The Last Ship Review: Dog Day (Season 3 Episode 6)

There’s nothing quite like seeing the crew of the Nathan James reunited, and that especially goes for Chandler and Slattery.

The Last Ship shows how well this team works together on “Dog Day,” and it offers some shining moments for characters we don’t always get to focus on.

As Chandler and his team draw nearer to finding the rest of their crew, the pirates figure out that they’re coming and set up deadly traps. They also move their prisoners, making the rescue mission even more challenging.

But Slattery and the other prisoners aren’t just sitting around hoping to be saved. They have a plan that involves some serious teamwork, and it pays off. Even if it does make us forget to breathe a few times.

Garnett proves herself to be a total badass, managing to escape from the rest of the group to send a signal to the crew. When she nearly gets caught, she’s smart enough to get herself out of it by asking Takehaya’s wife to cover for her.

It’s pretty telling that Kyoto helps Garnett instead of just letting her get caught. She doesn’t approve of what her husband is doing to try and help her, and I can’t help but think she’ll want to seek refuge with the Nathan James before this season is over.

The signal works, but this island? It’s basically another obstacle course.

Sometimes, watching this show feels like a video game, especially this season as the goal has been an epic rescue mission. Each time Chandler’s team gets a little closer to finding the hostages, there’s something that stands in the way.

They got past the mines, now, it’s gunmen in underground tunnels.

Diaz is an underdog, which makes it that much more satisfying when he cuts himself free and manages to get to the rest of the crew. And he does so just in time.

One of my favorite moments is when everyone is finally reunited, especially Slattery and Chandler. Their relationship is one of the most important on this show, and the look on Chandler’s face when he finally saves his friend and partner is priceless.

Plus, they have some of the best banter — even while they’re shooting guns.

Chandler: You picked a hell of a vacation spot!
Slattery: Room’s ain’t much. Food’s top-notch!

I’m glad it didn’t take the entire season for these guys to get rescued. It’s nice to see the whole team reunited again, and, as I feel like I probably say every week, every victory for our good guys makes us feel hopeful — and that’s one of the reasons this show is such a joy to watch.

Unfortunately, victory does come at a price. Three members of the crew become casualties during the rescue mission, including Cruz.

It’s all the more tragic to lose him after the scare from “Minefield,” and after he was so willing to put himself in danger so his friend wouldn’t have to.

Green talks to Cruz as his watches him die, keeping a straight face and trying to sound positive. It’s one of Travis Van Winkle’s best performances, and it’s completely heartbreaking.

Chandler and Slattery watch from behind, both holding back tears of their own. These are the moments that give The Last Ship heart. It isn’t just about the action and the suspense, even though we get plenty of that to keep us on the edge of our seats. Underneath, it’s about loyalty and about being human.

Other Thoughts:

• Michener continues to surprise me in his abilities as a leader. Just when I think someone is going to get the better of them, he says just the right thing. And he’s not going to let this reporter have his way.
• Miller and Doc Rios also pull off some fabulous moves to get themselves out of harm’s way, thanks to a pair of scissors. Gross. But effective.

What did you think of this episode of The Last Ship?

Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to give it your own rating!

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

The Last Ship airs Sundays at 9/8c on TNT.