Last Resort: The Complete Series

This high-concept 2012-13 TV series about an American submarine crew that refuses to unleash nuclear war—instead taking refuge on a tropical island—was cancelled early, but the dense mix of political conspiracy, military duty, and patriotic responsibility drew its share of fans. Created by Shawn Ryan (The Shield), Last Resort stars Andre Braugher as Capt. Marcus Chaplin, fearless commander of an experimental vessel, and Scott Speedman as loyal executive officer Sam Kendal—partners in a struggle to keep their conflicted team together after being attacked by their own side and going rogue with their cache of missiles in a very public confrontation with the U.S. government. The drama reaches back to D.C. as the series zigs and zags between undercover experiments, secret missions, attempted coups (both on the island and in the White House), and psychological warfare. Serving up lots of action, dense plotting, and complicated conflicts, the show benefited from ABC putting a lot of resources behind it (including shooting in Hawaii). Although it ended prematurely, the producers tacked on a finale for a sense of closure, but it's more gesture than satisfying storytelling. Compiling all 13 episodes, extras include behind-the-scene featurettes. Optional. (S. Axmaker)