S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) season 8

Season of television series

S.W.A.T.

Season 8
Starring|

* Shemar Moore
* David Lim
* Patrick St. Esprit
* Anna Enger Ritch
* Niko Pepaj
* Annie Ilonzeh
* Jay Harrington

No. of episodes| 20
Release
Original network| CBS
Original release| October 18, 2024 (2024-10-18) –
present
Season chronology

← Previous
Season 7

List of episodes

The eighth and final season of the American police procedural television series S.W.A.T. premiered on CBS, for the 2024–25 U.S. television season on October 18, 2024.[1] S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Anna Enger Ritch and Jay Harrington, and centers on Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson (Moore) and his police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team Twenty Squad.

The seventh season was originally set as the final of the series. However, on April 11, 2024, the series was renewed for an eighth season.[2] Niko Pepaj and Annie Ilonzeh were added to main cast for the season. On March 6, 2025, CBS confirmed that the eighth season would be the series' last.[3]

## Cast and characters

[edit]

Main article: List of S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) characters

### Main

[edit]

* Shemar Moore as LAPD SWAT Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson Jr.
* David Lim as LAPD SWAT Officer III Victor Tan
* Patrick St. Esprit as LAPD SWAT Commander Robert Hicks
* Anna Enger Ritch as LAPD SWAT Officer III Zoe Powell
* Niko Pepaj as LAPD SWAT Officer III Miguel Alfaro
* Annie Ilonzeh as LAPD SWAT Officer Devin Gamble
* Jay Harrington as LAPD SWAT Sergeant II David "Deacon" Kay

### Recurring

[edit]

* Brigitte Kali Canales as Officer Alexis Cabrera
* Otis "Odie" Gallop as Sergeant Stevens
* Obba Babatundé as Daniel Harrelson Sr.
* Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Donovan Rocker
* Emily Alabi as Olivia Navarro
* David Rees Snell as LAPD Detective John Burrows
* Merrin Dungey as Deputy Chief Leticia Bennett

### Guest

[edit]

* Gilles Marini as Gus Dupont
* William Allen Young as Coach Howie Kincaid
* Jeryl Prescott as Judy Kincaid
* Heather Mazur as Lydia Samuels
* David Fumero as Lieutenant Raul Vignisson
* Michael Landes as Warden David Bennett
* Scott Lawrence as Kyle Johnson
* Scott Menville as Aggro Prisoner
* Christine Woods as Jenelle Wilson
* Stacy Haiduk as Diane
* Cathy Cahlin Ryan as Dr. Wendy Hughes
* Melinda Clarke as Marie Alfaro
* Levy Tran as Maya
* Laura James as Molly Hicks
* Jerry Rice as Himself
* Kenny "the Jet" Smith as Himself

### Special Guest Stars

[edit]

* Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle Carmichael

## Episodes

[edit]

See also: List of S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) episodes

* "Vanished" is the first episode to credit Niko Pepaj as series regular Miguel "Miko" Alfaro, and first appearance of Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble.
* "Open Season" is the first episode to credit Annie Ilonzeh as series regular Devin Gamble.

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title [4]| Directed by| Written by| Original release date [4]| Prod.
code [4]| U.S. viewers
(millions)

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142| 1| "Vanished"| Billy Gierhart| Kent Rotherham| October 18, 2024 (2024-10-18)| 801| 4.05[5]

Gus Dupont abducts Lucy Ambrose and nine school children. Hondo and Deacon chase robbery suspects. Powell tazers the suspect with the duffelbag, new team member Devin Gamble tackles another, while Tan and Hondo capture 16 year-old Ty Wallace, who was after his mother's stolen wedding ring. Alfaro hands Ty's collar to newbie Gamble. For saving her "Bubu," Zora gifts the team with sheqerpare, and nicknames Alfaro "Miko" which amuses Gamble. Hondo learns from Judy Kincaid that his former mentor who set him straight as a teen, Coach Howie Kincaid drove the bus. A news anchorwoman announces kidnappers' demands; Hondo suspects a cover-story. At a mine, Howie plants his medical alert bracelet on Denis Girard, who is shot ditching the empty truck. Commander Hicks expresses doubt about Gamble's family criminal history, including her father Ernie, a convicted cop-killer. Alfaro learns one of the mothers, Lydia Samuels, works in I.T. support, but Powell shows she does cyber security for HSX Technologies. Tan and Powell question Samuels, and learn what the kidnappers are really after. Dupont leaves Jacques to ensure the children don't escape. Coach calms the children as he discovers the mine is poisoned by sulfur dioxide, making a rescue time-critical.

