Kangaroo

**"Kangaroo"** is the twenty-third episode of the second season finale in the remake version of *S.W.A.T.*, and the forty-fifth episode overall, which was aired on May 16, 2019.

## Summary

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.

## Recap

Jim Street finding his mother, Karen high as a kite watching cartoons in a crack house. He tries to get her to leave when Bryce comes out, pulls out a knife and orders Jim to leave. Karen pulls Jim off him, calling him "Eddie." She says she loves when Eddie fights for her but he informs her that he is Jimmy her son. She quickly covers herself, asking him if he is hungry; Bryce tells him that Karen is on a lot of things. Jim takes a blanket and covers his mother, saying he is taking her home.

Hondo asks how Darryl's physical therapy is going and he is told he is very mobile for someone who got shot 2 weeks ago, but Darryl is really bummed that he can't take steps on his own. Hondo informs Darryl he can go home tomorrow, learning Darryl requested no visitors because he can’t walk straight and doesn’t know if he ever will; he doesn’t want people to see him like this. Hondo reminds him this will take a minute and it will be one step at a time.

Hicks' daughter, Molly arrives saying she is just there to surprise him for a visit; dropping off his suit. He congratulates Deacon, forcing him to explain to Luca that brass has decided to award him a police star; but he didn’t share it because he doesn’t know how he feels about it. He is humbled by it but after the year he put everyone through, he doesn’t feel he deserves it. Luca offers to help him with the speech.

Jessica Cortez arrives in court, sitting beside Abby, saying she won't miss the pretrial of the emancipators. Suddenly they all rise and begin chanting that they will not be silenced by corporations nor the law; causing the judge to hit the gavel several times, calling for order in the courtroom. Jessica says this is the same thing they have been saying since they have been arrested; but once they say “the system will be burnt to ashes, beginning with this courthouse” Jessica tells the reporter that line is new.

Jessica rushes out of the room, followed by Abby where they see a TV video of a masked man saying the intermission is over and they are ready for the final act. Everyone sees it, as he shows the members of the Superior Courthouse on their knees with blindfolds on; Jessica knows who they are when the man says they are convening their own court for the people. Hondo tells the team the location and to get units there right now. A noose is put around a councilman’s neck, saying his guilt has been determined and this is his sentencing hearing, after 2 chances, they don’t want money, nor bargain, they are going to burn the system down and rebuild on its ashes.

He presses a button blowing up several cars outside the courthouse. He reminds them that he told Sgt. Hondo that it was time to put faces to their beliefs. He removes his mask, revealing Field Marshall Cinque, tired of the lip service and the lies. They are coming for the politicians this time, showing the councilman hanging from the bottom of the bridge. Every hour they will sentence another politician on air, reminding them that sequels are much worse than the original.

Hondo stares at the face when Jim comes in saying there were no casualties from the courthouse but they did find Councilman Stroom's body hanging, similar to when an immigrant brings hung like 100 years ago. Hondo says they are huge history buffs and it doesn’t surprise him if this was their plan all along. Victor Tan walks in when Hondo says Cinque is a man of his word and they have 30 minutes until the next execution. Hicks wants everyone to be ready to move as soon as they find this guy, wanting to know if there is any particular reason he specifically called out Hondo. He feels he is safe. Hicks tells Street to trace any calls these guys make as Tan suggests checking their money trails. Hondo knows Hicks is concerned for his safety but Cinque has an end game and they don’t know what it is, so Hondo is still an asset to the team. Chris Alonso (Lina Esco) reveals the FBI got several calls about Cinque as many people recognized him as Devon Carlisle. She gives them their last known address, Hicks warns them about traps and bombs as Chris remembers how they send them twice to the wrong address to make SWAT look bad.

SWAT breaks into the house, ordering the kids to stay put as they clear the house; once it is clear Hondo asks the children if they know Cinque and he is handed a note by the little girl. He is glad they tracked him down to there, revealing the children are homeless kids who were sleeping on the street and abandoned. No one was willing to help them and this is why politicians need to pay.

