Review: 'Last Resort' - 'Blue Water': Back lash
Sam and James go to Manila, while the Chinese make Marcus an offer
Jessy Schram and Scott Speedman in "Last Resort."
A quick review of tonight's "Last Resort" coming up just s soon as we're wearing matching gasmasks...
The last new "Last Resort" episode of 2012 (there are three to go in early 2013), "Blue Water" reminded us of the potential of the show's premise even as it was also reminding us of the many bumps the show has tried to navigate along the way.
On the plus side, China's arrival as a major player is very interesting, and suggests the kind of geo-political complications that could have fueled stories for quite some time to come. Marcus making an alliance with a small-time local drug dealer is goofy; Marcus making an alliance with a global super power is not. And as Grace notes, the deal proposed would have short-term benefit (supplies, protection) even as it would almost certainly create long-term problems for Marcus's hope to take the Colorado into a U.S. port to clear his name.
So that was intriguing, as was Marcus's response to the prison problem. His crew are still supposed to follow the rules of the U.S. Navy, but they're not really part of the Navy (or the U.S.) at the moment, and their circumstances require a host of new rules, up to and including more traditional naval punishments rather than simply locking people up and feeding them.
On the other hand, James and Sam's adventure in Manila was kind of a mess. Not only does the show gloss over how they're able to get from the Colorado to Manila and back — something that should be a big deal, given that the blockade is a huge plot point at the moment — but the whole thing felt like part of an entirely different show, and then as an excuse to put Christine in a new kind of jeopardy (why wouldn't she just come to the island with him?) while beefing up the love triangle with Sophie by convincing Sam his wife is dead.
In both the Marcus and Sam plots, the writers were trying to set up storylines that could play out over the longer lifespan that "Last Resort" isn't going to have. But the stuff on the island played to the show's strengths, while making Sam think his wife is dead so he'll have grief sex with the lovely Frenchwoman next door plays to the areas where the show has often been weakest.
What did everybody else think? And were you glad to have the COB back after a two-episode absence, or do you have a hard time believing he wouldn't have reported Serrat to Marcus?
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December 14, 2012 at 3:37AM EST Reply to CommentI just wish it was not canceled. I don't watch TV shows. But I watch this show.
the minister I do too...but this was a terrible episode.
December 14, 2012 at 9:50PM ESTMJ
December 14, 2012 at 3:46AM EST Reply to CommentWhy does the Chinese envoy have bruises on his face at the end of the episode?
T. There's a brief scene depicting him and his colleague being attacked, presumably to steal the supplies they were carrying.
December 14, 2012 at 5:57AM ESTThis show is moving at such breakneck pace (and not in a good way) that transitions get really awkward.
mgrabois
December 14, 2012 at 6:07AM EST Reply to CommentChristine wanted to come back to the island with Sam, but he told her no, it wasn't safe for her there, she should get to the airport.
sepinwall Yes, I recall that scene. It was silly, and there entirely to set up this latest twist.
December 14, 2012 at 6:37AM ESTJaxemer11 That made no sense at all. The U.S. government already renditioned her once. Does Sam think she is going to be welcomed with open arms when she gets back? The safest place for both of them is on the island together. She is wanted as much as he is.
December 15, 2012 at 12:24PM ESTBigNerd Why would the bounty be so much if Sam left the sub/island? It's not like he can control the sub or Marcus from a remote area.
December 19, 2012 at 12:16AM ESTAnd doesn't Sam realize if there is a bounty for him, and the US already abducted his wife (twice actually), then she would be in more danger anywhere but the sub/island?
But I still enjoy this show... too bad about it being canceled, but at least we will have closure (just don't do a Lost ending).
jon88
December 14, 2012 at 10:00AM EST Reply to CommentVery weird, choppy editing. Almost as if this was meant to be an extended, even two-part, episode, and they had to cut it down to an hour.
jason
December 14, 2012 at 10:23AM EST Reply to CommentI like the show, but the Sam / Christine / Paul /'lovely French woman' plot has been cringeworthy often & yes, let's see, send the hot blond woman out into the cruel world alone, or take her along, where both you and Crazy Marcus with his nukes to protect both you and her, that decision is not a difficult one, now is it? The island 'mayor' story is another really, really, really weak one. The Grace / Cobb story is coming around, and King is an awesome character, the show hits about .500, which is great in baseball, but not so good in TV.
the minister The Sub Show hits hard when it hits though. Some real home runs.
