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The Best Episodes of S.W.A.T.

Every episode of S.W.A.T. ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of S.W.A.T.!

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A Los Angeles S.W.A.T. sergeant is assigned to lead a highly skilled unit in the community where he grew up. Torn between loyalty to the streets, where the cops are sometimes the enemy, and allegiance

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 22 - Return to Base (2)
    8.5/10(272 votes)

    #1 - Return to Base (2)

    S8:E22

    The SWAT team undertakes its final mission when a violent crew of ex-pat Russian mercenaries holds LA hostage after planting hundreds of explosives across the city.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Matthew T. Brown, Daniela Labi

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  2. S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 18 - Stigma
    8.4/10(584 votes)

    #2 - Stigma

    S3:E18

    Hondo and the SWAT team race to save Buck, their former unit leader, when he goes off grid and they fear he plans to harm himself. Flashbacks reveal the search for Buck, which coincides with one of the team’s most brutal missions, as each team member receives counseling and discusses the untold mental and emotional difficulties inherent to working in SWAT.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Ryan Keleher

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  3. S.W.A.T. Season 2 Episode 11 - School
    8.3/10(8 votes)

    #3 - School

    S2:E11

    The SWAT team faces difficult reminders of a past school shooting when they receive a warning that a copycat plans to re-enact the crime. As the team races to stop the new threat, they flash back to the day of the tense first mission.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Robert Wittstadt

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  4. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 3 - Life
    8.3/10(304 votes)

    #4 - Life

    S8:E3

    20-Squad faces down a prison hostage situation, only to be thrown into deeper danger when a bomb explodes, freeing maximum-security prisoners from their cells, including someone with a personal grudge against Hondo.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Sarah Alderson

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  5. S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 7 - Last Call
    8.2/10(339 votes)

    #5 - Last Call

    S7:E7

    After the shocking shooting of a member of 20-Squad, Hondo and the team launch a citywide manhunt for the robbery crew responsible. Meanwhile, Deacon's plans for his future hit a snag, and Powell and Alfaro clash over a tricky issue.

    Director:Michael D. Olmos
    Writer:Mellori Velasquez

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  6. S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 13 - Twenty Squad
    8.2/10(318 votes)

    #6 - Twenty Squad

    S7:E13

    SWAT faces their deadliest adversary yet when a violent cell of extremists looks to extract vengeance by blowing up half of Los Angeles, potentially killing thousands.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of S.W.A.T.

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  7. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 15 - Hostages
    8.2/10(245 votes)

    #7 - Hostages

    S8:E15

    S.W.A.T.'s anti-terror sting operation at a bus station is thrown into chaos when felons, fleeing the police, burst in and take the bus station hostage; Bennett redoubles her efforts to force Hicks out as S.W.A.T.'s commander.

    Director:Maja Vrvilo
    Writer:Matthew T. Brown

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  8. S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 4 - Immunity
    8.1/10(517 votes)

    #8 - Immunity

    S3:E4

    Deacon’s family gets caught in the crosshairs of a drug cartel when he and the SWAT team aim to bring down its leader, a former foreign rebel force leader running drugs in plain sight via a local flower market. Also, Hondo receives troubling news regarding his father, and Tan is forced to go before an internal review board due to his girlfriend’s indiscretion.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writer:Michael Gemballa

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  9. S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 12 - Good Cop
    8.1/10(490 votes)

    #9 - Good Cop

    S3:E12

    Hondo and the SWAT team rally to support Street when he puts his life on the line to help his foster brother Nate break away from a drug ring.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Matthew Thomas Brown

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  10. S.W.A.T. Season 4 Episode 16 - Lockdown
    8.1/10(451 votes)

    #10 - Lockdown

    S4:E16

    When four escaped prisoners take control of a courthouse with Hondo and Deacon inside but unarmed, the two race to save the lives of innocent civilians while trying to avoid detection themselves. Street visits his mother in the hospital and faces a pivotal decision.

    Director:Maja Vrvilo
    Writer:Robert Wittstadt

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  11. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 9 - Survive
    8.1/10(462 votes)

    #11 - Survive

    S5:E9

    When Deacon enlists Chris’ help on an off-duty private security detail, they struggle to survive when they’re attacked by a drug cartel looking to kidnap their wealthy VIP client, on the new day and time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 22 - Farewell
    8.1/10(422 votes)

    #12 - Farewell

    S5:E22

    When control of a university chemistry lab is seized, the team races to thwart a devastating terror attack.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. S.W.A.T. Season 6 Episode 22 - Legacy
    8.1/10(350 votes)

    #13 - Legacy

    S6:E22

    The team works with the DEA and their iron-jawed leader, Mack Boyle, to stop a ruthless cartel boss waging war on the streets of Los Angeles as he exacts revenge on those who killed his son.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writers:Brandon Sonnier, Brandon Margolis

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  14. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 9 - Open Season
    8.1/10(263 votes)

    #14 - Open Season

    S8:E9

    When Hondo learns there’s a $1 million bounty on his head, 20-Squad must race to uncover the mysterious enemy from Hondo’s past who’s intent on revenge. Also, Deacon and Tan butt heads over Tan’s changes to S.W.A.T. academy.