143| 2| "Gang Unit"| Cherie Dvorak| Matthew T. Brown| October 25, 2024 (2024-10-25)| 802| 3.84[6]

Four masked men raid the Compton Tigers stash house, killing Mo, Ash, Wes...and a mother next door. LASD's Gang Suppression Unit arrives to assist Hicks and Hondo, led by Lieutenant Raul Vignisson. Twenty-Squad learns it's the fourth stash-house hit. Hicks and Vignisson argue jurisdiction; Hondo reasons with him. Vignisson agrees, but from "our station, our way." Deputies Cesar Torres and Brian Lang greet 20-Squad; Deacon recognizes his old patrol partner, Alex "Dobes" Doberstein, who aspires to Vignisson's unit. Gamble, Powell, and Alfaro analyze street-cam footage of Danny Parra's car; his brother Arturo runs the Soldados. Lang tells Tan, Gamble's father killed one of their Deputies. SWAT and GSU storm the Soldados; Lang shoots Danny. Arturo insists Danny was a civilian. Gamble tells Tan about her past. Dobes tells Deacon how SWAT was his dream too. Powell deduces Danny was in Tigers' turf for a girlfriend; Emma Roddy. Hondo learns Vignisson led a gun buy-back, including the gun taken from Danny. Hondo, Tan, and Deacon, take their suspicions about GSU to Hicks. They race to Elsa Roddy's house to question Emma before GSU finds her. Dobes gives Deacon a lead, Powell provides a location, 20-Squad gears up.

144| 3| "Life"| Oz Scott| Sarah Alderson| November 1, 2024 (2024-11-01)| 803| 4.55[7]

At Belwood Prison, Marvin serves eggs Benedict (aka cream of wheat); not what Albert wants. Another prisoner goes aggro instigating a fight and a lock-down. Hicks reminds Hondo that Warden David Bennett's wife is Deputy Chief Leticia Bennett, who oversees SWAT. An IED blows a hole in the kitchen wall. Hondo relieves Alfaro for disobeying an order. The hole draws 20-Squad deeper into the high-security wing, where "Life" prisoners are released from cells, trapping them. They save a guard, Kyle Johnson. The bomber escapes and prisoners raid the armory. Hicks calls more SWAT squads and asserts authority over Bennett. Hondo saves Kyle's son Jason. Benicio "El Rey" Ramirez, whose cousin Jesse "Cuchillo" Ramirez was shot by Hondo (in "Cuchillo"), takes the three hostage. Marvin tells Alfaro it wasn't about eggs, and names Luis Diaz; the bomber. Diaz is stabbed by The Prophet who ordered the escape. Bennett throws Hicks under the bus to the L.A.Times. Amaro finds the prophet; serial killer Moses Adams, who is posing as an injured doctor with his "nurse" Angela. Hicks calls Bennett "an incompetent moron" and Bennett threatens Hicks' job. Deacon recognizes Moses and warns Tan, but Moses and Angela are already leaving the prison.

145| 4| "The Sepulveda Protocol"| Cherie Dvorak| Ryan Keleher| November 8, 2024 (2024-11-08)| 804| 4.25[8]

Hondo and Gamble bolster Mayor Castro's protection detail against K-Town suspect Paul Kang. Tan teaches SWAT Academy as a blackout creates chaos in the San Fernando Valley, forcing all officers to the Eagle's Nest. Hicks executes "The Sepulveda Protocol" deploying all SWAT officers to emergency patrol duty to handle crime spikes. Officer Alexis Cabrera and Sgt. Stevens head to NoHo; Tan and Alfaro take Studio City; Deacon and Powell pair up, but not before Powell disturbs a chess match, considered bad juju. Sam asks Tan and Alfaro for a wellness check on her neighbor Travis, and they find a neglected child, which enrages Alfaro. Deacon and Powell arrest robbery suspects and find a sabotaged substation, leading to discovery of three others. At a cooling station, Hondo deals with a second suspect, as Gamble saves Castro from Kang. Alfaro narrows the target to SCWP's lead engineer, Alice Burkes. Deacon and Powell respond and apprehend Ricky Lawson. Powell is shot in the vest and Burkes is taken by Owens Valley suspects led by Hank Fonda, who intends a terrorist attack against the Hollywood Dam. After the hazing (in "Life"), Gamble asks Hondo, why he picked her for 20-Squad; "Because you care."

146| 5| "Human Interest"| Ben Hernandez Bray| Amelia Sims| November 15, 2024 (2024-11-15)| 805| 4.13[9]

Deputy Chief Bennett conducts her biannual review of SWAT...two months early; Hicks suspects an ulterior motive after Warden David Bennet's DoC suspension. Hondo defends the Chief as a stand-up cop. Tan's girlfriend Olivia Navarro is kidnapped by Pedro Legarra and El Sabueso. DEA Agent Gabriel Rodado who opposes the Vallarta Mexican drug cartel, is also taken. Rodado's partner, DEA Agent Bryant assists 20-Squad, providing intelligence on the Bloodhound's mistress turned informant, Maria Lazano. Hondo asks about local gangs that distribute cocaine. Bryant, "Los Magnificos." Alfaro's juvenile Long Beach contact has a brother in Los Mag, but Manuel Flores denies involvement. Powell and Tan analyze video of Doce Asesinos (A-12) surveillance on Rodaldo. They take fire and storm an A-12 stash house where they find Olivia setup to interview the Bloodhound for a human-interest story on missing students, enraging Bryant. Olivia doesn't reveal her contact, but does provide a clue leading to Navarro, who says Rodado broke under torture, giving up Maria's location. Twenty-Squad races to save both Maria and Rodado. Powell and Alfaro confront Officer Landry about hazing Gabel; Hondo benches him. Tan gets Olivia access to interview the Bloodhound...in holding. Bennett finds a new angle to leverage Hicks; Gamble.

