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Jericho: Finale
Jericho ended the series with a bang, capping off what may have been the most successful long-form civics lesson with a generous helping of whiz-bang action, kick-ass characters and intriguing "what if" situations. This time, we were spared the cliffhanger ending, but there's still room for a TV movie, a move to cable, a comic or (shudder) endless fanfic.
A show divided against itself will not spoil.
The show doesn't waste any time getting to the meat of the matter -- no sooner have Jake and Hawkins discussed how dangerous it's going to be, how the bad guys know who Hawkins is now, how the Mission Is Everything, than they end up in Cheyenne, in Gray's hotel room. Remember Gray? The somewhat toadying mayor who went to Cheyenne to participate in the new Constitutional Convention? He's disillusioned by the process, so he's willing to listen when Jake and Hawkins tell him that things are going to hell back home. Jake urges him to leave the Federal District and go back to Jericho, where they need a leader who isn't in hiding.
Hawkins gets in touch with Chung, a fellow operative who's embedded in J&R. The trio figures out J&R will probably use an ambulance to transport the bomb to a disposal facility, then find the hospital. Hawkins and Chung storm the ambulance bay, but one of the drivers shoots back -- and then shoots his fellow agent. It's the mysterious John Smith! He kills Chung, wounds Hawkins, and is about to put a bullet in my favorite bad-ass's brain when Jake comes in, guns blazing. Exit one completely crazy, ill-thought-out plot point. Let us never speak of it again.
While Hawkins bleeds in the back of the ambulance, Jake careens it through the streets of Cheyenne, seemingly at random. Hawkins gets brilliant -- he gets Chavez on the phone, gets directions, and sends Jake through the gates of the Texas Embassy. Awesome! Chavez has the ear of the Texas governor, so the boys are granted asylum while the Cheyenne army is kept out. The Texans stabilize Hawkins, but he refuses to be taken to the hospital -- it's about the mission! That's all that matters! Did any of you include that phrase in your Jericho finale drinking game? Because I hope you've saved up for a new liver.
They've got to get the evidenced to Texas, and that's where Jake's flight experience comes in handy. Hawkins wants to stay to try to delay the army (mission! Drink!) but Jake overrules him and loads him in the plane. It's a tense flight to the Texas border, and the guys are intercepted by a couple of Allied States fighter jets. We're a consular plane! You can't shoot us! Says Jake. Wanna bet? Say the fighter pilots. Just as they're about to shoot, the Texas Air National Guard comes roaring out of the sky and shoots the planes down. Holy crap! I wasn't expecting that. It's going to be full-on war now, with Texas joining the East-Coast government against the Allied States. Hawkins and Jake blather a bit about the new American Civil War, and how everything will change, and how they made history, and that's true, but it's sort of rubbing salt in the wounds, because we probably won't get to see it. Sigh.
Back in Jericho, Beck is instructed to initiate a Phase Three Operation -- entire sections of town will be declared centers of insurgent activity and anyone caught in those areas will be shot on sight. Eric thinks they've got to fight back , and he agrees to meet with the hated Phil Constantino of New Bern. He restrains himself from killing Constantino on sight -- hey, that's progress! -- and listens to Constantino's pitch -- we can fight these guys, but no more of this namby-pamby leaving survivors crap. The army is our enemy, and we can't leave survivors. Eric seems to be considering this... but fortunately, he's not that far gone. He won't take that step over to the dark side.
Stanley is tired of hiding -- he wants to bury Bonnie on the farm. He gets her body and several of the rangers dig her a grave. Some of Beck's soldiers come to take him in, but Mimi pleads for time, and they get 30 minutes to say their goodbyes.
But a lot can happen in 30 minutes... Beck drags Heather into his office -- how could you steal information from me! You're working with a terrorist! Heather says she believed Hawkins' story, so she had to help him -- just as Beck would if he ever heard the truth. Which, fortunately, Beck does -- his soldiers have bundled up all the evidence from Hawkins' truck, but they haven't sent it to Cheyenne yet. Beck gets the whole story and resigns his commission -- he tells the evil government he's no longer taking orders from them. When his men see the same evidence, they fall in behind Beck. They get ready for a firefight.
In the end, Gray breaks out Johnston Green's "Don't Tread On Me" flag -- it flies proudly in Jericho's main square. Thus always to tyrants. Beck, his men, the citizens of Jericho, the Republic of Texas, the remains of the country east of the Mississippi -- all will be arrayed against the corrupt government of Cheyenne. Pity we won't get to see it play out...
