The Last Ship - Season One (Blu-ray) (2014)

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General		Extras
Category	Drama	Main Menu Audio Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Inside the Episode - Disc 1 Featurette-Behind The Scenes-The Last Ship Overview Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Character Profiles Featurette-Making Of-Making Of The Last Ship Featurette-Prequels: Origin of the Virus Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary – Episode 1 Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary – Episode 3 Featurette-Behind The Scenes-Inside the Episode - Disc 2 Featurette-Behind The Scenes-The Last Ship Details Featurette-Behind The Scenes-The Navy and the USS Halsey Interviews-Cast & Crew-2014 Comic-Con Panel Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary – Episode 6 Audio Commentary-Audio Commentary – Episode 10
Rating
Year Of Production	2014
Running Time	424:58 (Case: 464)
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Jack Bender Michael Katleman Paul Holahan Jonathan Mostow
Studio Distributor	Channel Road Prod. Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Eric Dane Rhona Mitra Adam Baldwin Marissa Neitling Christina Elmore Charles Parnell Jocko Sims Travis Van Winkle John Pyper-Ferguson Kevin Michael Martin Michael Curran-Dorsano Chris Sheffield Ness Bautista
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$49.95	Music	Jim Dooley Nathan Whitehead James S. Levine

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (3254Kb/s) Spanish Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (3254Kb/s) French Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s) English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English Spanish French Danish Dutch Finnish Norwegian Swedish	Smoking	Yes
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

“No cure. No country. No surrender.”

    Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) is captain of the US destroyer Nathan James on a four month training exercise to the Arctic circle to test new weaponry. Following instructions from naval command, Chandler is maintaining strict communications silence and as a consequence the vessel is in total isolation from current world events. Also on board are scientists Dr. Rachel Scott (Rhona Mitra) and her assistant Dr. Quincy (Sam Spruell). Scott and Quincy are supposedly researching birds although it is clear that there is more to their mission then what they are saying. On the eve of returning home Chandler is given orders by the Pentagon to remain in the Arctic and to assist Scott’s research with whatever resources he can assemble. On the verge of uncovering vital samples the two scientists are attacked by a force of Russian helicopter gunships. The Nathan James successfully fights off the attackers and rescues Scott and Quincy. On breaking radio silence Chandler learns that during their “training exercise” a virulent virus has killed off 80% of the Earth’s population and that Scott’s mission is, in fact, an attempt to find samples that might hold the keys for an antidote. Unable to return to their home port and under constant threat from Russian forces and others, the crew of the Nathan James including Chandler, executive officer Mike Slattery (Adam Baldwin), master chief Jeter (Charles Parnell), Lt. Alisha Granderson (Christina Elmore) Lt. Kara Foster (Marissa Neitling), Lt. Danny Green (Travis Van Winkle) and contractor Tex (John Pyper-Ferguson) must work with Scott and Quincy to complete their real mission – to save the Earth’s population from annihilation.

    The Last Ship breaks no new ground. It is the standard B grade formula of world apocalypse, attractive female scientist, rugged and brave US military, evil Russian protagonists, blood-thirsty terrorists and unbelievable plot. On the positive side the action is fast and frantic, the special effects are pretty good, and the performances solid. On the negative side are stereotypical caricatures (including dodgy Russian accents), bad guys who can’t shoot straight, unbelievable plot, and little in the way of character investment. The pedant could have a field day pointing out the numerous story holes and breaks in logic. How the Nathan James could escape significant damage despite being hit by numerous rockets is one example of a required leap of faith. You could quite easily turn this TV series into a parody as all the elements are there for send-up. It is however played completely straight and, as such, depends on believability to be taken seriously. On that basis it therefore fails for me as a captivating experience. I might be in the minority however as at time of review The Last Ship is screening its second season.

    The Last Ship – The Complete First Season is presented on two BD50 high definition discs:

    Disc 1 episodes:

    Phase Six (45:34) - Dr. Rachel Scott and Dr. Quincy Tophet are in the Arctic circle with the USS Nathan James on a secret mission to find an antidote to the virus that is killing off the World’s human population.

