The Last Ship “Cry Havoc” 

Is your head still spinning?

On this week’s episode of The Last Ship, “Cry Havoc,” everything the crew has been working toward comes to a head.

The crew of the Nathan James plays a game of cat and mouse with the immunes’ submarine, but not before getting Dr. Scott, the President, and the cure safely on land. That separation leads to a few emotional goodbyes, including one between Green and Foster, who are still expecting their first child together.

Kara Foster: “Don’t you dare make me raise this child by myself.”

What’s been most disappointing about this season is that the size of the cast, and the show as a whole, has overshadowed some of the personal details. Not that I’m looking for a soap opera here, and not that a few good explosions don’t make for a fun hour of television, but there’s a lot at stake for these characters that I’d like to see developed further. In particular, I think Green and Foster’s relationship and the child they are expecting deserve more attention. Still, you can’t say this scene doesn’t bring on a few tears.

Chandler gives a note to Slattery, quietly telling him to give it to his family. Earlier in the season, Chandler had all intentions of staying home with them, not be separated from his children again. There’s so much at stake for him, maybe now more than ever.

There’s also that complicated relationship between Dr. Scott and Captain Chandler. I know I’m not imagining the chemistry between them, and the last look they share as Dr. Scott leaves the ship is particularly telling.

Tex: “Hardest things about goodbyes – all the things you didn’t say.”

But these moments aren’t the focus of the episode. The battle with Ramsey, the bloody battle on land, and the spreading of the cure: those are the really important details.

Dr. Scott may have crossed a line with Neils, but what she did gave her the ability to cure a sick child with a hug in a beautiful scene that carries with it some heavy symbolism. The cure becomes compassion and affection in and of itself through that act. Too convenient? Maybe. But it’s also kind of perfect.

After that, there’s gunfire and bloodshed in the worst possible way. I’d detail it all here, but I’ll admit to the fact that I had to cover my eyes a few times, especially with the whole finger in the gunshot wound thing. I mean, really? But a group led by Slattery, Tex, and Green, who have all done a pretty fabulous job of kicking ass this season, isn’t going to go down that easily. They win their battle on land, but Chandler and the rest of the crew wins their battle at sea.

Yes, the Nathan James is hit (it was bound to happen sometime) but that’s nothing compared to what happens to the sub.

Chandler: “Come on, kick it into overdrive. I got a surprise for ya.”

They take out the sub, though we’re left at the end of the episode with a still very alive Sean Ramsey.

And that, kids, is bound to make for an interesting season finale.

What did you think of this episode of The Last Ship? Share your thoughts in the comment below!

The season 2 finale of The Last Ship airs this Sunday, September 6th at 9/8c on TNT.