There’s no doubt that continuing the story after S.W.A.T. season 8 would have been better than the Hondo spinoff. This isn’t to say the spinoff is a bad idea, but it won’t include any of the other core characters, and that’s the disappointing element of it. Finding out that there could have been a ninth season elsewhere makes the spinoff even more of a bittersweet decision.
Sony Shopped S.W.A.T. Season 9 To Other Broadcasters After CBS Canceled It A 3rd Time
S.W.A.T. Could Have Lived On Another Network
When it came to the cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, one of the most disappointing elements was that neither of the shows were being shopped around. They accepted the cancellations and moved on. That wasn’t the case for S.W.AT., with not just the cast and crew but also the studio looking for a new home for the series. Sony Pictured TV Studios prexy Katherine Pope explained to Variety that they weren’t done with the series.
“It felt very clear from CBS that this was the end. It was a difficult decision for them, but it felt very final. So we set out to sell the show elsewhere. We tried really hard, and we felt like we got close at a place or two, but we just couldn’t quite get it over the line.”
In the end, it was easier to bring a spinoff series, which was something the Sony execs had talked about for some time as a way to expand the S.W.A.T. universe.
To make things worse, it sounds like the era of moving shows from one network to another is ending. Pope went on to explain that it’s getting harder for networks to save canceled shows, especially those that have run on one network for many years, such as this CBS series. In the end, it was easier to bring a spinoff series, which was something the Sony execs had talked about for some time as a way to expand the S.W.A.T. universe.
“Moving a show from one platform that’s had it for such a long time to another in today’s world, I think, is really difficult.”
What S.W.A.T. Season 9 Could Have Been About
S.W.A.T. Season 8 Made It Clear 20-Squad Stayed Liquid
The S.W.A.T. series finale did a good job of wrapping up a lot of storylines from the season, but there are still a few burning questions.
Had CBS not canceled S.W.A.T., we could have seen Tan in his Mayoral Liaison position, which could have meant a focus on more of the politics within the police department. Of course, there would always be some danger, as some people attempt to assassinate people in charge. Deacon’s security firm was growing exponentially, opening the door for more cases to come from there, and Powell was dealing with her personal life changing as she reconnected to her ex and the son they had but she gave up for adoption.
S.W.A.T. season 9 could have set up that storyline of him being forced out of the unit, giving us the setup needed to want the spinoff even more.
This could have even led into the spinoff idea. We know from the spinoff that Hondo has been forced to retire, and now he will come out of retirement to lead a new, young team. S.W.A.T. season 9 could have set up that storyline of him being forced out of the unit, giving us the setup needed to want the spinoff even more.
S.W.A.T. Season 9 Sounds Better Than Hondo’s Spinoff
We Want To See More Of The Whole Team
Although I was sad to see S.W.A.T. coming to an end at CBS after they defied the odds so many times, I’m not really excited about the idea of S.W.A.T. EXILES, which Shemar Moore announced on his Instagram. The spin-off series will center around Hondo Harrison with a group of S.W.A.T. trainees who don’t have the best track records. While the concept could work, it doesn’t inspire the excitement that the original did in me.
There is also the fact that there are still many storylines left open with exciting potential. Tan is the biggest, as he grows in his leadership capabilities and seemed excited about the job that he was doing, even in a meeting room. Miko had learned how to handle his need for revenge and make the system work for him, and Gamble had found a family that accepted her, even for some of her flaws. Now we want to know where they go from here, especially if Hondo is being forced to retire before the S.W.A.T. spinoff.
