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« Jericho
Episode Recap: "Reconstruction"
Anyone who isn't familiar with premise of Jericho should read the "Strike Survival Guide" that I have written. When everyone is on the same page, let's all take a peek at the long awaited continuation to the Jericho saga!
Last year's finale ended with a cliffhanger showing the town of Jericho, Kansas fighting off the invading neighboring town of New Bern. But just as the "New Bern War" started, the screen went black and the end-credits began. It's no wonder that Jericho fans fought so hard to save the show.
"Reconstruction" briefly shows the casualties that were accumulated during the war (lots of explosions!!!), but it smartly moves past this to begin a new season's worth of storylines. Last season, the town of Jericho was faced with the obstacle of refashioning its society to survive the aftermath of a tragedy. Now, they are tested with a self-appointed government, The Allied States of America, attempting to reconfigure their civilization without the foundation of democracy!
Major Edward Beck is the capable and adept face of Jericho's military presence. Beck's principles were founded by his former regime, so he is too blind to understand the Allied States' actual motivations to "rehabilitate" Jericho. But when he does discover their true allegiance, I am certain that Beck will defect and assist the liberation of Jericho.
Meanwhile, Robert Hawkins has discovered that a high ranking government official named Valente is responsible for the nuclear attacks. Now a leader within the Allied States, Valente knows that an individual in close proximity to Jericho has evidence to incriminate him. However, Valente has yet to make the correlation that the individual he is searching for is actually Hawkins. Little was known about Robert Hawkins in Jericho's early episodes, but he would gradually become more prominent as the series progressed. He is easily my favorite character, because I admire the grey line that Hawkins constantly hovers over. Always questioning his actions, I am assured that he makes his decisions for the greater good.
How can I not mention Jake Green? The man who shares my initials and last name! It was a smart move for Jake to accept Beck's offer to become the next sheriff of Jericho. He is already considered by many to be Jericho's most heroic citizen, so his newfound authority will allow him to better protect Jericho from any threats from the Allied States.
Season Two ultimately won't be as satisfying as Season One simply because CBS ordered only seven episodes for this season. The massive cast of Jericho was displayed prominently throughout Season One because twenty-two episodes gave the show's creators ample space to develop their characters. This year's shortened season forces the creators to purge many of the extraneous character beats that would have deviated from the central story. Absent are characters like Dale, the teenage owner of the trading post, and even Hawkins' children are mentioned but not seen. The continuing love story of Stanley and Mimi, however, is full steam ahead as they take the first steps toward marriage. I have read that the creators of Jericho are planning on killing at least one character this season. If there is anything I have learned from watching an exorbitant amount of television, idyllic characters leads to dull television. With this romance going as far as it can go, one of these two characters will die before season's end. My money's on Stanley.
Want more reasons to watch Jericho? Heather's back! The Morse code in the opening minutes of every episode reveals more of the show's secrets! And the biggest reason to watch? This is a show that people love. Not like, LOVE! Not many shows can evoke this kind of a response from the public. Jericho exists for you!
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Feb 13, 2008 1:16 AM
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Well I must say that this was my first look at Jericho and I was very pleased. I'm glad to see Esai Morales on this kind of show consisting of drama and action. I will definitely watch the next episode. I suggest that others follow suit. Did you guys hear that the creator of "24" has left the show? So happy to hear the strike is over. Now we will all have to wait several weeks to see our favorite shows once more.
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Feb 13, 2008 1:50 AM
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Thought Jake looked a lot more scruffy/tuffy this season, with the understanding that he's indeed been through a lot. I was glad to see more of Hawkins' story.
But for me, Esai Morales made me sit up and really take notice. Big fan of his for years and I hadn't known until I saw him that he was going to be on Jericho.
Now I'm waiting to know what the morse code was for this episode.
I'm glad we're all back. Can't wait to read everyone's postings.
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Feb 13, 2008 2:01 AM
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Excellent recap! Hawkins is easily my favorite character as well. There may have been a few times I would have given up on Season 1 if it were not for his character. I was glad I had hung in there by the end of the season though.
I am with Pinkie (Hi Pinkie!)...I hope our good friend Husker is back for the 7 epis to fill us in on the morse code (if so...Hi Husker!) That was always interesting to know. Also looking forward to reading what everyone else thought.
It was a decent start to Season 2. It sure seems they will have to fit quite a bit in 7 episodes though. It certainly worked for Traveler (the quickened storyline,) so I am sure it will work here.
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Feb 13, 2008 5:25 AM
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My husband and I are VERY encouraged by the storyline...It really looks like things are going to be goood this season! I started watching Jericho because I've always liked Skeet U and NOW they have ANOTHER fav of mine, Esai Morales? I'm in heaven. Great writing tonight...esp with the lovebirds...soo funny, I love their characters and don't you DARE kill them off! Kill Skeet's brother. blah
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Feb 13, 2008 7:11 AM
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Eating peanuts!! A tribute to the fans....awesome. Thank you, Jericho.
