I've seen so many 9/11 anniversary specials this year, and this episode was better than all of them. It served basically as the origin story of Bravo, a subject which I've always wondered would ever be covered. Now I know why they've waited until season 5 to do it, and it was well worth the wait. I didn't know what the episode was about before watching it, so when the third act began with the news footage from that morning, it caused me to sit upright in my sofa. The way it was done was so good...by tying together the story of the team flying together to NY to the story of the team experiencing that day alone 20 years ago, we get to see both the ways they've developed and they ways they stayed the same since the morning that set all of them down their current path together.
31 Reviews
Misunderstood
fivebeesanickel2 November 2021
I understand how some people don't enjoy this episode. But SEAL Team is more than just about special ops missions. It is also a drama. And this episode was a decent episode because it showed everybody's path to where they are today. It also shows the difference how people lived before 9/11 and after. I think most veterans can understand this episode. I was 4 years into my military service when 9/11 arrived. What this was their way of honoring the 20th anniversary and I enjoyed the episode.
Boring, Weak Episode
chris_p_batter25 October 2021
NOT a filler episode
cbrbsr20 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This was the best episode I've seen in a long time. Those calling it filler have missed the whole point of the episode.
As a service member who joined on June 16 2001, who served 4 deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who continues to serve, perhaps this one hit closer to home for me than most, but it really made me think back on how my life was changed on that day.
Even if you don't have such a close personal connection, this episode did more to advance the character backstories than the entire last few seasons. With the story arc of Ray's captivity and PTSD aside, the show has really devolved into one generic op after another that just follow the same formula. Jason quits then comes back every season, Sonny always has some kind of trouble, and Spencer's love life just goes back and forth. It was maybe a bit cliché, but this episode really dove into their life choices and motivations, and for once added some real depth to their stories.
And it was a great tribute to 9/11 - bravo guys.
As a service member who joined on June 16 2001, who served 4 deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, and who continues to serve, perhaps this one hit closer to home for me than most, but it really made me think back on how my life was changed on that day.
Even if you don't have such a close personal connection, this episode did more to advance the character backstories than the entire last few seasons. With the story arc of Ray's captivity and PTSD aside, the show has really devolved into one generic op after another that just follow the same formula. Jason quits then comes back every season, Sonny always has some kind of trouble, and Spencer's love life just goes back and forth. It was maybe a bit cliché, but this episode really dove into their life choices and motivations, and for once added some real depth to their stories.
And it was a great tribute to 9/11 - bravo guys.
A filler episode
Xavier_Stone27 October 2021
Writers usually go with filler episodes when some of the actors are sick or have broken bones or are otherwise working with a skeleton crew or a limited time frame.
This is absolute trash. There are five seasons of SEAL and now they are starting with back stories? Ugh. Nothing happens just "actor looks off into the distance and ponders." Hands to face and thinks.
With so many action packed episodes in this series this is a day time soap of an episode. I watched it in fast forward and you won't miss anything if you just skip the entire thing.
Preying on 9/11 feelings is just easy filler, and bottom hanging fruit, easy writing and hoping the audience won't notice how bad the dialogue is.
This is absolute trash. There are five seasons of SEAL and now they are starting with back stories? Ugh. Nothing happens just "actor looks off into the distance and ponders." Hands to face and thinks.
With so many action packed episodes in this series this is a day time soap of an episode. I watched it in fast forward and you won't miss anything if you just skip the entire thing.
Preying on 9/11 feelings is just easy filler, and bottom hanging fruit, easy writing and hoping the audience won't notice how bad the dialogue is.
Waste of Time
doug2go26 October 2021
Not sure what the intent was for this episode but the Seal Team audience is looking for an action episode and got a day time Soap that was about as boring as the day is long . It almost felt like a Series final and it may well be. This show is going to limp to Paramount and i was planning on following but not now. Too many good or at least honest shows to watch - shows that are true to their audience - this was not. It reminded me of the Season 8 final of "When Calls the Heart " when the show runner and producer blindsided their audience and took a '10 rated show to a one and lost 1/2 their audience in 15 minutes - takes talent to do that.
