Summary
Chris Alonso’s return in S.W.A.T. season 7 is a possibility, allowing for a proper sendoff for the character and potential cameo appearances.
There are several plausible ways for Chris to return, such as rejoining the LAPD or being brought back into the S.W.A.T. team.
The possibility of Chris and Street breaking up on screen, or getting married in the series finale, adds to the potential storylines for the final season.
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Although actor Lina Esco left the CBS drama series S.W.A.T. at the end of season 5, her character, Chris Alonso, can still return for S.W.A.T. season 7. The show itself has had a tumultuous few months. Despite a dedicated fanbase and solid ratings, the series was axed by CBS, sparking outrage not just from viewers, but from the show’s lead, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds). The backlash was just powerful enough for CBS to reverse its cancelation of S.W.A.T. season 7, though the network has been clear that the 13-episode order will be the series’ last renewal. So, when it comes to S.W.A.T.’s final season, anything seems possible.
In order to give the show a proper sendoff, season 7 might just see fan-favorite characters, like Chris Alonso, returning to the series, if only in cameo form. For viewers who are still wondering why Lina Esco left S.W.A.T., it’s clear that the actor departed from the hit TV show on good terms. Given Esco’s goodwill toward the show, and the fact that her character is still referenced throughout season 6, it seems likely Chris will return to S.W.A.T. season 7, and there are a handful of plausible ways the show’s writers can make that happen.
10 Chris Returns For A Date With Street
With S.W.A.T. season 7 confirmed, viewers have 13 episodes’ worth of new stories to look forward to when the show’s final outing releases. Given the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes, the show probably won’t return until 2024, though that might be a good thing for Chris fans who’re hoping Lina Esco’s schedule is open enough for a S.W.A.T. return. While Esco’s character was written out of the show, the S.W.A.T. team kept the door open for her return. In fact, season 6 mentions that she’s still dating Jim Street (Alex Russell), one of the series’ main protagonists. That said, a date night may be the simplest way to write Chris into a future episode.
9 Chris Rejoins The LAPD In A New Capacity
Although it’s highly unlikely, the team behind S.W.A.T. could try to reverse Chris’ decision to leave the LAPD behind. It’s no secret that Lina Esco left S.W.A.T. to pursue other projects, but, given everything going on in Hollywood, the actor might be open to returning to a series that’s ensuring 13 more episodes. Canonically, Chris left the LAPD’s S.W.A.T. in order to follow a new career path, which sees her helping undocumented refugees and immigrants who are seeking asylum. Although Chris seems confident that her new position is a better way to aid folks, she might be drawn back into law enforcement for the sake of the narrative.
8 Chris Is Brought Back Onto The SWAT Team In Season 7
In the same way Chris signing back up with the LAPD as a whole isn’t out of the question, it’s possible the enduring character will be brought back into the S.W.A.T. fold, specifically. Again, this is probably a less likely option, but there’s no denying that S.W.A.T. season 6 felt different in the wake of Esco’s departure. Hondo’s (Moore) team remains a tight-knit group, but it’s clear that the energy has shifted since Chris left for her new role. For the final season, it would be fitting to reunite the team and return to the dynamic that made S.W.A.T. a top 10 streaming series on the Nielsen charts in the first place.
7 Chris & Street Break Up On Screen
The slow-burn romance that unfolds between Chris and Jim Street over the first five seasons of the show is a big draw for S.W.A.T. fans. Chris and Street have a classic “will they, won’t they” dynamic that makes for great television – though Chris left the team shortly after the two officially got together. Even so, the writers chose to keep the couple together, with Street making reference to Chris during season 6. However, if the series wants to provide a more definitive ending for the pair, it could go one of two ways, with Chris returning to the series for an on-screen breakup scene.
6 Lina Esco’s Chris Can Cameo In SWAT Season 7’s Finale
If the series doesn’t have the space or ability to write Chris back into the show, Lina Esco might join the S.W.A.T. cast for a brief cameo. That might mean grabbing drinks with her former colleagues or dropping by the LAPD to visit her partner at work – something mundane and brief to show viewers that she’s still very much part of the S.W.A.T. universe. By the same token, it would be strange to have Esco back in the series’ last season without giving Chris a big moment or final farewell.
5 SWAT Has A Case On Undocumented Refugees & Chris Consults
While viewers may not see Chris donning her tactical gear again before S.W.A.T. comes to an end, it’s possible she’ll work with her former colleagues on a case. Lead by Hondo, the team is a “last stop” S.W.A.T. unit, meaning they come up against some of LA’s most-hardened criminals. In the past, some of the best episodes of S.W.A.T. have focused on the real-life horrors, such as human trafficking. Disturbingly, this is something that could intersect with the lives of the immigrants, refugees, and other survivors Chris helps in her new role, making her a top-notch professional consult for Hondo’s crew.
4 One Of Chris’ Clients Is In Danger & The Team Helps
On the other hand, Hondo’s S.W.A.T. unit might not be asking Chris for help. In fact, it could be the other way around entirely. While Chris providing insight into a S.W.A.T. mission would be a fresher take, it’s perhaps more likely that one of the people Chris is working with ends up a victim of, or target in, something criminal. This kind of thing would push Chris to ask Street, Hondo, and the rest of her former teammates for help, whether its official S.W.A.T. business or not.
3 Chris Ends Up In Danger & The Team Has To Help
To take things a step further, Chris might end up in hot water because of the nature of her work. Unfortunately, real-life undocumented immigrants and refugees are the targets of xenophobic hate crimes, as are the people who support them. In the past, S.W.A.T. hasn’t shied away from real-world issues, so it’s possible the series will leverage Chris’ new role to shed light on these troubling situations. Given that Chris remains one of the most likable S.W.A.T. main characters, this kind of thread could really up the stakes.
2 Someone Targets People In Street’s Personal Life
Given that Street is still very much a S.W.A.T. main character and key member of Hondo’s team, it’s possible one of his (and the team’s) enemies targets those closest to Street. Of course, any antagonist who tries to target Street’s girlfriend, a.k.a. the S.W.A.T. team’s former sniper extraordinaire, would be in for a rude awakening. Even so, this kind of plot line could bring Esco’s Chris back into the spotlight without forcing her to reverse her career change.
1 Chris & Street Get Married In SWAT’s Finale
Network dramas like S.W.A.T. love ending seasons and capping off series with a wedding. After all, a big party keeps the mood celebratory and allows the show to invite back characters that fans would love to see one final time. That said, after their five-season, slow-burn romance, Chris and Street could finally tie the knot in S.W.A.T. season 7. Not only would a wedding be a fun, heartwarming way to end the series, but it would be a great pay-off considering all the couple has been through – both personally and professionally.