The Last Ship Review: Nostos (Season 4 Episode 4)

On The Last Ship Season 4 Episode 4, “Nostos,” Chandler works with the crew of the Nathan James to search for an injured Mike Slattery, and we find out more about the people working against them.

Chandler may be reunited with the team, but his role among them has changed dramatically. Even though it was his choice, it’s clear that he’s struggling with the fact that the team has been working together — and with new faces — for so long without him.

Fletcher: We’re already outnumbered. We stay together we stand a chance if things go south.

Chandler: Who are you? … Who’s he?

Sasha: Part of the team that’s been saving the world for the past year.

He’s a natural leader, so he can’t help but try to take control. Granted, he’s also more familiar with their location and happens to have some inside knowledge, and let’s face it, he’s good at this. This is what Tom Chandler was born to do.

The crew’s reactions are all pretty varied. A lot of them seem conflicted and angry, while others are heartened to work with him again. And just because he left doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve still deserve respect.

Notice that Danny is the one who agrees with him on splitting into small teams, and later, he tells Miller they should “stick with Captain” when it comes to what they should call him now.

Meanwhile, Slattery fights for his life while revisiting his past thanks to the Nostos tea. His life with his family, and even his first time meeting Tom Chandler and sitting in his chair on the Nathan James, are all things we get a glimpse of thanks to the tea that literally brings about nostalgia.

I really appreciate how this episode slows down to let us in on those moments from his past, and Adam Baldwin’s performance is completely captivating.

There is so much to explore with all of these characters still, and getting those moments — all while he struggles to survive and to find his crew — is incredibly powerful. It’s such a creative way to get some backstory on an important character.

Even though he’s been drugged, he manages to find a way to communicate with the Nathan James and get help.

Because he’s Mike Slattery, and we should never expect anything less.

Once he’s rescued, he continues to see visions of his past, and he’s desperate to return them. It’s heartbreaking. He’s had this glimpse of what life was like before the world changed — these powerful memories — and that can only make the present feel that much more difficult.

Of course, it’s not like the rescue is exactly easy. Granderson and Master Chief see his signal and figure out that Slattery as at the top of the cathedral, but getting everyone else to him is something else altogether.

The villains we’re dealing with are more powerful than we were first led to believe. Turns out, Giorgio and Lucia have been working for their father, along with another sibling, who has elaborate plans for that container of seeds.

The doctor who gave advice to Chandler on The Last Ship Season 4 Episode 3, “Bread and Circuses”? That’s him, and he’s mad scientist with a ton of power, who sends his children to stop the Nathan James at all costs.

Kara is back at her post on the James, and thank goodness. Her plan to make their ship appear as a “ghost ship” to confuse Lucia and the Greek warship works perfectly. As usual, the way this entire crew works together is what makes them so difficult to defeat.

Those are the moments that really drive the show — the strength and the wisdom of good people overcoming the odds and working together as a team. It’s inspiring. And yes, they’re living in a post-apocalyptic world, struggling to survive and save humanity, but the fact is that we know our heroes will prevail.

So far this season, “Nostos” stands out as the best episode, not only because of the way everything comes together and the depth we get from Slattery, but because the new dynamics between Chandler and the rest of the crew. The title is significant, too, beyond it being the tea that presents Slattery with visions of home: “homecoming/nostalgia.”

Beyond that, “Nostos” is a hero’s homecoming — Chandler’s return to his ship.

Chandler doesn’t get a lot of love when he returns to the James, but the look on Master Chief’s face, along with his salute, more than makes up for it. Not to mention Chandler’s face as they prepare to land on the ship.

OMG moments:

• Chandler, Sasha, and Fletcher have no problem “leveling the playing field.” The three of them take out a few of Oscar’s men with a quickness, and Chandler snaps one guy’s neck like it’s any normal Tuesday.
• Giorgio kills Omar as soon as he has the chance, and he does so with ease. Did not see that one coming.

What did you think of this episode of The Last Ship? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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

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