The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 ending explained: Did the cartel members shoot Miles?

The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 was released on CBS on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The winter finale episode of the show revolved around a high-adrenaline hostage situation at a hospital during the holidays, on Christmas Eve.

Disclaimer: This episode contains spoilers for The Equalizer season 5 episode 7.

The episode showed how Robyn, Dante, and Miles were stuck in a hospital that was taken over by a cartel. The three tried to escape but Miles was taken hostage by the cartel members, who threatened to kill him. One of Dante's rogue FBI agents was responsible for the situation.

Dante decided to try and talk his agent down so that Miles could be freed. The agent asked Dante to put his gun down, which he did. Miles was terrified that the agent would still kill him. But before anything could happen, Robyn shot the agent from the back, saving her ex-husband, Miles.

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What caused the hostage situation in The Equalizer season 5 episode 7?

A still from The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 (via @theequalizercbs / Instagram)

The case on The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 began when Dante pursued Palma Zambada, a cartel member who would shoot a target. Dante apprehended and hit her instead, then took her to the hospital to be healed from the bullet wound. He wanted to interrogate her for information about her father's cartel.

In the hospital, a team of mercenaries from the cartel arrived and started looking for Palma. They took many civilians and doctors hostage, asking for Palma's location.

Then her father Armando Reyes took control of the security room of the hospital, demanding that his daughter be returned to him or he would kill hostages. This clash between Dante and his team of federal agents versus the cartel was the basis of the episode.

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How did Robyn get involved at the hospital?

A still from The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 (via @theequalizercbs / Instagram)

Robyn cooked her ex-husband Miles a Christmas meal and visited him during his working hours at the hospital. She also met Dante there and introduced him to Miles. Before she left, Robyn bumped into Armando and immediately realized he was a cartel member. She alerted Dante and immediately stepped to his side as backup.

Robyn and Dante put the hospital on lockdown, sealing Palma behind reinforced doors that the cartel could not break through. Palma started bleeding internally, and Miles took some time to treat her.

Robyn and Dante decided to cover for Miles and hope the police came as backup. However, the two were forced to hold the fort on their own for a significant amount of time.

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How did Harry and Mel help the team in The Equalizer season 5 episode 7?

A still from The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 (via @theequalizercbs / Instagram)

Robyn contacted Harry on the phone and asked him to hack into the hospital security cameras so that he could provide them with updates on the cartel's movements. He did so, and also found a service exit on the hospital's floor plan, providing a path of exit for Robyn, Dante, and Palma.

Mel decided to rush and arrive at the situation when she realized that the police would take more time to set up a perimeter. She set up her gun, dubbed 'Cutiepie', and took down a few cartel members to buy Robyn and Dante some time.

However, the cartel members broke down one emergency door with a battering ram and an explosion, which Harry was unable to see once the cartel disconnected the camera feeds. Dante got caught in the explosion, scaring Robyn. Fortunately, Miles managed to patch Dante's injury up.

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What happened to Miles at the end of The Equalizer season 5 episode 7?

A still from The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 (via @theequalizercbs / Instagram)

During the team's escape through the service exit, Robyn and Dante tried to speculate why the cartel would try to kill Palma. Robyn then realized that Palma was actually on the cartel's side, and they were on a rescue mission to get her back, not to try and assassinate her.

At this moment, one of Dante's federal agents also turned against them, revealed to be helping the cartel. They took Miles hostage to help with Palma's treatment, overpowering Robyn and Dante. The cartel took Palma and Miles to the hospital helipad and flew to Port Chester airport.

Robyn, Mel, and Dante followed the location sent by Harry and arrived at the airport. In the ensuing shootout, Palma and Armando were killed. Dante faced off with his rogue agent who threatened to shoot Miles if Dante did not put his gun down.

But even as Dante surrendered, Robyn shot the agent from the back, saving Miles.

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Audiences can watch The Equalizer season 5 episode 7 streaming now via CBS and Paramount+. The previous episodes of season 5 of the show are also streaming on the platforms.