‘SEAL Team’s First Paramount+ Episode: Does Jason Go Rogue to Try to Save [Spoiler]? (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for SEAL Team Season 5 Episode 5 “Frog on the Tracks.”]
“Oh s**t.” Jason’s (David Boreanaz) reaction to the position Bravo finds itself in at the end of the first SEAL Team episode on Paramount+ is befitting of the entire 42 minutes. (The runtime is the same as its CBS episodes.) And that’s far from the first time Jason curses in the episode (the benefits of streaming). And oh does the situation definitely call for it.
But other than the occasional swear, the military drama feels the same as it did when it aired on CBS. Still, it kicks off its streaming service debut with quite the wild ride — and we’re not just talking about for Sonny (AJ Buckley), hanging off a train speeding through a tunnel while Bravo tries to stop suicide bombers — and a really good episode, picking up right where “Need to Know” left off.
SEALs on a Train
Jason’s focus remains on Mandy (Jessica Paré), after seeing the photo of her as one of SGS’ captives. And so when Bravo is dropped onto the commuter train in which the last of the three SGS HVTs, Saidou Boukare (Sallieu Sesay), is with a bomb, Jason’s focus is on that man, in hopes that he knows something about where she is. The members of Bravo must strip down to their civvies, arming themselves with what they can conceal, and they quickly move through the cars (and Sonny on top, to enter heavy when the time comes), their goal to disable the suicide bomber — what’s in Boukare’s head could be useful — before the train reaches the target: underneath the US consulate.
With one of the SGS fighters live-streaming from the train, Davis (Toni Trucks) is able to relay information to Bravo: There are six terrorists and more than one bomb. Ray (Neil Brown Jr.), the only other person who knows about Mandy, reminds Jason that there are hundreds of lives, including theirs, on the line. His head needs to be here. It is, Jason insists. Brock (Justin Melnick) stays in one car after Jason spots an additional bomber among the passengers. Then, when Boukare and two men get off the train at the last stop before the consulate, Jason sends Clay (Max Thieriot) and Trent (Tyler Grey) after them, even as the agency’s Carl (Maximilliano Hernandez) says his team (Ground Branch) will handle it.
Cliff Lipson/CBS
Things get complicated when, via the live stream, Davis sees that there are likely explosives left behind in the lead car in suitcases, and she can’t get eyes on the trigger man. “F**k,” Jason says (the first curse of SEAL Team). The train car is packed and, with the clock ticking, Jason walks in, without any face covering, to get eyes. He’s successful, but when he returns to Ray between the cars, he finds out Clay’s no longer in pursuit of Boukare.
What’s worse: They haven’t heard from Sonny. They have to move fast to take out the SGS fighters before one of them triggers the bomb. As Jason and Ray, faces covered, move into the car, Brock shoots the man he’s been watching. And when one of the terrorists takes a woman hostage, Sonny takes him out through the window as he hangs off the side of the train. They get the job done just in time.
Jason vs. the CIA… and His Own Team?
But what about Mandy? Ray calls Jason out on nearly getting them killed because his mind is on her. “Why’s she even in captivity? She left the agency,” Jason points out. And why isn’t Carl doing anything about this? Maybe he doesn’t know, Ray suggests, though he admits that he doesn’t trust the guy. Still, going to him with nothing but that photo might not end well.
Cliff Lipson/CBS
Jason then tracks down Clay on the base to call him out for letting Boukare go. In return, Clay points out that he’s off his game. “You have something to say, f**king say it, you f**king say it now,” Jason tells him before walking off.
And so he’s not in the best mindset to go to Carl — who calls him out on his “operational malpractice” by not using all the firepower in his arsenal on the op — with what he knows about Mandy. Make her a priority, Bravo 1 insists. It’s “need to know,” Carl says, and with his personal connection to Ellis impairing his tactical judgment, Bravo is off Boukare hunting. So Jason goes to Davis, who begins digging quietly, knowing that after Boukare’s men beat Ground Branch in the last two ops, they’ll be looking to take him out.
Ray again calls out Jason, this time on the two of them being out of sync because Bravo 1 is ignoring him. He jeopardized the mission and the chance of saving their friend. It’s time to read in the others. Jason listens to him, and the others, too, wonder how she got tangled up in this. Is she back at the agency? Did she never leave and instead that was a set-up for a new cover? Could she have lied to Jason? Something’s clearly up since Davis finds Mandy’s files redacted when she sneaks onto Carl’s laptop. The man in the photo with her is a powerful warlord whose compound was overrun by SGS two weeks ago. Was she with him?
The only way they’ll get answers is if they find Mandy, and to do that, Bravo needs to be on the op going after Boukare. Jason manages to get his team on it by using Carl’s words — it’s operational malpractice not to use all the firepower in his arsenal — against him. But, of note, Carl calls Mandy a “disavowed agent.” Did she go rogue or flip? Before Bravo and Ground Branch move out, Davis gives Jason a device to pull data off any devices in the area; maybe something will give them a lead on Mandy.
As the members of Bravo make their way to Boukare’s possible location, they hear warning shots in the distance. But what’s worse is when that stops as they pull into an alley. “Oh s**t,” Jason says as he looks up before Molotov cocktails are dropped on their cars.
