What could have been next for Hicks if SWAT season 9 happened?

Commander Hicks had a difficult run in SWAT season 8, as it was clear the Deputy Director was coming after him. Well, fortunately for him, his help was needed, and it was soon clear that he was the right man for the job.

Of course, SWAT season 8 ended up being the last, but there was always hope for a ninth season. While the season finale worked as a series finale, Hicks was missing from the final speech, and it was a huge shame considering how important he had been for many of the characters’ development over the course of the eight seasons.

We take a look at how the story could have gone for Hicks had SWAT season 9 happened. Would he have had someone else coming for his job?

“The Promise” – The team heads to Mexico to escort a fugitive back to the States when things go awry and Hondo has to save an old witness who tied to the case, in the season seven premiere of S.W.A.T., Friday, February 16 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Anna Enger Ritch as Powell, Patrick

Hicks would have continued to command SWAT in season 9

There’s no doubt that Hicks would have stuck around in SWAT season 9. The only reason he handed in his resignation was because he was being forced into a dead end job. The Deputy Director made it clear that she didn’t respect the years of training and experience he brought to the role. In the end, she asked him not to resign, as it was clear SWAT still had a lot to learn from him.

That’s great, but the top brass didn’t have his back. That’s something that has to play on his mind, and it was sure to come up in the ninth season. We could have seen someone else think they knew what was best for SWAT and try to push him out.

Alternatively, maybe he would have decided that it was time to retire after all. He could have gone out on his own terms, handing over the command to someone else, such as Hondo or Deacon.

“Twenty Squad” – SWAT faces their deadliest adversary yet when a violent cell of extremists looks to extract vengeance by blowing up half of Los Angeles, potentially killing thousands. Still reeling from the anger and outrage directed at him by his own community, Hondo questions if he still has what it takes to lead 20-Squad, adding to the fear that he won’t be able to pull the team together in time to save the city, on the seventh season finale of the CBS Original series S.W.A.T., Friday, May

More personal storylines in SWAT season 9

What would have been great would have been to see more personal storylines for Hicks in SWAT season 9. He spent time focused on his daughter in the final season, but he wasn’t happy to find out who she was dating. To be honest, the fact that this guy was married makes sense why he wasn’t happy with it. He didn’t want his daughter to be the other woman.

In the end, he came to accept the relationship, but it would have been great to see more of his daughter in his life if SWAT season 9 continued. We could have seen the struggle in the workplace considering she was dating one of his officers. Could it have ended up being some sort of conflict within the workplace?

Sadly, CBS didn’t renew SWAT season 9. While there is a spinoff in the works, it’s not a direct continuation of the series, and it likely means we won’t see Hicks again.

SWAT is available to stream on Netflix and Paramount+.

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