As the first season of On Call comes to a close, the series finale is a thrilling conclusion to many storylines that gave viewers a deep look into the difficulties of police work, mentoring and doing the right thing in a world of violence and corruption. We follow Officer Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario)and her trainee, Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente)as they deal with the rough streets of Long Beach, California, all season. The last few minutes of On Call make us wonder what happens next for the characters and whether they can learn from their mistakes and become better police officers. This season has been full of intense action, shocking revelations, and the threat of tragedy.
The Death of Officer Maria Delgado: A Trigger for Change
A young police officer named Officer Maria Delgado is shot and killed while on duty at the start of the season. The first shot, of a police SUV driving through the streets of Long Beach, sets the tone for the rough reality of being a police officer. When Delgado tries to arrest a gang member, she is shot in the neck and killed by a man she had previously arrested. Everyone in the police department is shocked by Delgado’s sudden death, but Officer Traci Harmon feels especially guilty because she trained her and now feels responsible for her death.
The whole season is built around the search for Delgado’s killer. The police are focused on bringing the shooter to justice while also dealing with the terrible loss. In particular, Officer Harmon has trouble with her feelings and wonders if she did enough to prepare Delgado for the dangerous parts of her job. One of the main ideas of the show is how mentorship can change people and how heavy the responsibility that comes with it is.
Harmon and Diaz’s relationship: A Complex Mentor-Student
Following Delgado’s death, Officer Harmon is given a new trainee named Alex Diaz. Diaz, played by Brandon Larracuente is a new police officer with a complicated past. He is the first person in his family to become a police officer and he wants to prove himself in a job that everyone else in his family hates. Diaz is eager to learn from the start, but his lack of experience and haste often get him into trouble.
We see Harmon and Diaz become a mentor and student over the course of the season. Harmon, who is tough but fair, helps Diaz learn how to balance following the rules with his instincts as a police officer. But Diaz’s hasty choices and frequent mistakes make things tense between them. He still needs to learn a lot because of the things he did early on, like recording Harmon threatening a suspect and running away during a dangerous chase.
Even though Diaz makes mistakes, there are times when his kindness comes through. During a traffic stop, for example, he tells a driver who is high on meth to get help from his family. This shows that Diaz, even though she is still raw, can see the human side of police work. Harmon, on the other hand, is more professional and tough.
The Breaking Point: Diaz’s Recklessness and the Cost of His Actions
As the season goes on, Diaz’s growth as a police officer is put to the test in a number of dangerous situations. At a very dangerous time—Diaz goes against Harmon’s orders and chases a suspect through empty houses who is thought to be connected to Delgado’s killer. He and Harmon are both in danger because of this careless move, which marks a major turning point in their relationship. It’s clear that Diaz could be a great police officerbut he’s not ready for the responsibility yet.
Harmon has to think again about how she trains people and how she feels about Diaz’s future as a police officer because of this chain of events. She thinks he has a lot of potential, but she also knows that his hasty choices could kill him if she doesn’t stop him.
The Fate of Diaz: Probation Reversed
The last few minutes of the season show that Diaz’s probation is over. He is very nervous as he waits for Harmon to decide if he will pass and be able to keep working as a police officer. As Diaz gets ready for what he hopes will be a moment of validation, he can feel the tension building.
Harmon does say something, though, and it’s that Diaz will have to start his probation all over again. This hurts Diaz a lot because he wanted to prove himself. At first, he feels hurt and angry, especially after everything he has been through. Harmon’s choice is not made out of spite, though. She tells Diaz that she is doing this to keep him safe and make sure he knows what will happen if he does something. Harmon made the choice she did because she thinks Diaz could be a great officer, but he isn’t ready yet. She wants to give him another chance to grow and learn so that he doesn’t make the same dangerous choices that could kill him.
This moment is a pivotal one in the show. It shows the depth of Harmon’s care for Diaz and her commitment to his development—even if it means tough love. Diaz, though initially disappointed, begins to understand Harmon’s motives. He accepts his fate and even returns her “Get Out of Jail Free” card—a symbol of their journey together. This action is a big change in their relationship because Diaz understands how important his mentor’s choice is.
The Final Showdown: Taking Down East Barrio and Smokey
In the season finale, the mission to catch Smokey, the gang leader, and his followers comes to a dramatic end. The police have been after the East Barrio gang all season, and things are getting dangerous. Sergeant Koyama finds a clue that could help them get closer to Smokey as the investigation goes on. At the airport, he learns about a man who is secretly moving drugs for the gang. Once the police learn this; there is a tense and violent confrontation as they move closer to the drug trade.
When the plan goes wrong, there is a gunfight, and Smokey’s daughter Leona is among the people who are fighting. In a heart-stopping moment, Leona shoots at Diaz and almost kills him, but Koyama stops her and shoots her. The violence is a stark reminder of how dangerous their jobs are every day, but it also brings out the theme of giving up things for justice.
When the dust settles, Harmon and Diaz meet Smokey face-to-face. Smokey is badly hurt but gives up in the end. The team has won a big battle, and this moment also marks the end of the main conflict of the season. The police have caught the person who killed their fellow officer, but this victory has come at a high cost.
The Unfinished Business: Harmon’s Rejection and the Future
At the end of the season, Harmon has to deal with another personal problem. Her dream was to be transferred to Sergeant Koyama’s team, but she is let down when she learns that her transfer has been blocked by higher-ups. Sergeant Lasman has always been a pain for her and she thinks that he has helped stop her from moving. At its worst, Harmon and Lasman are very angry with each other when they argue about the transfer.
In a surprise turn of events, Harmon finds out that it was Lieutenant Bishop, not Lasman, who stopped the transfer. This news makes the show’s portrayal of office politics and the inner workings of the police department even more complicated. Harmon and Lasman agree that they are both committed to doing what’s right even though they disagree on some things.
At the end of the first season of On Call, the main characters have grown, been forgiven, and been given a glimpse into the future. Officer Harmon and Diaz’s journey isn’t over yet, but what they’ve learned will affect how they act in the future. Diz might have to start his probation all over again, but he has shown that he could be a great police officer. Harmon, on the other hand, is still having problems in her personal and professional life but she has shown that she will always fight for what’s right, no matter what.
In the end, On Call shows how police work, mentoring and the emotional toll it takes on those who do it are really complicated and real. The season finale wraps up the main plots but there is still a lot of room for future seasons to add to them. We can only guess what new problems Harmon and Diaz will face on the streets of Long Beach as they move forward.
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