S.W.A.T. is a CBS show that first aired in 2017. It follows a lieutenant torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he's tasked to run a highly-trained unit that's the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles. Now in its 7th season, the show has delivered some incredible episodes that deserve recognition. For those who want to know the best of the best, we've ranked the top S.W.A.T. episodes and compiled them into this list.
The episodes are ranked based on a variety of factors, including entertainment value, character development, and impact on the show's overall storyline. Each episode is given a score from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best. The episodes are listed in order from highest to lowest score, so you can easily find the best of the best.
So if you're looking for the ultimate S.W.A.T. viewing experience, look no further. Here are the top ranked S.W.A.T. episodes, guaranteed to provide you with the best entertainment possible.
Warning: the following content contains spoilers!
This page was generated using automation technology and thoroughly edited and fact-checked by an editor on our editorial staff.
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.
The episode was rated 8.01 from 953 votes.
The abduction of Luca and Street’s neighbor sends the SWAT team in pursuit of a home invasion crew targeting domestic workers to gain entry into upscale homes. Also, the SWAT division prepares to help Mumford mark a major career milestone.
The episode was rated 7.97 from 921 votes.
The SWAT team goes in pursuit again of the militant group The Emancipators, when the criminals hold a live stream kangaroo court to publicly execute city politicians. Also, Hondo fights to lift Darryl’s spirits; Deacon feels unworthy as he prepares to receive one of the LAPD’s highest honors; and Street catches a break in the search for his missing parolee mother.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 886 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.93 from 788 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 733 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 800 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.90 from 868 votes.
When control of a university chemistry lab is seized, the team races to thwart a devastating terror attack.
The episode was rated 7.89 from 455 votes.
The SWAT team finds itself under internal investigation after a civilian is killed as they attempted to bring in the city’s most wanted criminal. As the mission details are revealed, the force’s internal affairs team calls Hondo’s leadership into question.
The episode was rated 7.89 from 912 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 1354 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 497 votes.
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.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 663 votes.
Hondo and Deacon must apply all their SWAT training and skills to evade a gang of armed mercenaries hunting them in the Angeles Mountains following an ambush. Also, Chris oversteps in an attempt to help a female SWAT trainee she suspects isn’t being evaluated fairly.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 1016 votes.
The SWAT team races to locate the next place a lone gunman will strike while he is at large in Los Angeles. Also, Hondo takes some time away from the team to pursue an investigation that hits close to home, and Jessica is presented with an unexpected opportunity.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 848 votes.
Hondo has a tense reunion with a fellow Marine, Ruiz, when the team hunts an escaped convict who was broken out of prison by criminals using stolen military weapons; Chris prepares for a difficult goodbye when her former K-9 partner becomes ill.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 896 votes.
Hondo, Deacon and Tan team up with Thailand’s elite S.W.A.T. team to stop a ruthless drug lord whose heroin operation has far-reaching ties to Los Angeles.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 404 votes.
The SWAT team pursues a couple reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, when the duo goes on the run and on the hunt for a set of rare chest pieces worth millions. Also, Hondo and Darryl are surprised when Darryl’s ex-girlfriend visits with his young son, and Luca confronts his fear of failing his requalification to return to the field as he helps Kelly, his mentee.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 699 votes.
When a convicted killer makes a prison break, the team works to protect the people on his hit list; Hondo unexpectedly crosses paths with an old flame.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 383 votes.
A fake 911 call puts Hondo and the SWAT team on the hunt to stop a white supremacy group from executing bombing attacks on local communities. Also, Street’s relationship with his recently paroled mother, Karen, jeopardizes his career, and Jessica is thrown a curveball by her colleague, Michael Plank, president of the police commission. Hondo’s father, returns Daniel Harrelson, Sr. 1st.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 1018 votes.
The job becomes personal for Hondo when his criminal informant friend is killed while seeking information about a robbery crew that a joint SWAT and FBI task force is trying to capture. Also, when the FBI task force leader acts erratically, Jessica worries the woman’s behavior will endanger the team in the field.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 1165 votes.
Last updated: mar 12, 2023
