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'Jericho': Things get bad
It was another tense, adrenaline-driven hour of Jericho, and it looks like things are about to blow. There's no graceful way of getting out of this; there's no way to back down and save face. Bridges have officially been burned. Whatever happens, it's going to be bloody.
I'm too wiped out to think of a clever spoiler line.
Goetz got Mimi's ledger, but he's shocked to learn that Mimi herself (1)was in the house, and (2) survived. Should have done a more thorough search there, huh, Goetz? Jake goes to Beck for help, but Beck has his hands full -- someone set off a pipe bomb in New Bern, killing six of his men. He's got to quell that situation before he deals with Jake and Goetz. He'll be back in 12 hours. No killing Goetz while I’m gone!
Neither Jake not Goetz is willing to wait that long. Jake calls in the militia and barricades the hospital, while Goetz cuts the power and lays siege. When it looks like Jake isn't going to cave easily, Goetz starts pulling family members out of homes to use as bargaining chips to get the militia members to peel off. Nasty!
But dude, did he make a mistake -- see, Darcy just happens to be in the hospital, and Goetz's goons try to enlist Hawkins to help them. First they tell him it's a hostage situation. Then they tell him they just need him to talk to Darcy on the phone and tell her to leave. Doesn't sound so hostagey to me, there, boys, Hawkins says. When the Goons try to strong-arm him, Hawkins goes into action hero mode, kicking butts, breaking necks and otherwise laying waste to the Goons. He takes one of the Goons hostage and gets into the hospital. That's three Goons down..
Problem is, Fred, who is inside the hospital, is still playing collaborator with Goetz. Boo! Fred frees the one Goon Hawkins had taken hostage (he killed the other three, because he's a bad-ass), and the Goon gets a gun. Cue the firefight in the hallway, with Hawkins calmly counting shots until the Goon's clip runs out and Hawkins can kick him in the head repeatedly.
(Have I mentioned I love Hawkins? I totally have Mrs. And Mrs. Bad-ass Hawkins written on my Trapper Keeper.)
But there's still a problem -- it's only a mater of time before Goetz breaks in. Jake sets the deputies to work chopping a hole in the wall, and lets the mole (Emily, in her Appearance of the Week, got to be useful and figure out who it was) let Goetz and Goons in. The Goons find the hole and figure everyone's escaped -- they said something about hiding out at Stanley's farm! But psyche! Everyone was hiding out in another room, waiting for them to go! Goetz really sucks at searching, doesn't he? Fred the Collaborator gives Jake some intelligence about Goetz, and we'll see if that keeps him alive much longer. I wouldn't lay odds on it...
Meanwhile, Hawkins contacts John Smith and strong arms him for some help. John gives him the confidential e-mail for the J&R president, and Mimi gets Trish to resurrect and send the data that proves Goetz stole money. J&R is fine with the senseless waste of human life, but take their money? That gets them pissed. Goetz gets fired, and Trish tells him she hopes he rots in hell. Me too, Trish. Me too.
The Jericho militia is lying in wait for post-job Goetz -- Jake warns that they have to take him alive. A firefight breaks out, and Goetz's remaining Goons are all killed. Goetz surrenders, and a couple of freelancers from New Bern are there trying to kill him and take him to Constantine. There's a standoff, which Stanley strolls into the middle of. Then Stanley pulls out a gun and shoots Goetz in the head. Oof. But because it's Stanley, not some sort of hardened killer, he immediately loses his lunch.
The New Bern guys take Goetz back to the town limits and string his body up. Beck is not happy about it. Things are going to get even uglier next week.
There's more!
- Oof, the scene where Stanley said goodbye to Bonnie just broke my heart. Great work on Brad Beyer's part.
- Heather gets a visit from the New Bern freelancers -- Constantine has put a price on her head for working with Beck. Heather refuses to back down.
- John Smith reveals more about the J&R conspiracy -- the new president used to be a J&R hotshot, and the company was his donor for his first (and all subsequent) campaigns. Now? J&R basically is the government. It goes all the way to the top.
- Seriously -- how long would Goetz remain employed in a paramilitary organization with such shoddy search skills?
Next week, Beck gets bad-ass, Hawkins moves the bomb, and Jake starts talking about a new American Revolution. Two episodes left this season -- and it's looks like it's going to be a hell of a ride. What do you think?
I watched the scene where Stanley said good-bye to Bonnie with tears streaming down my face. I kept wanting her to move or something so her death would be a mistake.
As far as the rest of it goes, Hawkins was awesome, Jake kept his cool, and even Emily was useful. And Goetz kept proving over and over again just what a useless bucket of slime he really is (was) - that's one character that won't be missed at all.
Just how much can they cram into the remaining two episodes? I'm looking forward to seeing them, that's for sure!
Melody | Mar 12, 2008 12:35:29 AM | #I too had tears streaming down my face, when Stanley said Good bye to Bonnie, what a powerful scene. I really liked this eppy because Goedtz got his due, he was a nasty person, and greedy. I am excited to see next week show to the repercussion of the killing of Goedtz.
Nancy | Mar 12, 2008 4:03:37 AM | #The episode was great! Needless to say tears flowed when Stanley said good-bye. My adrenalen was pumping last night. Sad that there are only two episodes left. Just hope CBS doesn't cancel the show. The networks in the last 5 years have had a history of canceling the good and keeping the boring.
