SEAL Team (TV Series) Backwards in High Heels (2019) User Reviews

Finally Accurate

[dncorp · 8/10 · 8 January 2019]

After the Democrats demanded "Save the Democracy of the Republic of South Vietnam War" I was stationed at the Federal Republic of West Germany as Field Artillery. I was then assigned to the U.S. Department of State, at the Great British Colonial Empire, England, British Ministry of Defense, further sent as U.S. Army Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol to the British Special Air Service (SAS) to "assist" in updating their Training as most SAS had no actual Combat Experience, afterwards assigned to the British Ministry of Intelligence as the Queen's Own SAS Units as British Military Assistance to Civil Authorities.

This Episode does depict some of the British "arrogance" as "Brit Way or No Way", that I encountered during the 1970s, and later on at Former British Colonies of the Great British Colonial Empire Iraq, Yemen (Aden), Afghanistan, Malaysia, Egypt, the Brits (SAS) were just as messed up as the French Commandos (Special Forces) at the former French Colonies of the French Colonial Empire Syria, Libya, Algeria, Indochina (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam).

The Real Brit Ignorance was 2001 after 300 of Us, 150,000 Northern Alliance (our former CIA Operation Cyclone Muhajeen) Overthrew the 5 Million Afghan Taliban (Former Pro U.S.S.R. Afghans, Pro U.S.S.R Afghan Military). Chased them into Northern Iraq, the First ISAF Commander British General McColl while we were at Northern Iraq, let Osama Bin Laden, Al Quada, Millions of Afghan Taliban back into Afghanistan thru Iran, so everything we did 2001 was negated.

Accurate, 10, A U.S. Navy "Bravo" S.E.A.L. Team, is Less than a U.S. Navy "Alpha" S.E.A.L. Team, the U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Teams unless U.S. Navy's SWDEVGRU are less than the U.S. Army Special Forces 1st Detachment "Delta" CAGs. Based on what I have seen this U.S. Navy "Bravo" S.E.A.L. Team is NOT U.S. Navy SWDEVGRU (long list).

The inaccuracy, 0, again with all Episodes there is still no U.S. Navy Officer in Command of the U.S. Navy S.E.A.L. Team usually the same Officer that they went thru BUD/S with, same with the British SAS.

Entertainment Value 8.

To be conservative, this is the best anti-hijacking drama I've ever seen

[puredieeasy · 10/10 · 3 January 2019]

Creative but reasonable plan, correct tactics, and great action. That's why this episode is so unique. If you've ever watched the hilarious anti-hijacking scenes from other 'Spec-op' shows, then you'll appreciate Seal Team even more.

For example, in 'The Unit' S01E01: the team leader, alone, without a body armor, just charged into the plane with a pistol and killed all the terrorists in slow motion -- Call of Duty style, isn't it?

And in British 'Ultimate Force' S03E01: a female SAS trooper (yeah, In this TV series, SAS started to recruit a female soldier for Combat Operations), swooped forward, then drift through the air and shoot the hijacker's leader -- wait a minute, am I watching a John Woo's movie?

But in 'Seal Team', everything is authentic and professional. The DEVGRU and SAS Operators made a plan, adjust it again and again, and adapted to the situation. When the raid finally started, they were fierce and swift, killing all the hijackers and taking control of the plane in less than one minute. No fancy moves, no stupid slow motion. That's what the counterterrorism units should look like.

So why is this episode so good? The producer, Tyler Grey, is a retired Delta Force operator, he knows more about anti-hijacking than anyone else -- and that's why.

