I am still hanging with this show, but I dropped my original rating down. I'm mature enough to handle political and social topics on TV shows, if they are written well. But, the writing on this show from day one has pandeted, and it makes my eyes roll. As a black woman, I can confirm that I don't bring race into every situation or conflict I might have. But, Hondo reminds us every episode that he is a black cop. Brother, we can see that! The writing team must do more than lazily scan the newspapers, or Twitter for topics. I thought the school shooter episode, and suicide prevention episodes were the best they've done in the series.
412 Reviews
A neutral perspective, not as negative as the other reviews
ianpirie-8402617 June 2021
As an Englishman watching S. W. A. T. I have found the series quite entertaining. The stories and action are good, the casting and scripts are ok.
But...there have been a few "fast forward" moments. The 'thruple' ?! Who wrote that and why? That was just awful. Streets mum, yep like many other reviews, annoying, dragged out and unnecessary. And Darryl and his dad, that just didn't interest me at all.
Now the main thing, a lot of reviews go on about how PC it is - leave race, gays, covid, discrimination, whatever, out of the series. Why? This must be the Englishman in me part. Sure it may be uncomfortable viewing at times, but, hey, it's real life. Discrimination at work, racism, protesting, woke. It's all there, it's happening. If anything the series is highlighting it for the viewer.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed it, dont listen to the negativity, just wat h it and enjoy for what it is.
But...there have been a few "fast forward" moments. The 'thruple' ?! Who wrote that and why? That was just awful. Streets mum, yep like many other reviews, annoying, dragged out and unnecessary. And Darryl and his dad, that just didn't interest me at all.
Now the main thing, a lot of reviews go on about how PC it is - leave race, gays, covid, discrimination, whatever, out of the series. Why? This must be the Englishman in me part. Sure it may be uncomfortable viewing at times, but, hey, it's real life. Discrimination at work, racism, protesting, woke. It's all there, it's happening. If anything the series is highlighting it for the viewer.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed it, dont listen to the negativity, just wat h it and enjoy for what it is.
P.C.D.A.S.S
scotth198614 January 2022
S01- S03- S. W. A. T Special Weapons And Tactics.
S04 P. C. D. S. S Political Correctness Drama And Some Shooting.
Most People watch TV to escape reality and see some good action. Not sit down to watch domestic disputes, arguments or petty squabble about political issues with the city of the show. The team going under investigation and then discuss the "Optics" from the Mayors office I have to watch this on my Tablet so I can just skip through all of the stuff mentioned above.
S04 P. C. D. S. S Political Correctness Drama And Some Shooting.
Most People watch TV to escape reality and see some good action. Not sit down to watch domestic disputes, arguments or petty squabble about political issues with the city of the show. The team going under investigation and then discuss the "Optics" from the Mayors office I have to watch this on my Tablet so I can just skip through all of the stuff mentioned above.
Entertaining
lowridergreg1 October 2018
Good action but too much S.J.W stuff
danielpwarton4 February 2020
Each episode is a like a mini film. Great story lines on the main plots.
The underpinning social justice and politically correct angles are really annoying.
Guess it's their point of view and I don't have to watch it.
It would be nice to watch a show that's good but not overtly political.
Entertainment guaranteed
alexandrabejan-2034824 February 2019
All the reviews focus on the reality of this show, I look for a good action series and the acting&filming it's great. Pure entertainment, what else do you need? If you enjoy action without too much fuss this is a series for you.
I initially gave it 9 stars
TheBri8713 November 2022
But as the seasons went on, I realized the show has shifted from a good action show, the likes of Law & Order, to PC garbage. I don't get the writers though, these kinds of shows target a certain crowd, why on Earth will you sabotage your show just to please a crowd who isn't typically interested in this type of entertainment to begin with? TBH I'm kinda angry lol. I used to LOVE the show; the characters, the storyline, the action... it's really frustrating how entertainment is compromised by cancel culture and "wokesters", and even more frustrating how writers and producers are subjected to it.
Anyway, Season 1-3 are really good (especially 1 & 2). Seasons 4 and onwards takes a nosedive.
Anyway, Season 1-3 are really good (especially 1 & 2). Seasons 4 and onwards takes a nosedive.
Stick with it!
mcnallyraven27 November 2018
I admit the first couple of episodes seemed poor but I stuck with it and it gets better and better
Entertaining and enjoyable for me, I personally would advise skipping first few episodes as the rest of the season has been so much better in comparison
Compared with other Similar Series:
pawanpunjabithewriter8 May 2022
SWAT starts off incredibly well. The first 2 episodes are based on two of the world's most talked topics. The SWAT team takes on the local terrorists or huge threats of the local area. Hondo is The Hero. He has done a job to remember. His heoirc style, his last moment entries are worth watching.
