"Sedition"
Time's running out for
Jericho! Whether fans choose to acknowledge this possibility, CBS will most likely decline bringing this critically acclaimed show back for a third season. The creators of
Jericho did shoot two different endings for next week's episode, and the decision by CBS will determine whether it will function as a season or series finale. I hope that if CBS does pass on another season that the Sci-Fi Channel, which airs
Jericho reruns, will pick it up.
Tonight's episode was rather quiet, acknowledging the ramifications of the battle with Goetz and Jennings & Rall. To avoid more bloodshed, Jake decided that it would be the best course of action to give himself over to Major Beck. With Jake's surrender, he offered Beck terms so no one else would be implicated. Beck accepted Jake's surrender, but would not acknowledge Jake's provisions. In "Sedition," I ultimately lost the little remaining respect I had left for Major Beck. For a seemingly intelligent soldier, Beck's knack for being so trusting led to his being manipulated regularly. Whether Beck was being conned by Valente, Goetz, Heather, Jake, Jennings & Rall, the Cheyenne Government, or by Hawkins, he still would make honorable decisions that benefit society. But now with his patience gone, his judgment had also lapsed. Since he knew the truth behind the death of Bonnie and Goetz, he should have offered Stanley amnesty and not condemnation. A soldier is supposed to be steadfast in times of war, a challenge that Beck wasn't capable of facing.
In an unusual change of pace, a segment of last night's episode focused on the visions of an incarcerated Jake Green. Due to his unfortunate surroundings, Jake became delirious and began to hallucinate. Jake's vision involved his hero, his grandfather. Jake's grandfather was referenced many times before, previously shown posthumously in the Season One finale. (Incidentally, Grandfather Green was played by The Big Lebowski!) I thought these scenes dragged a bit, but they were essential for Jake to understand that a revolution was necessary. Also, I would have preferred Jake's father, Johnston Green, to Jake's grandfather during Jake's delirium. Johnston's presence has been sorely missed, and opportunities to "revive" deceased characters on an ultra-realistic show like
Jericho do not come often. However, it was lovely to see the return of Johnston's widow, the steadfast Gail Green, as she helped liberate Jake from the Cheyenne government. I had envisioned Gail's return as being more powerful than what appeared on the screen, but it still hit the appropriate emotional chord.
The standard excitement of
Jericho returned for the final minutes of "Sedition." With Jake Green recovered, the action shifted to Hawkins as he attempted to transport the nuclear bomb to the safe haven of Texas. When Hawkins would not listen to the plan of "John Smith", Mr. Smith then informed Major Beck of Hawkins' true status. After being played once again, Beck displayed his lack of intelligence by ordering his soldiers to open fire on Hawkins AND the nuclear bomb in his procession. Nice going, Beck! After evading capture, Hawkins discovered that "John Smith" was the individual behind the attacks on the twenty-three American cities. Valente and Jennings & Rall were originally pawns in a much greater scheme and it was only after the attacks where they aimed for corruption. "John Smith" also informed Hawkins that he would use that final nuclear bomb to blow up the Cheyenne government.
Will Jake and Hawkins stop the bomb in time?
Will Major Beck redeem himself?
Will
Jericho be cancelled?
Tune in next week. Same
BOMBED town! Same
BOMBED channel!
