Eric Dane
Rhona Mitra
Adam Baldwin
Charles Parnell

Created by:
Hank Steinberg
Steve Kane

2014-
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
TNT
TV-14

TNT’s “The Last Ship” is what you would expect stylistically from a modern adventure TV series set on a naval ship. Michael Bay is the main producer, and his stamp is all over it: So the action works. In addition, the use of an outbreak story line and fairly brisk pacing is wise. The combination of those three things saves this show from being a complete waste of time. It’s hard to fully mess up an outbreak story.

But the main problem here is the writing, and the acting suffers a bit, as a result. The dialogue is stilted, and the plot points seem to have been created via a checklist: attractive CDC scientist with her own agenda (check), attractive captain with his own ideas and a family that he wants to locate (check), search for a possible cure (check), people with hidden agendas (check), a young couple in love (check), etc.

Eric Dane, as the captain of the ship, certainly looks the part, but he lacks the gravitas to be fully believable in the role. He was much better as Dr. Sloane (McSteamy) on “Grey’s Anatomy.” He does playful much better than commanding.

Despite its brisk action sequences, there’s no suspense here. I don’t feel it. While I wasn’t bored as I watched the pilot, I wasn’t invested at all. I just didn’t care much. As far as TV shows about outbreaks go, I’ll take the first season of “Helix” over this. While this show isn’t the same as “Helix” (the nature of the outbreaks and the styles are different), the pilot of “The Last Ship” just isn’t as effective at setting up an interesting story. It certainly could develop into something intriguing, but I don’t have high hopes. The pilot was OK overall with somewhat good moments … I guess.

Verdict: OK to Whatever

About: (Source: lastship)

Their mission is simple: Find a cure. Stop the virus. Save the world. When a global pandemic wipes out eighty percent of the planet’s population, the crew of a lone naval destroyer must find a way to pull humanity from the brink of extinction. Executive Producer Michael Bay presents The Last Ship, starring Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra and Adam Baldwin.