CDR Tom Chandler (Eric Dane) is back in control of USS Nathan James and trying to figure out how he can rescue Capt. Slattery (Adam Baldwin) and his crew from the hands of the legendary pirate, Takehaya (Hiroyuki Sanada). At the same time he also needs to deliver the vaccines, investigate the rumored virus mutation, let the Chinese government distribute the vaccines and keep the pirates at bay who want to shred the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer into pieces.

"The Last Ship's" episode 5, titled "Minefield," will take Nathan James into a delicate situation as Chandler and his crew, or what remains of it, find themselves surrounded by mines. To make matters worse, pirates are hunting them down to put them out of commission for good.

Meanwhile, Slattery and his team are still being held captive by Takehaya in a far-flung jungle somewhere in Asia, siphoning out their blood. However, the former XO will also learn more about the supposed virus mutation happening in the region, Yibada reported.

Episode 6, "Dog Day," will focus on the political side of things, as President Jeffrey Michener (Mark Moses) will feel the pressure brought about by the incidents happening in Asia, which started in the previous episode. The President will be forced to take the risk in order to pacify the people questioning his presidency. This is also the first time that the series will incorporate a political angle.

Fans will also witness the execution of Chandler's final stage of his plan against the new foe.  This is another chance to put his naval tactics into use and get hold of the virus situation in Vietnam,  Movie News Guide added.

The recently concluded episode 4 explained why Takehaya extracted the bloods of Slattery and Command Master Chief Petty Officer Russell "Russ" Jeter (Charles Parnell), while Chandler gets to infiltrate President Peng's fortress back in the mainland. Wolf (Bren Foster) and Lau Hu (Stephen Oyoung) also met again for the second time and finished the fight that they have started in episode 3.

"The Last Ship" season 3 episode 5, "Minefield," airs on July 10 and episode 6, "Dog Day," airs on July 17, 9 p.m. EST on the TNT channel.