The moment I heard there was going to be a TV show about how people survive nuclear bombs falling on American cities, I knew I was in. Yeah, yeah, the truth is I kinda love apocalyptic TV shows and there are far too few of them. (Make that none.)
I'm glad Jericho survived the initial critics' speculation that it would die a swift death. Instead, it has become CBS' modest hit - even if it pales in comparison with shows like Heroes and Lost, which I've given up on.
Heading the cast is Skeet Ulrich who plays prodigal son Jake Green. He returns to the small town of Jericho after a mysterious five-year absence. I only remember Ulrich as the guy who always plays jerk boyfriends (one in Scream and the other in that movie about witches). However, he is simply magnetic here (here's my fan girl side speaking) and when he came out of the shower dripping wet, wearing only a towel in Episode 5, I was sold.
Okay, besides me liking Skeet, I enjoyed watching the web of relationships evolve in Jericho after the disaster. I like prodigal son stories so I enjoyed watching the dynamics between Jake, the Green patriarch, Jonathan, and Jake's older brother.
So far, Jake is proving himself to be a natural leader in a town that once regarded him as a troublemaker. The haunting question is what did he do the five years he was missing? It’s like background noise in each episode. Jake, for one, seems to have skills that hint he was in the military, or at least part of some kind of militia. Was he on the side of the good or bad during those years? And why is he so reluctant for others to know?
The most common complaint against this show right now is that it's too unrealistic. (Believe me, if it was realistic, we'd be too darn depressed to watch it.) Why do the town people still gather around the town centre like normal after the disaster? Why are they still having Thanksgiving celebrations?
Article comments
1 - handyguy
I find myself fast-forwarding through a lot of the soapy stuff [who's in love with whom] to get to the bigger plot, which moves along at about 1-2 revelations per episode. The mysterious parachute drops of food and supplies and the unexpected muder that closed this week's episode...this is what keeps me watching. That plus sexy, cool Skeet.
2 - Grace
You must have missed Emily drive the truck with the generator on it out of Jonah's gates in RED FLAG.
Who is Jonathan?
3 - Paul
I think Jericho is great. I like seeing the "evil" side of the town folks like Gray Anderson and Gracie. This show has a lot of potential and I'm watching it to the end.
4 - callel
I like this show because it just keeps getting better and better. More information is being revealed about the character of Mr. Hawkins and I just waant to know more about what that guy is really all about.
5 - Casey
Jericho is my FAVORITE show of all shows and I LOVE Skeet Ulrich. I can't wait until next Wensday when the season final comes on. On Febuary 21th 2007 the season premire comes on and on th 14th of Febuary 2007 there is a recap episode. I LOVE SKEET ULRICH AND JERICHO. :):):):) Also, I almost cried when Gracie died! :(:(
6 - sunryse
Is it me or are the women staying at home preparing Thanksgiving dinners and imaginary weddings while the men protect the town and do all the macho stuff? Have the women do something besides cooking and preparing for parties because this is pissing off some women viewers!
Considering that a great majority of Thursday's Thanksgiving dinners were still prepared by women I don't see it so much as "patriarchical" but as realistic.
As someone above pointed out Emily did go steal the truck with the generator. April is a doctor, not "just" a nurse. Heather in one of the early episodes knew about wiring, cars and how to fix an engine. Plus Gracie and Mary Bailey are business owners.
I think the show has struck a pretty fair balance between real world reality and fantasy wishes in the portrayal of women on the show. I for one am a work from home traditional woman, wife and mother. If all the women on the show were men with vigina's it would lose me as a viewer just because I couldn't relate to them. As I see it, Gail and Darcy Hawkins (the only two women that made Thanksgiving dinner) are me.
Plus how could you forget Stanley's version of Thanksgiving? He's the one that made the drinks.
7 - Lola
I was prepared to love this show from the start since I am a Skeet Ulrich fan. It surpassed my expectations and I find myself on the edge of my seat while watching. The cast and story are getting stronger each week and I'm thrilled that CBS has shown it's support!