Customer Reviews

Jericho - The Second Season

5 star:		(103)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Jericho" is unlike any series I've ever watched. I love the balance of action and suspense with realistic, multi-dimensional characters and complex relationships. Season 2 has given us a fast-paced story, but not without the flavor that we came to love in Season 1. Each episode in this serialized drama is well-written and brought to life by a talented cast and crew. "Jericho" is a show that my husband, my son, and I all enjoy--and there aren't too many series that we all like! Can't wait for the DVD.

There are only two network television shows that are must-see for me: LOST and JERICHO. Jericho's Season 2 is outstanding -- gripping, suspenseful. The Allied States of America (the new government tightening its control west of the Mississippi) won applause by putting the power and cell phones back on but Jericho's residents soon discover that the government and its henchmen defense contractor -- Ravenwood -- are as brutal as they are efficient. In the spirit of America's Revolutionaries of the 1770s and the French Resistance of World War II, Jericho's Rangers take it upon themselves to fight the new tyranny, expose the terrorists and try to keep Texas from aligning with the ASA. Each episode is dense, dramatic and advances the story. Watch Season 1 first and then settle in for a rollercoaster ride with Season 2.

I love thought provoking shows. Jericho is the best out there since West Wing, Star Trek and M*A*S*H* aren't in production any longer, just there in re-run land. I like it far better than Lost - I find myself thinking how would I do this or that? What would my family do? What would my town do? Would we pull together or turn against each other? The best of humanity is right here on Jericho!
Karen
Davie, FL

Jericho is a well written, thought provoking production that takes place during our own time, not a futuristic work of fiction. The characters are true to life, well portrayed by the actors and the action keeps you on the edge of your seat and coming back week after week. It's like a good novel you can't put down until you reach the end. Hopefully, we will be able to save it and this month won't be the end. Spread the word once you discover Jericho and help us Rangers keep the show from extinction.

Suspenseful, thought provoking, dramatic keeps you on the edge of your seat. TV was never better.

I was intrigued by the premise because my favorite novel is Alas Babylon by Pat Frank. While the first half of the season had its time to gel, it was still well done and intriguing. By episode six I couldn't stop watching. Season two has been edge of your seat, nail biting drama and insanely gripping. I've rarely experienced such emotional tv viewing. Each season has a different flavor (season two is action packed by dint of fitting a full season in 7 episodes, but it is well paced and marvelously done. You can tell it is a labor of love) but each is as addicting. I can only hope there is a season three at least *somewhere* because the story is one that can go MANY places. It's all worth owning. Great show. Great cast. Great production staff.

Season 1 of "Jericho" had one of the most unique, engaging premises ever seen on TV, and I was hooked instantly -- as are dozens of my friends and family members. Then, along comes Season 2, and BAM! It's more power-packed than its predecessor. There are no words to describe how this show will pull you in and make you care about the residents of Jericho! If you haven't checked it out yet, don't waste another minute.

Season one of Jericho explored what has to be one of the scariest questions to modern society: what would happen in the aftermath of a nuclear attack? As this show attempted to answer that question, it explored many themes having to do with the breakdown of society and it did so in a very human and realistic way. It was excellent television and I didn't see how it could possibly be undone.

Thank heavens for all the Jericho fans and their nuts. When CBS was convinced to allow the series to come back, it proved that the decision was an excellent one. The first episode or two left me a bit uneasy and disappointed; it seemed as though the show had gotten off track. However, from that point on the show just accelerated like an out of control train until the absolutely breathtaking conclusion. I understand the show will not be back for another year and that's tragic because season two was even more intelligent and engaging than the first.

The central theme of season two has to do with the differing factions that begin to rise and compete for control of what remains of the former United States. One of the factions rolls into town and it appears that Jericho is saved. They provide the citizens with food, help restore electricity and water, help restore such basic services in the town as schools and the clinic, and raise the overall quality of life immeasurably. Finally, it seems as though things are back to normal--as normal as they can be in the wake of the nuclear devastation that has wiped out millions and changed the face of the country forever.

However, it appears that there is also a shadowy underbelly to this new government. While they do have a military, much of their security is provided by a seemingly independent contractor named Ravenwood. This is clearly a thinly veiled reference to the all-too-real Blackwater and serves to raise some very current issues, most importantly, is it a good idea to rely on a private army that isn't subject to the same laws and discipline as our nation's army? When Ravenwood marches into Jericho, it's not the first time many of the characters have encountered the organization and we are reintroduced to quite possibly the most chilling villain in TV: John Goetz, wonderfully portrayed by D.B. Sweeney. Though Goetz only appears in a handful of episodes, he is emblematic of the problems that occur when a shadowy organization is given carte blanche in the interest of security.

While doing their best to fend off Ravenwood, Hawkins and Jake continue their quest to try to uncover the identities of those responsible for the nuclear attacks. The closer they get to finding the source, the more frightening things get and the more they find their lives threatened. There is a great deal of intrigue surrounding the mystery and when they finally uncover the truth, it is devastating.

Meanwhile, the legitimacy of the seemingly benevolent new government is being called into question. We are introduced to Major Beck, a patriot who suffers a crisis of conscience when he begins to question the justness of his superior's orders and, eventually, to question just whether those to whom he answers are truly the good guys. Along with the major, the townspeople find themselves increasingly uneasy about the state of things as they begin to uncover some very underhanded attempts on the part of the government to manipulate history a bit. An especially alarming example of this comes about when Emily, the school teacher, discovers that the new history books the school has been issued have a rather questionable view of "history". Given how history has been manipulated through the ages, this is a scary example of how easily those in power can ultimately alter the course of a nation.

A lot of the tension in the season comes from the struggles of the townspeople as they do their best to stand up to what they increasingly come to believe is a corrupt government, one with alarmingly close ties to a major corporation. They must make many moral choices and expose themselves to danger as their attempts to stand up for what they believe to be just results in their being labeled insurgents. There are some deaths and there are characters who lose a great deal.

It was a relief to see that the show trimmed a lot of the fat, such as the uninteresting relationship between Eric and Mary and the tantrums of "rebel" teens Dale and Skylar, and started to concentrate more on the story and the humanity of its characters. The political intrigue was breathtaking and the bravery of the characters an example of what happens when the common man stands up for what he believes. It's a crying shame that television this intelligent is a rarity but the existence of this show is something of a ray of hope. Perhaps we will see more shows of this caliber in the future.

I can't remember the last time that I was so excited about a television show. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have EVER been so excited about a televsion show like I am for Jericho. This show keeps you on the edge both with plot and character development. It's really a fantastic show. NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just watched the 1st season on DVD and the 2nd season on CBS.com
Awesome show! It's the best I've seen in a long time. CBS is nuts if they shut it down now. Quality shows like this are few and far between. Let's support Jericho by telling everyone to watch it. See you at Bailey's Tavern, Jake!!