The Last Ship Review: Casus Belli (Season 5 Episode 1)
Talk about coming back with a bang.
The Last Ship Season 5 Episode 1, “Casus Belli,” is everything you could want for the show’s final season premiere, and the action-packed episode does more than just set up the next challenge for the crew of the Nathan James.
After a three-year time jump, things from the perspective of the Navy seem to be in a good place as they prepare to celebrate their first fully functional fleet since the Red Flu. The celebration is a symbol of the nation being put back together, and it’s also a way for the crew members of the Nathan James to reunite.
Chandler has been teaching and has a penchant for making his students read Moby Dick. It makes sense for him to be in that position, but of course, there’s always going to be a piece of him that belongs on a ship.
It’s surreal when he arrives for fleet week. Civilians are being shown around the ship, looking at exhibits such as Dr. Scott’s lab.
There’s even a cardboard cutout of Chandler himself. It’s a really smart way of reminding us where the story began and how far things have come.
But as much as that cardboard cutout feels celebratory, it’s uncomfortable for Chandler to see himself as a museum exhibit rather than a warrior.
Obviously, a celebration like this can’t last long. Elsewhere, we see something else is coming — a cyber attack on the US.
The cyber attack hits all at once, as it would, but that’s only the first step. That attack makes the Navy vulnerable — it makes them blind and unable to fight back as they normally would when enemy planes come in.
This is, at least if you ask me, a more terrifying concept than anything biological. It hits a little closer to home and it makes you think about how much we rely on technology. There’s also something really satisfying about seeing these characters face that kind of challenge.
Chandler is quick enough on his feet and skilled enough with his weapon, to be able to take down one plane single-handedly. Because of course he does.
It’s also exciting to see Kara have another chance to shine.
She hints early on that she’s a bit restless with Danny away, leaving her to focus mainly on being a mother, so it’s nice to see her in action and making the smart decision to keep the Nathan James out of sight — allowing them to be prepared for the fight that’s to come later. She’s seeing the bigger picture in a moment’s notice.
As victorious as it feels to see a full Navy fleet, there had to be a way for the Nathan James to literally be “the last ship” again, and this is it. The others are taken down.
Those aren’t the only casualties — two heartbreaking, back-to-back deaths happen during the attack to remind us that no one is safe on this show. RIP Garnett and Rios.
Elsewhere, Sasha, Danny, Wolf, and Azima are on their own in Panama, where they are now enemy #1 after being framed for assassinating the country’s president.
First, though, we get to see their skills at work as they infiltrate the President’s birthday party to show him how many ways they could get to him if they wanted — it’s badass, as per usual, and a lot of fun to watch.
Their intentions are good. They want to convince him to let them help him identify his vulnerabilities and strengthen security.
But unfortunately, those good intentions backfire. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next for that team.
Overall, it’s an impressive hour that sets up a promising final season. Every moment feels significant and carefully planned, the action keeps us on our toes, and we have a chance to see more depth to these characters — Chandler in particular.
And while the cyber attack may leave me with a sinking feeling since it’s not such a far-fetched idea, the way these characters step up and work together is inspiring more than anything else.
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.
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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.
3 comments
I’m always sad when a character, especially one who’s been on a while, gets killed off. Realistic-yes, but still depressing enough to not watch the show til after I check reviews. I have a few favs among the cast (some have already gone) and if they go I probably will stop watching. I have enough sadness in my life without manufactured sadness.
Everything I expected and more
Surfing Amazon prime, suddenly, my eyes stopped at the brand new Last ship thumbnail, cudn’t resist to dim the lights and create a perfect atmosphere to watch the premier of the finale season!
Still remember, how I used to get glued to my couch while watching the previous episodes and eagalry wait for the upcoming ones. Now, after watching this episode, same thrill and exciment is back once again. The amazing storyline, breathtaking cinematography and concepts leaves you thinking of our future race on planet Earth!
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