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After seven seasons of heart-pounding action, emotional character arcs, and a deep dive into the toll of war, Paramount+’s SEAL Team has come to an end. The military drama, created by Benjamin Cavell, premiered in 2017 and wrapped up in October 2024 with a final episode that surprised and moved fans. What many expected to be a somber or tragic conclusion took a more reflective route, allowing each character to find their peace while keeping the audience on edge until the last minute.
Why Jason Forgives Himself & Why Does He Stay With Bravo?
David Boreanaz’s portrayal of Jason Hayes has been at the heart of SEAL Team since its beginning. Throughout the series, Jason has struggled with the emotional and psychological scars of war. As the final season unfolds, we see a man consumed by guilt for the lives he’s taken, wrestling with the belief that he’s nothing more than a tool of the U.S. government, a killing machine with no real purpose beyond warfare.
In the finale, Jason’s burden grows heavier after the team kills a terrorist in the opening episodes of season seven. His distance from family and friends deepens, and his encounter with Ross Curtis, a former Navy SEAL turned traitor only fuels his belief that he could easily share the same fate. By episode 10, Jason is resigned to the idea that war will always have the last word. However, two of his closest allies, Mandy Ellis and Ray Perry, refuse to let him sink into despair.
Jason’s emotional turning point arrives in Afghanistan, where he tracks down the wife of the first man he ever killed. Their conversation, though not fully shown on screen, becomes a pivotal moment for Jason. She doesn’t forgive him because, in her eyes, there’s nothing to forgive her husband’s death wasn’t Jason’s fault but rather a consequence of the war. This simple yet profound moment changes everything for Jason. He returns home with a new understanding of his role as a Navy SEAL, no longer crushed by guilt but rather humbled by the lessons war has taught him. By the episode’s end, Jason remains as Bravo 1, reaffirming his place with the team instead of walking away from the life he has known for so long.
Will Jason Take Down Ross Curtis?
One of the biggest questions heading into the SEAL Team finale was whether Jason would finally take down Ross Curtis, the former teammate who betrayed his country. In the penultimate episode, Jason and Drew Franklin are tasked with assassinating Curtis. However, when the moment comes, Jason hesitates, unable to pull the trigger. It’s not a moment of weakness but rather a reflection of the internal conflict Jason has faced all season. Curtis represents what Jason fears becoming, a man consumed and destroyed by war.
While Jason walks away, it’s Drew, the newest member of Bravo, who completes the mission and kills Curtis. Drew’s actions stem from his desire for revenge and his determination to protect his team, showing how each SEAL copes with their traumas differently. Ultimately, Jason’s decision not to kill Curtis marks a significant step in his journey to reconcile his past actions with his future.
Bravo’s Final Mission: A Close Call in Afghanistan
Despite the emotional struggles each character faces, Bravo’s work is far from over. In their final mission, they are sent to Afghanistan to assist a former Taliban official, Ahmed Amir, in consolidating his influence as a way to undermine the Taliban and reduce China’s presence in the region. The mission, while successful, leads to a harrowing escape as Jason, Ray, and Sonny are ambushed by Taliban soldiers. Outnumbered and outgunned, it appears that Bravo’s luck has finally run out. Yet, in typical SEAL Team fashion, the show leaves viewers guessing about how they managed to survive, offering no explanation for their escape but allowing the trio to return home with only minor injuries.
Why Sonny Makes His Ultimate Sacrifice?
Sonny Quinn, portrayed by A.J. Buckley, has long been a fan favorite, and his storyline in the finale provides a fitting conclusion to his journey. Earlier in the season, Sonny’s lover, Lisa Davis, found herself under investigation for assaulting General Decker. In a bold and selfless move, Sonny confesses to the act, giving up his Navy SEAL trident so that Davis can pursue her dream of working at the Pentagon. This act of love brings Sonny and Davis back together, with the two relocating to Washington, D.C., to start their next chapter one far removed from the battlefield.
On the other hand for Ray Perry, played by Neil Brown Jr., the finale marks a different kind of departure. After struggling with mental health issues throughout the series, Ray accepts a position as the Head of Warfighter Health at DEVGRU, a role many fans assumed would go to Jason. However, it’s Ray who takes on the responsibility of guiding fellow soldiers through the challenges of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other psychological scars left by war. This decision feels right, as Ray’s journey has always been about helping others, and his role in the series finale reflects his growth as a character.
Why SEAL Team Ends with Season 7?
The decision to end SEAL Team after seven seasons didn’t come as a complete surprise. As David Boreanaz explained in interviews, he was ready to move on, and the writers’ strike of 2023 also played a role in the show’s conclusion. “I knew going in before the writers’ strike that I was done,” Boreanaz shared, noting that even if the show had been renewed, his time as Jason Hayes had run its course.
Ultimately, SEAL Team ended on a note of resolution, allowing its characters to find closure without forcing an unnecessary or tragic conclusion. Each member of Bravo got their own version of a happy ending, and while the door is left open for potential future missions, the finale serves as a fitting and emotional goodbye to a show that has left a lasting impact on its audience.