The Last Ship

When a fast-moving global pandemic wipes out roughly eighty percent of the world's population, the crew of a U.S. Navy destroyer find themselves among the few survivors. Cut off from shore, Commander Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) and his officers, including XO Mike Slattery (Adam Baldwin), must secure their ship, protect their people, and race to identify and deliver a medical solution to a ravaged world. Along the way they deal with dwindling resources, fractured civil authority, and hostile groups on land, while the ship becomes a mobile stronghold and research platform. The show balances high-stakes naval operations with the daily strain of leadership, moral choices, and the hope of rebuilding society without giving away major plot twists, and long-term strain.

Premiering in 2014, The Last Ship was created by Steven Kane and Hank Steinberg, loosely adapted from William Brinkley's 1988 novel, and stars Eric Dane and Adam Baldwin as the ship's commanding officers in a modernized pandemic thriller television series.

While it didn’t dominate major awards circuits, the series picked up nominations from television and genre organizations, and individual performances were frequently highlighted. Fans and some critics praised the cast's chemistry, stunt work, and the show's commitment to action-driven storytelling across multiple seasons.

Its central scenario and naval focus made the series a go-to reference in conversations about fictional pandemics and emergency leadership, especially during real-world outbreaks. Memorable shipboard sequences and a tone that mixed procedure with survival drama helped it find a steady genre audience and inspired discussion in pop culture circles.

Overall critical response was mixed to positive, averaging about 6.8/10 from viewers. Reviewers often praised the show's energy, tight pacing, and moral dilemmas, while noting uneven character development at times. Core themes include leadership under pressure, communal responsibility, the limits of authority, and the cost of survival.