October 25, 2006: Pieces of the Truth
This time, we pick up exactly where we left off: missiles soaring across the sky and residents of Jericho running in every direction. Johnston says the nearest place the missiles could be coming from is Wyoming, 100 miles away, and Hawkins is on his computer, as frantic as I've ever seen him, sweat lining his brow. An EMP (electromagnetic pulse) killed the power. Everything's dead.
All of a sudden it's two weeks later and for the first time we see Jake and Dale have a one-on-one interaction. Things are tense around town and even quiet Dale has a little anger inside of him. But no one seems as angry as Mitchell Cafferty (
Clayne Crawford), strolling back into town for some warm beer at Bailey's and some nasty words for Jake. At least we're getting some insight into Jake's past and the trouble that ran him out of town.
Uncle Sam/IRS/Mimi visits Stanley and Bonnie, clearly wanting nothing to do with the roosters roaming around. Her brilliant idea of staying at their farm and deducting her room and board from Stanley's IRS debt can only bring an interesting story line... a romance? A love for the simple life? Maybe she'll toss the fancy shoes after some time with the livestock.
Meanwhile, Jake makes his way to the airfield Mitchell had mentioned earlier and sees his family's horses penned up. Surprisingly, Dale is there with Mitchell. Just as things get messy, Eric shows up with reinforcements, and gunshots are flying. When they've got Mitchell locked up downtown later on, Jake knows the whole game has changed. "Mitchell and his kind are going to prey on this town like locusts," says Jake. And in an attempt to keep the teens in play, Skylar bails Dale out, rushing to his rescue, but I don't really want to waste any words on her.
Stanley is dealing with corn worms and trying to salvage his harvest, but he's stubborn about giving up his crop. I don't blame him for being protective, but I feel like this is an example of people starting to turn on each other as the town loses more food and patience with each week. But Mimi's on his side. "It's every man for himself now," she says.
The best part of the episode was when Allison Hawkins discovers her father's materials and has the nerve to keep snooping until she's caught and Hawkins is forced to reveal some truths. "You knew this was going to happen!" she says. And then, in a disturbing turn, we see Allison learning to shoot a gun and Hawkins praising her, obviously hoping she'll keep her mouth shut.
Mom Green's rehabilitation idea provides the harvest and the expected scene we love to see every episode, where the town comes together in some way despite the scare they're still dealing with.
But just because we had a couple minutes of relief doesn't mean Jericho is saved or that another crisis won't occur soon after the calm. Other small things I noticed in this episode:
Darcy speaking up more about Hawkins' not being around for the family. "I'm the parent here," she says. I'm rooting for her, wanting her to rise up against the tight-lipped walls she lives within.
Eric's considering giving his marriage another try. Mary Bailey is just looking desperate, and I don't know if I can watch her curious eyes stare longingly at Eric much longer.
Johnston's illness is worsening and it seems that Jericho is in the hands of his sons.
Heather was nowhere to be seen in this episode, and Emily only appeared for a few minutes. For all those disinterested in the relationships of this show, it seemed - aside from Eric and April - that love was put on the backburner this week.
Lastly, I have to say that
Skeet Ulrich (Jake) is still meeting my expectations. He's a solver and can't seem to sit and wait for anyone else to do the dirty work. I like watching him lead the show and I hope his performance stays solid enough to keep it interesting.