December 14, 2012 at 9:51PM ESTJobin00
December 14, 2012 at 1:12PM EST Reply to CommentVery disappointing, far too many short cuts are being taken, and pieces on the chess board are being moved far too obviously for the plot needs.
1) Christine dying would have been awesome, because it would have sent Sam into a tailspin, and he would have had to evalute what his new end game goal is. Instead we know its just a ploy to set up a love triangle thing.
2) Nevermind how did Ben and the other dude sneak around the blockade, how did Hopper get around the blockade and get all the way to Autumn Reeser character's in America?
3) Why was the whole business of the "who had the firing key" seemingly completely dropped so very quickly?
bitchstolemyremote I'm sure they'll come back to your third point. Same with the rape case where Hal just ran into the forest and hasn't been heard from since. It seems to take around 2 episodes to get back to stuff
December 14, 2012 at 4:01PM ESTMarioD
December 14, 2012 at 2:18PM EST Reply to CommentAlan, you're usually amazing at this, so I don't want to sound critical so much as helpful.
The photo is a pretty big spoiler. I haven't seen last night's episode but I'm pretty sure last week left off with Sam planning to go find his wife after she'd been dragged off by the newly arrived seal team. The picture of them together kind of gives away any sort of drama there might be in that effort.
Beekayz Fair point.
December 15, 2012 at 12:45AM ESTIt's one thing for people to get self-righteous if they click on a review/ recap for a show, but in this case I understand where you're coming from.
Maybe Not It's a little bit of a spoiler. But I saw the photo without having seen the episode, didn't closely scrutinize it, and went "Huh. Either he finds her or there's another flashback to them together." It's suggestive, sure. But I wouldn't necessarily call it a full-on spoiler.
December 16, 2012 at 12:19AM ESTJudge Holden
December 14, 2012 at 3:08PM EST Reply to CommentOh, Ronnie. Not to overtly echo previously made sentiments, but... Last we saw him, Hopper was leaving the 'family boat' with King and Sam, right? The moment he appeared in Washington, I went back to make sure I hadn't fallen asleep during a scene or two.
Oh well. David Rees Snell needs to get some real work, one of these days. Been a huge fan (particularly his nasal yet oddly commanding nasal voice) since Ronnie was allowed to say complete sentences on the Shield. I gotta say, though, if I were Snell I wouldn't know what to make of his role in Shawn Ryan's actor catalog. I mean, he spent most of this season in a coma. I doubt he'll make it to the finale, but I hope he goes out with a bang.
bitchstolemyremote
December 14, 2012 at 3:58PM EST Reply to CommentLike you, Alan, enjoyed the island drama (including the fine line Chaplin is now walking with the corporal punishment), but the Strike Back/24 vibe from the Kendall stuff was frustrating.
Our take: http://wp.me/p2MfmI-1SF
Jaxemer11
December 15, 2012 at 12:20PM EST Reply to CommentI like this show, but it could have been so much better. The premise is very interesting, but the execution hasn't always been great. I don't know if better execution would have saved it (hard to sit it being much better on a network), but I would have enjoyed it more.
I think their biggest problem was tying themselves down to the island so much. They have just been sitting there for who knows how long. What is the strategy? What are you doing to try to get home or to undermine the current administration? Shows like this demand some movement, and it never came. There has to be some plot, even if it stretches incredulity at times.
Jaxemer11
December 15, 2012 at 12:22PM EST Reply to CommentI wonder if this episode wasn't cut together from what was originally several episodes. Several scenes seemed a little disjointed, like where Sam goes from the casino to getting Christine in like 30 seconds.
Tim
December 20, 2012 at 8:39PM EST Reply to Commentwhy are all the good shows canceled that the junk left on. Last year Terra Nova was canceled now Last Resort, no wonder my family & I watch less TV
Yvonne
January 16, 2013 at 12:03PM EST Reply to CommentThis show has been a massive let down. The premise is really really good - the pilot was great, really exciting. However, its now just dead in the water (no pun intended). The plot is going absolutely nowhere and its just gone plain silly. There's hardly any explanation about what's going on in the States - which would have been great - someone all Aaorna Sorkin for God's sake - and notwithstanding that I know nothing about military what's the story with the French girl? One minute she can navagate a sub in a deep water trench, the next she doesn't the the difference between a boat and a ship. It's dreadful stuff. One more episode and I'm gone.