S.W.A.T SEASON 6 "THAI HARD"

S.W.A.T Season 6 started off strong with episode 1 that was filmed in Thailand. "Thai Hard" had S.W.A.T team leader, Hondo (Shemar Moore) and some of his team, Deacon (Jay Harrington), Tan (David Lim) in Bangkok to train along side of Thailand's own premiere S.W.A.T team. After training, Hondo takes a side trip to see a former military buddy, Joe (Sean McGuire). Hondo of course finds himself in trouble, leaving him and Joe making their way through the jungle trying to escape the bad guys.

Hondo and Joe head out to check out the site where heroin had been manufactured years ago. Law enforcement had previously shut it down, or so they thought. Hondo and Joe discover the site is back up and running. The kingpin thought to be dead (Ghost) really wasn't. He's very much alive, manufacturing and selling the drugs. Those drugs are also landing on the streets of Los Angeles. Not only is the kingpin manufacturing and selling heroin, he holds kids captive and forces them to work for him. A lot of action takes place right away.

Hondo's girlfriend Nichelle (Rochelle Aytes) who is pregnant with Hondo's baby is in Thailand with him. The writers give a nice little glimpse into future episodes showing that Hondo will become a dad soon. Nichelle and Hondo fit great together as a couple. Their on screen chemistry is natural and her love for him is believable. These two make you feel like you just want to go have dinner with them. I know fans can't wait to see more. Will Hondo get married this season?

Back in Los Angeles the rest of the S.W.A.T team is working the heroin case and trying to track down Hondo and Joe who have been captured by the kingpin. Luca (Kenny Johnson), Street (Alex Russell) and Zoe (Anna Enger Ritch Powell) do their job from HQ and the streets of Los Angeles to help track down clues to where Hondo and Joe can be found and rescued in Thailand. Lina Esco is definitely missed this season, but Powell has done a great job folding into the 20 - squad.

The action packed episode has Hondo connecting to a young kid who has been forced to work for the kingpin. When a gun battle and rescue break out the kid is taken by the bad guys and Hondo can't get to him. Joe is in need of medical care and the team convinces Hondo that they need to go now. In true Hondo fashion, he is not giving up. He calls in to HQ where fans see him talking to Commander Hicks (Patrick St. Esprit), who tells him he already approved a few extra days off. It's obvious Commander Hicks doesn't expect what Hondo is about to do next. The show leaves you with Hondo wanting to find the kid he connected with. That kid helped Hondo and he wants to keep his promise to help that kid in return.

I hope we see more of Sean McGuire in future episodes. What do you think will happen in Episode 2? Will Joe pull through? Will Hondo find the kid he's looking for? Will S.W.A.T bring down the kingpin and shut down the heroin operation? Well S.W.A.T fans, you'll have to tune in next week to get the answers to those questions. If the next episodes are anything like the 1st episode, everyone is in for an action packed, heart tugging season. Kuddos to Director Billy Gierhart. He always does a good job but this episode was really well done. The directing was superb, set designs were great. Of course you have to acknowledge the writer, Sarah Alderson. The writing team did a nice job with this episode. After all, without writers, the actors and crew would have nothing to do. Don't forget all of the excellent work the Thailand cast and crew did as well. Excellent team work.

I thought season 6 started off with a bang. I've watched every season of S.W.A.T and can see the steady progression of excellence in writing, production and acting. One of the main draws for S.W.A.T is how the writers and actors tell stories that are relatable to real time life events past and present. Pay attention to all of the details and sub plots in this show. They always tell you something worth while.

S.W.A.T on CBS, Friday nights at 8 p.m.

Writer: Sue McGaughey