Today's Entertainment

2 • August 9 - 15, 2015 • Brainerd Dispatch By Cassie Dresch TV Media A bout this time last year, I won- dered if it was possible to sur- vive a devastating pandemic that decimates the world's population if you were isolated from it. Today, we have our answer: definitely! But not without some major fall- out. "The Last Ship" battens down the hatches and charges full steam ahead when a new episode airs Sunday, Aug. 9, on TNT. With only a few episodes left in season 2, it's safe to say that much has transpired since "The Last Ship" set sail on its first season last year. From a global pandemic to cures to armed mercenaries to a group of immunes, the USS Na- than James's crew has faced its fair share of challenges. The immunes have been a big plot point this season, providing most of the opposition for the commanding officer, Cmdr. Tom Chandler (Eric Dane, "Grey's Anat- omy"), Dr. Rachel Scott (Rhona Mi- tra, "Boston Legal"), XO Mike Slattery (Adam Baldwin, "Chuck") and the rest of the crew. The im- munes, who aren't affected by the virus that wiped out 80 per cent of the world's population, believe they are a chosen few meant to in- herit the Earth due to their natural immunity and don't want the vac- cine shared. It definitely sounds like some crazy sci-fi conspiracy theory when it's laid out in front of you. What's actually crazy to think about, though, is that this kind of situa- tion could very well happen today, something that's not lost on Dane, who cites a recent viral outbreak as a prime example. "I think 30 years ago, this would have been science fiction, and now it's somewhat probable," Dane said in an interview with "Today." "The Ebola outbreak was pretty isolated, but had that hap- pened in a densely populated area with people flying in and out, we [humanity] would have been a wrap." Thankfully, that's not the case and we can still look at "The Last Ship" as another piece of fiction — well, sort of. One aspect of the drama that really stands out is how faithful the show is to the ac- tual U.S. Navy, so much so that the Navy is heavily involved in the se- ries in more ways than one. "The Navy has been incredibly supportive and excited," executive producer Hank Steinberg said in an interview with FOX411 at San Diego Comic-Con 2015. "We had a big premiere in Washington, D.C., where thousands of mili- tary people showed up. The secretary of the Navy [Ray Mabus] himself has been to our set and actually re- corded a cameo. It's the episode where they find the message that was buried in the files of the White House. The guy who's playing the secre- tary of the Navy is the real sec- retary of the Navy." Aside from cameos, "The Last Ship" also does a lot of its filming on actual ships, including a hospi- tal ship that was featured in an ep- isode last month. This kind of sup- port has been crucial to the suc- cess of the show, according to Dane in the "Today" interview. "We get a lot of support from the Navy," he said. "We are forev- er indebted to them; they have been absolute sports about this. Shooting on a naval destroyer is interesting because you're on a $3 billion ship — you better take care of it — and once you put on the uniform and sit in the captain's chair, it really helps [give you a feel for things]." It's not only on screen that the Navy features prominently, either. The cast undergoes a lot of inten- sive physical training to give them an idea of what it's like in the Navy and how the personnel behave, and that was something Travis Van Winkle ("Transformers," 2007), who stars as Lt. Danny Green, told a panel at SDCC 2015 he couldn't wait to get started on. "I threw myself in," he said. "I was just so excited to have a gun in my hand and then someone helping me out with all of the dif- ferent moves and the strategies and all the different formations. It was a lot of fun, and it's still fun because we're learning every day that we're on set. I refine a lot of my skill sets every day." Van Winkle adds that while it's a fun time all around doing this sort of gig, he's trying to pay hom- age to the men and women who dutifully serve their country in real life. "I just hope that I can emulate them in a way where they would go, 'Oh yeah, he could be in the Navy,'" he said. "There's no way I could ever do what they really do, and we have to tip our hats to them for being in service the way that they are. But to be able to play them on TV, I want to repre- sent them in a positive light. I usu- ally listen to everything the Navy SEALS on set say and I usually have them repeat themselves be- cause I really want to get it right." Batten down the hatches and charge full steam ahead as a new episode of "The Last Ship" airs Sunday, Aug. 9, on TNT. Rhona Mitra as seen in "The Last Ship" All hands on deck 'The Last Ship' steams through its second season Cover Story this week 001288392r1 "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." FREE Delivery in our service area! • 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 Sat. 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd • 218-829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Medica, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service FOUR WHEELED WALKER Seat and Braking System, variety of styles, sizes, colors available. • Totally Adjustable • Ergonomically Designed • Ultra Compact Now Available for Rent Both chair & table top options Now Available for Rent Attention: Eye Surgery Patients Family Visiting? Need a Wheelchair, Walker, Hospital Bed, Commode, Shower Bench, Any other Medical Equipment...Call or Stop In. Short Term or Long term Rental Available. Goodbye Crutches… HELLO FREEDOM!! Stay Active As You Heal! Sales & Rentals Available. 501 W Washington St, Brainerd | Ph: 218-828-1823 Free Pick Up & Delivery or Loaner Cars Available. We Can Do That! THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SERVE YOU FOR OVER 30 YEARS! THURS, AUG 13 • 11am-2pm HOT DOGS, BRATS, POP! • COME VISIT US! CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SPECIAL 5 OIL CHANGES $79.99 Oil Change Club Coupon Purchase oil change club book 4 pack, containing additional coupons, receive FREE oil change same day! Expires 8-15-15 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY! 001287968r1

• Cover