JERICHO (what happens when a nuclear mushroom cloud suddenly appears)!

[MOIDANGEREUX]

TV Review: Jericho - "The Day Before"

Written by Daniel J. Stsiewski
Published February 15, 2007
See also:



Jericho and I have had a love-hate relationship since the show began. When the fall finale aired last November, I was forcing myself to return week after week in spite of my growing frustration. Yes, the story of life in a small town after nukes destroyed most of America's major cities was the best idea for a show since Lost. A heavy focus on dull relationships and only slight forward momentum, however, were not living up to the premise.

"The Day Before" takes steps to change that. The episode begins 36 hours before the bombs go off and fills in gaps that I've been hoping they would fill in for months. We learn about Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich), the prodigal son of Jericho's mayor, and his mysterious dealings with the private defense contractor Ravenwood. We learn about Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) and his association with the bomb plot.


We also learn about Mayor Green's attempt to quit public life, Jake's former flame Emily and her pre-bomb relationship with her fiance, and the Mayor's other son's rocky marriage. Normally I would complain about those three things, but the episode's focus remains solidly fixed on Jake and Hawkins.

There are noticeable absences in this episode as well. Missing are the grocery store lady and her stock boy. Along with that is the absence of the stock boy's upper-class crush. Mayor Green's opponent in the election is alluded to but never on screen, and Emily's father is nowhere to be found. It seems to have taken a cue from Lost, shedding some characters when they aren't needed instead of forcing them into every episode.


A moment near the end involving the return of Emily's fiance from weeks of wandering the plains almost made me think the show was headed in the wrong direction again. It still could be. Fortunately, I'm confident that Hawkins' story, which takes a major turn in the final moments, will make for great TV.

I'd like to say more than simply calling it great TV, but the revelations and surprises are what make this episode as strong as it is. All I can say is that I hope that Hawkins' story evolves with the momentum it has in this episode. The conspiracy behind the bombs must stay at the forefront in order to make the show something more than a provincial soap opera.


The characters are still important. This episode acknowledges that and does something about it by avoiding the gimmicky plotlines. In exchange we get legitimate character development, a first for the series.

Most importantly, though, Jericho no longer seems to be running in place with plot-wise, character-wise or otherwise. Instead, "The Day Before" propels the show to the level I have long wished it would attain.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/02/15/074830.php

 

[MOIDANGEREUX]

Ashley Scott, Jericho Interview

By Daniel Robert Epstein
"It's really exciting to be able to work with all these guys and then have the show be a success. The writers are amazing."



Ashley Scott is an irrepressible kook - but an irrepressible kook that is a talented and beautiful actor. She first made waves in the genre world as the rebel in James Cameron's Dark Angel and later as the Huntress in the WB series Birds of Prey. Neither series lasted very long. Now Scott plays the resourceful Emily Sullivan in the post-apocalyptic CBS hit Jericho. The show got good ratings in the first half of the first season and now returns to finish off the year on February 21.

UGO: So are you shooting an episode this week?

Ashley Scott: No, I just finished this one and I'm not in the next episode. I've never not been in an episode so I have all this free time and I don't know what to do with myself but it's a blessing because I've got a lot of housework to do. But yeah, I'm not in this next one so you don't have to tune in on week three.

UGO: You got it.

AS: Don't bother. Just kidding.

UGO: Is it a flashback?

AS: No, it's not a flashback. It's something pretty heavy that happens with the show but it has nothing to do with Emily.

UGO: So you must be very happy that the show is doing well and people are watching it.

AS: It's amazing. It feels so good. I did Birds of Prey and that only lasted 13 episodes but I felt we gave it our all. But for Jericho it's really exciting to be able to work with all these guys and then have the show be a success. The writers are amazing. The producers are fun and great and they care what people say. I hope it keeps going. I hope we keep making good television that people really like.

UGO: Before Jericho premiered some critics were predicting that no one was going to watch an apocalypse show set in America.

