Dedicated Viewers Welcome 'S.W.A.T.'s Third Season Pickup

In this age of online streaming, live television views are down. Once upon a time, strong shows averaged upwards of fourteen million viewers, if not more. It's rare to have a program that captures that large of an audience nowadays. To that end, it's not surprising when good shows are sacrificed. So when S.W.A.T., the action-packed police drama based off the 1975 series of the same name, and subsequent 2003 movie, received a third season renewal, the excitement from its millions of fans spread like wildfire over social media.

So many story lines remain open, most of which will not be resolved by the season's end, so viewers also breathed a sigh of relief with the announcement. As the drama had maintained its dedication to action, heart, and unity that earned it a second season, it would have been difficult for viewers to accept an abrupt end to the series, and especially disappointed given the original series only last two seasons as well.

Since its debut in 2017, S.W.A.T. has given viewers the inside look at an elite team of highly-trained cops, and the dangers they face. Along with the rigors and unrelenting struggle of police work, the life challenges of the team echo those in the lives of its viewers. And while there is plenty of pulse-pounding action to go around, it's how these characters adapt to the knockdowns, and changes of their lives that ground the series.

Throughout the two seasons, the characters have dealt with money problems, confronted racists, challenged stereotypes, and faced the illness of a child, and the drug addiction of a mother. And every member of the team has been given their moments to shine, showing us just what these actors can do.

Whether it was Hondo's (portrayed by Shemar Moore) electric anger in a hotel room after being stopped by a racist cop, Chris Alonso's (portrayed by Lina Esco) palpable grief over the loss of her former canine partner, or Luca's (portrayed by Kenny Johnson) touching gentleness with a dyslexic young girl, the emotions bled through the screen.

Deacon's (portrayed by Jay Harrington) gripping panic over a deal with a loan shark resonated in the hearts of all viewers who've taken drastic steps to provide for their families, while Street's (portrayed by Alex Russell) struggle with his mother who is a paroled felon reached out to all of us. And when Tan (portrayed by David Lim) was betrayed by someone close to his heart, viewers felt his pain.

There are so many more standout actors on the series, including Patrick St. Esprit, Stephanie Sigman, and Peter Onorati. Add in exceptional guest stars like Debbie Allen, Peter Facinelli, Daniel Lissing, and Michael Beach, and S.W.A.T. turns what could have been just another cop show into an hour of quality television that goes by far too fast.

With a large ensemble cast, it could have been easy to let one or two members fall by the wayside, but the writers of S.W.A.T. have treated each character as an individual. By investing in the growth of the characters, S.W.A.T. writers, and producers have created a program that connects with the viewers, and gives them a reason to return every Thursday night.

While the series doesn't shy away from gun battles, fights, and stand-offs, it tempers the action with enough heart to create a drama that highlights family, and friendship. It uses the hour to remind of us important life lessons, as well as entertain. Not an episode goes by without imparting a heartfelt message like trust, faith, belief in the human spirit, acceptance, and the importance of connection.

S.W.A.T. showcases the strength, and vulnerability of a team that would die for one another, and while it doesn't guarantee happy endings, it does guarantee a perfect end to Thursday nights. It's one cop show that deserved its renewal, and will hopefully continue for many years to come.

[Source: Deadline]

#S.W.A.T. #SWAT #ShemarMoore #CBS #KennyJohnson #DavidLim #JayHarrington #LinaEsco #AlexRussell