As S.W.A.T. gears up for its fifth season, more info is starting to make its way to fans' ears. While we know what Shemar Moore’s Hondo will be up to when the cop procedural comes back in the fall, some fans may be more interested in two characters whose potential for a romantic relationship was made a little more clear in the Season 4 finale, and of course I mean Street and Chris. Thankfully, S.W.A.T. co-creator and executive producer Shawn Ryan has teased what is in store for “Stris” come Season 5.
At the end of S.W.A.T.’s fourth season, Street was getting ready for a liver transplant to save his estranged mother, while Chris was setting up to leave for Germany for a few months. Their last moment together before temporarily separating happened in the locker room at HQ, where Chris finally admitted her feelings for Street, as well as how worried she was about his transplant surgery. The two shared a very long-awaited kiss, and fans were more than happy to see it happen. When Shawn Ryan was asked about the relationship by TVLine, he previewed some “big changes” for the S.W.A.T. officers, saying:
We’re well aware of the fan interest in a possible romantic relationship between Street and Chris and we have every intention in providing some closure about it this season (premiering Friday, Oct. 1). Big changes are in store for the two of them.
Street and Chris have always had a somewhat complicated relationship. It’s been clear to fans from the start that they have feelings for each other, and it’s also clear to the rest of the squad. The two of them kissed back in Season 2 when Chris was in a polyamorous relationship, and neither of them were feeling so great beforehand. That incident caused some tension between them, and although it did take a while for them to get back to their version of “normal,” they've still clearly cared for one another. After Street admitted his feelings following Erika’s death, the complications returned.
Once Street revealed to Chris that he was a match for his mom’s liver transplant, and that he was going to go through with the operation, it was like a light bulb went off in Chris’ head. She knew how dangerous that kind of operation could be, and how Street could potentially not make it out okay. Which, in turn, made her realize that she cannot live with him. Their relationship is less like a "will they?/won't they?" and more like an “on again/off again” relationship, but where they never actually dated.
Season 5 will pick up a few months after the events of Season 4, meaning quite a bit of time will pass with Chris in Germany and Street on medical leave. That said, it seems like fans will finally get more of the Stris dynamic we've been waiting four seasons for, but will the outcome actually be worth it? Sure, it’s great seeing them care for each other and worry for one another outside of dating, and it would be nice to see their relationship blossom into something more. (Even if it means switching departments to be with one another.) But here's hoping more romance doesn't inevitably sour the genuine friendship they already have.
Season 5 of S.W.A.T. will premiere on Friday, October 1, at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS! Be sure to keep track of all the other 2021 Fall TV shows to see what else is hitting the small screen soon.