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Feb 13, 2008 8:48 AM
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I've enjoyed this show from the beginning and I think this season got off to a great start. Probably even better than when the show launched--I get the impression they are going to make this 7-episode season very worthwhile to watch.
I have to say though that every time I see the new flag of the "Allied States" it really distrubs me. It's just...all wrong. You can even see the same thing on the faces of Jake and others when the flag is raised. I don't think they like it any more than I do heh. I'm normally not the sort to pay much attention to such things, but this one really irks me.
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Feb 13, 2008 9:11 AM
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On one hand, I wish that CBS had believed enough in the show to give it a full season. On the other, it would have been truncated by the strike, instead of being scripted as a 7-episode season, so CBS actually did the fans a favor there.
It was a good idea to pick up after the battle, with just a flashback to the major moments. I am glad that Major Beck realizes that New Bern was responsible for what happened, and I understand those in Jericho being enraged that New Bern is going to get off scot-free. I would like to know if New Bern also has a military presence, and if the citizens were told that they were going to be watched closely because of the hostile action they took. (My sense of justice is bugged by the fact that there seemingly won't be any. Blah, blah, reconciliation, blah, blah.)
Yay for Mimi, getting the bogus contract back, a tractor and seed, and a job offer. LOL I'm not completely sure of the motivations of the company, and maybe it would be good for Mimi to have inside info.
Interesting that one of Hawkins' former confederates is now working in the military group in Jericho, and that he is now working with Hawkins to figure out why the government is covering up the true origins of the attack, and possibly bring down the new government (I can't decide if that's a good or bad move.)
Next week: "President" George Newbern!
As for the Morse code, partway through the episode there was a promo with the phrase "Follow the Bomb"--could that be what the code was saying?
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Feb 13, 2008 9:35 AM
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P.S. Welcome back to all of my Jericho friends--I am looking forward to discussing the episodes with you all.
ikmartin--that flag really bothers me, too. I got a chill when Heather first spotted it last season, and it just looks menacing and wrong to me; a perversion of the US flag. Maybe it's supposed to make us feel that way, because it certainly seems to affect the residents of Jericho the same.
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Feb 13, 2008 9:40 AM
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I think that the company handling the rebuilding will come into play as well. I got the impression that Jake had some prior dealings with them. I loved Mimi taking care of her family.
The flag just bothers me every time I see it. It will be interesting to see how the town devide's when the truth comes out about the government, because there are people who will want to believe the propaganda.
I will miss the other characters that had to be dropped. It is the characters that made the town and their struggle so real. Hopefully there will be another season and they can bring them back.
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Feb 13, 2008 10:14 AM
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I thought Husker would have been here by this morning giving us the morse code today. We can't have a blog without your knowledge!! Doesn't seem the same.
I can do without a few of the characters from last year. Without a doubt, I didn't miss the teenagers or the creepy little Dale, the store owner.
I totally agree with everyone about the flag. And I'm glad we're in agreement. Patriotic Americans are rightly turned off by that.
(Hi to Jayhawk....nice to have a show to talk about again, huh?
And howdy to Monkey. You haven't blown away in this atrocious weather??)
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Feb 13, 2008 10:50 AM
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Hello all, I really missed this show. I did enjoy the compact cast but I will defintely miss Jake's parents. I do not miss the teenagers. I enjoyed watching Hawkins and his wife work as a team. I also enjoyed watching Esai Morales' character become the voice of reason.
We have to keep watching so that Jericho will get a Fall time slot!
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Feb 13, 2008 11:06 AM
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WOW - a full action packed hour that kept the continuity of last season going strong! Loved this episode - great to see Jake and Emily together. I hope that with the addition of Heather, things wont change between the two!
Stanley and Mimi are the heart and soul of this show! Great to see the two back and getting married!
Not to replace Husker but according to the CBS forum:
The morse code message at the beginning of last nights episode was "WE'RE BACK".
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Feb 13, 2008 11:14 AM
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Hey, Pinkie--I'm definitely tired of snow. The piles at the end of my driveway are almost as tall as I am. Can we order a helping of spring?
My husband was wondering last night where Stanley's sister was, and I told him that she was in the TV attic.  As for Dale, I'm fine with his disappearance, as well as his girlfriend and her little clique. Their scenes always felt like a waste of time last season--they could have made Dale's story interesting if he hadn't been turned into such a manipulative creep.
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Feb 13, 2008 11:14 AM
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Has anyone found how we did in the ratings last night?
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Feb 13, 2008 11:31 AM
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