Sunday Seven on Monday. So let's make it 8.
Ok, so ABC didn’t renew Last Resort. Bastards! It took me awhile to warm up the the show, but now I'm hooked. Here's why.
Seven Ok, Eight Reasons I love Last Resort
Terrific actors-and characters:
- Andre Braugher, of course. He's the reason I wanted to watch the show. He's a commanding presence, playing the smart, savvy, and honorable CO, Captain Marcus Chaplin. Ah, but is he crazy? Or just crazy enough?
Andre Braugher as CAPT Marcus Chaplin
- Robert Patrick (yes, T1000 Robert Patrick!) as Chief of the Boat (COB) Master Chief Joseph Prosser. He was terribly contentious in the first two episodes, but he's softened a bit. Heck, he's even developed respect for the crew's senior female officer, LT Grace Shepard. He's nearly everything a COB should be. And he gets the best lines.
Robert Patrick as COB Joseph Prosser - Scott Speedman as XO LCDR Sam Kendal. Also smart and honorable, he's a little more hot-headed than his CO. He's the "people person" who cares greatly about his sailors. He's been loyal to Chaplin and they've enjoyed a great rapport.
Scott Speedman as LCDR Sam Kendal
Girl power:
- LT Grace Shepard, daughter of a Navy Admiral and third senior officer on the Colorado, has proven she's tough (having been nearly killed by a Russian special operative), capable (commanding the Colorado on a dangerous mission), and not afraid to make tough decisions (leaving Navy SEAL James King to die in order to save the life of her crew).
Daisy Betts as LT Grace Shepard - Back in the U.S. of A., two previously boring and/or obnoxious characters team up to become better than the sum of their parts. Sam Kendal’s wife Christine is branded a traitor along with her husband. When she lashes out at reporters, she gains the attention of Kylie Sinclair, a privileged defense contractor with a prototype “cloaking device” (my words) on board the Colorado. Both know the government is lying and set out to prove it.
Jessy Schram as Christine Kendal and Autumn Reeser as Kylie Sinclair
Great chemistry:
- Ordinarily, we think of male/female chemistry, but the relationship of CO and XO is unique. Braugher and Speedman both interviewed they'd never experienced a relationship like theirs before. Chaplin and Kendal respect each other immensely. They challenge each other, and pick each other up when needed.
Don't worry, there also great male-female chemistry. Happily married Sam Kendal finds himself attracted to Sophie Girard, the beautiful French scientist in charge of the NATO Early Warning Station. The feeling is mutual, although Sophie's not burdened by a significant other. While in a drug-induced stupor, Sam hallucinated he was with Christine, but was actually kissing Sophie.
Camille De Pazzis as Sophie Girard
And then there's just pure lust. SEAL James King has developed a "good" relationship with island bartender Tani. But he has a contentious relationship with LT Grace Shepard, the Colorado's senior female officer. She wants to know what the SEALs did in Pakistan; he points out her weaknesses whenever he can. After they defuse a bomb together, they have hot "I'm still alive!" sex on the beach. It was beautiful to behold.
Daniel Lissing as Navy SEAL James King
And I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. Stay tuned for more in my own personal Last Resort media blitz.
[All photos courtesy of ABC]