Ep 1. In Medias Res

In the season 4 premiere of The Last Ship, titled "In Medias Res", the crew of the U.S.S. Nathan James finds themselves in a new world order. After months of battling a deadly virus that has wiped out most of the world's population, they've emerged victorious, but with a devastating cost. The ship's captain, Tom Chandler, is left to grapple with the aftermath of their mission as he struggles to define the new role his crew must play in this changed world.

The episode begins with a flashback to six months earlier, just after the Nathan James had arrived in Southeast Asia to begin its mission to find a cure for the Red Flu virus. Chandler and his crew are greeted by their allies in the region, including the Philippine Navy and a group of Chinese scientists. They discuss the challenges that lie ahead and the importance of working together to end the pandemic.

Fast forward to present day, and the crew of the Nathan James is sailing home to the United States. They've succeeded in finding the cure, but not before some major losses, including the death of several crew members, one of whom was a close friend of Chandler's. The ship is also damaged and in need of repair, and the crew is weary from their months at sea.

Once they arrive back in the U.S., they're disheartened to find that the world they left behind has changed dramatically. Government structures have collapsed, chaos reigns, and the small pockets of survivors are struggling to rebuild. Chandler and his crew are faced with a new mission: to help rebuild and restore order, using the strength and skills they've developed during their time at sea.

To complicate matters, there are new players on the scene, including a group of militiamen who are determined to take control of their territories. Chandler and his crew must navigate this new reality and figure out how they fit into it.

As the episode progresses, we see Chandler struggling to come to terms with the loss of his friend and the fact that the mission he dedicated his life to is over. He grapples with questions of purpose and meaning, and begins to wonder if there's a way to make sense of the chaos that surrounds them.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew is adjusting to life on land and dealing with their own personal struggles. Some are grappling with the death of loved ones, while others are trying to reconnect with family members they haven't seen in months. It's an emotional time for everyone, as they begin to rebuild their lives and start thinking about what comes next.

"In Medias Res" sets the stage for what promises to be an intense and exciting season of The Last Ship. With a new mission and a new set of challenges, Chandler and his crew will be pushed to their limits as they navigate this new world order. But one thing is clear: no matter what lies ahead, they'll face it together, as a strong and resilient team.