In S.W.A.T. Season 8, Episode 7, titled "Home," Tan makes a rookie mistake during a driving exercise. He was supposed to be grading the rookies, but after seeing Gamble nail it effortlessly, Tan got overconfident and thought it looked easy and fun. But when it was his turn, disaster struck. He damaged the back of the car, knowing Hicks would be furious if he found out. After all, Hicks had recently taken a rookie to task for doing something similar. Tan feared he'd get an even worse reaction because of his position, so Gamble suggested holding off on telling anyone, assuring him she might be able to fix the car without anyone noticing.
While Tan was still stressing about his mistake, Deacon called in the team for backup. Deacon had run into a group of gunmen who were targeting another car. The gunmen opened fire, injuring the passenger, and followed the driver all the way to the hospital. The boyfriend, Vasu, was badly hurt, but the girlfriend, Anu, was only grazed by a bullet. As fate would have it, she ran into Deacon at the hospital, who had been there for what he hoped would be his daughter’s final MRI. A shootout broke out when the gunmen followed the couple into the hospital, showing no regard for the chaos they were causing.
What struck me about this scene was the gunmen's complete disregard for innocent lives. They didn’t care about the people around them, and only fled when Deacon started firing back. I was impressed by Deacon’s calm under pressure, even though he had to juggle his personal and professional life in such a high-stakes moment. Deacon stayed on the scene until his team arrived and spoke with Anu, who was understandably shaken but had no idea why they were targeted.
At first, Anu thought it was just a road rage incident, but then she remembered something strange from a few weeks ago. She’d noticed a suspicious car following her, which made me think about how uneasy it can feel when someone is watching you, even if it’s just a coincidence. Anu had taken a photo of the car but never saw it again—until now. The gunmen came in a completely different car, which only added to the mystery.
Anu and Vasu had been dating for a year, but Anu had kept the relationship a secret from her parents. This is where it hit me hard, because I couldn’t help but feel for Anu. Her parents, in their effort to protect her, hired a private investigator to keep tabs on her. It made me reflect on how controlling some parents can be, even when their children are adults. It’s clear that Anu’s parents were acting out of concern, but their methods were extreme. It really made me think about how important it is to respect a person’s independence, even when we’re trying to protect them.
As Anu explained, her parents didn’t approve of Vasu because of his involvement in a Sikh separatist movement. Vasu ran a website advocating for a separate Sikh state, which had sparked violence in the past. The gunmen targeting him were from that same era of violence, angry at anyone connected to the separatist movement. They saw Vasu’s website as a call to stir up old wounds, leading them to attempt to kill him and anyone else involved.
What really got to me was how Anu’s parents, although well-meaning, were making assumptions about Vasu based on his beliefs, not who he truly was. It made me think about the power of perception and how sometimes, we judge others based on superficial things, like religion or political views, without understanding the bigger picture.
Back on the streets, SWAT had to act fast to protect Vasu’s friends, who were also involved in the separatist cause. The team tried to warn them, but unfortunately, they were too late. One of Vasu’s friends was shot, and the other tried to flee. Tan and Gamble chased the gunmen, though their pursuit wasn’t perfect. Still, they managed to apprehend one of the attackers. I appreciated the teamwork here, even when things didn’t go according to plan. It’s a reminder that, in the heat of the moment, the team’s ability to adapt and support each other is what makes them successful.
In a quieter subplot, Gamble’s brother, Leon, helped fix the damaged car. He demanded a favor in return, which Tan feared might be something illegal. But in a nice twist, Leon just wanted Gamble to come to a family dinner. It was a sweet moment that showed how sometimes, even people with complicated histories can still want simple things, like family connection. Tan, despite his initial concern, knew it would be a good thing for Gamble in the long run.
Meanwhile, Powell got some updates from Thomas, who had decided to follow his parents’ wishes and finish school before going on tour. Thomas appreciated Powell’s persistent support, which gave me hope for their relationship. It was a reminder that sometimes, staying connected—especially when things seem uncertain—can create stability in relationships. Powell took Hicks’ advice to keep reaching out to Thomas, which ended up bringing them closer together.
Finally, Hondo and Nichelle found some common ground when it came to their daughter Vivi’s preschool. Their arguments over what was best for her mirrored the struggles we see with Anu and her parents. In the end, compromise is key. Whether it’s about the future of a toddler or an adult making her own choices, it’s about learning to balance love and independence.
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