Gwen Miller's daughter, Stacy arrives at HQ. She knows those people have her mom and the last time they were there was when the earthquake hit and couldn’t find her. She reveals it is only her and her mother as her dad died. She last spoke to her mother that morning as she was heading to meet the councilmen for lunch. Hicks needs her to tell him everything she knows about the brunch; their chat is interrupted when Cinque’s next video is up.

The court is back in session and on the docket is Councilman Washington, who pleads his innocence. Cinque said he was elected for their area because of his hard line as a judge, but he uses the 3 strike law, no matter the crime. His sentence is being thrown to the dogs. Deacon reveals that Washington put away a lot of people, specifically a street gang. Hicks feels he is going to release him to bangers with guns on their mind. Jim suggests that Luca could talk to Marcos who is in another gang to locate where they are. They have a location for the streaming video as Hicks delegates where everyone should go.

Hondo tells his team to stay sharp, any signs of explosives and they need to back out; they cut the lock to a storage locker, realizing this is just a streaming place for Cinque and he has to be at another location. Luca, in the meantime, drives up with Deacon to talk to Marcos; they need to lower his defenses, saying he needs to talk to Marcos, who agrees. He doesn’t know about the councilman but he feels what Cinque is saying makes sense. He isn’t a punk-ass snitch but Luca says he is not coming as a cop but as a neighbor. He watches the block the same as Marcos. He promises that if Marcos helps him, he will get his brother, Shorty’s crime wiped off the record. They return to his crew with Marcos berating Luca but as Luca and Deacon walk away, Luca reveals that Marcos gave him a location. He has to be smart so Marcos doesn’t look like a rat.

Cinque has the Councilman tied up to four different vehicles with chains attached to each one; they are revving their cars when squad cars and a helicopter arrived on the scene, demanding them to drop their weapons and get out of the cars. SWAT is able to save Washington. Hondo says Washington will be fine but he had traces of tranquilizers in his system, but there is nothing to give them a location. People are questioning if what LAPD does really matters. Hondo admits this funk is about Daryl; she is there if he needs to talk. He reveals he heard a rumor that she is going to work with the FBI, she says she will be gone for a few weeks but working with the FBI is a chance to do something different and missing be in the middle of it. He hopes that she would tell him first if she is going to take the job. They are interrupted by another stream being posted.

Cinque says the court is back in session, showing Councilwoman Miller, the city controller of LA. He repeats all her faults of cutting pennies for the corporate masters; he doesn’t think that is a defense. The court has found her guilty of putting citizens last and her sentence is death by firing squad that will be live-streaming at the top of the hour as she will be made an example of. Hondo tells Hicks that Cinque thinks Washington is dead, so they should keep him in the dark, not revealing anything to media or otherwise. Hicks says the Mayor and Washington’s family needs to be brought into the loop, but Hondo is convincing and Hicks tells them he will hold off.

Chris and Tan show Hondo the truck that they missed earlier and it is believed they are streaming from there as it is big enough to hold their court within. Hondo wants a BOLO out on the truck and everyone tacked up and ready to roll. Gwen Miller is chained to a chain with several automatic weapons facing her, but SWAT arrives in Black Betty with Deacon firing from the top and the team rushes off to hide. Tan works to get the chains off, but notices he is running out of time before the guns go off; Hondo shouts for everyone to take out the generator.

