Several episodes in, we’ve only scratched the surface of the complex characters and powerful drama that SEAL Team has to offer.
If you haven’t been watching the CBS series, now’s the perfect time to catch up.
Here are 10 reasons you should be watching SEAL Team.
1. The cast.
Even from the first episode, the chemistry among the entire ensemble cast is powerful. Each performer brings something different to the table in a way that feels natural. The cast includes David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot, Neil Brown Jr., AJ Buckley, Toni Trucks, and Jessica Paré.
2. Complex characters.
SEAL Team offers up plenty of action, but what’s at the forefront are complex characters and even more complex relationships. You empathize with these characters right away, and you can’t help but want to know more about them.
It’s a diverse, interesting group who all carry their own unique struggles and who leave those struggles behind when duty calls. We don’t just see what’s on the surface — we see how they’re affected psychologically, from the new kid on the block who is still figuring out what it means to be a Navy SEAL to the people who have been serving for years and how they’ve been strengthened and hardened by their experiences.
3. David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes.
David Boreanaz did incredible work on Bones for twelve seasons, and before that, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. By the way, talk about a track record — if those shows are any indication, SEAL Team is bound to do well with Boreanaz as the lead, and it’s bound to be on the air for several years to come.
As Jason Hayes, we’re seeing a new set of skills for the actor, and it’s remarkable. The role of Jason Hayes feels like it was made specifically for Boreanaz, who embodies it perfectly.
It’s a natural fit for him as an actor and seems like a natural progression from his role on Bones. There’s a nuance to it that he nails — showing confidence, leadership, fearlessness, loyalty, compassion, vulnerability, and pain all at once.
4. Badass ladies.
Also among the show’s complex characters are CIA analyst Mandy Ellis (Jessica Paré) and no-nonsense logistics officer Lisa Davis (Toni Trucks). These strong, smart, confident women, who have made their own sacrifices to serve, each play a vital role in every high-stakes mission.
5. The action.
As you might expect, this is a series that doesn’t hesitate to focus on the action. Every mission is intense, every operation is complicated, and every episode keeps you on the edge of your seat.
But it’s never just action for the sake of action. The series keeps a balance by also developing its characters and relationships and by offering some lighter moments.
6. It’s hopeful.
In a time where we really need it, SEAL Team is a series that feels hopeful. There is action, there is violence, and the stakes couldn’t be higher, but there’s an overall sense that good will triumph over evil and that our fearless and dedicated heroes will prevail.
There’s a level of comfort in seeing that kind of story on television, and it makes this a feel-good TV series.
7. Heroes who inspire.
Creating that sense of hope are the heroes themselves. Jason Hayes and the rest of his team members are the best at what they do, but they are also selfless and fundamentally good — even when they are flawed, and even when they have to make the most difficult decisions.
Plus, there’s something particularly inspiring about a hero who is willing to bend the rules in order to save a fellow soldier or to rescue more people, and we get that often on SEAL Team.
8. Teamwork.
We love seeing the “good guys” work together as a team for the greater good. These heroes are successful because of the way they work together and the way they look out for one another, not just while they’re working, but in their personal lives as well.
They are a family, and that level of connectivity is one of the reasons we become invested in these characters as quickly as we do. The teamwork is believable and fun to watch, due in large part to the way the entire cast works together.
9. It represents the real heroes.
This is fiction, but it shines a lot on the real heroes — the real Navy SEALs.
Not only does a show like SEAL Team create an awareness of the way members of our military risk their lives, but also how their jobs can affect their personal lives.
Every episode is a reminder of the real sacrifices they make and the dangers they face. SEAL Team is also 6 certified and strives to “accurately portray service members and veterans.”
10. It’s unpredictable.
Every episode of SEAL Team does something unexpected. The story doesn’t rely on any obvious formula from week to week, which is refreshing.
The series is managing to cover a lot of ground and tell several different stories as it shifts focus and tackles something completely different in every episode. SEAL Team is even making a major shift halfway through its first season, and it’s doing so with a strong purpose.
