SWAT Loses A Long-Time Character Ahead Of The Finale In The Most Infuriating Way -

As we get closer to the S.W.A.T. series finale, eyes are on how storylines will end, and it looks like S.W.A.T. season 8, episode 18 has ended Hicks’ (Patrick St. Esprit) arc. After going up against Deputy Chief Bennett (Merrin Dungey) throughout the season, it appears that she has won, leading to Hicks being pushed out of a job that he loves. However, this is to the detriment of the show, and we’re not happy.

Hicks deserves a much better ending in this series considering he is one of the four remaining original main cast members in S.W.A.T. It’s clear that Hondo (Shemar Moore) and the rest of 20-Squad aren’t happy with the treatment of their boss, and he isn’t interested in taking over. If the series really wanted to see Hicks resign, and effectively retire, it should have happened in the S.W.A.T. series finale.

Hicks Resigns In SWAT Season 8, Episode 18 Explained

Bennett Forces Hicks To Leave S.W.A.T.

SWAT Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Hicks looking unimpressed

During S.W.A.T. season 8, episode 18, Hondo learned from Deacon that there was a list of potential new commanders to lead the team. Hondo immediately worried what that meant for Hicks, and he went to his boss to share the information. Hicks wasn’t all that worried though, thinking that he had the support of the rest in command, including the Chief, who he had just been golfing with.

Jay Harrington as Deacon and Shemar Moore as Hondo standing together in SWAT

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The end of the episode delivered a blow, however, with Hicks learning that he would be assigned to lead a new task force dealing with art theft. As Hicks pointed out, it would be a great position for a new captain looking to climb up the ranks, not a veteran like him. When Deputy Chief Bennett made it clear that he didn’t have a choice about being reassigned and that even the Chief had signed off on it, Hicks made the decision to resign rather than be pushed into obscurity for the rest of his career. By the look on Bennett’s face, it was the reaction that she wanted.

Why Losing Hicks Ahead of SWAT’s Finale Is So Disappointing

S.W.A.T. Is Cheated Out Of a Celebration Of Hicks’ Career

We knew that there was a chance of losing Hicks as the series came to an end. He is approaching retirement age, and he has even considered it in the past. However, as an original member of the team, he deserves to be with the show until the end, especially as S.W.A.T. season 9 isn’t happening. Hicks has always been a team player, and the idea that the Chief doesn’t recognize that and is listening to Bennett doesn’t make a lot of sense.

While it doesn’t make sense for Hondo to go from Sergeant to Commander, Hondo would respect a new leader coming in with Hicks going out fully on his own terms with a fun goodbye in the series finale.

The series could have delivered a beautiful message about retiring and passing on the baton in the series finale, allowing Hicks to go out with grace and support. While it doesn’t make sense for Hondo to be promoted from Sergeant to Commander, Hondo would respect a new leader coming in with Hicks going out fully on his own terms with a fun goodbye in the series finale. At least by resigning he gets to keep his pension and the respect of the team, but the S.W.A.T. writers are cheating us out of a celebration of Hicks’ career.