Some snowflakes hate this episode because it doesn't show 'SAS No.1', lmfao. First, times are changing, now it would be childish to argue about "which special forces are the best". Second, I don't see anything derogatory about SAS in this episode. Although the seals were the main characters (because it's Seal Team), SAS soldiers were also involved in the plan, and showed great skill in combat. In fact, British TV shows and movies are the ones most likely to disparage the special forces of other countries, let's take a look at 'Ultimate Force' S02E01, SAS almost wiped out all French special force soldiers with only one death, are you kidding me? And in S04E03, how do the British writers portray US special forces? make them look like boy scouts. And in 'Killer Elite', the character said "They (SAS) make the Navy Seals look like a bunch of cupcakes." -- That's the "respect" from the British filmmakers.

By the way, I am neither American nor British.

American Special Forces are the world's best.

[joshronan-21450 · 10/10 · 1 January 2024]

Truly a great episode. Don't take too seriously what the smelly British have to say. The fact of the matter is that within the last few decades American Special Forcers truly have shown themselves to be the best in the world. The fact of the matter is that American SF have rescued more hostages and killed more High Value Targets in the last few decades than the British, Australians, and New Zealanders have combined. The fact of the matter is that American Special Forces are simply the best in the world. That's a fact regardless of what those silly Brits, Australian, or New Zealanders think. If you want the job done properly, call American SF. Even David Cameron thanked SEAL Team 6 for rescuing British hostages.

Entertaining but factually... questionable

[bruno-90304 · 6/10 · 14 March 2019]

As a Brit I was amused to read all the negative reviews of this episode because it portrays the SAS as "amateur". I didn't think it did this, it was just typically centred on the main series characters, so they have to come along and take over.

In real life, US and British special forces work closely together - I think the episode of "Ultimate Force" that portrayed US special force as crap (mentioned in another review) was typical of that show, and another example of adding some tension for entertainment.

All TV shows have to have their own characters winning the day. My favourite line from The Unit was when Whiplash says "Looks like they are ready for us" and Jonas says "The might be ready for someone, but they ain't ready for us" LOL

I have no problem believing that DEVGRU or Delta are up to SAS standards in modern warware / hostage rescue / counter terrorism.

The things that annoyed me about this episode's portrayal of the SAS were:

• Sergeant Major with a posh accent (come on US TV, this is the 21st century!)
• No officer ? Yes NCOs would plan the assault but an officer would be there as well
• Equipment - assaulting a plane wearing camo and using sidearms ?
• Posh accents. Yes, it annoyed me so much I'm adding it twice
• Such a small team - believable if they happened to be there for training, but if deployed specifically for this event, would be at troop strength at least

*Spoiler

I also don't believe that if you're sitting on the floor by the door, with no space either side, tipping the plane forward is going to get you out of the way of an explosive entry.

Just lost interest

[rickyalf · 1/10 · 8 February 2019]

Was enjoying this series then they had this episode where the seal team prove once again how amazing they are and the sas are amateur. Won't waste any more time on this show.

Why oh why??

[loakman-3 · 1/10 · 13 March 2019]

Liked this show but this episode has really put me off. I am a Brit & a fan of America & its great people but I am also acutely aware of the heritage of the SAS & therefore was horrified by the way this episode showed that British special forces were in no way up to the standard of the Navy Seals, the SAS developed the techniques & literally wrote the book on hostage rescue!! Most reviews on here echo the same sentiment, the writers did not need to show the SAS in a poor light just to make Seals look better, very lazy writing. Try harder next time!!

WTF, Are you serious.

[john-marchant-769-374721 · 3/10 · 4 January 2021]

So let me get this straight, even by their own admittance normally it would be Delta Force that would be doing this sort of OP, however no Delta Force so they have to use the Seals, who also by their own admittance are not suited to this role.

They all then fly over to Qatar, where immediately they start telling the SAS, what to do and how they have got it all wrong. The SAS, yes those same guys who have been doing this sort of thing for years, have trained umpteen SF around the world, including Delta and the Seals.

Firstly this sort of thing is highly specialised, normal SAS or Seal team troops are not specifically trained for this. Deta Force and SAS CRW are trained for this, and are the best there is. Hostage and hyjacking is the perview of SAS CRW, so if its meant to be SAS CRW, then the Seals are very much the outsider in this scenario.

