Last Ship: The Complete Third Season S3 (DVD)

Great television programs all have three important elements: Characters that the audience can readily identify with. believable (if sometimes fantastic) storylines, and enough action to keep viewers engaged over an entire season.That holds true for all genres of television, from science fiction and westerns to mysteries and post-apocalyptic nightmares."The Last Ship" has all three and in this, its third season, its writers have fashioned a complex narrative that examines issues ranging from betrayal to patriotism; from love of family to situational ethics. The fact they were able to wrap those issues into action-packed stories is not only remarkable, it is brilliant.One of the main strengths of this show is the fact that it's not a "one-man band." By that I mean that the writers have chosen - wisely, I think - to give plenty of screen time to secondary characters. This is not just a show about the captain of the U.S.S. Nathan James but about the crew as well. The fact that many of those crew members are strong, independent women makes the show not only more believable (women have long played a major role in the world's militaries despite,the fact history books tend to ignore them) but also makes "The Last Ship" more accessible to a wider range of viewers. Additionally, the writers have taken great pains to fashion antagonists that are more than cardboard cutout villains. The antagonists are, themselves, complex characters with their own agendas, their own backstories, and their own aspirations. That is never more evident than in Season Three in which a Japanese pirate, a Chinese president, and an American political operative are painted as fully realized men and women. We may not agree with their motives but we can certainly understand where they are coming from and why.The ensemble cast of this series, including Eric Dane and Adam Baldwin, is excellent. I have not found a weak link in the cast over its three seasons and in this third edition of the series I am even more impressed than I was in the past. The addition of Bridget Regan as a shadowy operative from Capt. Tom Chandler's past was a stroke of genius and the tension between them simmers throughout the season.The direction and special effects - enhanced by the fact some of the show's scenes are shot aboard real Navy destroyers - lend a degree of authenticity to the series that is often missing in other military themed programs. That sense of authenticity gives the fictional Nathan James a starring role in the series. Its crew treats the ship as though it is another character and that allows the audience to do the same. When it is damaged during combat actions we, as viewers, feel the same as we would if a crew member is wounded.One last note: Throughout its three seasons the writers have killed off some major characters. That's risky because audience members tend to have "fan favorites" that they would like to see continue. This is a series about war, however, albeit an unconventional one. In wars, people - good, people, heroic people - die. The fact the writers have not shied away from that very painful fact makes this show more believable and adds, I think, to the sense of drama.The conclusion: Another 5-star season.

Season 3 starts with Chandler being sent to Asia for a conference regarding the vaccine and how it’s not working in Japan. It would take most of the season to learn who was behind the betrayals and attempts on Chandler’s life, that of his time and his ship.Just when Season 2 ends with one enemy neutralized we learn of another enemy (from within), and one that will take down not just the Presidency, but the idea of a central government.Of course to do so, Chandler must be killed off and who better to do it than the Chinese Secret Service. We meet Sasha who worked closely with Chandler in the past, and it seems that the two share a past love interest but because of all the killing and conspiracies that are still ongoing there seems to be no time for anything except the occasional kiss.Captain Mike and his “diplomatic” mission to Vietnam end up becoming POW’s in a camp run by a Japanese pirate who drains part of their blood to help keep themselves and their families alive since the vaccine has not done it’s job in Japan.The show is not about the cure and only partly to do with the distribution of the vaccine and at times seems more like “24” than before. In ways that Captain Kirk always want on away missions instead of staying back on the ship, it seems that Captain Chandler does the same.Captains Slattery and Chandler manage to turn a pirate into an ally and against all odds keep living instead of dying. Fortunately that’s what keeps them going and in the end they are able to help put the central government back together including the President. In the final scenes we see Tex try and talk his friend from doing what Rachel did but after finding out that Tex was shot and succumbed from his wounds, he does what Rachel did and silences the woman that had succeeded in killing a President and attempted to kill a 2nd and Chandler and his crew & ship so many times. Chandler resigns his commission. He’s had a hard time and needs to take time away to be with his children and to grieve for Rachel, lost comrades and his father. Can’t wait to see what Season 4 holds.Again the special features are really great and provide a lot of back story.

We are enjoying Eric Dane's latest season as the commander of the USS Nathan James.I had to wonder if there was any point to the series when they killed off Doctor Scott at the end of Season Two. It turns out that the remaining cast and producers turn out another stellar season. They gently guide the viewer away from the virus storyline into reconstructing the post-apocalypse world. And that includes looking out for America's allies in the Pacific Rim. Hint: it's not China!There is plenty of action and twists and turns as the season moves along. Although I currently favor more realistic fare like Seal Team on CBS, the team on The Last Ship give us plenty of reasons to tune in. From some of the reviews I wondered if this ship has sailed. Far from it folks, watch this and you won't be disappointed!

Christmas present. Got my brother hooked on this show.

Only way i was going to see the Season 3 was to buy it take back to Thailand.

I now have all three seasons for Last Ship and I am so glad the series is coming back this year on TV. This is a really good DVD and well worth collecting all of them.

Thanks for the movie, it replaced the one that one of my dogs ate up, I guessed he liked it also. Thanks again Jill

Love the show! Wish they would film 24 episodes a season instead of just 10! But, where's the German Sheapard Seal Dog this year?Amazon got it to me sooooooooo fast.