AS: But they want to watch shows that have serial killers and cops and connected to death and murder. People unfortunately are drawn to the darker side of things I'm afraid. I think after 9/11 and certainly Katrina, we've disarmed ourselves from feelings of faith in America. I think this is a very real issue and I think we all sense it. After 9/11 we felt open and frightened and scared about what was to come. I think this show is very relevant for taking place in America. We need to ask ourselves these questions. What would we do? How do we manage? Who do we call? How

continued here: http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16769&sectionId=2&page=2

 

[The_Mystery]

This show is slowly overtaking LOST as my favorite show. Lost just isn't giving me enough answers per show.

 

[MOIDANGEREUX]

would we act?

UGO: So you feel that the show comments on those things?

AS: Yeah and certainly in the second half of the first season, we really get gritty and dirty. We don't want to scare anybody like too much, but it is a nuclear disaster. You really start seeing what they're going to do for food now that it is wintertime. Nobody wants to be alone when they sleep at night and we really don't do it lightly. We really directly answer those questions for each different character.

UGO: How do you like the idea of having these big breaks in the middle of a season?

AS: It's like cable shows. I'm a huge TV watcher. I have my shows like 24 and they do that as well. As a viewer, you get a little relief. It's like sleeping with a girl the first night. It's nice to make them wait. It piques your interest and raises questions. It seems to work for other shows and it makes sense to me, which is really all that matters [laughs]. I think everybody's really pleased with it. Going up against American Idol is unpleasing but I think our viewers will come back. It really gets really good.

UGO: Is a lot of stuff that you guys pose in the first half of the season answered?

AS: Absolutely. We definitely get a lot of questions answered. It opens a whole new line to things you never would have expected. It really is a big twist and I say that honestly, not just to get everybody to watch. I'm impressed with them.

UGO: Can you talk about what's happening with your character in this second half?

AS: Absolutely. Roger, my fiancé, ends up coming back into town with a bunch of refugees that have been through FEMA camps and been through all sorts of really bad things that they thought were going to be safe and weren't. They walked and were hungry and saw a lot of bad stuff out there. Together we try to rebuild that but she is still in love with Jake but then her safety comes back. It's a real honest question and she struggles with it. There's a lot of really cool stuff. You start to learn about her father and her past and she's not so innocent herself. She's a tough broad but she really comes into her own in the second season, instead of just being a plain boring girl.

UGO: Do you feel that the second half of the first season is a good jumping on point?

AS: Absolutely. I heard today that on the 14th of February, they're going to show some of the show and you can watch that and get the gist of the beginning. There are also episodes online.

UGO: How is it working with one of my favorite character actors, James Remar?

AS: So awesome. He plays my dad but he's the hottest dad in television. He's such a nice guy and he's just such a normal dude. I love working with him. He's really a connected actor and he makes it very easy just to play his daughter.

UGO: Do you have a favorite James Remar role from the past like Sex in the City or 48 Hrs?

AS: 48 Hrs is a great movie. Sex in the City was such a dynamite role for him. He's so hot. He doesn't have any problems with the ladies nowadays thanks to Sex in the City.

UGO: They have such great music in Jericho like The Killers and bands like that. Is that the music that you're into?

AS: I'm into a little bit of everything to be honest with you. My mom raised us with a lot of different music and we're all used to music playing in the house, everything from Aaron Neville to Pavarotti to good old Willie Nelson. But I don't like that techno stuff. I'm not into that because it doesn't have words and I get all annoyed. I like to sing along. I'm the girl that you pull up next to at the stoplight and I'm singing in the car.

UGO: What's your favorite Jericho storyline that doesn't involve your character?

AS: I love Hawkins which is Lennie James's character. It's such a great gritty part and he plays it just so well. You get to know his family and those scenes are so incredible. You start realizing what's been going on and what his background is and why he's involved or if he is involved. He just blows me away.

UGO: You've done a lot of work in science fiction. Do you like doing those kinds of roles?

AS: Yeah, I do. But I've been working for about seven years and I've done a lot of the same thing. Where I am in my life and my age and what is popular right now are the same things I've been doing, unfortunately or fortunately. There's so much I haven't done that I'm interested to explore just to see if I've got the chops. I think there's just so much out there that I haven't touched but I'm really proud of all the things I've had the opportunity to

Ashley Scott, Jericho Interview
By Daniel Robert Epstein
"It's really exciting to be able to work with all these guys and then have the show be a success. The writers are amazing." play and all the women that I've been able to embody. There are so many great women in my life that I've known and there are so many different walks of life that I'm excited about playing.

