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The Best Episodes of S.W.A.T. Season 5

Every episode of S.W.A.T. Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of S.W.A.T. Season 5!

Binge this in 15h 31m•Peaking at 8.1/10

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
    S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 1 - Vagabundo
    7.3/10(673 votes)

    #1 - Vagabundo

    S5:E1

    In the aftermath of his decision to speak out in the press, Hondo retreats to a quiet town in Mexico to reassess his life and professional future, only to find himself reluctantly drawn into one local family's fight for justice.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 2 - Madrugada
    7.7/10(495 votes)

    #2 - Madrugada

    S5:E2

    Still in Mexico, Hondo teams up with a local cop for a dangerous rescue mission, only to find himself with a target on his back. Also, back in Los Angeles, Hicks considers disbanding the team for good.

    Director:Billy Gierhart
    Writer:Matthew Thomas Brown

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  3. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 3 - 27 David
    7.4/10(436 votes)

    #3 - 27 David

    S5:E3

    When a robbery crew holds up the iconic downtown Los Angeles library, the team discovers that stolen architectural drawings could lead to a major threat against the city. Also, the squad is surprised by the arrival of a new leader, longtime LAPD veteran and former S.W.A.T. member Rodrigo Sanchez.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 4 - Sentinel
    7.3/10(440 votes)

    #4 - Sentinel

    S5:E4

    As the team races to stop a violent band of armed robbers, the search is complicated by civilians using a public safety app that encounters vigilantism; Street receives difficult news that alters his future.

    Director:Cherie Gierhart
    Writer:Ryan Keleher

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  5. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 5 - West Coast Offense
    7.3/10(408 votes)

    #5 - West Coast Offense

    S5:E5

    When the team responds to a home invasion call, they uncover a murderous plot against a famous pro football quarterback; Hicks gets a long-awaited lead on a Jane Doe case he worked 20 years ago.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 6 - Crisis Actor
    7.5/10(436 votes)

    #6 - Crisis Actor

    S5:E6

    When armed gunmen storm the set of a controversial cable news show that promotes conspiracy theories, the team races to prevent a hostage situation from escalating on live TV. Also, Chris supports Street as he prepares for his mother’s funeral.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 7 - Keep the Faith
    7.3/10(424 votes)

    #7 - Keep the Faith

    S5:E7

    Hondo returns as leader; the team is pulled into a dangerous case involving a large stockpile of cash and the Russian mob; Daniel Sr. opens up to Hondo about a painful time in his past.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 8 - Safe House
    7.3/10(415 votes)

    #8 - Safe House

    S5:E8

    When an undocumented woman is violently abducted, the team forms an unlikely alliance to try and bring her home alive.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 9 - Survive
    8.1/10(458 votes)

    #9 - 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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  10. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 10 - Three Guns
    7.3/10(395 votes)

    #10 - Three Guns

    S5:E10

    The SWAT team partners with the DEA to locate stolen rocket launchers smuggled into Los Angeles, high-power weapons with new technology capable of cutting through armored tanks. Also, a personal issue for Tan arises when a colleague is hurt in the field; Hondo's inquiry into the arrest of a homeless veteran for Leroy, Darryl's father, sparks an idea for a new policing initiative; and Luca suspects the mother of his mentee, Kelly, wants to date him.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 11 - Old School Cool
    7.2/10(412 votes)

    #11 - Old School Cool

    S5:E11

    Hondo and the team race to locate the hacker responsible for accessing LAPD's computers and revealing the identities of undercover officers; Street is forced to reckon with past misdeeds.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 12 - Provenance
    7.6/10(405 votes)

    #12 - Provenance

    S5:E12

    After an armed robbery crew invades a downtown auction house, the case quickly turns personal for Hondo when his sister, Winnie (April Parker Jones), is taken as one of the hostages.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 13 - Short Fuse
    7.6/10(371 votes)

    #13 - Short Fuse

    S5:E13

    A terminally ill inmate escapes from a hospital determined to settle old scores before he dies; Nichelle faces a life-changing event that affects her relationship with Hondo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 14 - Albatross
    7.6/10(365 votes)

    #14 - Albatross

    S5:E14

    When the team busts a group of dangerous robbery suspects; Tan is confronted with a pivotal figure from his past; Luca is tapped to temporarily stand in for Hicks.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 15 - Donor
    7.4/10(383 votes)

    #15 - Donor

    S5:E15

    When hospital employees are targeted by a gunman, the SWAT team races to find a grieving father whose son was denied a kidney transplant; Hondo searches for evidence behind an alarming rise in Los Angeles stash houses.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 16 - The Fugitive
    7.9/10(410 votes)

    #16 - The Fugitive

    S5:E16

    When bodycam footage left at a local news station seems to show Hondo shooting two police officers, he is forced to go on the run while the team works to clear his name.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 17 - Cry Foul
    7.3/10(363 votes)

    #17 - Cry Foul

    S5:E17

    When a series of deadly explosions hits oil derricks across Los Angeles, the team must hunt down an activist-turned-terrorist; Deacon and his wife work to free a reformed drug dealer who they believe was sent away for a murder he didn't commit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 18 - Family
    7.5/10(356 votes)

    #18 - Family

    S5:E18

    When Hicks witnesses the assassination of his longtime friend, the team races to find the shooter and determine why he was targeted; Luca struggles with how to help his brother after he's arrested.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 19 - Incoming
    8.0/10(386 votes)

    #19 - 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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  20. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 20 - Quandary
    7.3/10(350 votes)

    #20 - Quandary

    S5:E20

    When the team discovers an illegal weapons dealer has sold stock to someone targeting a high-level politician, they rush to stop a deadly ambush.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 21 - Zodiac
    7.9/10(345 votes)

    #21 - Zodiac

    S5:E21

    When a home invasion turns deadly, the team embarks on a race to track down priceless antique artifacts before any more lives are lost; Leroy enlists Hondo's help after an overdose hits close to home.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. S.W.A.T. Season 5 Episode 22 - Farewell
    8.1/10(417 votes)

    #22 - 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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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Vagabundo" is the best rated episode of "S.W.A.T." season 5. It scored 7.3/10 based on 673 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/1/2021. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Madrugada".