Revolution wrapped up the first part of its second season with an action-packed, amazing episode. For anyone who gave up on it last season – this is a different show this year. I recommend you try it again.There was a lot to love, from the Julia/Neville steamy and schemey reunion, a gun-blazing back-to-school showdown, Dr. Horn’s final meltdown, romantic moments between Miles and Rachel, and my favorite part – the revelation that Aaron had created an artificial intelligence last season when he and Rachel turned the power back on, and that this AI was behind his new firey powers. The filming and effects were also top-notch, included the foggy/ misty feel to the journey of Charlie, Miles, and Rachel in pursuit of Aaron; and the slow motion death of Cynthia followed by moments of silence, heightening the sense of shock Aaron was experiencing.
High Points
There were a lot of great moments, but the standout scenes for me were around the nanotech turning into a creepy kid, or AI, and what followed. I just finished ranting in a Supernatural review that the kids aren’t creepy anymore, but Eric Kripke, who jumped over from Supernatural to Revolution as executive producer, knows how to do creepy kids.I figured something was off when the kid mentioned the second biggest ball of twine. That seemed like a pre-blackout detail, but it’s probably a clue to the nanotech story that we’ll explore more later.
The scenes that followed – Aaron in awe of what he was learning, in horror at learning that the AI was trying to please him by killing people, and questioning whether he should communicate further with it – were outstanding. Topping off the story was Cynthia’s death at the hands of Horn, and Aaron’s fury fantastically portrayed by Zak Orth as he instructed the AI to kill them all. This was followed by the tragic realization that he could have asked the AI to heal Cynthia, and that the AI was no longer doing his bidding.
Low Points
This was a solid episode, and nothing was really bad, but my least favorite parts were the Miles/Rachel flashbacks. Actors Billy Burke and Elizabeth Mitchell are just too old now to be playing characters in their 20s, and Mitchell looked ridiculous in her wig. I’m usually not a fan of casting other actors to play younger versions of characters either, but with the large time gap between the present and the pre-blackout scenes, maybe it should be considered.
Hottest Action
The gun battles at the school, particularly Charlie and Monroe teaming up to find Aaron and take down some Patriots, takes this category. The bullets were flying, and there’s a chemistry between the two. Runner up is Charlie pulling out her knife and whipping it across the mist-covered field to take down a Patriot soldier earlier in the episode.
TV Flashback Moment
“I’m batman” – Monroe“I’m batman” – Dean, Supernatural, Bad Day at Black Rock
You never like Rachel/Elizabeth Mitchell so it's not surprised YOU gave the "low point" to RachelxMiles scenes. you underrated Rachel and Elizabeth Mitchell since the very beginning. For me Elizabeth Mitchell is the best actress in Revolution and this feeling's getting stronger as each episode goes by.
ReplyDeleteI think you have me confused with someone else. I've just started writing these columns. I've been a fan of Elizabeth Mitchell since her Lost days.
ReplyDeleteI wish the networks would screen a little more carefully before launching, release fewer shows each year, but make more of a commitment to support and promote the few they do release. It would help build trust with the viewers imo. I've had periods when I avoided watching shows in their first year because I didn't want to get invested until I knew it was coming back for at least a second season.
ReplyDeleteA lot of great quotes in this episode. I voted for the puppy/ kitten one because Monroe cracks me up, but I loved it when he called Miles a moron, too.
ReplyDeleteThe reveal on the nanites was interesting and has a lot of room to play, but Aaron's reaction the whole time was ridiculous. He's too stupid to survive, please kill him off.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
ReplyDeleteIt would be better if the networks picked up the best of the pilots on offer and promised them a couple of years minimum. That would give the writers and viewers time to develop and assimilate the show. Few will keep watching a show that one knows is gong to be cancelled before even finding its stride.
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I get that it's all about ad. inserts and money but I don't really see how ordering shows and cancelling then after a few episodes helps rake in the cash for the networks. Muh
I love Rachel and Miles and Elizabeth and Billy, but I agree.... The scene was weird could be played by younger actors...
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of the season two episodes yet, but i have to say I really, really enjoyed season one, so if you say season two is even better, then it's nice to know I'm in for some enjoyable veiwing when I do get round to seeing it. :)
ReplyDeleteI felt like there was a lot dragging it down in season 1, including extraneous characters with storylines that weren't that interesting. They've tightened the cast and the story. It feel more like it has more direction now and its snappier. Hopefully it won't get cancelled right when it's found its footing.
ReplyDeleteI hope not.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it depends on how the other NBC shows do.
TPTB should give Revolution the chance to find it's stride.
I think the networks all tend to cancel shows without giving them enough time to develop and grow, just to replace them with something that gets even lower ratings!
Ha! Aaron has been the one in the group who always seems to be out of his league, but in this episode his reactions felt right to me. I thought they were realistic given the situation and his character.
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