S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 21: Release date news, time, streaming details and more 

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 21, titled “Ride or Die,” airs on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+ the following day for Essential subscribers and live for those with a SHOWTIME add-on. In this episode, the S.W.A.T. team chases a high-speed hijacking crew while Hondo faces a figure from his past, and Officer Gamble deals with a crisis involving her brother.

This installment kicks off a two-hour series finale, concluding the eight-season run of the show. Cast and crew have shared that the finale carries strong emotional moments and leaves some storylines open, ensuring fans remain engaged through the very end.

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Release Date and Air Time of the S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 21

When and Where to Watch

• Date & Time (US): Episode 21 premieres Friday, May 16, 2025, from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.
• Streaming: Paramount+ subscribers with SHOWTIME can watch live; Essential plan viewers can stream on-demand the next day.
• Future Netflix Release: Based on past patterns, Season 8 will likely reach Netflix about four to five months after the finale airs.

What will happen in the episode

“Ride or Die” (Episode 21)

• Hijacking Case: An auto carrier truck is overtaken by a fast-paced crew hunting a priceless $60 million car. S.W.A.T. must stop them before they disappear into L.A. traffic.
• Hondo’s Past: Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson confronts a former adversary, a car thief believed deceased, reigniting old fears.
• Gamble’s Crisis: Officer Devin Gamble’s brother, Leon, becomes embroiled in the investigation, threatening her place on the team.

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Original cast and crew quotes about the S.W.A.T.

Shemar Moore, who portrays the lead, Hondo, stated,

“We defied the odds and we made a hit television show that the world loved to watch. Be proud, because we did that.”

Andrew Dettmann, the showrunner for S.W.A.T., said to Deadline,

“They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges.”

Anna Enger Ritch, who took on the role of Officer Powell, shared in a recent interview, noting that the two-hour event “will leave fans wanting more." She mentioned

“There’s so much heart and emotion in this finale.”

Another cast member, Annie Ilonzeh also spoke about the finale.

“We’ve poured everything into these last episodes. I think viewers will be surprised by where we end up.”

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Context and what’s next

CBS confirmed in March 2025 that Season 8 would be the final season, marking the show’s third cancellation despite steady ratings.

Since its premiere in 2017; S.W.A.T. has built a dedicated audience around community-focused stories and action sequences. Executive producer Shawn Ryan called Shemar Moore the series’ “secret sauce."

While no revival is official, Moore hinted that other networks or studios, including Netflix and ABC, could pick up the series in the future.

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How to catch up with the S.W.A.T. Season 8 Episode 21

• Paramount+: All prior S.W.A.T. Season 8 episodes are on demand.
• Netflix & Pluto TV: Seasons 1–7 remain available for streaming.
• Live TV: CBS airs the episodes each Friday at 8:00 PM ET/PT, leading up to the finale.

As fans gear up for the finale, “Ride or Die” promises action, emotion, and open-ended moments that capture the spirit of S.W.A.T. and its characters. Whether you’ve followed Hondo’s journey since the start or are streaming for the first time, this episode sets the stage for a memorable farewell to the series.

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