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« Jericho
May 9, 2007: "Nuts"
If finales are supposed to bring all the emotion from the season and combine it with a few answers, a tragedy and a reason to know more, Jericho rose to the occasion — at least for me. There was no teenager story line, there was no Mary Bailey hanging off Eric's arm, there were no bad decisions from Gray. This was for the leaders. "You can go straight to hell."
I'm still in shock as I mourn Johnston's death and so upset that he was the one to go. I knew a big death was coming, someone major, someone whose death would upset most viewers, but what are we going to do without Gerald McRaney? When that tank rolled in, I felt victorious from my couch… until I saw Papa Green barely moving. I guess this is Jake's time to step up and make a stand. Defend his home.
Again, this episode was shot really well. I really liked how they mixed in the scenes from Eric's wedding with the present day. Two of those interconnected scenes stood out for me: Jake's best-man speech combined with his silent stance on that front porch after his father died, and Johnston talking to him outside the reception combined with Jake mustering up the strength to fight New Bern for another round. "Doing what you feel like doing and doing what needs to be done are two different things." With that line alone, the episode was perfectly blended with past and present.
I didn't like the old Jake as much as the new one. That slicked-back 'do doesn’t work as well for him. Clearly a drunken embarrassment to his family, it was sad to see how Jake broke away from his family, particularly Eric, and became such a loner. But then to see the brothers shoulder to shoulder during the New Bern attack was comforting. "I've got your back."
There were many parts of this finale that I felt were maneuvered brilliantly. The camera panning down the long line of New Bern trucks curving around the bend, Johnston's reaction when Hawkins revealed he had a satellite — after all, they were going to war with the town holding the nearest Costco (loved the line!) — Darcy slamming down the laptop, Jake walking up to Emily and kissing her before going back to fight another round, the gravesite scene with Mimi, Stanley and Bonnie. Leave it to Stanley to let a joke seep through a serious moment, but it was endearing and exactly what needed to be said before such a heavy situation unfolded. There's the dream of growing old together, having kids of their own and the possibility of a renewed life, but reality was too dark of a cloud to feel too hopeful. "Jake, I don't wanna die today." Such a short line, but it radiated so much feeling.
Also, Darcy knowing Hawkins' secrets was a great part of this ending. Their whole discussion about being tracked down was an unusual exchange between the two of them, considering Hawkins had been speaking so vaguely to his wife in every other episode. So I like the fact that Darcy's in on the secret, even if she doesn't know every single detail.
Meanwhile, out in Nebraska, Heather's a lost soul at Camp Liberty (who came up with that name?) and revealing information to the wrong people. Valente zeroing in on Hawkins' location and Heather's news of New Bern's plans make for a nasty combination. Those helicopters flying over Jericho at the end were just the beginning of something huge. Seeing that new American flag was like seeing an opening shot of the next season. There's so much more to the story, so much aftermath of the mushroom cloud that we haven't seen yet.
Will you want to continue watching without Johnston in the picture? It will be difficult for me to move on from his sudden farewell, but I'm attached enough to want more answers and see what Jake can do. This show was shaky at the start, really capturing its greatest potential in the second half of the season. But the cast has really impressed me, along with the writing and directing. Well done, CBS.
One question, though: what happened to Maggie?
Watch clips of Jericho in our Online Video Guide.
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May 9, 2007 11:35 PM
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"Oh Johnston. Everyone knew he was the doomed one, but I was still holding out for Dale (I'll digress since he didn't have a line this ep). The two flashbacks that Megan mentioned were really good, but I liked the foreshadowing from the WW2 story by Jake's grandfather (who was he? anyone know?) "Nuts." My new favorite term. It will be interesting to see the evolution of Jake and Eric come the next season. I can go on forever so I'll stop now with; What exactly was Hawkins going to do with the tank? Ram the train I guess.
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May 10, 2007 12:10 AM
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A great way to end the season..with the hope of the Army coming to the rescue and the shoot out at the Richmond farm...
Johnston had to die to let Jake and Eric become men..As long as Johnston was around he would always be the man to clean up after them..
Now they have to be the men their father always wanted them to be...
That death scene had me choked up..
Go to CBS.com click feedback and tell them we want more JERICHO...now!!!!
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May 10, 2007 1:06 AM
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Johnston...SOBS!
I, who hated the first half of the season, tolerated the episodes after hiatus...really really liked tonight's finale episode.
Those Kansans fighting each other was reminscent of the Civil War and the scene with Jake having taken over and sitting in the chair giving orders, reminded me of The Godfather when Michael takes over the Family.
I, too, loved that Darcy and Hawkins are in it together. As for Hawkins in the tank, I don't think he'd waste a tank on ramming the train or parking it on the tracks (but maybe!), but I did see that he has a pack with him. Don't know what might be in it, but it must be important.