Seal Team sadly in this episode came over as just what many people think of Americans in general, arrogant, all knowing and big mouths, this episode just proved it. Of course the reality is that its totally untrue and any former members of the US SF community must have been cringing at this.

Annoyed.

[chrisb-35679 · 1/10 · 20 March 2019]

Am a fan of the show but so annoyed that they have portrayed the SAS as posh speaking amateurs? Let's not diss other services to make the Seals look super human and Jason comes across as an ass. We have very talented soldiers in UKSF, as does the US. Poor and lazy script research.

American fantasy fiction

[confidential-67897 · 1/10 · 3 January 2019]

The SAS are the best special forces in the world, and in this episode they are made out to look like amateurs next to the amazing American seal team. Purely forgetting that the SAS go round the world training other special forces units on hostage rescue.

What a joke!

[luke-halstead · 1/10 · 12 March 2019]

Typical US fiction. They make out that a bunch of seals are better than the SAS...... I know...what a joke. We all know that the SAS are the best in the world. The US special forces would be lucky to make it to the top 10. Just for the record a SAS sniper made a 1 shot kill on a IS leader last year, at night from over a mile and half away with only a 15 second window of opportunity. That's how good they are.

A switch off

[jeffwoodallphotography · 1/10 · 13 March 2019]

I'll just reiterate what 90% have already said (the other 10% are dreamers); I've enjoyed the series up until now, a nice bit off escapism - even though in reality Jason Hayes' ego would have had the whole team killed by the end of season 1 episode 2. Apparently a Seal Team leader can usurp any level of command, wing it with a plan hatched off the top of his head in seconds (forgivable in the name of drama I suppose) but in this episode (unforgivable) walk in to an ongoing SAS hostage rescue (aircraft) operation, for which they invented the very flexible tactics and make the SAS team leader (intentionally played by an actor with the voice and charisma of a cardboard Rupert) look totally inept. Talk about stereotyping. Obviously the series has some expert input here and there, as some of the language and fieldcraft is pretty convincing. I would imagine that some of those advisors get pretty frustrated though when they see the actual context of the completed episodes. I know this is fiction folks, but writers of this episode, Holly Harold & Dana Greenblatt really do need a reality pill to get back to somewhere close to being believable. Why can't the series dynamics be a little more like 'Act of Valor' a superb film played by real Navy Seals, without the bravado, now that really was enjoyable.

Teaching birds how to fly

[kaiomurz · 2/10 · 25 July 2020]

In general, this a great show. However Seals teaching the SAS how to run an airplane assault is as preposterous as teaching birds how to fly. The tone of the episode loudly screams "insecure Americans".

Stopped at 17:36

[Aussiejed · 1/10 · 12 April 2020]

Stopped this episode when the SEAL Team met the SAS team. These two forces would always show the utmost respect for each other, and both would understand the need to exhaust all diplomatic efforts before an assault that would risk lives. The writing of the series has been going downhill and here it reaches the bottom. The Americans are portrayed as arrogant and brash; the SAS as amateur; and the European Union negotiators as scared rabbits willing to bow to any terrorist demand. Also, a bit over every briefing being a minute of relevant information followed my smartass quip from a team member. Very disappointing.

Laughably poor episode

[StantonDrew · 1/10 · 12 December 2021]

1) The EU is not a nation state, neither is it a military force. It does not act on behalf of it's member nations in situations such as that depicted in this episode. Typical american ignorance of the wider world.

2) The SAS are AT LEAST the equal of navy seals. The way they are shown in this episode is ridiculous and insulting.

Disrespectful

[laurence-carr · 1/10 · 28 March 2019]

I usually enjoy this series for what it is, but to portray the SAS in such a poor way is disrespectful and ridiculous.