    Director:Jay Harrington
    Writer:Charles Haddaway

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  15. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 19 - Run to Ground
    8.1/10(209 votes)

    #15 - Run to Ground

    S8:E19

    After an explosive accident at a fruit-packing facility staffed by prison workers, six inmates escape and scatter across the city. Tasked with chasing down the fugitives, Hondo and 20-Squad discover that the worksite explosion was no accident, and that the escapees are working together to carry out a high-stakes robbery. Also, Commander Hicks packs up his office, preparing to vacate the SWAT commander's post, and Gamble gets sobering news about her jailed father.

    Director:Cherie Gierhart
    Writer:Amelia Sims

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  16. S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 21 - Diablo
    8.0/10(455 votes)

    #16 - Diablo

    S3:E21

    The SWAT team searches for a group of drug smugglers who crash a plane in a Los Angeles suburb and scatter, after a joint mission with the DEA to stop the shipment goes awry. Also, Hondo tries to make amends with Nichelle, Luca experiences anxiety about his return to the field, and Deacon hesitates when asked to speak to a group of recruits about mental health.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writers:Robert Wittstadt, Munis Rashid

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  17. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 19 - Incoming
    8.0/10(391 votes)

    #17 - Incoming

    S5:E19

    When a plane carrying Street and the dangerous prisoner he's transporting is hijacked, the team races to save the innocent passengers onboard -- and one of their own; Hondo takes a big step in his relationship with Nichelle.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 5 - End of the Road
    8.0/10(340 votes)

    #18 - End of the Road

    S7:E5

    While training with Long Beach SWAT, Street discovers a biker club has stolen a cache of armor-piercing bullets and brings 20-Squad into the hunt for the gang before they can pull off a daring and deadly heist. As Hondo struggles with changes at work, Nichelle finds herself at odds with her former colleague Bruce.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 8 - Family Man
    8.0/10(312 votes)

    #19 - Family Man

    S7:E8

    The SWAT team faces off with a family of doomsday preppers barricaded inside their fortress of a home, and Deacon finds himself at the center of the storm. Also, Tan clashes with a reporter covering the situation and Powell grapples with meeting the child she gave up for adoption 18 years ago.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episode 10 - SNAFU
    8.0/10(315 votes)

    #20 - SNAFU

    S7:E10

    As 20-Squad scrambles to track down a cold-blooded sniper terrorizing Los Angeles, Hondo discovers a link to his own South L.A. neighborhood that brings a personal twist to the hunt for the deadly shooter. Meanwhile, Tan finds himself questioning his leadership abilities while Powell and Alfaro compete in a classic game of SWAT tag.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Charles Haddaway

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  21. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 1 - Vanished
    8.0/10(314 votes)

    #21 - Vanished

    S8:E1

    SWAT tackles a mission with personal ties for Hondo when they race to find a group of missing students and their bus driver, Hondo's former high school football coach. Also, Hicks has reservations regarding Hondo's new 20-Squad team addition, Devin Gamble, a cop with a family background deeply entrenched in crime.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Kent Rotherham

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  22. S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 2 - Gang Unit
    8.0/10(293 votes)

    #22 - Gang Unit

    S8:E2

    When a spree of brutal stash house robberies spills into L.A., 20-Squad must team up with the sheriff's department's gang unit to unmask a violent crew who leaves no witness alive.

    Director:Cherie Gierhart
    Writer:Matthew T. Brown

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  23. S.W.A.T. Season 1 Episode 10 - Seizure
    7.9/10(906 votes)

    #23 - Seizure

    S1:E10

    As the SWAT team goes inside a prison riot to rescue civilian hostages, Hondo suspects the inmates have an ulterior motive behind the uprising. Also, when Deacon’s wife, Annie, stops by headquarters to celebrate Deacon’s 10th anniversary with the SWAT division, her visit takes an unexpected turn.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Aaron Rahsaan Thomas

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  24. S.W.A.T. Season 2 Episode 14 - The B-Team
    7.9/10(8 votes)

    #24 - The B-Team

    S2:E14

    Hondo reunites with an old flame, FBI Special Agent Elle Trask, when the SWAT team works with the FBI to bring in a separatist group with weapons-grade plutonium. Also, the SWAT team worries they will lose an annual law enforcement charity competition to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

    Director:Maja Vrvilo
    Writer:VJ Boyd

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  25. S.W.A.T. Season 3 Episode 11 - Bad Cop
    7.9/10(490 votes)

    #25 - Bad Cop

    S3:E11

    Street is caught between his duty to SWAT and his commitment to his foster brother, Nate when Nate is ensnared in a criminal enterprise that could ruin them both. Also, the SWAT team goes after a ruthless crew that uses deadly force while stealing from card casinos, and Buck approaches Deacon to partner on a private security opportunity.

    Director:Ben Hernandez Bray
    Writer:Andrew Dettmann

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Best Episodes Summary

"Return to Base (2)" is the best rated episode of "S.W.A.T.". It scored 8.5/10 based on 272 votes. Directed by Billy Gierhart and written by Matthew T. Brown, Daniela Labi, it aired on 5/16/2025. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Stigma".