When S.W.A.T. wrapped its CBS run, fans breathed a sigh of relief seeing 20-Squad intact. No shocking deaths, no retirements, no disbandment—just unity. But the announcement of S.W.A.T. Exiles throws that sense of closure into chaos.
How does Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a man defined by loyalty, end up exiled and retired against his will? The clean finale doesn’t explain it. The only narrative card that makes sense? Killing off 20-Squad.
It’s brutal, risky, and controversial—but it might be the only way to justify Sony’s spinoff.
Hondo’s Loyalty Problem
A Leader Who Would Never Quit
Hondo’s identity is inseparable from his squad. From season one, he stood as the glue that held his team together. He’s the kind of leader who eats last, carries the weight, and never leaves a man behind.
Why Retirement Feels Wrong
For someone like Hondo, “forced retirement” rings hollow unless paired with tragedy. Fans know he would fight tooth and nail against bureaucracy. The only believable reason he’d walk away is if the foundation of his loyalty—20-Squad itself—were ripped away from him.
The Case for Killing 20-Squad
1. Emotional Impact That Hooks Viewers
Opening Exiles with the devastating loss of 20-Squad would jolt audiences and immediately set the tone for a darker, grittier narrative.
2. Justifying Hondo’s Exile
No politics, no paperwork—just trauma. Losing his team would push Hondo to blame himself, making exile feel like penance rather than choice.
3. Setting Up a Clean Slate
Sony wants Exiles to stand apart from CBS’s original run. Removing 20-Squad wipes the board clean, forcing Hondo into new alliances and foreign conflicts.
How Could 20-Squad Be Killed Off?
A Mission Gone Catastrophically Wrong
One tragic operation—whether in Los Angeles or overseas—could decimate the squad and leave Hondo broken.
An Enemy Targeting the Team
The Red Sword, or another global syndicate, could strike at 20-Squad as revenge, taking away everyone Hondo loves in one calculated blow.
Institutional Betrayal
Imagine 20-Squad being sacrificed by the system they served, left without backup in a politically motivated decision. That betrayal would haunt Hondo forever.
The Fallout of Their Sacrifice
Hondo’s Survivor’s Guilt
The pain of being the one left alive would explain his retirement. He wouldn’t see it as freedom—he’d see it as punishment.
A Man Without a Mission
With no squad to lead, Hondo becomes a wandering warrior, exiled by grief and stripped of his purpose. That makes him the perfect figurehead for Exiles.
20-Squad’s Legacy
Even if Sony kills them off, their memory would remain the emotional heartbeat of the spinoff. Flashbacks, tributes, and Hondo’s ongoing guilt could keep them alive in spirit.
Why This Risk Could Pay Off
Fans may rage at losing 20-Squad, but long-term, it gives Exiles depth. Sony wouldn’t just be recycling S.W.A.T.—they’d be evolving it into something bolder and more tragic.
This kind of narrative gamble mirrors what The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones did—take away the “untouchables” to shock the audience and force fresh storytelling.
The Alternatives—And Why They Don’t Work
Bureaucratic Forced Retirement
Boring. Nobody believes Hondo would simply sign off on a desk job.
Voluntary Exit
Impossible. He wouldn’t leave his family by choice.
Transfer or Promotion
Still weak. A man like Hondo doesn’t abandon 20-Squad for a title.
The only solution left with true narrative weight? A devastating sacrifice.
Conclusion: A Necessary Tragedy
Killing 20-Squad is harsh, maybe even unfair. But in the world of S.W.A.T. Exiles, it might be the only way to make sense of Hondo’s exile and forced retirement.
It doesn’t dishonor his character—it cements him as a leader broken by loss, wandering the world not because he wanted to, but because he had no choice. And in that brokenness lies the hook Sony needs to keep audiences watching.
FAQs
1. Would Sony really kill off all of 20-Squad?
Not necessarily all members, but enough to shatter the team beyond repair.
2. How does this explain Hondo’s retirement?
It roots his exile in trauma and guilt, making his exit believable.
3. Could surviving members appear in Exiles?
Yes, as guest stars or in flashbacks, keeping their legacy alive.
4. Why not just say Hondo retired peacefully?
Because it undermines his loyalty and robs the spinoff of emotional stakes.
5. Would fans accept this move?
It would be divisive—but it could also fuel passionate debates and draw attention, which Sony may see as worth the risk.
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This article was written to deliver a bold, SEO-optimized perspective on S.W.A.T. Exiles, exploring why Sony may need to take its darkest step yet to justify Hondo’s forced retirement.
👉 Do you want me to expand this draft into a full 2000+ word version with detailed breakdowns of each 20-Squad member’s fate (Street, Deacon, Chris, Luca, Tan, etc.) and how their loss could specifically shape Hondo’s exile?