David Huddleston is the character actor who played Grandpa Green. He's been in tons of stuff, but he's really aged so you may not recognize him easily.
One teeny nitpick...I thought our Jericho guys were lousy shots not to be able to hit those guys lying flat on the ground with no other cover.
But otherwise, bravo! This was for me the best episode of a long year of waiting. Except for Gerald McRaney.
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May 10, 2007 1:35 AM
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Oh yeah, and I liked that Jericho was finally given a geographic location. As some of us suspected they're supposed to be in northwest Kansas not far from the Colorado border, according to Heather. I still don't think there are mountains like those shown there, but I'm able to overlook it, sorta'.
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May 10, 2007 1:40 AM
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We will review the first season of JERICHO Thursday night at 6pm PT at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/shaunomacradio
Tuesday night we had an interview with Carol Barbee and Jon Steinberg of JERICHO..that interview a full hour will stay up on my host page until we are done with our review of Jericho..
This is a LIVE show we are doing Thursday night..we can take calls please try to join all of us...thank you
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May 10, 2007 2:35 AM
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I am not one for war movies or shows, but I also found this finale to be satisfying. The loss of Johnston is not going to affect my viewing one way or the other. It was a loss for Jericho however. I was hoping it would be another of several characters.
I was so happy that the federal government had been restored...until I saw who was giving the orders. Heather's information will be a mixed blessing, at least where Hawkins is concerned. I wondered if he knew this as the helicopters flew over (which was a great scene.) It almost seemed as if he knew that it could be connected to his satellite being traced. I believe it will help in this skirmish with New Bern; then they will have to deal with Valente.
I am definitely on board next season... should we get one.
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May 10, 2007 7:02 AM
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Was it really a good idea to kill off a character played by one of the few consistently good actors, though? It just seems like a very bad decision.
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May 10, 2007 7:39 AM
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The Morse code message was rather predictable. It was "to the flag" making the end to the 3-part message starting 2 episodes ago. The total message was "we pledge allegiance to the flag". They did mention 3 Nebraska towns in this episode..places very familiar to me. Maybe Nebraska will play an even bigger role in future episodes.
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May 10, 2007 7:58 AM
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I agree with everything above. Megan great re-cap as always. This episode had it all. As far a Johnston dying, i read somewhere(i believe right here on TV Guide) that the writes stated that they needed to kill him off to take the story in a different direction away from the who dropped the bombs. As far as Heather, I am glad that she was alive after all but again i read somewhere(again..I believe TV Guide); that she was here just for the season finale and will not be back next season. The reason to bring her back is obvious as they needed a character who was from jericho to "witness" the outside world so that they can show it. That has been the way the writers have worked all season. The flag at the end in case you were wondering is an official US Flag. It is the peace time flag, but why they chose to use it and its symbolism and why Healther looked worried will be interesting. I am really rooting for a second season.
The message tonight combined with the last two episodes were: "We Pledge" "Allegiance" "To the Flag"
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May 10, 2007 8:02 AM
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I was sorry that Johnston died, but the death of a major character doesn't influence my decision on whether or not to watch a show. This episode was completely riveting and left me wanting more; much more! I think CBS would be making a huge mistake not to renew it for a second season.
Thanks for a season of excellent recaps, Megan!
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May 10, 2007 8:20 AM
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I'll be back next season, I hope they don't banish the show to the weekend though, personally I'd like a change to Mondays.
Johnstone leaving is a great move for the story line, I was hoping it wasn't Stanley.
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May 10, 2007 9:08 AM
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Love this show. Loved this episode. Cried like a baby when Johnston died. Please bring Jericho back next season CBS!!
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May 10, 2007 11:44 AM
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Megan- first of all excellent recap and insights into the show..
I loved the whole WWII story(I'd heard it before). and Johnston's Costco line was hilarious.The graveside scene was also well done.
Now on to the major downside of the plot--why does Hollywood feel that the fathers(Smallville,Supernatural and now Jericho) must die before their sons can become "men"??? I think it's pretty safe to say there are plenty of "men" out there who's fathers are still living. Johnston was the spiritual leader of the town,it would have been easy enough to make Jake the military leader,simply because he has the background. I think more would have been gained showing Johnston's emerging respect for his son and not just on his death bed.
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May 10, 2007 11:59 AM
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WOW - I truly loved this season finale! It has to be one of the best in recent memory. If this show does not return next year I will be extremely disappointed in CBS!
I really like the direction that the death of Johnston Green will take the show but the fact that he is gone really sucks! Jake, with Emily at his side where she belongs will now step up to the plate and become a leader of men!
GREAT, GREAT EPISODE
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May 10, 2007 12:03 PM
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