The Last Ship Review: The Fog of War (Season 5 Episode 2)
If any ship can do it, Nathan James can.
On The Last Ship Season 5 Episode 2, “The Fog of War,” the crew on the Nathan James is vulnerable to a threat, but proves once again how clever they are and how strong their ship is.
Meanwhile, Danny, Sasha, Azima, and Wolf are on the run and find an old friend of Danny’s to help. At least for a moment.
This season’s premise is smart and, unfortunately, feels realistic. This episode capitalizes on how terrifying a cyber attack could be, but more important, it shows how smart these characters and how well they work as a team.
The ship itself may be strong, it’s the ship’s crew that makes it special, and it’s their teamwork and quick thinking that keeps them at an advantage even when it looks like there’s no way they can survive. It makes the story as inspiring as it is suspenseful.
Kara’s leadership on the James is a highlight. It’s been nice to trace the way some of the characters have moved up on the ranks and to see how much they’ve learned, and Kara is perhaps my favorite example of that.
She gives an empowering speech to the crew and is able to think on her feet and make tough decisions. She’s a leader Chandler would be proud of, that’s for certain.
Kara: When trouble arises, we have proven time and time again, no matter the enemy, no matter the odds, one ship can do it. This ship can do it.
The Nathan James defeats the other ship by outsmarting it. The crew works together to make it appear as though they have an entire fleet — and their diversion is elaborate, and it works exactly like they hope it will, leaving them able to fight the bigger fight.
Which brings us to Chandler, who is back on land working with Meylan and other higher ranking officers to determine how they can fight in the recently declared war. They have very little military left, but Chandler feels certain they can take the fight south with one ship — the Nathan James.
The others don’t want to take that risk, but Chandler is confident that the James is still okay and that they’ll call soon.
He’s almost a little too cheesily confident with the whole “they’ll always catch the ball” line, but hey, we’ll take it. Because he’s right.
And when the James does call, it’s more proof of their intelligence and teamwork in the way they are able to communicate. Slattery thinks quickly and comes up with a code that Chandler will understand so they don’t have to reveal their location or status to anyone who might be listening.
He uses Moby Dick.
We should have known that book would come up again, and it’s thoughtful, smart writing for that thread carried through. It wasn’t just a throwaway on The Last Ship Season 5 Episode 1 that Tom Chandler likes to teach Moby Dick or that Slattery isn’t interested in it — now, it’s the way they can communicate.
I love to see those two work side by side, but there’s something really special about how well they know each other and the faith they have in one another.
The message is simple. After finding a page number and a specific line, Chandler now knows that the Nathan James is “fit for a fight.” Bring it on.
Meanwhile, there’s a team on the ground in Panama fighting their own battle, and proving how strong and resilient they are as well. I could watch these four work together for an entire episode, if I’m being honest.
They have help as they work to get out, and a close call turns into another ally when Danny runs into an old friend (played by Brandon Barash).
Pablo is able to help for a bit, but ultimately loses his life — sacrifices it — for the mission. Between Danny seeing that happen right to him, and his own near-death experience, you would think he might be shaken.
Instead, you have to remember that Danny Green is as strong as they come, and he resolves to continue their mission even when it feels impossible.
And of course, the rest of the team, even an injured Azima, is willing to stay and join him.
Overall, it’s another strong episode that doesn’t waste any time and manages to focus on the individual characters while also keeping up the suspense and the action. I’m eager to see what happens next.
Other thoughts:
- I appreciate getting a little piece of Granderson’s home life, but it also has me worried something might happen to her soon. Anyone else feeling this way?
- Tom brings in his student who saw the cyber attack coming, and it’s interesting to see what he can bring to the table. I think we’re going to grow to love Ethan Swain pretty quickly.
- A small moment, but an important and somewhat emotional one is seeing Tom swear in Ethan — something he says POTUS usually does.
- The Last Ship finds humor where it can. How funny is it that “Eddie” is based on the name of an ex-boyfriend?
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.
One thought on “The Last Ship Review: The Fog of War (Season 5 Episode 2)”
Whoa! This is one of the smartest show I’ve ever seen, I really like Tom and all other characters the way they interact together, raise that feeling making the hairs on the neck stand in sensational speech given by Kara and Tom Getting well the message sent by Slattery. I believe the writer, director and the crew music editors are all very smart, congratulations ? to them.
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