Amatuer Hour by the writers on this one

[shaneyz · 1/10 · 13 September 2021]

I enjoy this show for what it is but this episode really is fantasy land! The SAS one of the best elite units in the world are extensively trained for this type of situation where as the Seals receive limited training in comparison. They would not be looking like they don't know what they are doing. I know two people that have served and worked with both and they said exactly the same thing "the Seals are extremely good at what they do but compared to the SAS no".

US Don't negotiate with terrorists...

[mikaelhellqvist · 1/10 · 28 September 2020]

Well. I would say the opposite is true. USA has negotiated with terrorists unlike the Brits.

British SAS invented the concept of special forces and is regarded by most as the most competent special forces in the world. Maybe the authors of this episode should do a search for The Assault of the Iranian Embassy.

SEAL Team is usually entertaining, but this episode was one of the worst I've ever seen.

Seriously?

[raheeb-59588 · 1/10 · 11 June 2019]

First of all I'm Qatari and I'm a huge fan of the show. I couldn't even finish the episode very poor writing and the whole episode was inaccurate. It wasn't even shot in Qatar even when they landed there and it showed the name of the airport and the plane landing it was photoshopped those landscapes are in Qatar but it's not even near our airport. All the scenes in the airport are fake aswell. There was one scene where in the background you could see 2 guys who are supposed to be Qatari. We don't even look like that or even dress the way they showed it. Very disappointed on how disrespectful and inaccurate this episode was.

Patronising

[chayne-63448 · 1/10 · 29 March 2019]

The episode was nothing short of patronising. The portrayal of British SAS in this episode was appalling. One of the USA's strongest Allies, who have always had you back in the conflicts you've been involved in. It's really nice to know what you think of them.

This is the kind of rubbish I'd expect from Fox, not CBS

An insult to the No1 SF unit in the world

[hutton_jim · 1/10 · 14 December 2020]

Outragous ,how can they (SEALs) walk in on an SAS anti hijacking op and take over? The SAS wrote the book on this subject and they are the masters of said subject,other countries request the SAS assist them with their Hi Jackings. So what gives the good old USA the right to make this episode? Totally out of order and disrespectful even if only a TV show. Oh and the Reg do ot wear DPM on the team they wear blacks.

Awful

[madjock63 · 1/10 · 27 August 2019]

Come on David! Thought this show was better than this - deleted the rest of the season due to the lack of respect shown to the SAS. Honestly every scene was a denigration of the reputation and professionalism of the SAS to show the Navy Seals in a better light.

Incredible nonsense...

[braykansfinest · 1/10 · 31 May 2020]

I can't believe what an episode.We all know that the SAS is the backbone of special forces,a meaningless episode...Americans think they are the best at everything.

SAS are amateur.

[swbird · 1/10 · 18 May 2021]

I understand the need to make the Seal Team look the best but the way they portrayed the SAS was laughable if not pathetic and disrespectful.

Lazy

[markiebolton · 1/10 · 30 August 2021]

Just very lazy writing. Think I've met about 3 people who's speak with an English accent like that. Really very, very lazy.

The Whole Premise is Wrong!

[bill-2158 · 1/10 · 1 April 2022]

I think this is one of the episodes where they talk about Sonny and Lisa's relationship as being illegal because it's considered fraternization. Totally wrong!

Article 134 of the UCMJ is what covers fraternization. Only an officer or warrant officer can be charged with fraternization, and that is a relationship between an officer or warrant officer and an enlisted person.

Sonny and Lisa are both enlisted personnel, and I believe even the exact same rank at this time - E6, petty officer first class. Whether or not their romantic relationship is good for the team is another matter for consideration, but it is NOT fraternization!

Again, more stupid, ignorant writing and an insult to the viewer's intelligence.

I said this before, but a show like this is going to attract viewers that are military and former military. You have technical advisors, and a former Delta operator and a former police office in the cast! Can you stop making these obvious mistakes in the writing? I think you can write better stories that are realistic without going down fantasy lane.

Stupid writing like this = 1 star.