fbpx

THE LAST SHIP: Phase Six

"Patriotic Naval Maneuvers"

Watch:

What You Need To Know:

THE LAST SHIP is a Cable TV series. It’s about a U.S. naval destroyer crew that believes they’re on a weapons-testing mission in the Arctic, only to discover they’re actually the secret vaccine-testing base against a worldwide pandemic disease. The crew learns that they aren’t allowed to return home until they find a cure. In the pilot episode, the captain learns two scientists on board are trying to create a vaccine for the pandemic that’s wiped out most of the world’s population during the destroyer’s months at sea. The scientists are in great danger from some Russian commandoes trying to steal the vaccine. This sets up a tense finale.

THE LAST SHIP has a solid cast that portrays courage and patriotism well and handles action with aplomb. Director Jonathan Mostow has done expert action movies before, including the MOVIEGUIDE® Award winning U-571. The pilot episode has a strong moral, patriotic worldview with some overt Christian content. However, it’s marred by very brief foul language, some intense action and a scene involving a lesbian sailor. So, caution is advised for THE LAST SHIP.

Content:

(BB, PPP, CC, Ho, L, VV, S, M) Strong moral worldview with very strong patriotic elements and a strong Christian undertone that includes an extended Christian funeral scene, marred by brief pro-homosexual portrayal of a lesbian sailor discussing her “girlfriend”; four obscenities and light profanities; strong violence includes intense, yet not graphic or bloody, battle between machine gunners on a Russian helicopter and other Russian soldiers aiming fire at scientists and American assigned to protect them, extended gunfire and several missile-based explosions, disease victims from deadly virus, sailor comes in contact with virus panics and shoots himself dead, nuclear missile shown going off in the distance; no sex scenes but lesbian sailor briefly discusses her “girlfriend” and heterosexual couple secretly kisses in closet; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking or drugs; and, betrayal.

More Detail:

THE LAST SHIP is a new TV series about a U.S. naval destroyer crew that believes they’re on a weapons-testing mission in the Arctic, only to discover they’re actually the secret vaccine-testing base against a worldwide pandemic disease and aren’t allowed to return home until they find a cure. The pilot episode, “Phase Six,” has a strong moral, patriotic worldview, with a strong Christian undertone containing an extended Christian funeral scene for a sailor. However, it’s marred by a brief pro-homosexual portrayal of a lesbian sailor discussing her “girlfriend.”

Commander Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) opens the show eager to return home after conducting successful weapons testing in the Arctic. Just as he’s about to bring his ship home, he learns that two scientists on board (Rhona Mitra as an American scientist, with a Russian counterpart) are actually trying to create a vaccine for a pandemic that’s wiped out most of the world’s population during the destroyer’s several months at sea.

The scientists themselves are in great danger, as a team of rogue Russian soldiers attacks them with gunfire and helicopter missiles in an attempt to steal the vaccine from America. Soon, a nuclear missile heads the destroyer’s way and flies over into the U.S. instead, making it too dangerous to disembark as planned on the U.S. coast.

These factors combine to set up a tense face off between the lead scientist and the commander, which bodes well for the series as it has several exciting angles to pursue.

THE LAST SHIP has a solid cast that portrays courage and patriotism well and handles action with aplomb. Eric Dane in particular makes a lively hero out of Chandler without going over-the-top, and Mitra fires sparks aplenty with her own feisty portrayal of the lead scientist. The show also features MOVIEGUIDE® favorite Adam Baldwin of the 1983 movie MY BODYGUARD and TV’s CHUCK. Director Jonathan Mostow has done expert action movies before (the MOVIEGUIDE® Award winning U-571 and BREAKDOWN) and handles everything with style to spare and great tension. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that executive producer Michael Bay (the director of the TRANSFORMERS movies) helped guide this show, which seems better written and more coherent than nearly any of Bay’s movies.

With barely any foul language, no visible sex or nudity, and plenty of exciting yet tastefully shot action, the pilot episode of THE LAST SHIP is rousing viewing for teenagers and adults.