    Welcome To Gitmo (42:10) – Terrorists attack the Nathan James as it attempts to refuel in Guantanamo Bay.

    Dead Reckoning (42:05) – A Russian ship engages the Nathan James and Quincy is arrested after attempting to kidnap Scott on behalf of the Russians.

    We’ll Get There (42:12) – There is a water and fuel crisis on board the ship. Scott is making progress in finding a vaccine.

    El Toro (42:08) – The crew seeks monkeys for vaccine testing but are attacked by a local drug lord.

    Disc 2 episodes:

    Lockdown (42:45) – There are fears of contamination on board the vessel.

    SOS (41:45) – Hopes for a vaccine rise after a virus survivor is found. Tex and Chandler are captured by the Russians.

    Two Sailors Walk Into A Bar... (41:57) – The Russian are raided by a team from the Nathan James.

    Trials (42:13) – Scott appears to have made an effective vaccine.

    No Place Like Home (42:09) – The Nathan James makes contact with Government facilities on arrival in Baltimore USA, but all is not what it seems.

Video

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Audio

Audio Ratings Summary

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Menu

    The menu featured looping audio with static background.

Disc 1:

Inside the Episode (14:39)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane (executive producers and writers) expand on the plot and machinations of the 5 episodes.

The Last Ship Overview (3:11)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. A brief summary of the plot of The Last Ship.

Character Profiles (6:37)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Baldwin, Mitra and Dane discuss their characters and how they interrelate with the other characters.

Making Of The Last Ship (2:25)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Not so much a “making of” as a very brief discourse on filming on an active war ship.

Prequels: Origin of the Virus (10:31)

    Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Dr. Scott journals the progression of her studies into the virus and her findings. This is shot in character before her mission to the Arctic and provides an interesting background to the increasing awareness of the virus and its implications. Also journals the attempts by Scott to get support for her research which could hold the key to an antidote.

Audio Commentary – Episode 1. Phase Six

    Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane discuss the pilot episode and how the show focuses on the virus, scientists and the military. Also explains Michael Bay’s involvement in production.

Audio Commentary – Episode 3. Dead Reckoning

    Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Kane expands on the “Art of War” and how the US commander Chandler relates with Russian naval strategy expert Admiral Ruscov.

Disc 2:

Inside the Episode (10:33)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane expand on the plot and machinations of the 5 episodes.

The Last Ship Details (6:20)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Steinberg and Kane discuss the pilot and how they setup the character dynamics to continue throughout the season.

The Navy and the USS Halsey (5:28)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Baldwin, Mitra and Dane talk about filming on the USS destroyer Halsey. A nice promotion for the US navy. Booya!

2014 Comic-Con Panel (52:01)

    HD Video and Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s.

    Comic-Con panel discussion with Steinberg, Kane, Jack Bender (Executive Producer & Director), Dane, Mitra, Baldwin, Parnell, and Van Winkle. This was filmed during the middle of the first season screenings so the audience would have known the basic plot premise but not how the whole season progressed. The second season had also just been announced so the creators and backers must have been confident of continued viewer support. Judging by the enthusiasm of the large audience The Last Ship had obviously struck a chord with American audiences.

Audio Commentary – Episode 6. Lockdown

    Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Hank Steinberg discusses the crew dynamics and moral dilemmas as tensions on the Nathan James escalate. Steinberg, who also wrote this episode, provides a bit more insight on what is going on in the character’s heads and how it might influence the future.

Audio Commentary – Episode 10. No Place Like Home

    Dolby Digital 2.0 at 192 Kb/s. Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane discuss the filming of the season one finale and how it sets up for the second season.

    This appears identical to the Region A release.

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    The Last Ship is an action packed TV series which looks and sounds great. Your enjoyment of the series will however depend on how critically you view the plot and American-centric emphasis. Even if they do look pretty, the USS Navy public relations inserts and stereotypical goodies versus baddies jingoism can start to grate.

    The video quality is excellent.

    The audio quality is excellent.

    Extras are very good.

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Plot
Overall