‘SEAL Team’ Season 3, Episode 3 ‘Theory and Methodology’ Review: Civvy Lives

Finally finishing the Serbian campaign, SEAL Team takes a look on the off the battlefield side of a soldier’s life. As Bravo Team trains hard for upcoming missions, they welcome a new captain to their fold. When outside the confines of their uniforms, each member enjoys life as civilians temporarily. However, as the call of duty brings them to prevent political instability in Azerbaijan, the team faces an unexpected foe.

On Wednesday’s episode of SEAL Team, Bravo Team’s members spend time with their loved ones as they go off-duty. As Ray Perry (Neil Brown Jr.) and his wife, Naima Perry (Parisa Fakhri), think of purchasing a new home, Sonny Quinn (A.J. Buckley) tries to take Lisa Davis (Toni Trucks) out on a fancy date. Meanwhile, Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz) spends quality time with his daughter, Emma Hayes (Kerri Medders). While this happens, Clay Spenser (Max Theriot) chooses between standing with his father, Ash Spenser’s (C. Thomas Howell) campaign, or his new superior, Captain Lindell’s (Jamie McShane) orders.

The Powerplant

CBS

The show takes notes from history as they base the episode’s conflict on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict. The battle takes place in a powerplant in the disputed territorial region. Also, the hostiles are not the typical stragglers from the opposing country. Instead, the show portrays them as mercenaries hired to do the job. Many modern-day advancements in warfare make it to the entire combat sequence. A notable example is when Ray takes a photo of one of their fallen enemies only to find out that they face hostiles hired, not ideologically involved.

Instead of going with the usual types of enemies, the show expands its roster of combatants to include mercenaries. The use of mercenaries does not usually appear as antagonists to trained soldiers; they often get screen time as hired guns for mafia or perhaps spies. This time, however, the mercenaries act as catalysts of political turmoil. Along with this risk, we also have a former American Special Forces operative working with the Azerbaijan Military, serving as Bravo Team’s contact. The episode highlights the political side of conflicts in contrast to what we often see; mere shows of force meant to capture the audiences’ attention through special effects.

Love and Work

CBS

Lisa and Sonny’s relationship continues despite the obstacles in their way. For instance, we have the workplace code of conduct that the couple so far manages not to break. Also, we have their differences in rank that makes a publicly open relationship between the two inappropriate. Now, only Ray seems to notice the relationship Lisa and Sonny have, but he did not speak to anyone about what he knows. Despite these things going well for them, circumstances still find a way to keep them from enjoying their romance thoroughly. Thanks to the intel coming in for the new mission, Lisa had to return to base. Indeed, one cannot always have what one wants.

The Perry couple, on the other hand, talks about owning a future home for their family. Being able to afford the home they wanted requires Ray to choose a promotion that will take him off the team since one team cannot have two Master Chiefs. Also, the other alternative is for Ray to apply for Warrant Officer instead. For his family, Ray forgoes his dream of commanding a team. The Perrys come to a win-win: Ray stays in Bravo, and they could save for the home they want. Still, one cannot help but wonder what Jason’s reaction will be once Ray outranks him.

Swann’s Purple Heart

CBS

While Clay recovered from his injuries, he spent his time raising awareness about his friend, the late Brett Swann. Swann suffered a traumatic brain injury that eventually led to his suicide. Along with his father, Ash, Clay promoted consciousness about TBI. Now, he and Ash have the chance to have their advocacy prioritized. A politician is vying for a spot as the representative of their district. All this seemed to go well up until Captain Lindell orders Clay to back off of his and his Dad’s project. Clay did not seem too disheartened, but he surely was disappointed with their advocacy’s abrupt end. Still, it is good to see that the Spensers finally got along and that Ash supported his son in his career as a SEAL.

Emotional Detachment

CBS

Jason has a significant problem concerning the death of both his former colleagues as well as his wife. At the end of the previous episode, it seems as if Jason wanted to open up to his daughter, Emma. Jason’s loneliness reaches dangerous heights when he comes home, but he does not confront it when he and Emma spend time together. Emma tries her best to make Jason’s apartment feel more like a home, but Jason deliberately puts things back in dull order, just as he turns Emma’s efforts to have him open up to her down. Given a little more time, Emma can probably have Jason open up to her, but this scenario is unlikely with Jason’s line of work. Hopefully, it will not take yet another death in the family to have Jason come to his senses.

‘SEAL Team’ Season 3, Episode 3 ‘Theory and Methodology’ Final Verdict

SEAL Team takes a break from the explosive action to explore the relationships that the Bravo Team has outside of work. Also, it puts into place the politics of warfare. While the conflict extended to having enemies untraceable to their employers, we also have the politics in play with the Navy Chain of Command. One can quickly tell that the team’s new captain spells nothing but trouble for the group. It looks like the team has another skull to add up to its list of problems.

SEAL Team continues Wednesday, October 23rd, with ‘The Strength of The Wolf’ at 9/8c on CBS.