Many episodes in the middle lack good story and thrill. Most of them, like I remember that of Supernatural, seem to be similar to many.
As the series progresses, we see the character development and the arc. Unlike, Dr. House, where we see quite different and surprising episodes every time although some seeming to be similar, here there is a greater character development. I wish they could have done the same with Dr. HOUSE to keep it more engaging as it goes through.
Hondo, does face a lot of challenges and situations he has to come through being the gero towards the end. It's no easy peasy for him. Similarly, life is like that. It's not a go through it ride. Life has emotions, challenges, responsibilities, problems one has to go through. Even while writing this, my hands shake, considering that I am not considering my problems, not working on it, just writing reviews one after another, watching movies and series.
Sometimes what you need is time to get through some things. I have a good career, love in my life, and fairly enough money to be happy and consider myself a high middle class individual. Still, satisfaction seems far away. I don't know why. Ibwish there could be more reasons to smile in life, rather than just being involved in a million things in life.
Many episodes in the middle lack good story and thrill. Most of them, like I remember that of Supernatural, seem to be similar to many.
As the series progresses, we see the character development and the arc. Unlike, Dr. House, where we see quite different and surprising episodes every time although some seeming to be similar, here there is a greater character development. I wish they could have done the same with Dr. HOUSE to keep it more engaging as it goes through.
Hondo, does face a lot of challenges and situations he has to come through being the gero towards the end. It's no easy peasy for him. Similarly, life is like that. It's not a go through it ride. Life has emotions, challenges, responsibilities, problems one has to go through. Even while writing this, my hands shake, considering that I am not considering my problems, not working on it, just writing reviews one after another, watching movies and series.
Sometimes what you need is time to get through some things. I have a good career, love in my life, and fairly enough money to be happy and consider myself a high middle class individual. Still, satisfaction seems far away. I don't know why. Ibwish there could be more reasons to smile in life, rather than just being involved in a million things in life.
Think I'll give up now
boyce-sonia12 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Stuck with it cause of Shemar Moore but there is more and more politics. Focus on their personal lives as it goes on, I don't care about triangle relationships or what is happening to Hondos father - horrible character btw. As others have said, u watch TV shows for escapism, not to be force fed politics and be depressed.
Entertaining
gtenalokes20 February 2019
Season 4 has dropped in Quality
sifi-8317 September 2021
Season four seems very politically based And very sensitive to peoples 'feelings' in the current climate. Just seems the shower has got very soft and dumb down for people to watch without getting offended in anyway possible.
Season 4 trash
mullencolton20 November 2020
Give it a chance,
lornie4212 November 2017
I thought the show was entertaining, and it's approach to everyday situations, was very well written, as with all new t.v. shows it will take a couple of episodes for the Actors to get comfortable, relaxed and settled into their characters, I admit there were 1 or 2 teething problems, as there are with all new t.v. shows and I hope they will be sorted by the next episode. The character castings are diverse and easy on the eyes, and to be honest Shemar Moore seems to fit right in; so go on, give it a try, I am sure you will like it enough, to want to tune in for the following episodes We did.
No longer worth watching
rsiverdjr24 February 2021
The story lines are no longer watchable, the political correctness has gone too far. I could go on but the best thing I can do is to no longer watch a show that I once considered to be a pretty good show. I am so sorry that your show has gone from a broad based show to a leftest political front for the hate of anything conservative!
From Hondo to Malcolm x
gimmieshelter-641693 October 2021
The first 3 seasons offered action story's and decent acting ,then during the recording period of covid they decided to change the whole format 5 mins of action , the rest of their private lives from deacon to Hondo to lucas in Germany , they are all now faces of the blmmovement , every person's in the show is now forcing a narrative they didn't need to push , sad was a decent show.
Action, Thrill ,Drama . Superb Series to watch
shah-rahil-19915 June 2018
If you are looking for a Crime series , this is the one. Best Thrilling experience , one sitting watch , nice Action , team spirit nice story line . You will love to watch 'Hondo' doing good work for society and for his fellow teammates. I loved the performance, acting , story almost everything looks perfect to me. I just loved the show. waiting for the second season.
like every other show in last years
Muum105 June 2021
I like it.
jpm_sti29 June 2018
Started off good but by now is getting played like a old record over and over
moviehigh8122 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
""let me begin my review with the good things I can say about this show""
The first season started off really good it had enough action and the storylines where exciting enough to keep your mind busy for 45 minutes Shemar is a real good actor specially on criminal minds he was great.