Tan is able to until Gwen as Hondo and Street chase the gang down into some underground tunnels. Hondo gets one, telling Street to box in Cinque. Jim has his gun raised at Cinque, telling him to show him his hands. Hondo orders him to drop the other gun and put his hands in the air. When Hondo tells him not to do it, he raises his gun towards Hondo, forcing him to shoot. Cinque and Street both know Hondo shot him after he put the gun down; Cinque thanking Hondo for helping the cause as he shot an unarmed black man, but Hondo refuses Cinque turning into a martyr. Hondo calls for help, saying the suspect is down with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Hondo and Hicks interrogate Cinque, who is handcuffed to the bed. He is told he can’t be in a hospital room as he is too dangerous to be around civilians; Hicks tells him to enjoy his stay with SWAT. Cinque says he did what he set out to do, Hondo revealing they saved two of the council and also did what they set out to do. Once they leave the room, Hicks can’t understand why Hondo isn’t happy. Hondo feels this isn’t the end of Cinque’s game as he was smart. Deacon can’t find anything else, but Hondo feels there is something going on at city hall.

Deacon and Hondo review the new surveillance that was installed at city hall and it is the same crew that was on trial. Cinque likes an audience and now he has one on live tv. Hicks stands with brass, politicians and very important people, including Jessica. Hondo calls her, saying they plan on blowing up city hall while it is live on air,; she needs to get everyone out of there, including her. Hicks looks at Jessica who leans into the Chief, telling him there has been a change of plans.

Black Betty races towards city hall, as Deacon learns a building less than a block away from city hall is being renovated and there has been suspicious activity reported on it. One of Cinque's crew sees the people quickly leaving city hall and he presses to detonate the bomb. The first one goes off as people begin to run away in a panic. Hondo separates the team, Hicks telling them Jessica is still inside; Deacon and Tan are sent to deactivate the bomb. Jessica isn't answering Hondo but collapses when she is hit by a wall exploding. SWAT chases the bomber through the abandoned building as Hondo desperately calls out for Captain, running towards her when he finds her with a head wound on the floor. He wraps her in his arms and rushes off.

Chris chases the bomber, who continues to detonate the various bombs, forcing Hondo to dodge the debris with Jessica on his shoulders. Chris jumps the stairs and takes the bomber down, physically beating each other. He reaches for Chris' gun but she stops him, temporarily overpowered by him. Deacon and Luca arrive revealing that Chris got the bomber; everyone reports that they are clear, except for Hondo who suddenly appears out of the smoke, walking out of city hall with Jessica, announcing the "all clear." Her vital signs are normal but Hondo thinks Jessica has a concussion.

Back at HQ, Cinque mocks that the show wasn't over as Hondo says he isn't the only one who likes to deliver surprised. He informs Cinque that he did a lot of damage to a building but there was no loss of life as they figured out what he was up to. Cinque feels it doesn’t matter as his group will inspire others, asking what has changed since they last talked. He sees the anger in Hondo who says he has anger but he didn’t act on it; knowing change is possible because Cinque is looking at it; sarcastically calling Cinque, "Brother!"

Jim returns home to see his mother cleaned up and on the couch. She says her headache is cleared away, thanking him for coming to get her. Jim takes a moment, as she apologizes that he had to see her like that, claiming to sometimes be very sick. Jim steps back as Karen's parole officer comes in to arrest her. He reported her so she can get treatment and get better, she pleads that she cannot go back, especially after everything she has done for him. The PO says she is going back for a minimum of one year and then it will be reevaluated. Karen shouts, saying what kind of son does this to his mother? Jim says he doesn’t want her to die, but he is clearly heartbroken.

Hondo goes to visit Leroy, saying Darryl is being released from the hospital; he will walk with a limp but he will be okay. He knows Leroy is his father but Hondo and his mom will be looking after Darryl full time. Leroy says he loves Charice but Darryl needs more than just being looked after; something Hondo knows. Leroy reminds him that it didn't work when Hondo tried to save him years ago. Hondo says when he lost him, he lost every friend he ever trusted; admitting he has been fighting and losing and maybe that is just the way it is gonna be. Leroy says he knows Hondo wants to make things better but that doesn’t mean he has to be everyone's savior. Hondo just wants to do right by Darryl; Leroy pauses saying Hondo is good for his son and gives him his blessing. The two shake hands as Leroy asks him to show Darryl what he hasn't seen, what is possible.