147| 6| "Hot Button"| Guy Ferland| Daniela Labi| November 22, 2024 (2024-11-22)| 806| 4.62[10]

Dr. Jeremy Scott pulls up to the gate of the Debra Greene Well Woman's Clinic, when a gunman shoots him and the guard, Randy. Thomas tells his mother Zoe about touring with Lincoln Gate in Portland. Zoe contributes $500, which conflicts with his adoptive parents, Josh and Diane. Miko deals with girlfriend drama, until he meets Deacon's sister-in-law, Nicole. Detective John Burrows tells 20-Squad of another clinic murder, nurse Mia. Deacon recognizes abortion as a hot-button issue. Randy gives a description. Mrs. Scott says one protester took photos. Powell finds John Clayton's doxing website, United for the Unborn. Clayton's alibi checks out. Hondo and Tan respond to the car BOLO at a gym. The suspect asked for self-defense trainer Zach, and gunshots sound. The car's owner is Paul Hayes who has a record. They find Paul's wife Hannah dead. Zach survives and says Paul abused her, and Jeremy and Mia were also Zach's students. Zach warns that Paul will kill their kids Gabby and Adam as well. Paul is already at their school, threatening Principal Mitchell Maupin. Hannah's exit plan included her sister Jenelle Wilson. Twenty-Squad rushes to find her and the kids before Paul.

148| 7| "Home"| Jann Turner| Tianna Majumdar-Langham & Chris Bessounian| December 6, 2024 (2024-12-06)| 807| 4.33[11]

Tan continues SWAT Academy, GTA-style with Gamble. Tan damages the Charger. Gamble has a solution; her twin brother Leon. Tan protests as Leon is a known criminal, like her brother Judd. Hondo and Nichelle Carmichael argue over the appropriate daycare atmosphere for their daughter Vivienne. Twenty-Squad investigates why two Indian UCLA students, Anu Bose and her boyfriend Vasu Singh, were targeted by three gunmen. Motives include road rage and racism. But Anu was followed before, and provides a photo. Powell runs the plates to a P.I. firm. Owner York Shafer says Anu's parents, Jayesh and Aalia Bose, hired him. Hicks urges Powell to call her son to reconcile. A shooter goes after Vasu at the hospital. Hondo and Deacon respond, asking Anu if her partents could've hired them. She explains, Vasu is Sikh, not Hindu. Hicks and Gamble question Jayesh and Aalia, who object to separatist extremism, not his religion. Tan briefs Hicks and Deacon on Shivan Samtani, his brother Tejan, and the third Nilesh Bindal. Powell finds two users of the Sikh separatist website Vasu built, who might be the next targets; Arjun Vahali and Raj Gupta. Twenty-Squad responds to active shooters at the Sihk temple.

149| 8| "Left of Boom"| Billy Gierhart| Allen L. Sowelle| December 13, 2024 (2024-12-13)| 808| 4.37[12]

Twenty-Squad responds to 12.5 kilos of stolen neutronium 613\. Lt. Randolph meets them at the truck, but it's empty. Jeremiah Jacobs says he got the job online and knows nothing. A shooter, Oraz Mustafin also stole ammonium nitrate. The team prepares to stop terrorists from triggering a dirty bomb in L.A.. The FBI also has a BOLO for Khalid Torani. Alfaro and Powell follow a lead with Vadim at Velvet Vixen and find Jeremiah lied. Hick's says we gotta stop this thing, "left of boom." Sgt. Garcia from 70-Squad joins the effort, but the target building is clean. Hicks reveals to Jeremiah, his wife is pregnant, getting a new lead; the Federal Building. Powell wonders about Alfaro's boxing skills, and why he won't use them in the annual LAPD versus LAFD "smoker" boxing tournament. Townsend antagonizes Alfaro into a match. After refusing numerous calls, Gamble takes Hondo's advice to "face the demon" and visits her father Ernie in prison. He says there's a bounty on someone in 20-Squad, and it's going down today...

150| 9| "Open Season"| Jay Harrington| Charlie Haddaway| January 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)| 809| 3.14[13]

...Gamble rushes for her phone to warn 20-Squad. Dobes says Tan cut half the SWAT Academy class, which worries Deacon. Hondo learns he's got a million-dollar bounty after Trae Williams tries shooting him. Powell is worried for Denise "Nisi" Shaw (from "Bunkies") and checks-in with Nisi's boss Christy; Nisi is passed out. Twenty-Squad tries uncovering who wants revenge on Hondo. Trae says his name is Spoke. Motorcyclists make an attempt, stalling Hondo's Charger, stranding him in the Compton hood... Leeland Park... One 9er's turf... alone! Hicks rolls 40-Squad to help search. Twenty-Squad and Sgt. Stevens hit a One-Niner apartment, but Remi "don't want that smoke." Ace, Ky, and others pursue. Hondo takes one, sending a silent 911; shoots another, running out of ammo; punches Ky, disarming him, but Ace gets the drop. Tan and Alfaro respond. Nisi swears she's not using; only coffee and vape. She fears Colleen Ellis will take her kids. Alfaro finds Benny "Spoke" Lawson, but he's out of the game. Deacon and Tan clash over SWAT Academy changes. Alfaro tells Powell to check Nisi's vape pen for tampering. Trae provides another clue, leading to Ameer Riles, who calls in... it's "open season" on SWAT.

