Ep 1. Welcome to the Refuge

The SEAL Team season 3 episode 1, titled "Welcome to the Refuge," is an intense, action-packed episode that wastes no time in throwing viewers right back into the fold with Jason Hayes (played by David Boreanaz) and his team.

The episode begins with a bang, as the team is in the middle of a dangerous hostage rescue mission in Sudan. As always, the SEALs are calm and collected under pressure, executing their plan with precision and skill. However, despite their success in the mission, it becomes clear that the team is struggling under the weight of what they have seen and done. Their leader, Jason, in particular, is clearly feeling the weight of his responsibilities, both as a SEAL and as a father to his two kids.

With their latest mission behind them, the team returns home to the United States, where they are met with a new challenge: the arrival of a group of Syrian refugees who have been granted asylum. While the SEALs are accustomed to dealing with life-or-death situations in war zones, they quickly realize that they have a lot to learn about the challenges faced by refugees and the work of humanitarian organizations.

This storyline provides a poignant counterpoint to the high-octane action of the previous scenes. As the SEALs gradually become involved in supporting the refugees and learning more about their experiences, they find themselves facing a new set of challenges. Whether it's dealing with cultural differences, navigating the complex bureaucracy of the refugee system, or simply learning how to connect with people whose lives have been turned upside down, the SEALs quickly discover that they are far out of their comfort zone.

Throughout the episode, we see how the team members deal with these challenges in different ways. While some, like Ray (played by Neil Brown Jr.), are quick to embrace the refugees and eager to help them in any way they can, others struggle more. Sonny (played by AJ Buckley), for example, is initially skeptical of the refugees and frustrated by what he sees as their lack of appreciation for the help they've been given. However, as the episode progresses, we see him form a bond with a young Syrian boy and start to understand more about what these people have been through.

As always, the team members are bound together by their camaraderie and their sense of loyalty to one another. While they may not always agree on how best to deal with the challenges they face, they are united in their commitment to finding a way forward. This comes across in some of the quieter moments of the episode, such as when the team shares a meal with the refugees and begins to learn more about their cultures and backgrounds.

Of course, this being SEAL Team, there are still plenty of exciting action scenes to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. We see the team undertake a daring mission to rescue a group of refugees who have been kidnapped by human traffickers, and we see them facing off against armed militants when a peaceful protest by the refugees is threatened. However, these scenes are balanced with moments of reflection and introspection, as the SEALs begin to grapple with the complexities of the situations they find themselves in.

Overall, "Welcome to the Refuge" is a strong start to a new season of SEAL Team. It balances high-stakes action with moments of emotional resonance, and it sets up some intriguing storylines for the team to explore in the episodes to come. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or a newcomer to the world of the SEALs, this episode is sure to leave you wanting more.