Much better than people think
wyattap25 February 2022
Keeping this short....
I too, started off wondering were this episode was going. Yes, it is a filler. The usual back stories you get, regarding the lives of the key members of the team. Their past, what made them.
However, as the story unfolded, it became clear it was a remembrance of the horrific events of 9 / 11.
It was done well, it was done with care. It was done because of those life changing events the world has come to know, and remembering those who were taken.
Give it a chance, work with the story. It's better than most people think.
I too, started off wondering were this episode was going. Yes, it is a filler. The usual back stories you get, regarding the lives of the key members of the team. Their past, what made them.
However, as the story unfolded, it became clear it was a remembrance of the horrific events of 9 / 11.
It was done well, it was done with care. It was done because of those life changing events the world has come to know, and remembering those who were taken.
Give it a chance, work with the story. It's better than most people think.
Not with a bang, but a whimper
randolphsheppardinfo25 October 2021
I've been a loyal viewer of Seal Team since the beginning. Tonight ends its run on CBS. Based on what I've seen in the first 20 minutes, the writers have clearly run out of good ideas. Tonight's episode makes it easy to part company with Seal Team. This is without a doubt the worst episode by far.
Thanks for the good episodes of the past. Enjoy your run on Paramount+ without me.
Thanks for the good episodes of the past. Enjoy your run on Paramount+ without me.
What did we do to deserve this?
edpeace5527 October 2021
Since CBS is moving the show to Paramount you wouldn't think they would air an episode this bad before getting us to pay for it. I love Seal Team as one of the more realistic military shows and I was contemplating the possibility of paying for streaming just to continue watching, but CBS killed that notion with this bland, boring, nothing of an episode. Interesting move, killing the desire of your audience to continue watching. This is among the worst episodes of tv I have ever watched. No spoilers since there is nothing to spoil.
Great Episode
x-ronin-742-6200213 November 2021
Boring episode
naoliv25 October 2021
Mixed emotions on this one
patamendt26 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If you came looking for action - this was not the episode for that
However, a very good storyline on how members of Bravo came to be and how it shaped their decisions to serve.
A very chilling reminder of 9/11 and where we all were and what we were doing. Also, a touching tribute to the fallen at the Twin Towers Memorial. If you've never been - GO to that an the museum. Very touching and heart wrenching.
However, a very good storyline on how members of Bravo came to be and how it shaped their decisions to serve.
A very chilling reminder of 9/11 and where we all were and what we were doing. Also, a touching tribute to the fallen at the Twin Towers Memorial. If you've never been - GO to that an the museum. Very touching and heart wrenching.
Filler episode
grlym-4684930 October 2021
Wow, this episode is so slow with little payoff. Apparently Thai was a vacation week for the main crew. They filmed inside an airplane set for 5 minutes and then quasi look alike actors if younger version characters do high school acting class performances.
Amazing episode
cherylk222 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I can't believe the reviewers who couldn't understand this episode. Of course, the title refers to the day before 9/11. The flashbacks set the stage for all the main characters' decisions that led them where they are now. It was also a great tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of the people who stepped up on that fateful day, and it added so much to our understanding of the members of Bravo. I consider it the best episode of the show so far.
If you enjoy a porterhouse but don't dig on calf brains, you're no fan of cow. Also you're a traitor.
printsofdarkness25 October 2021
The first two reviewers had difficulty with those subtle and complex broadcast promos that aired during the episode time slot. Seal Team is airing exclusively on Paramount+ starting Nov 1, meaning there is one more set to air on CBS Sunday Oct 31.
It feels like they played around with airing order given the timing of the third airing a month an a half after the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I didn't take its airing within the first four of the season as CBS/Paramount burning off a low-production cost episode during its broadcast preview window.
That said, it's unlikely to be regarded as a high point of the series. That the concept was well-meaning doesn't earn it a pass for being contrived and banal.
It feels like they played around with airing order given the timing of the third airing a month an a half after the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I didn't take its airing within the first four of the season as CBS/Paramount burning off a low-production cost episode during its broadcast preview window.
