The Last Ship Review: Shanzhai (Season 3 Episode 3)
If there’s one thing The Last Ship knows how to do well, it’s to deliver action and suspense.
But beyond several action-packed scenes, including a pretty epic fight scene where Wolf shows off his combat skills (and seriously, those skills are incredible), “Shanzhai” is also an episode about loyalty and working together.
It’s one of the reasons that I’m always excited to watch The Last Ship. Because even though it’s a post-apocalyptic drama, it always feels hopeful.
There are no anti-heroes here — and as much as we like to root for a flawed hero on television, sometimes it’s nice to just watch good, loyal people fighting for the greater good.
Chandler insists on being on the ground to help find the rest of his crew, the kind of risk he’s always willing to take, in part because he believes it’s the right thing, and it part because he needs to be in control.
It’s just one of the reasons he’s such a strong leader. But make no mistake, even though it’s rare for Chandler to lose his cool, there are a couple of things you just don’t do. One of those things? Questioning his authority.
Sasha has her own opinions about what’s best, but second guessing Chandler in front of a crew isn’t something he’s willing to tolerate.
Chandler: I think I know how to run my ship.
But nothing makes Chandler lose his cool like seeing the name of his friend and partner on a stranger’s shirt. First and foremost on Chandler’s list of priorities is getting his crew back together.
Chandler also makes the decision to promote Alicia Granderson over Cameron Burke, despite the fact that Burke would be the one in line for the promotion. Naturally, Burke is pissed, but no one deserves that promotion like Alicia does.
Alicia has been in the thick of this from the beginning, and in a way that maybe no one else can fully understand. Yet she’s remained loyal and done the right thing, even when it meant going against her own family. She also knows how Chandler operates, and Chandler trusts her.
Cameron Burke, on the other hand? I’m not so sure we should trust this guy. I’m also not so sure we should trust Sasha, though maybe I’m just having a hard time accepting anyone new on the team.
There is also Jessie, who wants to take off on her own instead of staying to help, but is finally convinced to remain a part of the team.
Maybe she says the cherry cola and smokes aren’t what leads her to that decision, but I’m pretty sure they helped. At least a little.
Meanwhile, Slattery and the rest of the captives are dealing with a whole new kind of villain. They’re literally having their blood drained, then fed a feast so that they can be useful. It’s sick, twisted, and terrifying.
And it’s bad news for everyone. Because although President Michener is insisting that the country can “rest assured,” a live video of Slattery being held at gunpoint and declaring that he is a prisoner of war means exactly the opposite.
What did you think of this episode of The Last Ship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Last Ship airs Sundays at 9/8c on TNT.
Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.