In the premiere of the new S.W.A.T. Exiles, we were introduced to a very different Hondo (Shemar Moore) and a very different S.W.A.T. It’s not the same team or the same headquarters, and it’s not the same world. It will require an adjustment from all of them if they’re to succeed. But do the leaders even want them to succeed?
That’s a fair question, and one that Hondo presses in this week’s episode, “Not One But Two.” Let’s dive in. SPOILERS BELOW.
We begin with a shootout at a Korean night club. It seems to indicate that there is a potential gang war brewing. So, the team is called to serve a warrant at the warehouse owned by Monte Barzarian (Cas Anvar). It’s also a chance to learn more about how they lead and if they can lead.
Hondo isn’t sold on this new team. He knows it was assembled in order to fail. The grand plan is to shift all S.W.A.T. responsibilities to the Sheriff’s Department, and if Hondo can’t get the team together, that’s what will happen. So, he’s grilling the team again, trying to get them ready and mold them.
That also means some clashes in the way they view things. That’s particularly true of Hondo and Malik (Adain Bradley), who doesn’t believe that violence and the old tactics still work. Hondo pushes him that, in the heat of battle, he has to be ready to act.
On the first mission of the week, it’s Jude (Ronen Rubinstein) who gets a chance to lead as a scout. The raid on the warehouse turns up only an empty craft, but also some problems with the team. Jude doesn’t communicate well and ends up almost shooting Cassidy (Zyra Gorecki). They also miss a whole chunk of the building, which makes them look bad when Monte and his son, Andre (Nicholas Garabedian), arrive.
The team hasn’t learned much, but they use the empty crate for some research. Ethan (Freddy Miyares) has some awkward moments, but he’s good with technology. He manages to find a lead that takes the team to a remote location for a drop. It looks like a weapons buy. So, with Sam (Lucy Barrett) taking her turn as scout, they set up a sting.
When Monte and Andre arrive, the bullets start flying. But they aren’t the aggressors; they’re simply the next target. Hondo and the team spring into action, but Sam ends up frozen for a moment by the gunfire. And Malik ends up risking himself and the team to try and save one of the targets who has been wounded.
The second mission is a bust and it’s starting to look bad for the team. Neither recruit has done well as a scout, and they are out of leads. It looks like someone is trying to manipulate things to create a gang war.
A new commander
Hondo checks in with the new S.W.A.T. commander, Angela Pike (Lenora Crichlow). She has a different style and doesn’t seem to take what Hondo says about the team seriously. But she does warn him that another bad incident report will likely spell the end for the team.
Hondo does some digging to learn what he can about the new commander. He learns enough to know that she was on the original panel when he was terminated the first time. He’s not sure if she’s a friend or working against him here, so he’s got his guard up. But he’s missing the real threat.
Malik may be a part of the team, but he doesn’t believe in Hondo or his methods—at least not yet. He meets with his contact (Caitlin McGee) and is pressed for more dirt. He notes the latest incident report has an inaccuracy. Could it be that he’s pointing out the softening that Hondo did at the behest of Pike?
A resolution
Meanwhile, the team is able to sift through the evidence and find a lead. Turns out it isn’t a gang war so much as a power play. Andre is trying to go around and eventually through his father to take things over. With Monte in the hospital, it’s clear Andre will make another attempt. So, the team heads to the hospital to thwart Andre.
Malik is the scout on the mission, and he divides things well. The team is in place, actually working well together, when Andre makes his move. He holds his father at gunpoint, a real-life scenario mirroring training earlier in the episode. Despite it not being his preference, Malik calls for the shot, and Jude delivers, taking out Andre and saving the day.
Malik is able to overcome his doubts to get the job done. He’s also able to rally the team better than others. So, Hondo names him the permanent scout going forward.
There was plenty of action here. We’re getting to know this new team and all the potential skeletons in their closet. The question is who Malik is working with and what will come of his insider information. It’s also fair to wonder if he’s having second thoughts about being a mole.
S.W.A.T. Exiles airs Fridays on Starz. Check back next week as we recap all the action of the season.
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