Co-creator of ‘Last Resort’ looks beyond the Nielsens

When it comes to evaluating the success of their show, the creators of ABC’s "Last Resort" don’t shy away from the lukewarm Nielsen numbers it has received. But they’re also not shy when it comes to praising the drama they’ve created.

It’s a good strategy for sanity. In the high-stakes world of network television, where nothing is a sure thing, realism and optimism are necessary survival skills.

And the critically acclaimed "Last Resort," which is shot in Hawaii, has yet to receive the go-ahead to produce episodes beyond its initial 13-show order.

"Creatively, I’m very happy," said Shawn Ryan, co-creator and one of three executive producers on the show. "Commercially, you would love to be a bigger hit, and you would love more people to watch. We are focused on how to get more people to watch it. But it is a show that I am very, very proud of and that the network is very, very proud of."

The plot is a political thriller. The crew of a U.S. ballistic missile submarine goes on the run after being attacked by their own government. They find refuge — sort of — on a small island and warn the world not to attack or risk the wrath of a sub full of nuclear missiles.

"Last Resort" hasn’t attracted large audiences through its first five episodes. It premiered in September to about 9 million viewers but has lost viewers every week since. It didn’t air last week, but the Oct. 25 episode drew only 6.5 million viewers despite being the show’s most intense hour yet.

If Ryan is worried, it doesn’t show.

"I don’t think this show is in need of a creative course correction," Ryan said during a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "I think it is a show that rewards those viewers who invest in the characters. And the character work is getting deeper and richer as the episodes go on."

But the first few weeks are full of growing pains, said Ryan, who created "The Shield" and also worked on "The Unit."

"You start to get into the rhythm of how to do it right," he said. "The characters deepen, and you can figure out what is really pleasing."

The show stars Andre Braugher as Capt. Marcus Chaplin and Scott Speedman as his executive officer, Sam Kendal. The two actors have an evolving chemistry that’s delivered strong moments of television, Ryan said. The same has been true for Robert Patrick’s gruff, patriotic character, Master Chief Joseph Prosser.

"You begin to see which elements really play well together … and find those stories that can take advantage of that," Ryan said.

There’s no deadline for ABC — or the company that produces the show, Sony Pictures Television — to decide the fate of "Last Resort," but it would not surprise anyone if that happened soon. The series is shooting its eighth episode and, if it stays on schedule, would finish its 12th episode in December before taking a holiday break.

Perhaps a point in the show’s favor is a detail noted every week when ABC releases the Nielsen numbers. The show consistently draws more viewers than previous shows in that time slot. It also gains millions of viewers who watch it on their digital video recording devices.

Ryan sees it this way: "Last Resort" can’t be viewed in a vacuum.

"I don’t think you can react to these network numbers," he said. "Plus, TV shows are a bit like the Titanic. They don’t turn quickly."

No they don’t. But they do sink.

AND that’s a wrap. …

Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.