* * *

Dedicated to the Memory of Jeremy Martinez & Robert "Robbie" Redner

151| 10| "The Heights"| Michael D. Olmos| Jamil Akim O'Quinn| February 7, 2025 (2025-02-07)| 810| 3.47[14]

Officers Glover and Jacobs pat down truck-stop working girl Martha as shots are fired. Glover puts her in the patrol car, Jacobs calls it in. They investigate. Jacobs is shot and gunman Juan Pujols gets in their patrol car taking Martha hostage. Alfaro and Nicole see each other secretly; Alfaro forgets his badge...at Deacon's house. Hondo's cousin Andre visits from Houston, but he's running from a loan shark. Twenty-Squad arrive to handle the hostage situation. They learn they're dealing with Los Altos ("The Heights"), a D.R. biker gang searching for cocaine smuggled in FKO semi-trucks hired by Valentina, a Latin pop music super-star. They head to Santa Clarita Studios to talk to the crew, but gunman Carlo Cristobal, Felix, and Alex Moro arrive first. Powell briefs them about Dex Martinez, their West Coast leader with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Deacon struggles to keep his deal Martha. After reviewing the Tour Manager's video, they spot Lola Fay with the crate containing 24-million dollars of drugs. It's a race to find her before Los Altos does. Ramón threatens Eva, Santiago terrifies a woman, and Dex grabs Lola. Twenty-Squad take them down, and Sgt. Stevens collars Dex.

152| 11| "AMBER"| Matthew McLoota| Sarah Alderson| February 14, 2025 (2025-02-14)| 811| 3.40[15]

Kate Walz witnesses her little Gracie's abduction. Twenty-Squad tries to find her within the critical first three-hours. Hicks' dispute with Bennett jeopardizes Gamble's career and reputation; her brothers and cousins are suspected of train cargo heists. Hicks must decide whether to bench her while I.A. investigates. A motel manager responds to the AMBER alert and a suspect, Jerod Whitlock. The girl isn't Gracie, but Whitlock did have outstanding warrants. Sex offender Michael Boswell is next, but he has an alibi. Deacon and Powell check a lead on the car; its owner is supposedly in Baja, says the neighbor Steven Owens. Powell enters Owens' home when she hears something, but it's only a dog whining. Then she goes off on Owens after seeing Gracie's favorite foods. Deacon and Annie face off against each other in the interrogation room, after Powell's rash illegal search. Gamble confronts Bennett. After more thought, Powell provides a lead to photographer Denton Pryor. Owens tries to skip town. The squad splits up; Powell and Tan to a barn from the photos, and Sgt. Stevens, Gamble, Hondo and Deacon to the train station. Tan checks on Mrs. Marks, whose Kanesha was also taken but never found.

153| 12| "Deep Cover"| Ramaa Mosley| John Amato| February 21, 2025 (2025-02-21)| 812| 3.48[16]

Alfaro goes undercover to bust Duc Trinh. Outside waits Hondo, Deacon, Tan, and Sergeant Donovan Rocker. Alfaro runs into Stefan Morina and Alex Abazi from a prior Long Beach deep cover case against the Albanian mob. Stefan wants Alfaro on a job for his uncle, Omar Morina. Alfaro gives the signal for 20-Squad to take down Trinh. At SWAT Academy, Dobes is injured by a breech charge. Alfaro goes back undercover as "Zef" to bust Omar, whose jobs are dropping bodies. Hicks wants to pull Alfaro because he got sidetracked getting Stefan sober. Dren Kodra takes Alfaro's phone before the heist. Rocker identifies Maria Salazar, leading them to First River Bank. Tan finds exotic dancer Irina Alamov from Dren's phone. Omar hires Mehmet and Esad, angering Alex, so Omar kills him. Tan blames himself for Dobes' accident; Deacon reassures him. Irina provides a location to Omar's warehouse. Alfaro tries to stop Stefan from using, revealing he is LAPD, forcing him to knock Stefan out. The squad raid the warehouse too late. Stephan gives a lead to their next heist. Dobes injury ends his career and he blames Tan for pushing him too hard.

