‘S.W.A.T.' Series Finale Ending Explained After Multiple Cancellations: Who Left? Who Died?
S.W.A.T. ultimately wrapped up after multiple cancellations — but did the show end on a satisfying note?
During the two-part finale on Friday, May 16, Twenty Squad went on two more rescue missions as each member contemplated their future. Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh) had the most to consider after her brother got involved in one of their cases — and she made the decision not to arrest him.
There was also Tan's (David Lim) future to think about after he got offered a liaison job. Deacon (Jay Harrington), meanwhile, was concerned about his family's safety as Heather (Yael Grobglas) kept stalking him.
By the time the finale wrapped up, Gamble was back with the group and they were rushing to provide assistance for the next emergency. The conclusion didn't include any cliffhangers after it was confirmed that CBS was ending the show's run following eight seasons.
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Based on the 1975 TV show and 2003 film adaptation of the same name, S.W.A.T. centered around the Los Angeles Police Department. The CBS series premiered in 2017 and aired six seasons before it was picked up for a seventh and final run. CBS ultimately reversed that decision and S.W.A.T. returned for season 8. But the celebration didn't last long — the network canceled the show for a second time in March.
Ilonzeh recently reflected on how it is "really hard" to feel "satisfied" with the ending, telling Us in April, "There was so much more juice to squeeze out of it. So you're really like, 'Wait, I just left a whole meal on the table. I am not full. I'm not satisfied.'"
The actress — and the rest of the cast — were still happy with the attempt at a resolution.
"In terms of storytelling and it being a farewell, I think we're all happy with where these futures would live," she noted. "But it still leaves you with some questions. There are questions."
Ilonzeh clarified that the fight isn't over for another renewal.
"We are crossing our fingers. So there is a particular discussion being had. I hope I can say [soon] that we really did it. We rallied for a third time," she added. "But we're making noise. They do see it — producers and streamers that are interested — they are like, 'OK, this is something.' So if we can plug and play, we're all geared up to go. We don't want this ride to be over."
Despite fighting for S.W.A.T. to get a new home, it would be the show's last battle to stay on the air.
"I was just talking to [my costar] Shemar [Moore] yesterday and he was like, 'If we do this for a third time — whenever we do get canceled again — I will be OK with it. I'm not fighting for a fourth [time] because we really did it and we end on that,'" she noted. "We will end on the fight and the win and relish in all of this and squeeze the life out of it. We will know that we did it, we did our job and we can walk away happy campers."
Keep scrolling to find out where each character ended up in the finale:
Moore's character led his team two more times in life threatening situations that saved Los Angeles from disaster. Hondo found himself conflicted after Gamble didn't turn her brother in for his involvement in a heist. The mentor-mentee were able to patch things up by the time the finale rolled around.
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Deacon tried to downplay the danger Heather was posing to him and his family. After consulting with someone else who ended up a victim of Heather's obsession, Deacon caught her breaking into his house to pretend they were having an affair. Deacon had Heather arrested and was able to move forward.
In the second part of the finale, Deacon kept thinking about how to splurge on himself with the advance he got. Deacon set up college funds for his kids, paid off his home and donated to charity but didn't do anything for himself. After much contemplation, Deacon presented his coworkers with custom watches to represent their bond as a family and their commitment to making each minute count while working at a job that puts their lives at risk.
After initially ruling out the liaison offer, Tan consulted his coworkers and ended up taking it as a way to advance in his career. He was still with the rest of Twenty Squad when the episode checked in on everyone following a time jump.
Patrick St. Esprit's character entered the field when their Los Angeles office got blown up as a result of a Russian threat. He — and the rest of the people at Twenty Squad — all survived and focused on rebuilding.
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In the last episode, Powell (Anna Enger Ritch) admitted to Alfaro (Niko Pepaj) that she didn't think anyone saw her as an emergency contact. Alfaro proved her wrong when he got shot in the line of duty and later showed that Powell was the person he wanted to get the call.
Alfaro's friendship with Powell was highlighted in the finale. He also suffered an injury after getting shot in his side but Alfaro pulled through and was with the rest of Twenty Squad on their next mission.
After being forced to choose between her family and her work family, Gamble decided to keep her brother out of jail. That drove a wedge between her and Hondo — with Gamble even putting in a request for a transfer. While at headquarters to clean out her locker, Gamble managed to save Hondo's life and they worked out their issues. She was back at Twenty Squad by the end of the series.
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