A Perfect Ending in Season 6, but What’s Next in Season 7?
After an intense and emotionally charged Season 6, SEAL Team delivered what many fans considered a perfect conclusion. The season finale gave us closure for several characters, tied up loose ends, and provided the emotional depth that fans had been craving. However, as the show gears up for its highly anticipated Season 7, there is a growing sense of apprehension.
Will the writers be able to maintain the emotional and narrative integrity of Season 6’s perfect ending? Or is there a real risk that SEAL Team Season 7 could undo the closure and character growth that took place? In this article, we’ll explore how Season 7 might jeopardize the culmination of SEAL Team‘s most recent season, what could go wrong, and why the final season risks tarnishing the beautiful farewell fans received in Season 6.
Why Season 6 Was the Perfect Ending for SEAL Team
The Resolution of Key Character Arcs
Season 6 of SEAL Team had a unique opportunity to close the book on some of the show’s most beloved characters. Whether it was Jason Hayes confronting his demons, Clay Spenser’s personal growth, or the ongoing struggles of Ray Perry and Sonny Quinn, Season 6 gave each character the development and resolution they needed. In particular, Clay’s departure (Max Thieriot’s exit) was a tragic yet fitting end to his arc.
For the first time in the series, Bravo Team faced the reality of their vulnerabilities. Clay’s death served as a heartbreaking but essential reminder of the toll that the job takes on them. Jason Hayes, once a rock for the team, finally accepted that he couldn’t carry the burden of leadership forever. This emotional journey, especially Jason’s reckoning with his role and personal identity, created the perfect platform for the final season.
The heartfelt moments between Jason and his team members, including Clay’s departure, made it clear that SEAL Team was about more than just missions and warfare—it was about the bonds these men formed, and the price they paid for the work they did.
A Logical Closure to the Storylines
The Season 6 finale was not only emotionally charged but also a logical conclusion to the ongoing storylines. Jason had already struggled with his mental health, his role as a leader, and his capacity to keep the team together. His conflict came to a head in Season 6, and the way the show handled his emotional arc felt like a natural endpoint. The idea of Jason stepping back from his leadership role, accepting help, and coming to terms with his future was a smart narrative choice.
At the same time, the development of other characters such as Ray, Sonny, and Clay provided the necessary support to show that each member of Bravo Team had come to a place of understanding. Their relationships were tested, but by the end of Season 6, it felt like the characters had grown in ways that made sense for their journeys.
How Season 7 Could Risk Ruining This Perfect Ending
1. Shifting Focus Away from the Core Team Dynamic
One of the things that made SEAL Team Season 6 so powerful was its focus on the emotional and personal journeys of Bravo Team. Instead of relying solely on high-octane action scenes and military missions, the show emphasized the human side of these soldiers. Season 7, however, runs the risk of shifting focus away from the deep emotional threads that made Season 6 a standout.
Too Much Action, Too Little Emotion?
While action sequences and intense military operations are a hallmark of the show, SEAL Team risks becoming just another action-driven series if it doesn’t maintain the emotional weight of its characters’ journeys. If Season 7 veers too far into combat-heavy plots without taking the time to develop the characters’ emotional and personal lives, it could feel like a disservice to the depth and growth that was achieved in Season 6.
The characters of Bravo Team, especially Jason and Clay, have undergone profound changes over the seasons. The risk of diluting these changes for the sake of more explosions and high-stakes missions is a real one. Without a strong emphasis on the relationships and personal conflicts that defined Season 6, the finale could feel undone or even irrelevant.
2. Undermining Clay’s Emotional Exit
One of the most powerful moments of Season 6 was Clay Spenser’s departure. After everything that Clay had been through—his journey from rookie SEAL to a more mature and introspective member of Bravo Team—his death was a bittersweet, yet fitting, conclusion to his arc. Fans were left heartbroken, but also with a sense of closure regarding his character.
Could Clay’s Death Be Undone?
There’s a significant risk in bringing Clay back, either in a flashback or some contrived plotline that negates the finality of his death. While SEAL Team has explored the emotional toll of war, and characters like Jason have faced the question of mortality head-on, undoing Clay’s death would diminish the emotional impact of the Season 6 finale. If Clay were somehow resurrected, either through a technicality or a storyline that feels forced, it could undercut the poignancy of his final moments with his team.
The emotional farewell to Clay was an essential part of what made Season 6 work. His passing symbolized the harsh realities of being a SEAL and the devastating impact it has on families and teammates. If Season 7 doesn’t honor that sacrifice, fans will be left with the feeling that the story was merely a plot device to fuel further seasons—ultimately undoing the perfect emotional ending Season 6 provided.
3. Ignoring the Psychological Growth of Jason Hayes
Jason Hayes, played by David Boreanaz, has always been at the center of SEAL Team‘s narrative. His leadership, emotional struggles, and relentless drive have shaped the series from the beginning. In Season 6, Jason’s journey reached a crucial point where he confronted his mental health issues, particularly PTSD and his role within Bravo Team. He was forced to come to terms with his limitations and take a step back.
Is Jason’s Development at Risk of Regressing?
Season 7 risks undoing Jason’s psychological growth if it reverts him to the hard-edged, invincible leader he was in earlier seasons. While his leadership qualities are still important, continuing to show Jason as an indestructible figure who leads the team without consequence would undo the progress he made in Season 6.
Instead of exploring new dimensions of Jason’s growth, it would be easy for Season 7 to lean into his previous persona of the unshakable leader, which would cheapen the emotional development we saw in Season 6. If Jason’s internal struggles are ignored in favor of more action-driven plots, the show risks alienating viewers who connected with his vulnerability and growth.
4. Introducing Too Many New Characters
While introducing new faces can be a good way to keep a series fresh, SEAL Team runs the risk of diluting its core narrative by adding too many new characters in Season 7. The beauty of the show lies in its portrayal of the existing Bravo Team, their complex relationships, and their shared history.
Overcrowding the Storyline
If Season 7 introduces an influx of new characters—whether they are new team members, higher-ups, or external figures—it could distract from the core dynamics that have made SEAL Team so engaging. Viewers have invested in the characters they’ve followed for six seasons, and the risk of diverting attention away from these well-established relationships could lead to a lackluster season.
In particular, if the show leans too heavily on bringing in fresh faces to drive the plot forward, it may weaken the emotional investment in the existing characters. The story of Bravo Team has always been about the bonds they share, and Season 7 needs to prioritize these connections rather than pushing the team into the background in favor of new, less compelling figures.
5. A Forced or Contrived Ending to the Series
With Season 7 being the final season of SEAL Team, there’s an immense amount of pressure to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the series. However, there’s a real risk that the show could fall into the trap of forcing an ending that doesn’t feel earned or organic. If the writers try too hard to tie up every loose end or introduce an overly dramatic final arc, it could undo the emotional closure fans received at the end of Season 6.
Rushing the Closure
The danger of a rushed or overly dramatic conclusion is that it could feel disconnected from the emotional buildup of previous seasons. SEAL Team has always been a character-driven show, with moments of quiet reflection balanced by action and tension. If the final season is too focused on spectacle or forced drama, it could feel like a betrayal of the show’s roots.
Rather than forcing an ending that wraps everything up neatly, Season 7 should aim for a more organic conclusion—one that