But in this show they are spending a lot of time making him look like some kind of POSTERBOY for a male modeling magazine.
Then the amount of episodes spend on hate crimes and discrimination is just beyond putting out a message and not even to begin about the amount of effort they are putting into showing people how many types of modern relationships there are it,s just mind blowing ...I get it a lot of people want to live life without any limits or real responsibility...but really do we have to see this being portrait in almost every show now are days ...like being extra is the new normal . They are just simply spending to much time on trying to change peoples mind on certain issues then actually making a entertaining show about S.W.A.T
the episode that really made me stop watching this show was where more then 30 mins where spend on explaining how its normal to be married and have your wife have a girlfriend on the side who you both welcome in your house and live with ...GTFO with that BS ..
then the just awful special effects and by now the dynamic between the lead characters is just little to almost not visible anymore!
and the constant changing of the narrative is just irritating the storylines are just played out and even worse non of the characters have a interesting backstory or personal issue to spend attention on (they probably tried that by adding the polygamy stuff) but it just seems forced.
So like I said Started of great but ended up looking like some kind of election show for a political party or human rights group
The first season started off really good it had enough action and the storylines where exciting enough to keep your mind busy for 45 minutes Shemar is a real good actor specially on criminal minds he was great.
But in this show they are spending a lot of time making him look like some kind of POSTERBOY for a male modeling magazine.
Then the amount of episodes spend on hate crimes and discrimination is just beyond putting out a message and not even to begin about the amount of effort they are putting into showing people how many types of modern relationships there are it,s just mind blowing ...I get it a lot of people want to live life without any limits or real responsibility...but really do we have to see this being portrait in almost every show now are days ...like being extra is the new normal . They are just simply spending to much time on trying to change peoples mind on certain issues then actually making a entertaining show about S.W.A.T
the episode that really made me stop watching this show was where more then 30 mins where spend on explaining how its normal to be married and have your wife have a girlfriend on the side who you both welcome in your house and live with ...GTFO with that BS ..
then the just awful special effects and by now the dynamic between the lead characters is just little to almost not visible anymore!
and the constant changing of the narrative is just irritating the storylines are just played out and even worse non of the characters have a interesting backstory or personal issue to spend attention on (they probably tried that by adding the polygamy stuff) but it just seems forced.
So like I said Started of great but ended up looking like some kind of election show for a political party or human rights group
They use every cliche known to man
jbearheart10 November 2018
Entertaining
jovanderbank14 December 2017
I watch this sort of show for entertainment. The world can be such a harsh place that I am happy to have something like this to escape into.
I honestly don´t understand why people need something like this to be realistic. If I wanted to watch a show about real SWAT procedures then I´m sure there´s a documentary or reality TV show about it. If you want real life there is always the news. This is no less realistic than Criminal Minds, which I really enjoy too.
I don´t usually leave reviews, but I really think some of them on here are way too harsh. I nearly didn´t watch at all based on the reviews, but I am happy that I did.
I´m only on the 3rd episode and I´m really enjoying it. I like the camaraderie of the team, and that despite their differences they all come together when necessary. The development of the relationships, and now finding out more about the personal lives of each of the team. The filming is great, showing LA at it´s best. And I like the fact that they choose to do things the kind way rather than the LAPD way. I did have a giggle when a suspect walked away from Honchos questioning only to walk into the whole team standing around waiting outside.
Oh, and really enjoying the soundtrack. Looking forward to further developements
Woke cheese
stevejames30524 July 2022
It's entertaining woke cheese and I do like it, buts it's so predictable.
I don't think there's anything they don't cover.
From lgbt+, dyslexia, polygamous relationships, BAME, etc etc blah blah blah.
It's almost the same script as every cheese series they bring out but with a bit of SWAT action and that's what draws me in!
I don't think there's anything they don't cover.
From lgbt+, dyslexia, polygamous relationships, BAME, etc etc blah blah blah.
It's almost the same script as every cheese series they bring out but with a bit of SWAT action and that's what draws me in!
Why do they keep ruining great shows?
SummerBox2 October 2021
GASH
johnbiddle26 August 2018
I don't usually review. But Jesus, as a military trained and medical professional, where the hell was the professional advisors. I had high hopes for this series, it is truly awful. It lacks any relevance of realism at all. Utter rubbish!
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