S.W.A.T to sweat it out ROLL CALL
Your favourite crime-fighting 20 David squad is back to save Los Angeles in season 5 of S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T
Season 5 Tuesdays (from 10 January) M-Net (*101) 20:00
We’re used to hearing “I’m Sergeant Harrelson LAPD S.W.A.T!” from Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Shemar Moore) before he and his elite officers kick down doors and apprehend baddies without having to fire their weapons. But as season 5 returns, it’s all up in the air if the 20 David team are going to be back in action. Season 4 ended with Hondo publicly speaking out about racism within the justice system, exposing some of his “boys in blue”. That led to protests across the city, Hondo being demoted from team leader, and his boss friend
Commander Robert Hicks
(Patrick St Esprit) “encouraging” him to take an extended leave of absence. “It’s a difficult time for Hondo because he’s a man among men, he considers himself to be righteous and strong, to stand up for the law and to defend those who are being hurt or discriminated against. This ‘break’ isn’t going to do him any good – he’s going to stew on things,” says Shemar.
Hondo’s team are also in disrepair when we catch up. Tan (David Lim) got married and went on honeymoon.
Chris (Lina Esco) and Luca (Kenny Johnson) left for Germany, but before that Chris and Street (Alex Russell) kissed and professed their love for one another, with Street promising to wait for Chris to return. But before that happens, Hondo needs to get back and salvage what’s left of his career and reputation.
NEW LOCATIONS
This season kicks off with the action south of the US border in Mexico where Hondo has been laying low. “The show is still about finding justice, fairness and the good guys dealing with the bullies, but the producer have found an interesting way to portray Hondo’s character and present the show,” says Shemar. “Hondo is elite. He’s a war veteran, he has one ideal in life and that’s to uphold the law. But we’re going to see a different man when the season starts. Shemar adds that the writers “have pulled back a layer of Hondo because he was always on top of the game and in control. He’s now going to be cracked, flawed, questioning himself and his judgement.”
There will also be an introduction to new faces this season in the new location setting. Delfina (Mexican telenovela star Val Dorantes from Malverde: El Santo Patron) is a young local woman trying to protect her father’s business that she inherited after his death. “Hondo isn’t the same man without his squad and they’re not the same without him. So we’re trying to find this balance and Hondo can’t help but be in the thick of the action. He is on ‘holiday’ but ends up still saving people. And for every character like Delfina, there’s going to be someone on the other spectrum who wants to see Hondo dead,” explains Shemar.
THE TROUBLE WITH TAN
Tan isn’t just going to have professional problems on his hands stepping up as a senior member of the SWAT team in Hondo’s absence, his new marriage is going to bob in choppy waters! “The pieces are definitely getting shaken by the introduction of an ex-flame to the mix. She’s really going to shake up things in Tan’s home – and not for the good,” says David. “Tan isn’t the kind of guy to make ripples in the water, so when things go wrong for him, he feels stressed.” If only his good friend Hondo was around…