154| 13| "High Ground"| Garry A. Brown| Kent Rotherham| February 28, 2025 (2025-02-28)| 813| 3.67[17]

With Gamble benched, she and Powell plan a 22-mile hike up Condor Highway to high ground on Thunder Ridge in the San Gabriels. Hondo's pop, Daniel Harrelson, Sr., pulls $5,000 of his mom's money; he intends to find out why. Hondo tells Powell, the IA investigation will go faster if Gamble submits her statement of defense. At the trailhead, Gary tries to discourage them. Alfaro's sister's boss, Evan Frost wants a new security firm; Deacon interviews. Up the trail, they find CC, who is pregnant and injured...near an illegal marijuana farm. Gary returns with a gun, and other gunmen. The two determine to save CC. Hondo discovers Pop and Andre have been ripped off by a protein powder snake oil pyramid scheme. Powell and Gamble encounter Tia, whose boss is Le Tran Minh, a ruthless Khoi Ling Syndicate drug lord. They must save ten women from the farm before Minh kills them all, while also evading the guards Kurt and Mark, and cartel thugs Zhen and Yuan. Hicks, Hondo, Deacon, and Alfaro analyze the emergency call to locate Powell and Gamble.

155| 14| "The Santa Clara"| Gonzalo Amat| Tianna Majumdar-Langham & Chris Bessounian| March 7, 2025 (2025-03-07)| 814| 3.20[18]

Dobes files suit against Tan for his SWAT Academy injury. At Alderson Museum, robbers steal a billion dollars in gold, raised from The Santa Clara shipwreck, killing Garth, Natasha, and two guards; only the Columbian cultural attaché Karla Lopez survives. Gamble awaits her IA verdict from union lawyer Edward Yanick, but one of three senior IA committee members withholds his sign-off. Twenty-Squad questions Captain Russell Jones, who salvaged the treasure, then lost it to the government. Dobes intends calling Deacon as a lawsuit witness. Hicks tries to convince IA Lieutenant Ian Wanstead to clear Gamble. Karla identifies Jack Givens as the shooter, and Randy Pruitt as accomplice. The squad finds they've already been hit by another deadly crew, and recover only the gold mask. Karla takes the mask, but the embassy envoy says he never received it. Sgt. Stevens confirms Karla left. Powell sees a connection to an indigenous group claiming the gold; Karla "Quimayara" Lopez. Powell tells Deacon more breech charges detonated prematurely. Hicks gives Gamble the good news; she's been cleared. Twenty-Squad go after both Givens' and Carla's crews. Deacon tells Tan about the defective charges, ending Dobes' lawsuit.

156| 15| "Hostages"| Maja Vrvilo| Matthew T. Brown| March 14, 2025 (2025-03-14)| 815| 3.69[19]

Twenty-Squad goes plainclothes to stake out a locker at a bus station, waiting for an anti-government terrorist bomber code-named Goliath to claim the encrypted hard-drive inside. At HQ, Deputy Chief Bennett personally supervises, while pressuring Hicks to brief the FBI. Chase and Davis Rodwig and three others, Lee, Danny, and Owen, just botched a private cash vault robbery and missed their getaway bus. Trapped by uni's Chase opens fire on their patrol cars and charges back into the station to take everyone hostage. Hondo wants to engage, but Bennett orders them to maintain cover and focus on Goliath. Hondo sees the locker emptied in the confusion. The squad must ditch their guns, badges, and com-units to blend in as hostages. From video, Hicks can see three suspects near the locker; PJ Gorham, Amy Multon, and Lewis Jackson. Chase demands blacked-out buses to escape. Hicks and Bennett argue tactics, leading to Hicks' insubordination. Hondo and Gamble treat Chase's GSW. Alfaro comforts elderly PJ. Amy refuses to talk to Deacon. Tan eyes Lewis who eyes his backpack. Andrew suggests rushing a gunman with Tan. The squad must secure the HDD, uncover Goliath, and neutralize the gunmen, all while keeping the hostages safe.

157| 16| "Hail Mary"| Solvan "Slick" Naim| Ryan Keleher| April 4, 2025 (2025-04-04)| 816| 3.16[20]

Gamble and Alfaro moonlight with Deacon's Elite Protection, overseeing Kenny "the Jet" Smith's detail. Andre enlists with the U.S. Marine Corps, surprising Hondo. Powell allows Thomas to meet his biological father Jace Graham. "Unofficial Handler" Heather looks for Ice Jackson, Southern Coastal University's star receiver. Heading towards the garage, shots ring out. Gunmen abduct Ice and Caleb Webb. Powell identifies Nick May, whose LKA is a La Tuna Canyon ranch. They find they're dealing with a violent drug dealer brutally torturing Ice and Caleb for missing molly. Analyzing video, they find a sign Bunker Work Boot Outlet, but there are dozens of locations. A second suspect, Steve Hock, links them to Bakersfield drug gang, the Oildale 22's. Deacon questions Heather again; there was a dorm incident, but Ice and Caleb were in Long Beach. Deacon, Powell and Tan question resident advisor Mike Reynolds, finding the third gunman, Henry Labeau, already there. Mike says he dealt with "Bird" who is a "stone-cold psycho." Alfaro identifies "Bird" as Tim Birddell. Gamble finds a location; 20-Squad storms it. Deacon receives unwanted attention from Heather. Hondo, Deacon, and Jerry Rice visit Ice and Caleb at the hospital.

