For eight seasons, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Shemar Moore) kept the streets of Los Angeles safe as the leader of S.W.A.T. on CBS. That series nearly ended a few times but finally registered its final season last year. But it turns out that wasn’t the end of Hondo and S.W.A.T. Now, in a new spin-off, SWAT Exiles, which moved to Starz, Hondo is back with a new team, a new mission, and a whole new set of adventures. The pilot episode, “Clean Entry,” is about setting up this new series. Let’s dive in. SPOILERS BELOW.
Catching up with Hondo
As we begin, Hondo is working private security. He’s no longer a member of the SWAT Team thanks to some politics and being worn out by the job. Turns out he’s haunted by an incident that happened when he was on the job. He was on a mission with a young SWAT member, Nico (Alejandro Akara), when things went bad.
Nico ended up dead. Hondo wasn’t pleased with the politics and the aftermath. So, he did what he thought was right. He released body camera footage to the media and ended up being pushed out in the aftermath. It seems to have imploded the life she built for himself, too. We quickly learn his mother passed and he’s gotten a divorce. All that leaves us with a very different Hondo as the series starts.
But he gets a visit from Commander Hicks (Patrick St. Esprit). Hicks is coming with an offer. They want Hondo back with SWAT to lead a new team. Turns out things have taken a turn when it comes to SWAT, and the department needs help. While Hondo is reluctant to be a part of it, he ends up weighing the offer and accepting a return.
A whole new SWAT
When Hondo returns, it’s clear immediately that he’s meant to be something of a figurehead. He’s called into a press conference on his return before he even gets to meet his new team. And he has returned to a very different SWAT. Gone is the cool headquarters and gadgets. Now, the unit is much less glamorous. But the job and the needs of the city are the same.
That’s true of his new team, too. They’re a young group. Jude (Ronen Rubenstein) is a bit full of himself, Cassidy (Zyra Gorecki) is trying to overcome some limitations, Ethan (Freddy Miyares) is a bit awkward, and Sam (Lucy Barrett) is more into social media than the job. Then there’s Malik (Adain Bradley), who has a bit of hero worship going on. But this team is raw, and Hondo is determined to whip them into shape.
Hondo puts them through the paces. He pushes them on the training course and doesn’t get the response he’s expecting. He tries to treat them like he did his old team, but he keeps people at a distance. He’s haunted by what happened to Nico and determined not to let it happen again, which leads him to all new mistakes. Malik quits, and Sam calls Hondo out for his lack of leadership with this group.
Frustrated, Hondo begins to reflect on his behavior and his style. He goes to see an old friend and teammate, Deacon (Jay Harrington). As he always did when they were teammates, Deacon offers some wisdom and insight. Hondo realizes he needs to form a new team; he needs to do things differently. He also realizes forming a new, successful team isn’t why he was brought back.
Hondo realizes he and his new team were set up to fail. But he’s determined to prove everyone wrong. He goes to his team, confesses his faults, and gets everyone back on track. Even Malik comes back. They get themselves together just in time to complete their new mission. It’s not a complete success, but they are on the right track.
Upcoming problems
Hondo seems to have worked to patch up his team and put things back together. They are on the same page and united under one mission. But it’s clear there is work to be done to feel like a team. That includes Hondo continuing to alter his approach. But it’s not going to be that easy.
As the episode concludes, we find Malik having a meeting of his own. Turns out he’s not really there for his Hondo worship, nor is he there to be a part of the new SWAT. He’s undercover looking for dirt and a way to bring Hondo down for the past. That means there are some rough days ahead for this new team of exiles.
I really enjoyed S.W.A.T. on CBS. I was one of those who watched it for eight seasons. So, I was excited to see it return. Being on Starz seems an awkward fit, and the pilot certainly felt like something created for network TV that moved elsewhere. Will that morph as we go forward? Perhaps it will. I still love Moore in the lead, and I’m curious to see where this new group goes from here.
SWAT Exiles airs Fridays on Starz.
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