The series SWAT has faced numerous challenges throughout its nearly eight seasons on the CBS television network, overcoming multiple cancellations and coming back stronger. One of the standout episodes to date is number 11 titled “School” from the second season, which according to IMDb users, is the best episode of the police drama with a rating of 8.9 out of 10 and one that everyone should watch again.
In “School,” Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (played by Shemar Moore) and his team must act quickly to prevent a new mass shooting at a local high school. An anonymous terrorist threatens to surpass the victim count of the previous shooting, posing a huge threat to the community. This case leads team members to recall the first shooting and the mistakes made six years earlier.
Tensions rise when the previous shooter offers to help the team capture the new attacker, forcing those who lived through his devastation to face the idea of interacting with him. The episode culminates with the team successfully preventing the second shooting, reaffirming their role as protectors of the vulnerable.
Fans on IMDb have consistently praised “School” for its realistic portrayal of the aftermath of a mass shooting, both on the victims and the rescuers. Since its premiere in January 2019, it has been considered a powerful piece of television. One user commented that it is “one of the most powerful pieces of television I’ve seen in a long time,” while another praised how the episode grips you and provokes a strong emotional response.
Episode 11 of Season 2 of SWAT is the best of the entire police series
Besides the praise from viewers, “School” has also been recognized by TV Guide as a vital episode due to its handling of school shootings and its message of preventing future similar crimes. The use of multiple perspectives, both from team members present during the first shooting and those who were not, makes it especially interesting and complex.
With the success of episodes like “School,” the eighth season of SWAT has high expectations to meet. Viewers will see if the new season lives up to the hype when the series returns from its second cancellation on October 18.
