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.
This episode provides examples of:
- All for Nothing: The Emancipators' plan to blow up City Hall and kill as many politicians and police officials as possible fails. Hondo even rubs this in their ringleader's face.Hondo: You did a whole lot of damage...to a building.
- Don't Create a Martyr: After Hondo shoots the Emancipators' leader, he immediately applies first aid for this.Cinque: Another black man shot by the L.A.P.D. Thank you for contributing to the cause, brother.Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson: You are not becoming a martyr on my watch!
- Kangaroo Court: This trope is in the title. The Emancipators return to stage one of these for politicians they deem corrupt.
- My Death Is Just the Beginning: A variation as the antagonist saying it isn't dying, but Cinque insists that even though the Emancipators have been defeated, their actions will inspire other radical groups to challenge the status quo. Hondo retorts that he and SWAT will be there to stop them as well.
- "Not So Different" Remark: The Emancipators' ringleader Cinque tries to claim this about him and Hondo, saying they're both men of colour with anger at the failures of the system. Hondo shuts him up by retorting that he channelled his anger into something positive.
- Put on a Bus: Cortez leaves S.W.A.T. to take up a job offer with the F.B.I.
- Suicide by Cop: Cinque tries to do this by making him seem like he's aiming, but has tossed his gun away. Hondo shoots him, but realizes what he's after when Cinque says he'll be just another Black person shot by the LAPD, and won't let him be a martyr, saving Cinque's life with first aid.
- True Companions: Deacon affirms this about the squad with his acceptance speech for the Police Star.
- Unflinching Walk: Hondo does one while carrying the unconscious Cortez out of the bombed out City Hall.
- What a Drag: The Emancipators hand one of the politicians they abducted over to a gang who are about to do this when S.W.A.T. raids their hideout.