158| 17| "The Enemy Within"| Ben Hernandez Bray| Allen L. Sowelle| April 11, 2025 (2025-04-11)| 817| 3.53[21]

Heather calls Deacon claiming a B&E. Olivia Navarro suspects Tan's neighbors are taxing the electricity with an illegal grow-op. Officers Bedrosian and Rivera play hoops in the hood with Puppet and Guero when someone shoots both officers. Puppet identifies Oscar "Memo" Torres, but he's got an alibi. Another cop is shot. Deacon suspects Heather staged the B&E. Alfaro and Powell question Puppet, who describes a Bronco. Tan finds the cops were tied to the mishandling of the De La Costa high-school shooting. Deacon notices they all had sessions with LAPD psychologist Dr. Wendy Hughes. Hughes says one parent filed suit; Nelson Phillips. A laser alerts Hondo, someone is targeting Phillips. Officer Claude Fournier escapes but drops his rifle. Fournier's motive becomes clear. Deacon confronts Heather. Powell uncovers another potential target, Fournier's Union Representative, Dorian Klitschko. When they arrive, they find him beaten and files missing. Fournier calls "Dr. Wendy" luring her out of HQ. The team trace the call to capture him. Tan and Olivia agree to move in together. Heather sends roses to Deacon's house. Deacon warns Heather to stay away from his family, but she insists he wanted to see her....

159| 18| "Exploited"| Billy Gierhart| John Amato & Vika Stubblebine| April 18, 2025 (2025-04-18)| 818| 3.50[22]

Miko's mother, Marie Alfaro says her ex, Wayne Collins wants to "make amends." Four Dark Angels bikers search The Passport Lounge for Kate, shooting a bouncer and Maya after she lies. Deacon asks Hondo about a rumoured shortlist to replace SWAT Commander Hicks. Fifty-Squad Officer Cabrera bolsters 20-Squad at the club, arresting Charles "Chuck" Gomez and identifying Nolan Rizzolo and Jackson Nix. Hondo, confronting Bennett, discovers he's on her shortlist. Maya says Kate's an aspiring actor. Miko warns Wayne to stay away. They find Kate's social media with Alex Murphy, who says Kate found an agent, Susan Connor. Bikers get there first. Tan captures Ben Sennott, Kate's brother. Susan says Kate was lured away by a "producer" and they find Kate's cam-girl videos. Hicks has Tan contact Vice. Gamble gets a lead to Bryce Morris. Hondo and Gamble question Morris and a girl, Sam. Tan questions Lucy who seems nervous. Hicks suspects Morris trafficks the girls. Tan logs into Lucy's cam-girl site; she asks for help, giving 20-Squad legal grounds to raid the mansion. Wayne apologizes, but not entirely. Miko and Marie tell him to leave. Bennett "promotes" Hicks to the Art Theft Unit; Hicks Resigns.

160| 19| "Run to Ground"| Cherie Dvorak| Amelia Sims| May 2, 2025 (2025-05-02)| 819| 2.82[23]

A runaway forklift at Belle of Piru fruit packing injures Wilson before an explosion allows six CDCR felons in a work gang to "run to ground" as Gordon Pratt shoots Longoria, handing the gun to Delgado. Commander Hicks packs up after resigning. Chief Bennett takes interim command. Zoe and Jace Graham become awkward as he gets to know their son Thomas. 20-Squad captures Delgado. Hondo comments to Bennett the inmates are from Belwood Prison, from which her husband Warden David Bennett was fired (in "Life"). Warden Bennett also approved high-level felons to work outside the prison. Other escaped inmates include Luis Tinoco, Javi Losa, Kevin Meyers, Liam Nelson, and Donovan Lee. Devon and Leon Gamble clash over life-saving surgery after their father Ernie's heart attack. Tan's lead to Nina Escarra's phone logs allows Powell and Cabrera to capture Tinoco. Tan finds the forklift was rigged. 20-Squad captures Myers, playing him against Tinoco to discover the escapee's plans. Hondo and Hicks confront Bennett with suspicions about David's work program kickbacks. Gamble discovers the gang is targeting a children's birthday event at Serbian mobster Alexander Volkov's house. Pratt takes young Anne hostage. Lee takes Leticia and David Bennett hostage.

