in viewership ratings, the decision was revoked.
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The show has gone through profound changes, including mind-bending storylines and new eccentric characters. S.W.A.T. has maintained its primary ethos of promising character growth and intense plot lines. Season 7 certainly delivered on that aspect as the team headed to Mexico for what was supposed to be a simple prison exchange.
Hondo and the gang primarily travel to Mexico to act as bodyguards for a witness in a big case. During their journey, Hondo is faced with a blast from the past when the son of an old witness from 10 years back resurfaces.
Season 7 of S.W.A.T. was a heck of a ride; here's all you need to know about it before binging on season 8 of the show!
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for season 7 of S.W.A.T. Reader discretion is advised.
S.W.A.T's run-in with eco-terrorists
S.W.A.T. has had several encounters with dangerous and psychotic crime organizations over the years. This season, Hondo's team had a heated negotiation with a group of mangled eco-terrorists. When the son of a prestigious energy corporation executive gets abducted, Hondo’s squad is ordered to execute a rescue mission with the teen’s life at stake.
After an exchange of gunfire, words, and an intense conversation, Hondo’s team tackles the eco-terrorists and saves the teen’s life despite some close calls. Meanwhile, the characters each go through a series of personal struggles. Hondo grapples with the aftermath of a shooting in his neighborhood, causing an outcry for justice.
Similarly, his best buddy Deacon is confronted by a decision concerning his retirement—something he has put off for a long while. Although he does turn in a resignation during the finale of the series, he returns to supervise the team and will be back in season 8 of S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T's reunion with The Yakuza in Los Angeles
S.W.A.T. has had its fair share of run-ins with Japanese crime organizations, especially the Yakuza on several accounts. This includes the time Hondo and the gang were invited to visit Japan for another case, encountering the Yakuza and questioning the Japanese police’s intervention.
Nonetheless, in season 7 of the CBS show, the squad faced the Yakuza once more. It appears the Yakuza were on the hunt for the blood of a member who left the group for the sake of his family and was willing to testify against them in Japan.
After several encounters with near-death experiences, Hondo and the squad go head-to-head against the Yakuza at a cemetery, ending their hunt once and for all.
Additionally, Hondo’s wife Nichelle, who was scrutinized for allegedly accepting bribes, is all cleared! After producing evidence of her innocence, she’s finally let off the hook and is back to building her life with him.
S.W.A.T. takes down the vigilante sniper of Los Angeles
In season 7 episode 10 of S.W.A.T., the city goes into panic mode when a sniper opens fire in crowded localities of the city. Things get more intense when the sniper targets and kills a young girl from Hondo’s neighborhood.
Although Hondo thought it was a local gang, his suspicion proved futile after the squad discovered a surprising link: each victim shot was involved in a twisted murder case years ago.
After establishing a strong lead and crossing out alibis, the squad detains the man responsible for the shootings. Sadly, due to insufficient evidence, he was released yet monitored. Despite having security outside, the perp ends up committing another murder—of the guard officer—and sets out to kill his final victims.
Plot twist: he’s not alone and has had an accomplice all along! Despite negotiations between Hondo’s team and the sniper, Hondo ends up gunning down the killer when he begins targeting innocent civilians.
The end of the episode also saw Tanner take on Deacon’s role (who retired) of leading the S.W.A.T. academy in his place.
Deacon's retirement from S.W.A.T.
This was perhaps a very bittersweet moment for fans of S.W.A.T. who’ve followed Deacon and his journey throughout the seven seasons. Deacon (played by Jay Harrington) has been a fan favorite since his debut in season 1. He’s Hondo’s most trusted partner in the field and closest companion in life.
Whether it was helping him navigate a relationship and family or having his back during a dangerous mission, Hondo and Deacon were two peas in a pod. Deacon’s retirement was teased since before season 7 commenced earlier this year. However, in episode 10, it becomes official.
Deacon spends time with the entire gang on two major missions before he bows out permanently. For the sake of Hondo, he stuck around through the aforementioned sniper situation.
His last act before retiring was training Officer Tan to be an instructor at the S.W.A.T. academy—a title Deacon proudly held. Tan was initially nervous and unsure about filling in such big shoes and extra responsibility. However, he effortlessly slipped into the role and, in the end, led the two rookies through a successful tag game.
The return of the Green Rebellion in "Twenty Squad" of S.W.A.T.
The final episode of S.W.A.T. Season 7 was certainly explosive in every manner. The episode saw the return of the eco-terrorist group known as the Green Rebellion from earlier in the season. With cops mysteriously being killed, the group strikes fear into the hearts of Los Angeles and the Twenty Squad with a video of them taking credit for the murders.
Enraged by the deaths of their colleagues, Hondo and the team decide to leap into action against one of their most life-threatening foes. This is because the group also threatens citizens with an explosive device capable of leveling blocks at a stretch—harming dozens in the process. Deacon also briefly returns from retirement to assist Hondo and the squad.
With a city being evacuated and ready for danger, time was of the essence. Hondo and the squad were able to finally discover the mastermind behind the bomb threat and the aforementioned kidnapping: Zane Graham and Karl Gore. The duo merely put up a facade of concern for the environment. In reality, they had ulterior motives that would harm multitudes of innocent civilians.
Nonetheless, Hondo and the gang figure out Zane’s grand plan of blowing the city up using a vehicle. They not only disarmed a bomb but also cut and destroyed the remaining stash of explosives Zane had hidden in another getaway vehicle—eventually leading to Zane’s death and the city's safety.
In the end, Deacon decides to return to the squad after realizing his undying passion for it. The squad had a grand reunion, with Alfaro officially rejoining the team and Hondo and his dad sharing a wholesome moment.
S.W.A.T. Seasons 7 and 8 will be available to binge on Netflix on October 4, 2024 and October 18, 2024 respectively.
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