The Last Ship Review: Resistance (Season 3 Episode 12)
Everyone is reunited in what is possibly my favorite episode of The Last Ship this season. “Resistance” proves yet again that Tom Chandler and the crew of the Nathan James are never to be underestimated.
While The Last Ship is always a show we can count on for action and drama, big explosions, and gun fights, more than anything, it’s a show about hope.
Kara, Tex, Kathleen, and Oliver pass through a darkened Las Vegas on their way to San Diego, which feels eerie and ominous. It’s there that they learn a little more about what the Regional Leaders have been up to, and how they’ve been controlling the food in order to control the citizens.
The man who saves them when they need it and then explains the situation is similar to Takehaya in that he wants to remain home, no matter the cost. Kathleen gives the man their last can of food before they continue on their journey. It’s just a small scene, but it’s so significant, and I love that we get to see the look of pride of Tex’s face as he watches his daughter.
The group makes it to the coast just in time to have all hope vanquished. They watch a ship being blown up in the ocean, believing that it’s the Nathan James.
Kara has been a star all season long, and Marissa Neitling’s performance in this episode is stellar. We all knew that the ship that exploded was the decoy ship (or at least, we hoped) but seeing her break down in the ocean believing that all hope was lost, and that the love of her life was gone still brought me to tears.
Meanwhile, on the James, Chandler and the crew watch as their decoy ship is blown up. It’s the perfect plan, and it gives them the opportunity to finally reunite with the few people they have left on their side.
The first reunion we see is between Kara and Danny, and it’s beautiful. I’m so glad we get to see these two together again! And the look on Kara’s face when she sees him is priceless.
If I have any complaints about this episode, it’s that we didn’t get quite enough time to enjoy their reunion. I’d have liked to spend just a few more moments seeing them together.
There’s another powerful reunion, and it’s the one between Chandler and Tex. These two guys are so different, but they’ve bonded on a deep level since they’ve known each other.
Chandler: Tex, why am I not surprised to see you here?
That says a lot about how well he knows this guy, and there’s really nothing like having the team back together. The two of them also talk briefly about Dr. Scott, and Tex notes how awesome Sasha seems to be.
(Meanwhile, Kathleen is teaching President Oliver how to use a gun. LOVE her.)
There isn’t much time to chat, though. The team has a new plan that will not only get them some food, but also help them to regain control.
Unfortunately, that perfect plan assumes a train is full of food, not people.
When they learn that the train they were planning to blow up is in fact full of innocent people, they have a short window of opportunity to stop the train before it reaches the explosives.
Because this wouldn’t be The Last Ship without a close call that has us literally holding our breaths.
It’s like something out of an old movie as they all jump on top of that train in hopes of taking it over, complete with fights as the train keeps moving. It’s an intense few minutes, and one of the most suspenseful scenes this season.
But it’s more than simply letting these people go free. They are on that train because it’s how they’ve been told they’ll get food, and that’s the only thing they’re concerned about at the moment.
As usual, though, Chandler proves himself to be an incredible, fearless leader who is loyal to his country, shaming the General for going against his oath, and even refusing to kill Castillo when he has the chance.
He’s always noble, and it pays off.
He also helps to place President Oliver back in charge. I truly do hope that when this series ends, it ends with Chandler as President somehow. But for now, I enjoy seeing him serve in a role that helps the President lead. He does that now, just as he did before with Michener.
Everything feels hopeful by the end of the episode. We see the crew reunited, and they all salute Oliver, who seems overwhelmed by the respect he’s being given.
The battle isn’t over yet, but it for a moment, we have what feels like a happy ending.
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.
4 comments
That definitely was a close call with the train. That scene with the people on the train reminds me of the Jews on the train during WW2 except their destination was the gas chambers.
I know! And Chandler’s reaction when he told them they were free, and they were just so confused — that really got me.
It was fantastic! I didn’t get into this show until I watched the re-runs and now I’m a 65 year old groupie for the last ship. No. I don’t stalk or cry out of control, just got to be in front of a tv at 8pm Texas time. I love all the characters and would love to meet them.
Please let me no the real name in the third series of the black president
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