Highlights, thoughts and odds and ends:
- When Gray and an anonymous delegate bemoan what a sham the Constitutional Convention is, they specifically give a shout-out to the Second Amendment. "It's a lot easier to pacify a country when its citizens can't shoot back." I'm a Quaker-educated, East Coast-raised liberal, but the show almost makes me want to stock up on weaponry.
- Another impossible thing this show has done: It made me cheer for Texas. That never happens (Sorry, Editorial Andy -- even cool Texans like you haven't been able to counteract that whole East Coast anti-Texas thing.)
- I loved that they gave Johnston Green the last word in Jericho. It seems right.
- Mimi and Stanley exchanged vows (sort of) by Bonnie's grave. It was sweet, but a little superfluous.
- I know they had to get the bomb to Cheyenne so we could have the awesome Texas Embassy scene (oh, I loved Jake panicking and begging them not to shoot, when he still didn't really know where they were), but I still think the John Smith plotline was ridiculous. I wish they'd come up with another way.
In the end, Hawkins remains a bad-ass despite the blood loss, Jake performed admirably as a hero created by circumstance, the citizens of Jericho rallied 'round the flag, and Beck saw the light. Did the finale wrap things up well for you? Are you satisfied, bitter, disappointed, giddy, a little of all? Will you lobby for Jericho to jump to another network -- or medium -- or do you think the show has run its course? Are there still people out there who think the show is a liberal Hollywood attack, even though it was a love letter to the Second Amendment?
Anyone know what the cliffhanger version was? I'd be very curious. You'd imagine that the only difference would be in the end, so the only thing I can come up with is that maybe the cliffhanger had the Texans siding with Cheyenne or something of that ilk.
As for the show, I think it's run its course as a series. The best way to appease the fan base would be to get another channel, such as Sci Fi, or TNT (Pretender popped into my mind right now), to either make a TV movie or miniseries.
Tony | Mar 25, 2008 9:39:22 PM | #I think they purposely left enough of the pieces of the story open for the chance at another network or a TV movie or miniseries. Like Tony I am curious about what the cliffhanger version was like.
And speaking as a Texan (life-long) it was cool seeing my state be the one that tilted everything towards the good guys. Way to go Republic of Texas!
Melody | Mar 25, 2008 11:12:13 PM | #Assuming that they don't get a cable pickup, I think they should sell the idea of a 3 part miniseries to wrap it up. All of it pretty standard fare. The first part has Cheyenne making a push east, and Columbus on the defense, with Texas not mobilized yet. The 2nd part would have to have some sort of key character loss as Texas gets into action to protect Columbus, and have Hawkins and others go undercover to stir up an insurgency in the West. The final part would be an epic battle on the slopes of Jericho, considering how it is somewhat in the middle of everything. Perhaps Jennings and Ralls figures out who's causing trouble and goes to Jericho to try and get some revenge. The final scene would be your cliched, classic fadeaway as the city of Jericho rebuilds with an American flag flying as the sunsets.
Anyhow, that'd be my endgame to this, the miniseries version at least. Very cliched, but for a quick wrap up, cliched is probably the easiest way to go.
If it's a 3 hour movie or something to end it, I'd cut bits and pieces, showing the separate 3 parts over the course of the period, with a large part focused on the final confrontation and the rebuilding.
This is all assuming they can get something.
Endgame | Mar 25, 2008 11:18:20 PM | #Overall I enjoyed the show and still believe it would be around had CBS not monkeyed with its scheduling. At least they gave us a truncated second season; in the old days fans wouldn't have gotten even that.
Tonight's final episode was good if not great. It did manage to provide some closure while leaving the door open for the story to continue should the show get another shot elsewhere. The whole John Smith thing didn't pan out for me, but perhaps that thread was a casualty of the shortened season.
Should the show return, A TV movie or miniseries seems most likely as others have suggested. Or how about this: A direct-to-DVD movie and/or video-on-demand?
Finally, I think Hawkins should have gotten his own spinoff. That character (and his storyline) was easily the most compelling in the series.
Z-Wulf | Mar 26, 2008 12:53:23 AM | #what was the last line
scotty | Mar 26, 2008 5:43:50 AM | #I was thinking the same thing about Hawkins and a spinoff. I think that Jake could make and occasional appearance, but not often. Hawkins should be his own bad self and does not need a side kick.
Glenn | Mar 26, 2008 5:54:34 AM | #I thought that Jericho was a fantastic show... Full of moments to get people thinking: what if?
