'Last Resort' is Cancelled Despite Its Brilliance

'Last Resort' is Cancelled Despite its Brilliance

The cover art for ABC's 'Last Resort'

Last Resort is, what I believe to be, the best new television series of 2012. I think this show had the potential to rival perennial favorites such as AMC's "The Walking Dead" (Of which I am an avid fan) and CBS's NCIS (Of which I am also an avid fan). I loved this show so much, not simply because of its cast or because of its writing, but because of the ingenuity and innovation seen in its premise. That is why I was really disappointed to learn that ABC plans to cancel the series once it finishes its 13 episode run.
The show tells the story of the renegade crew of the U.S.S. Colorado, a nuclear submarine. After receiving a fire order through an emergency channel, the captain of the boat, Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) questions the order, and asks that it be confirmed. After refusing to fire until receiving proper confirmation, Chaplin is relieved of command by then Secretary of Defense, William Curry. Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman), the ship's second-in-command, is then given reign over the boat. After he too questions the order, the U.S.S. Colorado is fired upon by an American submarine. Then, two nuclear missiles are launched on Pakistan. Chaplin parks his submarine on the small island of San Marina, and he and his crew declare themselves a sovereign nation with nuclear capabilities. This all happens in the first episode. Yes, the show is that good.

The premise of this show's pilot was so unique and shocking, that I couldn't help but to tune in and watch. I wasn't disappointed. Never has so daring and so captivating a television series existed. Even the first episode had a completely developed beginning, middle and end, leaving all of the viewers salivating for more. And yet, after only 10 episodes, the show has been dropped by ABC. And although it is unequivocally the best show of the many that have premiered this fall season, it has fallen, just as several other new series have.



Outsourced was released in 2010

 Travesties like this are what really frustrate me about the television industry. Great new shows are often cancelled, simply because they cannot attract the views that big shows like CBS's 'Two and Half Men' can. One of my favorite shows from NBC was the comedy series 'Outsourced', about a guy who was outsourced to a call center in India by his American-owned company. The show was hilarious, and yet, got canceled because it couldn't compete with the monopolies of the industry.

I understand that the television industry requires big views in a small amount of time. But I feel like sometimes, networks cut shows short without giving them a chance to flourish. I just know that 'Last Resort' could have become a smash hit had it been given more time. I may, however, be speaking from the bias of a true fan. But some shows are just too good to be cancelled. And 'Last Resort' was definitely one of them.