Ep 13. Custody

The episode begins with Team One (the Strategic Response Unit) responding to a call regarding an armed and dangerous man holding his ex-wife and son hostage in their home. The man, named Evan, has been going through a difficult custody battle with his wife over their son Alex, and he's become increasingly unstable.

Upon arrival, Team One is forced to deal with Evan's aggressive behavior and his unwillingness to negotiate with the authorities. The team tries to diffuse the situation and buy time while they work to get Alex out of the house, but Evan becomes more and more agitated and starts making demands.

As the situation unfolds, it becomes clear that Evan is not just a distraught father fighting for custody of his child - he's a dangerous man with a history of violence. The team discovers that he has a criminal record and has been involved in several domestic disputes in the past.

Meanwhile, the custodial battle over Alex becomes more complicated as his mother's new boyfriend gets involved. He insists that Evan is incapable of taking care of Alex and wants to have him removed from Evan's custody permanently. The situation becomes an emotional tug-of-war between all parties involved, with Team One caught in the middle trying to keep everyone safe.

Throughout the episode, the team's negotiation skills are put to the test as they try to talk Evan down from his aggressive behavior. They try to find common ground and convince him that he can still be part of Alex's life without resorting to violence. The team also works to protect the hostage and negotiates with Evan to make sure that she's released unharmed.

As the situation comes to a head, the team is forced to make a difficult decision in order to protect everyone involved. The episode ends on a bittersweet note, as the team reflects on the events of the day and the emotional toll it's taken on them.

In summary, "Custody" is a tense and emotionally charged episode that explores the complexities of custody battles and domestic disputes. The team is tasked with navigating a difficult situation involving a dangerous man who's fighting for custody of his son, all while dealing with the emotional fallout of everyone involved. It's a thought-provoking episode that showcases the team's negotiation skills and their ability to handle high-pressure situations with grace and professionalism.