161| 20| "Devil Dog"| Alex Russell| Sarah Alderson| May 9, 2025 (2025-05-09)| 820| TBD

Marie gets a black eye from Wayne Collins, enraging Miko. Hondo and Pop learn Andre is AWOL. Commander Hicks runs into Rocker...who's dating Molly Hicks. Hicks, "Does your wife know?" Captain Peters says Private Harrelson is a "person of interest" in Private Randall's murder, and MP's have jurisdiction. Sgt. Wilson escorts them out, but first, Hondo finds his uncle's watch left behind; Andre was framed. Deacon helps, while Daniel Sr. stakes out the base. Tan advises Miko, let uni's arrest Collins. Bartender Cherilyn says Andre and Randall were friendly and celebrated surviving "The Crucible." Hondo knows it's a 54-hour endurance test, followed by a tattoo. They find Andre shot, saying Capt. Peters killed Randall to cover-up stolen weapons. MP's Riggs and Stanton arrest Andre. Daniel Sr. bluffs his way into the hospital to help Andre. Tan runs a plate to ex-ATF agent Dale Radcliffe. Corporal Cobbs escorts Daniel Sr. out, but he sees Stanton taking Andre. Hicks tells Hondo, Radcliffe and Peters were in the same unit. Tan identifies Radcliffe's associate, Ryan O'Keefe, a militia leader on the FBI terror watch-list. Hondo and Deacons go after Radcliffe and Peters. Stanton takes Andre off-base to kill him.

162| 21| "Ride or Die"[24]| Maja Vrvilo| Kent Rotherham| May 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)| 821| TBD
163| 22| "Return to Base"[25]| Billy Gierhart| Matthew Brown & Daniela Labi| May 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)| 822| TBD

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

The seventh season of S.W.A.T. was originally set as the final season.[26][27] However, on April 11, 2024, CBS reversed the final season decision, and renewed the series for an eighth season.[2][28][29]

### Casting

[edit]

On June 4, 2024, it was announced that Rochelle Aytes, who played Nichelle Carmichael, would not be returning as a regular for the eighth season, as Aytes was cast as a lead in the CBS medical-mystery series Watson.[30] On July 18, 2024, it was announced that Niko Pepaj who played Miguel Alfaro would be upgraded to series regular, and that Annie Ilonzeh had been cast in a recurring role as Devin Gamble.[31] On December 12, 2024, Ilonzeh was later promoted to series regular status.[32]

### Filming

[edit]

Filming for the eighth season started in July 2024.[33] On January 9, 2025, production for the season was shut down due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.[34]

### Cancellation

[edit]

On March 6, 2025, it was announced that the eighth season would officially be the final season.[3]

## Release

[edit]

The season premiered on October 18, 2024.[1] It aired on Fridays; the first half aired at 8:00 p.m. leading into Fire Country and Blue Bloods; the second half aired at 10:00 p.m. after NCIS: Sydney and Fire Country, taking over the 10:00 p.m. timeslot after Blue Bloods concluded with its fourteenth and final season on December 13, 2024.

## Ratings

[edit]

