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CBS procedural SWAT brought back a popular familiar face in Season 7 Episode 9, titled “Honeytrap.” That familiar face would be Jackie Vasquez (Jessica Camacho), a Special Agent with the FBI who was investigating a female robbery crew that changed their tactics after arriving in Los Angeles.
Other changes to the team's chemistry occurred in this episode as well. Deacon (Jay Harrington) made his final decision on retirement, and the bond Vasquez shared with 20-Squad appeared as strong as ever. With the team down at least two core members leading into Season 8, is it possible Vasquez could join 20-Squad in a permanent capacity? Let's find out.
Note: Spoilers for SWAT Season 7, Episode 9 ahead
How did Jackie return?
Early in the episode, we see a woman flirtatiously return with a man to his apartment. She pours two drinks, and the man is clearly drugged as he falls asleep moments after having his drink. Three other women then enter the room and begin to rob the man of his cash and belongings. We hear one woman grumble that there isn't much there, and the robbery crew steals the man's computer.
The man starts to wake up, and he is then shot in the chest at point-blank range. The man's neighbor knocks on the door, saying he heard a loud bang and asking if everything is okay. The leader of the crew points a gun at this man. He says he has already called the authorities and is executed at close range.
A familiar face partners with 20-Squad
We learned that FBI agent Jackie Vasquez is working on this case, and she is at odds with her colleague, agent Chad Hettinger. Vasquez says that she has friends in LA who can help, and calls Hondo (Shemar Moore). She explains that these women have been honey-trapping VIPs all across the country, and have made their way to Los Angeles.
It doesn't help that she is at odds with her bosses after an FBI operation targeting the robbery crew went sideways and the Bureau raided an apartment where an innocent family was staying. Agent Hettinger took advantage of this opportunity to take over the lead role in this case.
Could Agent Vasquez officially join 20-Squad?
It is clear that this episode was written before the showrunners learned of the surprise Season 8 renewal. That would explain their decision to bring Agent Vasquez back as an opportunity for fans and 20-Squad to say goodbye before the show wrapped up.
However, it's possible that this could turn into something more than just a one-episode reunion. It’s obvious that the showrunners were directed to write some key characters out in order to make the show more budget-friendly for the network. This is likely what led to Luca, Deacon, and Street all being written off of the show.
With the show returning, fans will want to see more familiar faces than just Hondo and Tan (David Lim) with a seemingly random rotation of others. As was noted in this episode, the team can't just keep borrowing Rocker or other 50-Squad members.
Towards the end of the episode, there was one brief yet important moment that might go unnoticed by many fans. Hondo talked with Vasquez before she left and seemingly made it known that she would always have a place with SWAT if she wanted to return. While it doesn't seem that she had any plans to take Hondo up on his offer immediately, this makes sense as something the writers could revisit in Season 8.
Perhaps Hettinger doesn't take Hondo's advice and continues to have issues with Vasquez. If she ultimately chooses to leave the FBI or is forced out, it would make too much sense to bring her back as a full-time member of 20-Squad. This would shake up the team and bring a new dynamic to the table while adding a character that fans are at least familiar with and have come to appreciate over the years.
Could Deacon change his mind about retiring?
Another possibility for fallout from this episode is the potential for Deacon to change his mind on retirement. SWAT will run much better if at least one more key member returns.
This episode left the door open for Deacon to change his mind. If Annie hypothetically changed her mind after spending some time as a lawyer, it would make sense for Deacon to return to 20-Squad. This episode showed the tight relationship Deacon has with Hondo and the rest of the team.
Regardless of what exactly happens, something is going to have to change between now and the beginning of Season 8. As much as fans love Hondo and Tan, they'll need at least one other core member of the team for the show to maintain its continuity.
It remains to be seen exactly how the SWAT writers will pull that off, but they may have planted some seeds in this episode for either Deacon to return or Vasquez to join the team as a full-time member. We'll have to wait and see exactly what happens, but it should be interesting either way.
