In the latest emotional episode of CBS’s SEAL Team, a heart-wrenching tragedy sets the stage for a powerful new mission for one of Team Bravo's own. Spoilers ahead for the April 24 episode.

The episode delves deep into the struggles of retired SEAL Brett “Swanny” Swan, portrayed by Tony Curran. Swanny, plagued by amnesia and distressing memories, is depicted seeking medical help at a VA clinic. His condition, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) believed to be caused by a battlefield IED, is met with insufficient and impersonal treatment.

Frustrated by the lack of effective care, Swanny eagerly seeks alternatives but is thwarted by bureaucratic obstacles, including the denial of an MRI due to the lack of documented diagnosis at the time of his injury.

Devastated by his inability to receive proper care, Swanny tragically ends his life, a devastating blow to his friends and fellow SEALs. In the aftermath of this loss, Clay, played by Max Thieriot, finds himself grappling with grief and a newfound mission to honor his fallen comrade.

Clay's mission is to secure a Purple Heart for Swanny, an undertaking fraught with challenges. The Purple Heart is awarded for combat injuries, but because Swanny's TBI was not documented at the time of the incident, the process is complicated. As explained by executive producer John Glenn, “The military requires documentation of injuries to award such honors, and Swanny’s case lacked this essential proof.

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