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Jericho: Storytelling in a time of Fear-Mongering

July 09, 2007

I was pretty sure I wasn't ever going to watch the final 15 episodes of "Jericho," but that's the thing about a summer cold -- it's a great time to catch up on the television stored in my DVR. I work for an organization called "Brilliant But Cancelled" -- so my DVR is full of things like this. I'm a huge fan of the grassroots effort that convinced CBS to bring this show back for another try. It makes me feel like all the crazy petitions I sign are not in vain.

But watching them all in a row like this, makes me wonder -- why "Jericho?" Why not "The Class" or "Studio 60?" And I think it comes down to the peanuts. But we'll get to the peanuts.

"Jericho" has a lot to recommend it, don't get me wrong. These are moments that are rare to TV these days -- moments of real pathos. "Jericho" moves along the same vein as "Battlestar Galactica" -- this is a show that asks about reality in a post-apocalypse setting. The residents of Jericho, Kansas are, for the most part, a calm, collected, and surprisingly clean bunch. And though nuclear winter has set in upon them, they remain hopeful and optimistic, while continuing to trade with the hustlers and black-market crime lords that have inevitably cropped up.

This is a show about people that I hope are in charge if we find ourselves in this situation -- and the writers have chosen to show them at their best. A very human and real group of people (who, just saying, would NEVER have this kind of access to such levels of hygiene).

Best of all, "Jericho" is good at telling a story, and the writers have created a universe that is specific and has rules -- a universe that is fully realized. Best of all, it's got a heart that isn't under-cut by violins. When Gerald McRaney says "people need faith as much as they need food" -- it is both momentous and believable.

Comments

Sammy wrote:

Maybe you should get a real job. Or better yet how do I get a job like yours and get paid for it? I would tell about how great a show that Jericho is and tell how the "black guy" is one of the most intresting (if not the most intresting) character on the show and that he is not the bad guy. Oh for the record I am not black. I would say that the second half of the season was WAY better than the 1st. I would also say that the reason for the nuts was that it was part of the storytelling that happened in the last episode of the season.

posted at July 18, 2007 08:08 AM

CJ wrote:

I love Jericho, but then again most of the shows I like tend to get canceled. I grew up in Kansas City, KS, and I can tell you that Jericho does nail a lot of things. You are right about people being excessively clean, though. The teenagers are also much too pretty and trendy for small-town Kansas. Regarding your "one black guy" comment, though, I have to say that you might be on the right track. Small-town Kansas has traditionally been an Whitepeople Land. Plus, small towns in general tend to be suspicious of out-of-towners. The makers of Jericho make it pretty clear that this is the reason why Hawkins is under suspicion.

posted at August 2, 2007 09:56 AM

Danny J. wrote:

OK, you obviously stopped watching before the "black guy" turned out to be a "gottcha, I'm an undercover good guy" guy. Also turns out he has a catch of weapons he used to arm the town and give it a chance against their neighbors. I don't like the "good town vs bad town" plot line. I also can't see the show surviving a second season without the Gerald McRaney charactor they decided to kill off before the end of last season. I expect the network will set off the "final nuke" in time to insert the lasest in "nonscripted tv".

posted at August 5, 2007 05:53 AM

Lars wrote:

I think what was wonderful...is wonderful...about this show is that the people are attempting to stay together, to remain civilized in uncivilized times. Most people I know have read or thought about post nuclear aftermath storylines; they are rife in books, movies, and short storys. But seeing one small group of people understand that life changes, but it can still remain the same in the heart of the community...well, that is something. As for shows that were saved by fan base: Star Trek the original series comes to mind. The fanbase saved the show, and created a multi-million dollar franchise; it made unknowns into top known actors and actresses. If the same happens with Jericho I would be pleased. I wish the same could have happened to Firefly. Good story lines, with great characters that pull you in and let you cancel your social plans to watch the show...well, those are rare, indeed. As an over fifty year old watcher there are not many that seem new, well done, and interest me. Most are about teenagers and angst from growing up. Been there, done that. Give me something Heinlien-esque or Asmiov-ish. Give me something to stretch my mind. Then I'll watch. Then I'm happy.

And yes, I'm one of those who sent many, many pounds of peanuts to the studio. Genuis!

Lars

posted at August 28, 2007 03:13 PM

rainbowtourist wrote:

Maybe I'm naive, but before Jericho I never thought of life AFTER a nuclear war..I just figured, someone drops the bomb, we're all gone. Since Jericho, I've been forced to rethink what will happen afterward. I also have to admit, I did go a bit over the top when I finally got the list of stuff I would need if and when such an event took place. I'm all set..just like the bomb shelters in the 50's I decked out our basement and made a plan. It felt good to make a plan. Will this happen in my lifetime? I don't know, can you ever really plan for something like this? Again, I don't know..do I now watch Jericho as a how to documentary..maybe. I loved the show from the first episode and can't wait for it to begin next week..sometimes a show isn't just a show.

posted at February 7, 2008 12:40 PM

Sandra Cole wrote:

I am a fan of the tv show Jericho. I missed the last episode and I cannot get the information on how it ended. I am very frustrated and would like to know if there is anyway that I can go to some site and view what happened. Thank you for your time in this matter.

posted at April 2, 2008 12:09 PM

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