UGO: How was it seeing your character in Into the Blue with a huge sharkbite?

AS: My mom started to cry. She was like, "I don't like that director". I was like "Mom, it had a lot more to do with other people. Don't worry." I think it was cool actually. When I see little kids, they go "Oh my gosh, how is your leg?"

UGO: Do you still have fans from the Birds of Prey series?

AS: Yeah. It's been amazing. It's blown me away. People have been so dedicated and so wonderful and so supportive and honest and lovely. I'm not a big Interneter, but through the years some of the things the fans have done have been great. It's really sweet that people really love what you did and look forward to what you're about to do.

UGO: I read that your favorite comic book is The Hulk. Is that true?

AS: Yeah, I loved watching The Hulk. But people asked me what my favorite comics were and I was just like "The Incredible Hulk?" He's bad ass and he scared me.

UGO: But do you read comic books on a regular basis?

AS: No. I did my research for Birds of Prey. I wasn't into comic books. My brother wasn't into them and so it was just never around. Dungeons & Dragons is the closest I got to stuff like that.

UGO: You really used to play Dungeons & Dragons?

AS: Yeah, my brother used to play all the time. Every once in a while he'd let me sit down and play. What ever happened to that game anyway? Is it around at all?

UGO: That's a good question. I haven't got a clue.

AS: I'm a nerd though. I was talking to this guy about Drea de Matteo and I was like "You open up an encyclopedia to the word cool and there's Drea de Matteo." She's the coolest chick in the world. I tried to hang out with her the other day and I was just like "I'm a nerd. I can't play with the big dogs." I'm just the dorky girl that tries to make jokes and no one laughs.

 

[Superman]

TV Review: Jericho - "The Day Before"

Written by Daniel J. Stsiewski
Published February 15, 2007
See also:



Jericho and I have had a love-hate relationship since the show began. When the fall finale aired last November, I was forcing myself to return week after week in spite of my growing frustration. Yes, the story of life in a small town after nukes destroyed most of America's major cities was the best idea for a show since Lost. A heavy focus on dull relationships and only slight forward momentum, however, were not living up to the premise.

"The Day Before" takes steps to change that. The episode begins 36 hours before the bombs go off and fills in gaps that I've been hoping they would fill in for months. We learn about Jake Green (Skeet Ulrich), the prodigal son of Jericho's mayor, and his mysterious dealings with the private defense contractor Ravenwood. We learn about Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) and his association with the bomb plot.


We also learn about Mayor Green's attempt to quit public life, Jake's former flame Emily and her pre-bomb relationship with her fiance, and the Mayor's other son's rocky marriage. Normally I would complain about those three things, but the episode's focus remains solidly fixed on Jake and Hawkins.

There are noticeable absences in this episode as well. Missing are the grocery store lady and her stock boy. Along with that is the absence of the stock boy's upper-class crush. Mayor Green's opponent in the election is alluded to but never on screen, and Emily's father is nowhere to be found. It seems to have taken a cue from Lost, shedding some characters when they aren't needed instead of forcing them into every episode.


A moment near the end involving the return of Emily's fiance from weeks of wandering the plains almost made me think the show was headed in the wrong direction again. It still could be. Fortunately, I'm confident that Hawkins' story, which takes a major turn in the final moments, will make for great TV.

I'd like to say more than simply calling it great TV, but the revelations and surprises are what make this episode as strong as it is. All I can say is that I hope that Hawkins' story evolves with the momentum it has in this episode. The conspiracy behind the bombs must stay at the forefront in order to make the show something more than a provincial soap opera.


The characters are still important. This episode acknowledges that and does something about it by avoiding the gimmicky plotlines. In exchange we get legitimate character development, a first for the series.

Most importantly, though, Jericho no longer seems to be running in place with plot-wise, character-wise or otherwise. Instead, "The Day Before" propels the show to the level I have long wished it would attain.

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/02/15/074830.php

It was a good episode.