Viewership and ratings per episode of S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) season 8 No. | Title  | Air date | Rating/share
(18–49) | Viewers
(millions) | DVR
(18–49) | DVR viewers
(millions) | Total
(18–49) | Total viewers
(millions) | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | "Vanished"  | October 18, 2024 | 0.3/4 | 4.05 | 0.1 | 1.37 | 0.4 | 5.41 | [5]
2  | "Gang Unit"  | October 25, 2024 | 0.3/3 | 3.84 | 0.2 | 1.48 | 0.4 | 5.31 | [6]
3  | "Life"  | November 1, 2024 | 0.3/5 | 4.55 | 0.2 | 1.34 | 0.5 | 5.89 | [7]
4  | "The Sepulveda Protocol"  | November 8, 2024 | 0.3/4 | 4.25 | 0.2 | 1.36 | 0.5 | 5.62 | [8]
5  | "Human Interest"  | November 15, 2024 | 0.3/4 | 4.13 | 0.2 | 1.41 | 0.5 | 5.54 | [9]
6  | "Hot Button"  | November 22, 2024 | 0.4/5 | 4.62 | 0.2 | 1.40 | 0.6 | 6.02 | [10]
7  | "Home"  | December 6, 2024 | 0.3/4 | 4.33 | 0.2 | 1.36 | 0.5 | 5.69 | [11]
8  | "Left of Boom"  | December 13, 2024 | 0.3/6 | 4.37 | 0.2 | 1.42 | 0.5 | 5.79 | [12]
9  | "Open Season"  | January 31, 2025 | 0.2/4 | 3.14 | 0.2 | 1.75 | 0.4 | 4.83 | [13]
10  | "The Heights"  | February 7, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.47 | 0.2 | 1.58 | 0.4 | 5.05 | [14]
11  | "AMBER"  | February 14, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.41 | 0.2 | 1.64 | 0.4 | 5.06 | [15]
12  | "Deep Cover"  | February 21, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 3.48 | 0.2 | 1.61 | 0.5 | 5.10 | [16]
13  | "High Ground"  | February 28, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 3.67 | 0.2 | 1.47 | 0.5 | 5.14 | [17]
14  | "The Santa Clara"  | March 7, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.20 | 0.2 | 1.69 | 0.4 | 4.89 | [18]
15  | "Hostages"  | March 14, 2025 | 0.3/5 | 3.69 | 0.2 | 1.59 | 0.4 | 5.01 | [19]
16  | "Hail Mary"  | April 4, 2025 | 0.2/3 | 3.16 | 0.2 | 1.72 | 0.4 | 4.85 | [20]
17  | "The Enemy Within"  | April 11, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.53 | — | — | — | — | [21]
18  | "Exploited"  | April 18, 2025 | 0.3/4 | 3.50 | — | — | — | — | [22]
19  | "Devil Dog"  | May 2, 2025 | 0.2/4 | 2.82 | — | — | — | — | [23]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Pedersen, Erik (July 13, 2024). "CBS Fall Premiere Dates: 'Blue Bloods' Final Episodes, 'FBI' Trio, 'Matlock' Reboot, 'Survivor' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (April 11, 2024). "'S.W.A.T.' Lives On: Once-Canceled Series Renewed For Season 8 By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
3. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (March 6, 2025). ""S.W.A.T." Canceled (Again) By CBS After 8 Seasons; Showrunner Calls News "Heartbreaking"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
4. ^ a b c "Shows A-Z - S.W.A.T. on CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
5. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 21, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Reba McEntire Sitcom Happy's Place Debuts Well for NBC". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
6. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 26, 2024). "Friday Ratings: MLB World Series on Fox Begins on 7-Year High with Yankees-Dodgers Game 1 Classic". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
7. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 4, 2024). "Friday Ratings: CBS Leads the Night in Total Viewers and Key Adult Demos". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
8. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 11, 2024). "Friday Ratings: USA Network and ESPN in Tight Battle for Tops in Prime Time 18-49s". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
9. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 18, 2024). "Friday Ratings: S.W.A.T. on CBS Leads Non-Sports Telecasts During Prime Time in Key Demos". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
10. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 25, 2024). "Friday Ratings: CBS Dramas as the Three Most-Watched Telecasts on the Evening". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 9, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Hits 4-Year Viewer High in Return to NBC". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (December 16, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Blue Bloods on CBS Rises to 20-Month High in Total Viewers with Series Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
13. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 3, 2025). "Friday Ratings: Cable Networks Lead Prime Time Even with Broadcast Networks in Original Programming". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
14. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 10, 2025). "Friday Ratings: NCIS: Sydney Returns on CBS and Wins its Hour in Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
15. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 14, 2025). "Friday Ratings: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on ESPN Tops All Prime Time Telecasts Among 18-49 and 18-34". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
16. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 24, 2025). "Friday Ratings: CBS and USA Network Share Prime Time Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
17. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 3, 2025). "Friday Ratings: ESPN and USA Network Among Prime Time Demo Leaders". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
18. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 10, 2025). "Friday Ratings: CBS and USA Network Lead Prime Time". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
19. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 17, 2025). "Friday Ratings: Duke-North Carolina ACC Semifinal on ESPN Tops All Prime Time Telecasts in Key Male Demos". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
20. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 7, 2025). "Friday Ratings: ESPN Wins the Night Overall with NCAA Women's Final Four". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
21. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 14, 2025). "Friday Ratings: CBS and USA Network Split Prime Time Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
22. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 21, 2025). "Friday Ratings: RuPaul's Drag Race on MTV Reaches Multi-Week High with 17th Season Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
23. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 5, 2025). "Friday Ratings: ESPN Tops Prime Time in All Key Figures with NBA Rockets-Warriors Game Six". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
24. ^ "(#SWA821) "Ride or Die"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
25. ^ "(#SWA822) "Return to Base"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
26. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2023). "'S.W.A.T.' Un-Canceled: Drama Starring Shemar Moore Resurrected At CBS With Season 7 Renewal – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
27. ^ "S.W.A.T. Un-Cancelled! CBS Renews Drama for Final Season Following Backlash: 'We Listened to Our Viewers'". May 8, 2023.
28. ^ "S.W.A.T. Season 8: Confirmation & Everything We Know". Screen Rant. April 18, 2024.
29. ^ "Catching up with actor Shemar Moore ahead of "S.W.A.T." season 7 finale(video)". CBS News. May 17, 2024.
30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 4, 2024). "Rochelle Aytes Joins CBS' 'Watson', Departing 'S.W.A.T.' As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
31. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (July 18, 2024). "S.W.A.T. Season 8 Recruits Annie Ilonzeh, Promotes Niko Pepaj as Alfaro". TVLine. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
32. ^ "S.W.A.T. Promotes Annie Ilonzeh to Series Regular — Watch a Sneak Peek Involving Devin's Dad (Exclusive)". TVLine. December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
33. ^ Behnke, Megan (July 23, 2024). "'Welcome To The Gun Show': As Production Kicked Off On S.W.A.T. Season 8, Shemar Moore Reflects On Coming Back From Cancelation Twice". CinemaBlend. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
34. ^ Nellie Andreeva. "'S.W.A.T.', 'Abbott Elementary', 'Hacks', 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'NCIS' Among Series Pausing Production Amid LA Fires – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* S.W.A.T. Season 8 episodes at IMDb

* v
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S.W.A.T.

Television|

* The Rookies
* 1975 series
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Film|

* S.W.A.T. (2003)
* S.W.A.T.: Firefight (2011)
* S.W.A.T.: Under Siege (2017)

Other media|

* S.W.A.T. (2003 soundtrack)
* "Theme from S.W.A.T."

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