Even as a Canadian I was enthralled by the story ... even though it had its ups and downs ...
but the tales of survival, betrayals and the showing of the thin veneer of our societies was captivating ...
too bad the network screwed around with the sked
and too bad Americans were too busy watching mind-numbing reality TV to watch a gripping drama ...
but who knows ... the gate is fully open to a possible pickup by another broadcaster
could you imagine a full season of the little town of Jericho caught up in a civil war ?
siding up with the Columbus government while surrounded by Cheyenne territory?
what about Major Beck's unit?
Would they rally to the US Army?
the possibilities are fantastic ... alas probably just a fantasy
but thanks to the producers for putting such an intelligent show together
nappynapoleon | Mar 26, 2008 6:38:55 AM | #It's a shame it's over. But CBS didn't give it a fair chance no matter what they said. They were given 7 episodes to rush a major plot. In the meantime, many of last season's characters had little or nothing to do but stand around in the backround, if only to be used for exposition. It was a sad rushed 7 episodes. It ended ok...but I blame CBS for not giving them a longer Season and a better time than 10:00.
Either way, I'd be happy to see it picked up somewhere else..but in the meantime I'll just accept what we had to watch.
Jason | Mar 26, 2008 6:41:04 AM | #Fanfic, written by a good author, is often better and more satisfying than a particular TV show itself. Please, no more badfic, though. It makes my head hurt.
As for the American-bashing Canadian: You know, we could say rude things about the people in YOUR country and imply that they're stupid. But that would just be nasty and impolite. Most Canadians I've encountered, online and IRL, have very good manners so I won't judge them all based on your comments here.
Lisa | Mar 26, 2008 7:08:49 AM | #This is the show that Jericho should have been from the start. If the producers/writer's had any idea on what they wanted to do with the show, this would have been the story-line for the first season. The battle with New Bern could have been the mid-season cliffhanger and then all of this should have wrapped up the first season.
If they would have done this, I doubt the show would be canceled at this point.
Too bad that they screwed this up. I really want to see the next American Civil War.
Blue Sean | Mar 26, 2008 7:19:46 AM | #Lisa- Don't be so sensitive. I actually agree with our Canadian friend. More people watch "The Moment of Truth" week to week than they did "Jericho". If that doesn't say that the average American likes mindless reality trash, I don't know what does.
Blue Sean | Mar 26, 2008 7:21:40 AM | #I dare say that this was the best show on network this tv season. I know it was after January. I would love for the show to continue. That said i think they should keep the shorten seasons. Ten eps or so and do what they did this season. Feel one complete story in it. Season one down fall was the long break bad slot and story not moving faster. I liked the story as it was but it would have keep more people if it had went faster. Season One mid season should have ended with the Nuts speech. Then second half should have been the battle with New Bern. Still with the bomb and Hawkins Sub Plot. Cable Please you can do it.
CHASE | Mar 26, 2008 7:37:32 AM | #Did anyone else notice the Sprint commercial in the middle of the episode saying you could use your phone to see clips of next weeks episode?! DAMN YOU Sprint for mocking my pain!
Daniel Vinson | Mar 26, 2008 7:48:10 AM | #LOL I didn't notice the Sprint commercial, but I did note the prominent Sprint product placement on the phone Jake/Hawkins were using to navigate their way to the Texas Embassy. The first five episodes of this season were pretty good, but these last two felt even more rushed than necessary. I wish the John Smith plotline had been dropped and the truth about Jennings & Rall and the Cheyenne government's involvement in the original bombings been revealed in a different manner. I may give the show another look if it reaches SciFi or some other cable outlet.
Danny | Mar 26, 2008 8:12:26 AM | #The finale seemed rushed, but then it had to be. At least they had some kind of resolution, so that if they don't come back in any form, we can at least be satisfied in knowing that the Cheyenne government isn't going to just roll over everybody else.
As for the Canuck's comments, i couldn't agree more. Most Americans clearly are stupid when it comes to their choice of TV shows. I'm an American and it just enrages me that crap like Moment of Truth and American Idol dominate while quality shows fall by the wayside.
And i definitely would love to see a Hawkins spin off. He is one bad mutha- shut yo mouth! I'm just talking about Hawk!
Steve | Mar 26, 2008 8:36:50 AM | #A good finale, better than last week which was weak. I think they should try and move the show to the CW network. If I recall correctly CW is partly owned by the same crew that owns CBS; would seem to be simple to switch over. I know that Jericho doesn't exactly fit into the CW's youth or ethnic demographics. however, Jericho's has a devoted following that would likely follow it to CW and give them a solid performer in CW numbers.
jbw | Mar 26, 2008 8:43:19 AM | #I agree that The CW may be a great place for the continuation of this great series. The CW has a loyal following and Jericho would fit right in. Hawkings is THE man. What an awesome character!