Hicks enjoys having his daughter with him and she tells him she got interviewed for a job in LA and found out that morning she got it. She didn’t tell him in order not to jinx it, saying she is stuck on him now. Street greets her as they take their seats. Sgt. David Kay is called up to receive the last star of the night; his entire team cheering for him. He thanks everyone, including his wife and kids; stating that Annie is the real hero. He thanks the 20 squads for always having his back; it is an honor to wear the badge and star, only sacrificing his back for it. The truth is he feels he doesn't deserve this award but his team does. He goes through each of the team members and their amazing feats; saying with Hondo's leadership they are more than a team and this award is for all of them for blessing him.

Street flirts with Hicks' daughter, something Chris observes. Deacon gives Luca the first installment of the loan payment. Jessica admits it is never dull to be in the middle of it all; she informs Hondo that she is taking the FBI’s offer for the 5 weeks, she will see after that. Hondo asks her to take care of herself out there.

Hondo walks with Daryl at the beach, admitting he has never been there before. Hondo says it took him years to get there too as Daryl says it looks like a painting. Hondo tells him they can stay as long as he wants, cashing in his 64 days of vacation so they could do some traveling. Hondo says he will never be able to repay his mother for what she has done for him but maybe he can pay it forward with Daryl. Daryl nods and thanks Hondo, wiping a tear away. He puts his crutches down, one arm around Hondo, they walk to the edge of the pier to enjoy the view. He wants to know where they are going and Hondo asks him where he wants to go; both admitting they have never seen a kangaroo before; Daryl actually smiles as he leans on his own.

## Cast

### Main

* Shemar Moore - Daniel Harrelson
* Stephanie Sigman - Jessica Cortez
* Alex Russell - Jim Street
* Lina Esco - Christina Alonso
* Kenny Johnson - Dominic Luca
* David Lim - Victor Tan
* Patrick St. Esprit - Robert Hicks
* Jay Harrington - David Kay

### Recurring

* Sherilyn Fenn - Karen Street
* Laura James - Molly Hicks

### Guest

* Sumalee Montano - Gwen Miller
* Nicki Micheaux - Leah
* Luke Forbes - Cinque/Delvin Carlyse
* Steve Louis Villegas - Marcos
* Jesus Ruiz - Chief Rivera
* Seri DeYoung - Gelina
* Alastair Bayardo - Cujo
* Enisha Brewster - Abby
* Christina Craddick - Stacey
* Sade Devine - Kirsten
* Charles Emmett - Councilman Washington
* John C. Epperson - Councilman Strub
* Michelle Gardner - Therapist Forster
* Dor Gvirtsman - Kilgore
* Patrick Hume - Bryce
* Amanda Rivas - Patrol Officer

## Trivia

* This is Stephanie Sigman's final appearance as Jessica Cortez in this episode.

### Notes

* Tan mentions Olympic Division, this is the name of the made up original SWAT Division from the 70's.
* During a scene, they mention Veridian Dynamics, a company that was the basis of Jay Harrington's earlier series *Better Off Ted*.
* Jim Street's mother, Karen is sent back to prison after the latter reports her PO regarding missing check-ins and drug and alcohol abuse.

## Quotes

**PO Jenkins**: Mrs. Street, I have to remand you back to state custody for parole violations. You've missed several check-in appointments and we're found under the influence of narcotics.
**Karen Street**: You reported me?
**Jim Street**: So you can get treatment and get better.
**Karen Street**: I can't go back to jail... oh my god! Jimmy, I can't go back to prison, Jimmy, I can't go back... I can't... After all I've been through and all I've done for you, you're sending me back?
**PO Jenkins**: We got no alternative now, they'll reinstated you for one year, and the parole board will re-evaluate.
**Karen Street**: What kind of son would do this to his mother?
**Jim Street**: The kind that doesn't want you to die...