Tons of nuts later, Jericho reaches the rarefied status of brand spanking new eps [CBS, Tuesdays, 10/9C]. We get closure on the Jericho-New Bern war; a new central government makes itself known, and much more.
Jericho’s second season opens with Reconstruction, the episode that finds the armed forces of the new Allied States of America [with its weird new flag] stepping in to put a stop to the Jericho-New Bern conflict – and the changes come fast and furious.
The CO of the armed forces in Jericho wants Jake [Skeet Ulrich] to become the town’s new sheriff – if he can put his desire to kill New Bern’s Constantine. Meanwhile, Stanley [Brad Beyer] may be swindled out of his farm – unless Mimi [Alicia Coppola] can do something about it.
There’s a new supply source in town, too: Jennings & Rall, but they have a shady connection – the Ravenwood mercenaries who were kept out of Jericho last season. Will there be twists involving them and the man who failed to get them into Jericho last season? You better believe it.
It doesn’t take long for the new government to show signs of not being quite the same good ol’ USA, either. There are new history books for school; a face from last season wants Sarah Mason [remember her?] found and killed [“eliminated” is the word he uses].
Plus, of course, Lennie James’ character, Robert Dawkins, has to deal with the representatives of the new regime – something that he does in a most unusual and inspired manner, forging a possibly beneficial relationship with Major Beck [Esai Morales] of the ASA Marines.
In short, the upcoming seven eps of Jericho are going to start off with a bang and then keep on going. The show gets out of the gate so fast, you might need an oxygen mask to enable you to survive – but you certainly won’t be lacking for adrenaline. There’s enough action and tension-building moments in each of Jericho’s first three new eps to fuel half-a-dozen other series.
Episode 2, Condor, finds the President of the Allied States of America planning a “nation-wide” telecast from Stanley’s front porch, while the Secret Service has a minor crisis that has the citizens of Jericho frozen in place [so to speak].
Episode 3, Jennings & Rall, gives us the return of Ravenwood mentioned above – and, on a more peaceful note, gives Stanley’s sister, Bonnie [Shoshannah Stern, an opportunity to get a job.
With the official appearance of the Allied States of America as a player, this season, there are new characters, new agendas, new levels of suspense and new possibilities. The writing seems even sharper than last season and the relationships [old, new and possibly just about to be formed] are more interesting then other.
The first three eps are better developed than last season [which means the writers are now in peak form]; the direction is more focused and the cast is performing extremely well. There are so many arcs/threads/subplots that it seems amazing that they are all well served – but they are. By the conclusion of Jennings & Rall, I was ready to explode. Not too many series have that effect on me [Lost, Heroes, Galactica, Dexter], so I’m thinking the rest of the season should be pretty darned impressive.
Final Grade: A