Juan | Mar 26, 2008 8:58:07 AM | #As someone who lives north of North Dakota I liked the show but I don't have a clue what the the Second Amendment is. Is this something thats commonly known?
The last line in the show should have been "nuts".
Sam | Mar 26, 2008 9:19:11 AM | #Sam -- the Second Amendment of the constitution is the Right to Bear Arms. Specifically: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Personally, I'm a much bigger fan of the First Amendment ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."), but this show makes a damn good case for why the Second Amendment is way up there.
Sarah | Mar 26, 2008 9:25:12 AM | #Second Amendment Right to have arms. And however unlikely it is the events like what happened in jericho is why it exsist.
Chase | Mar 26, 2008 9:27:47 AM | #I really like the last episode. What I liked about the primiere episodes of Jericho was the "little town in the middle of nowhere learning to survive without that big ole governement and all the "stuff" we have now." There was a little MacGyver and a little Young Rebels in the show. How does a town survive on what it has at hand? I liked that and I thought the last scenes got back to that.
As a Midwesterner, I find it odd that Wyoming would be sucked into the Jenning &Rall web and the east coast would not. Backwards if you ask me. Folks in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho have always struck me as healthy sceptics of a large and "helpful" government.
Austin | Mar 26, 2008 10:42:48 AM | #I am almost sad to say that, as an American, I am being compared to people who watch Trash Tv more than a Smart show. American's would rather watch staged reality shows, judge shows, Springer talk Trash, or CSI:SVU than a thought provoking show like "Jericho". If this upsets you, it is more likely that you are one of them. This Country has lost it's moral and social values faster than J & R took over Jericho. I can't help but to think of the William Shatner "Get a Life" skit on Saturday Night Live a few years back. You may not like me saying "Get a Life" Reality Show watchers, but really, "Get a Life". I am just thankful I have a few brain cells left myself. Sad,
but it is true.
I think Journeyman was also one of the top of the class shows this season. What this short season Jericho had going for it was a breathless, desperate pace. For the first time in a while some episodes had my rapt attention and quickening pulse. I'm always impressed when that happens.
I think a TV movie of the Civil War would be great.
I also was struck by the mention in an earlier recap of Turtledove's novels. I was reminded in season one of "1632" which also features making due with reduced technology. Now that history is changing greatly, Turtledove and Turtletaub would find themselves with much in common.
Austin-
It's more for the security and independence of Cheyenne Mountain and NORAD that I could see that area as a rallying point for the government, and I'm sure that was factored into J&R's plan. Also, Wyoming is far from the population centers, which insulates it from attack- which you can't say for the coasts. Otherwise, I completely agree with you.
Call me callous, but I'd still much rather have seen Mimi in that grave than Bonnie. Sure, Mimi did grow on me eventually, but Bonnie was just sweet and obviously knew how to handle her firearms with aplomb (and not a little glee) while defending the old homestead. Mimi just whines a lot, although she's gotten pluckier and thus more tolerable this season. I'd love to know what they shot Jake with before he left the clinic, because I want some after a week of dealing with five-year-olds. Tortured, sleep-deprived, yet he's up and running like Jack Bauer on speed. Even Hawkins had to slow down and bleed after he got shot, and he's the African-American version of Chuck Norris. I agree that the finale was rushed, but then so was the whole season. Necessity bred this, so I'm not complaining, just a little bummed that they couldn't have gotten more into J&R's chicanery and how the divided and decimated country survived after the last episode. I can see a short series of movies or a mini-series to continue the story, kind of like they're doing with Tom Selleck's Stone movies. Regardless, Hawkins is too good of a character to be kept to only 27 episodes of TV. Maybe when he gets down to Texas, he and Jake can team up with Walker: Texas Ranger and kick some serious J&R ass. I'm only half-kidding, of course. So, not a bad ending, and I'm with the people up above who bemoan the inevitable horrendous fan fiction that will follow. I'd love to write a few stories to continue the saga, but I get the feeling there will be a glut of it, so I'll just stick to writing further Twin Peaks stories. They're more fun, anyway. Sorry this all had to end, but this is the USA, where mediocre is the new silk, and too many people wear it well.
Dark Disciple | Mar 26, 2008 12:02:48 PM | #
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