 

[Mrh7448]

I'm kind of glad I decided to give this show a second chance. The latest episode, though it didn't resolve a lot, did answer some questions and did let things progress. Overall I wasn't too bored with it...let's hope they keep giving us revelations this season instead of getting caught up in all the side plots and relationships.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Wow! Just when I was going to give up on the show it gets interesting, the past two episodes have been pretty damn good. Hope they continue this trend.

 

[X-Ray]

And so the Marines arrive .... or did they

I liked tonight's episode.

Spoiler

-The chick Robert hooked up with, before the bombing, was killed off. Which I'm glad since I really didn't like her. I wasn't really surprised how she was killed off. It was kind of obvious it was going to be his daughter to gun down the *****.

-The "Marines" came rolling in. And left with their tails stuck between their legs. For most of the episode I thought they were Marines who just went bad. Then came the dinner the dinner party. Right when I heard that chant from the Marines. I knew they weren't. I just didn't picture one of them would be a former P.E. teacher going by what he saw on countless war movies ... lol.

 

[Wolfwood]

And so the Marines arrive .... or did they

I liked tonight's episode.

Spoiler

-The chick Robert hooked up with, before the bombing, was killed off. Which I'm glad since I really didn't like her. I wasn't really surprised how she was killed off. It was kind of obvious it was going to be his daughter to gun down the *****.

-The "Marines" came rolling in. And left with their tails stuck between their legs. For most of the episode I thought they were Marines who just went bad. Then came the dinner the dinner party. Right when I heard that chant from the Marines. I knew they weren't. I just didn't picture one of them would be a former P.E. teacher going by what he saw on countless war movies ... lol.

Spoiler

The fight between Hawkins and his mistress was surprisingly brutal, I knew the daughter would be the one to kill her, but I was kinda hoping for a different outcome. It was a pretty good episode, I loved the idea of fake Marines, it was a nice touch and now they got a freakin' tank. I wonder if it's armed?

Anywho, great episode.

 

[Ghostvirus]

The fight between Hawkins, & the chick. Reminded me of the Mr., & Mrs. Smith.

 

[Mrh7448]

And so the Marines arrive .... or did they

I liked tonight's episode.

Spoiler

-The chick Robert hooked up with, before the bombing, was killed off. Which I'm glad since I really didn't like her. I wasn't really surprised how she was killed off. It was kind of obvious it was going to be his daughter to gun down the *****.

-The "Marines" came rolling in. And left with their tails stuck between their legs. For most of the episode I thought they were Marines who just went bad. Then came the dinner the dinner party. Right when I heard that chant from the Marines. I knew they weren't. I just didn't picture one of them would be a former P.E. teacher going by what he saw on countless war movies ... lol.

Spoiler

Had to figure they weren't who they said they were when he called the Sgt. Sir. No one in the military would make that mistake. I thought Mayor Green had that figured out to when he gave him that look. Not too mention that line "I work for a living" is right out of a movie.

Not surprised Girl Hawkins shot Sara. Everything was pointing to that, just thought it was going to be sooner.

Now Jericho has a Tank...that will come into play at some point.

 

[Dr Lee]

Did the episode air last night or has Jericho gone on a break?

 

[X-Ray]

No episode yesterday. It returns next week.

 

[X-Ray]

Bump ...

Hawkins reveals all to Jake tonight ...

Spoiler

-He isn't FBI but he is CIA.

-The people responsible for the attacks are a mixture of 3 different groups who oppose the government. The militia & religious fanatics were 2 of them. I forget what the third group were They all took orders from one unknown man.

-Hawkins went deep undercover. It took 2-3 years to finally gain the groups trust. 8 months in prison still wasn't good enough. It was the killing of a FBI informant that finally did it.

-At the end Hawkins figures out who the unknown man is. It's one of the top CIA bosses or something like that he was taking orders from.

For next week's episode ...

Spoiler

It looks like the so called friendly neighboring town, New Bern, is planning a invasion on Jericho.