SEAL Team, Sundays, Paramount+
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Conversation38 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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P
I think it would have been better if Seal Team had remained on CBS, where the vast majority of people who loved the show will NOT be watching it on Paramount +. It is a huge disappointment to the cast of Seal Team, and their fans!
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G
Unfortunately this is where seal team ends for me as my cable bill is already $220 a month and won't be paying even more for streaming. Loved the show just won't pay extra to see it
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I will not pay for streaming. I'm sure the show will continue to be great, but I already pay a lot to direcTv.
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I’ve watched Seal Team since the beginning and look forward to it every week. I believe that Paramount+ is owned by CBS and the show is so popular, particularly among veterans, that CBS saw an opportunity to rake in more cash. I won’t be paying more and I will nolonger watch CBS. Congratulations Hollywood Execs.
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I'm very disappointed about the move. I won't be following Seal Team to Paramount+, so I didn't watch the final CBS episode, which I read was going to be a 3 part cliffhanger. No point watching the beginning if you can't see the conclusion. I'm very disappointed about the move.
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It is goodby for me. Oh well, another TV show bites the dust
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Love the show but wouldn’t be able to watch it on paramount. Not available in Canada and if it is, not paying extra for the channel.
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R
I am very disappointed in the move to streaming, why would you cancel such a good show! There are so many that are more deserving of the cut. To task an already stretched public, when this is for most their only form of entertainment is just another straw on the back!! Wake up CBS!!!!!!!!!!
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How disappointing, I really liked this show but I'm already paying $225 per month for Cable and am not giving out even more money for one show. Way to go CBS as I will now find alternative shows on other stations and avoid CBS altogether.
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It's a damn low down dirt shame for paramount plus to hijack this regular network show just to get new subscribers. Greedy and unfair to loyal fans of the show who will not be paying for yet another streaming ripoff.
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So the team did not cuss for years and now they start? HUH?
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I love that #SEALTeam gets to continue on ParamountPlus...this is a show that needs to be seen for all the suspense, education, inspiration and all the feels. Episode 5 was amazing as always and every episode just keeps exceeding our expectations and leaves us wanting more. Thank you to everyone involved with #SEALTeam for continuing to give us this amazing show Season after Season and I trust that it continues for many years to come.
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I won’t be paying to watch Seal Team on Paramount. I already pay enough every month! I did enjoy the show while it was on CBS.
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Disappointed that SEAL team moves to streaming only. Won't go searching for it.
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We are an older couple who love evening shows but can’t do this streaming stuff. So shows like seal team which we like we will no longer watch. We are now worried that other shows on cbs like Swat and blue bloods will follow suit. Also now there will be vulgar swearing that we won’t listen to. Yes in real life they talk like this but keep it off tv
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I love this program. The best TV program I've ever watched, and that goes back 60 years of watching TV! But, I won't be watching it on Paramount+. Thank you CBS for 4 wonderful exciting years.
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I agree with another person about the foul language. Why are they adding the bad language on Paramount? My husband and I have been watching this show since the beginning. We really like it, but not the foul language they are now using on the show.
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I signed up for Paramount+ just to see Seal Team. All the other shows it offers
are available elsewhere or not worth watching. Makes me resent CBS for
allowing this rip off to their viewers.
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The nasty foul language might be what causes me to STOP WATCHING
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Guys, you know you could watch the show for free right? Links are easy to find though.
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O
very disappointed about the move, I won't be able to watch anymore.
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B
Lousy move for Seal Team. As an avid viewer of the series from the start, I, unfortunately, won't be watching it anymore. I cannot afford an additional charge
to my current cable bill which is ridiculous as it is. Won't be watching CBS anymore as
they don't seem to have viewer interest at heart, just their pocketbooks.
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B
I am so disappointed in the move to Paramount+. I am not subscribing to any additional pay networks. I miss Seal Team!
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R
Will not be watching, to much money.
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C
Were there ads in it?
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J
So... they let loose with a lot of swearing. Because they can. Big surprise there.
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Swearing does not necessarily make for a good show....
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Agreed. But as soon as a network show goes on streaming, they let the cuss-words fly. Because some people associate swearing with 'realism.'
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If you have been in the military you use a lot of swear words... I know...
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J
Military experience is irrelevant to my point. TV shows include swearing as much as possible because they think its use attracts viewers.
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C
Good writing and acting attract viewers...
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J
Yes, that's my point.
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R
Do you really think spec-ops guys in that position wouldn't cuss? That the worst word they would use is 'crap' or 'fudge nuggets'?
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Oh I know very well that swearing is common, military or not. My point is that for TV purposes, producers think that swearing = cool = more viewers.
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Streaming is the future. For those complaining about their big cable bill, cut the cord! Get an antenna for local stations, then pay for whatever streaming platform your shows are on. A lot of your favorite shows will be saved.
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What most of the people complaining about the move to Paramount + don’t seem to understand is that CBS was going cancel SEAL Team. So, OK, you can’t afford another streaming service for whatever reason. There would be no new SEAL Team to watch at all if not for the deal made with Paramount. Also, you can get Paramount free for one month if you use the promo code ‘Veterans’ right now or wait till all S-5 episodes are available and pay the $5 monthly subscription fee once, binge watch, then cancel before you get charged again. If you get all eps watched within 7 days you can cancel without paying a dime.
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But they are going to have your credit card number.... and...
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what? you can cancel your subscription from all streaming services anytime. I do it for many.
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