NBC’s mostly-poorly-received post-apocalyptic drama will air its second episode tonight. I reviewed the pilot/premiere two weeks ago and am planning on at least watching another 2 episodes. So, I was looking over other reviews by those with real interest in the p-a genre and came across this excellent and exhaustive critique by Sebastian Breit. He makes some of the same arguments I do, but is far more wide-ranging and comprehensive in both major critiques and setting nitpicking. And his points are dead-on. If you are watching this show, you should read this:
“A first look at NBC’s Revolution” -Sebastian Breit
“Full disclosure: I’m a sucker for post apocalyptic TV series. I loved JMS’s Jeremiah when I was younger, and I very much liked CBS’ Jericho despite its flaws. Ignoring the politics of the people behind it I found William R. Forstchen’s One Second After a quite compelling read. S.M. Stirling’s Dies the Fire series also ranges rather high on my ‘have to finish reading it’ list. So you can probably imagine my delight when I stumbled across NBC’s new project called Revolution earlier this year. The two men behind the project also made me prick up my ears. Erik Kripke of Supernatrural fame and Jon Favreau, the man behind the Iron Man movies are two titans of recent scifi and fantasy entertainment. Ever since the announcement that it had been picked up in spring I was excited about it, even though the promo videos offered reason for concern. Here’s what its all about:
Revolution takes place in a post-apocalyptic future. Fifteen years earlier, an unknown phenomenon permanently disabled all electricity on the planet, ranging from computers and electronics to car engines, jet engines, and batteries. People were forced to adapt to a world without technology, and due to the collapse of public order, many areas are ruled by warlords and militias. The series focuses on the Matheson family, who possess an item that is the key to not only finding out what happened fifteen years ago, but also a possible way to reverse its effects.
Is it any good? Well, they pre-aired the show’s pilot a few weeks and I was able to watch it. And what can I say? I’m a jaded bastard. You see, the problem is if you like post-apocalyptic fiction and consume your fair share of the genre you not only become somewhat genre-savvy but also become very observant regarding the small things that can make or break a setting. And Revolution? Well, in my opinion it’s not off to a good start in that regard.” [emphasis added]
two men enter . . . 