I love to see Jake & Hawkins scared them off with that nuclear bomb Hawkins has

 

[MOIDANGEREUX]

CBS Set To Return 'Jericho' For Season 2
Ratings aren't the best, but network sees promise

http://www.syfyportal.com/news423527.html

By MICHAEL HINMAN
Source: SyFy Portal
Apr-16-2007

The biggest trend in broadcast television in the 2006-07 television season seems to be networks' desire to put a lot of time between episodes as NBC has done with "Heroes," what ABC did with "Lost" and what CBS decided to do with "Jericho." But in terms of split seasons, it looks like those shows will go three-for-three in the renewal department.

A source tells SyFy Portal that CBS is expected to pick up "Jericho" for a second season, although it may move to a new night when fall rolls around.

The show has had a tough time against competition such as "American Idol" on Fox this spring after its return, but the network has shown nothing but promise for the show, giving it a full season order when some thought it might be heading to the big one-season place in the sky.

"Jericho" stars Skeet Ulrich, Ashley Scott and Lennie James and has found ways to revitalize fears not felt since the Cold War in what seems to be a post-apocalypse Kansas.

Last week, "Jericho" beat out the season finale of "Til Death," which had been finishing in the Nielsen weekly top 20 according to overnights, earning a 5.3 rating/9 share and winning the 8 p.m. time slot. That helped CBS take second place for the night, behind an "American Idol" fueled Fox.

News of a renewal would be great news for a legion of diehard fans of the show that have been behind it since the beginning, but it's unlikely that CBS -- or any other network for that matter -- will be ordering too many more story-arc dependent series such as "Jericho" as it and "Heroes" are basically the only ones of this type surviving after debuting last fall.

Of course, none of this has yet to be confirmed by CBS, so take it as you would any other rumor.

 

[Mrh7448]

Bump ...

Hawkins reveals all to Jake tonight ...

Spoiler

-He isn't FBI but he is CIA.

-The people responsible for the attacks are a mixture of 3 different groups who oppose the government. The militia & religious fanatics were 2 of them. I forget what the third group were They all took orders from one unknown man.

-Hawkins went deep undercover. It took 2-3 years to finally gain the groups trust. 8 months in prison still wasn't good enough. It was the killing of a FBI informant that finally did it.

-At the end Hawkins figures out who the unknown man is. It's one of the top CIA bosses or something like that he was taking orders from.

He was some big wig with Homeland Security

For next week's episode ...

Spoiler

It looks like the so called friendly neighboring town, New Bern, is planning a invasion on Jericho.

I love to see Jake & Hawkins scared them off with that nuclear bomb Hawkins has

Or fend them off with a tank...ya know it had to come into play sometime

 

[AssMan]

ya know it had to come into play sometime

Like the ex mayor said "You never know when you might need a tank"

 

[Mrh7448]

That's for sure...would be really handy on the drive to work in the morning.

 

[Gonking]

just saw the last one. great episode big surprise Hawkins being CIA.

 

[Ghostvirus]

I tell you what. Someone needs to tell that nosey cop to f-off. Is is borderline annoying.

 

[Dr Lee]

Ok i read, When they sent the Heather character off, that TPTB weren't going to kill her off..........

Yet she's supposedly dead in the lastest episode???

Were they mistaken or is she in fact alive and the sheriff (Constantino?) is mind f**king Eric?

 

[X-Ray]

I tell you what. Someone needs to tell that nosey cop to f-off. Is is borderline annoying.

Exactly. Dude just won't get off Hawkin's case.

Ok i read, When they sent the Heather character off, that TPTB weren't going to kill her off..........

Yet she's supposedly dead in the lastest episode???

Were they mistaken or is she in fact alive and the sheriff (Constantino?) is mind f**king Eric?

Since we haven't seen an actual body. I bet she's alive, but she's siding with her hometown folks of New Bern

 

[Ghostvirus]

Exactly. Dude just won't get off Hawkin's case.

Why cops always gotta be buggin the black man with a Nuke in his shed!

DAMN WHITEY!

Since we haven't seen an actual body. I bet she's alive, but she's siding with her hometown folks of New Bern

That is how it usually works in TV land no body. No Death.

 

[Wolfwood]

Pretty cool episode, Hawkins was kicking ass.

 

[X-Ray]

Pretty cool episode, Hawkins was kicking ass.

Seriously. Dude was handling business like his name was Jack Bauer.