That said, it's unlikely to be regarded as a high point of the series. That the concept was well-meaning doesn't earn it a pass for being contrived and banal.
If you didn't like this episode, you aren't a real fan of this series.
bulldogenthusiast28 October 2021
For all the action junkies who love the fire fights or T1 Ops scenes, you are forgetting what this show is about. This series isn't merely an action yarn. SEAL Team is about the sacrifice and challenges that real warriors are experiencing everyday in the special forces community, and this show aims to shed light both on the professional and personal impact of carrying a soldier's burden.
My biggest critique of this series has always been the MacGuffin format--there seems to be a new enemy each week with no real serialized progression. The reason this episode is so important is that it finally answers the questions--why should we care about these characters? Who are they really, and how did they get here?
We've all enjoyed the episodes highlighting SEAL missions, but at the expense of learning what really makes each character tick. This is a tremendous look-back episode and critical in building the pathos that helps us identify with, or better appreciate, the characters we've grown to love over 4+ seasons. The casting and portrayals of a younger Sonny and Ray were terrific. I'd give this 10 stars, if only this episode could have been in an earlier season to help build the background stories sooner.
My biggest critique of this series has always been the MacGuffin format--there seems to be a new enemy each week with no real serialized progression. The reason this episode is so important is that it finally answers the questions--why should we care about these characters? Who are they really, and how did they get here?
We've all enjoyed the episodes highlighting SEAL missions, but at the expense of learning what really makes each character tick. This is a tremendous look-back episode and critical in building the pathos that helps us identify with, or better appreciate, the characters we've grown to love over 4+ seasons. The casting and portrayals of a younger Sonny and Ray were terrific. I'd give this 10 stars, if only this episode could have been in an earlier season to help build the background stories sooner.
What a ridiculous cop out
judepittman25 October 2021
I didn't realize this was the last one on network, but might have figured it. How totally stupid to try and sluff off a bunch of "cheap to film" flashbacks as a regular series offering. I've subscribed to Paramount but if I find much more of this it'll be a short term subscription and that'll be the end of that. The previous reviewer might be right, it sure does seem like the writers have completely tapped out on ideas.
Caught me off guard
mschrock27 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't enjoying this episode, with the back stories etc. I love Seal Team for the action, and indulge the stars' family lives as something they kind of need to do. I look fwd to getting thru it and on to the action.
I didn't see this ending coming. It tied everything together and turned the episode into something else entirely. Good job by the writers.
I didn't see this ending coming. It tied everything together and turned the episode into something else entirely. Good job by the writers.
Extremely boring episode
wkin27 October 2021
Best Episode Ever
aktorchick31 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Great idea and way to start the 5th Season! I love the casting of the younger versions, especially young Lisa - Cheyenne Haynes.
The tribute was awesome & I hope they bring back the younger versions so we can learn even more about thier backstories.
The tribute was awesome & I hope they bring back the younger versions so we can learn even more about thier backstories.
Bad casting
ffeer25 October 2021
Nine Ten?
earnit28 October 2021
Not sure what 9 10 meant but It's disgusting how oblivious people are after only 20 years, give all the 1 reviews. I'm 74 and probably won't be around for the next war - likely with China. But if I was I'd sign up in a heartbeat if I could. My guess though is most of the 1's would rather speak Mandarin than stand up for their country.
Poor Flashback episode
malty-185-48833727 October 2021
A very well done gut punch
joanne-608-6224818 February 2022
I usually read the summary/synopsis/intro before I watch an episode. Somehow I didn't do that with this episode, and apparently my brain wasn't in gear. I missed the significance of the episode title and wasn't quite sure what was going on, other than the obvious "origin story" of the characters. When it finally hit me, it left me choked up and sobbing. The writing, the acting, and everything were heartfelt and so very well done. In a show where every episode is good, this one is a standout, emotional and unforgettable as the events it commemorates. Thank you to the cast, the crew, the writers, and everyone involved in this episode.
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