Pat | Mar 12, 2008 6:23:57 AM | #Count me in with the waterworks while watching Stanley saying his last goodbye to Bonnie. Very well done scene - heartbreaking. I do wonder why nobody seemed to notice Stanley come right up and put the gun to Goetz's head. Wake up, people! Now you have a real problem on your hands! ;)
Good episode! A little bit of humor even - the two deputies knocking out the escape hole. Hey, just thought of something. Was he using a pickax? Where the heck did he get that at a clinic?
Lots of action on tap for the last two episodes, eh? Can't wait!
One more thing - just a little one, but...
No small town, which can usually afford only one, would put their one big "Welcome" sign on some old gravel pit road! New Bern is a town of enough size to merit an actual tar road, I'm sure. Another misconception by big city writers, but the sound of screeching tires on gravel always sounds cooler! Did like the final shot of Goetz's hanging body, though! Good riddance, I say!
darkcity | Mar 12, 2008 6:29:52 AM | #Has CBS ever said there might be more episodes of the series? This brief season, I thought, was due to fan's pressure and was meant to tie up loose ends and give some sort of closure to the storyline. I don't see how that can happen in just two episodes, but the bomb being moved in next week's episode may be just the key to the unraveling of the new American government. So two episodes can deliver a lot of closure.
William Robinson | Mar 12, 2008 7:05:10 AM | #OK. I cried too. Stanley's pain was so real.
And HAWKINS!!!! Never mess with that man's family! Goetz was toast at that moment.
Just a terrific episode. Compelling. CBS you need Jericho! Season 3 for a full 22 episodes.
Liberty | Mar 12, 2008 7:09:12 AM | #I didn't cry at Bonnie's scene, but it was well done. The score was a little too strong for my taste but, what can you do?
One qualm I had with this episode is when Mimi was on the phone with the J&R chick from "John From Cincinnati" (can't remember her character's name), Mimi never gave her the e-mail address or the code. She alluded to it but never actually provided it. Not that big of a deal but it was sloppy writing. It would have taken 5 seconds to show the J&R character writing down information from Mimi and I'd be happy. I understand not wanting to give the guy's name just in case it is someone we already know but there is a way to tie-up the scene. I'm overly critical though, and I admit that.
Can't wait for the last two episodes.
Blue Sean | Mar 12, 2008 7:09:32 AM | #I enjoyed every minute of this episode. It had a lot of action, suspense, and drama. Goetz difinitely got what he deserved. However, the wrath of Beck is coming. Hopefully Beck and Jake can work it out, and work together on more pressing matters like stopping a corrupt government/organization.
I'm still not convinced John Smith (Hawkins inside source) is a good guy. He still may be conning Hawkins into giving him the bomb for the sake of saving J & R from being stopped. The bomb is difintely the one item that would show how corrupt the Cheyenne really is.
Putting so much into these 7 episodes is the best thing they ever did. There is never a dull moment in any of the episodes. If CBS renews it (which I hope they do) they should make sure it airs non-stop (no reruns in between). Also, maybe CBS can give them a clear end-date (like LOST) therefore they can plan the storyline appropriately, with a proper ending. I would be happy with a 16 episode season that airs non-stop with a 2-hour series finale at the end.
Shaggysteve | Mar 12, 2008 8:29:52 AM | #I think Jack Bauer has a rival for TV's badass in Hawkins; I knew those guys were in trouble the minute they came into his house.
Jake tried to play by Beck's rules and keep away from Goetz. But Goetz wouldn't stay away from him. Have a feeling that Trish will end up dead or a bad guy.
Sounds like major problems in New Bern; of course they were crazy last year. Heather was quite the bad ass her self standing up to the New Bern guys. I actually thought she was dead when she refused to stop helping Beck.
Not sure why they have the trouble with Beck next week, or why they assume Beck will figure it out. He hasn't figured anything out so far. Seems to be Jake could tell the truth up to a point, that Goetz tried to take Mimi from the hospital; they held him off, tricked him into leaving; then arranged for evidence of his embezzling to be sent to J&R. Trish would inform Beck that they left Goetz and his men in backwoods without transportation. Beck would have to assume that New Bern guys took Goetz on the road; without knowledge of Jake and the Rangers.
jbw | Mar 12, 2008 8:46:53 AM | #I just started watching regularly this season, and I really hope CBS doesn't cancel this show. It's just too good to end now.
Jason | Mar 12, 2008 8:51:57 AM | #jbw- What happens when Beck tries to corroborate their story with New Burn? Surely New Burn will say the same thing and let Jericho be the scapegoat. Then, Beck will be able to figure out that they were equally responsible.
Blue Sean | Mar 12, 2008 9:09:52 AM | #I noticed when they were running the previous for next weeks' episode that the voice-over said "....last two episodes of the season". SEASON???? Hmmm, I wonder if CBS knows something we don't yet?? Wouldn't they say "...last two episodes of the series" or "last episode leading to the series finale".
Keep your fingers crossed that CBS keeps Jericho for another season!!
Linda | Mar 12, 2008 10:11:00 AM | #Sorry - that should have read "preview" for next weeks' episode.
Linda | Mar 12, 2008 10:11:47 AM | #Two words: Hawkins? Awesome! Now for the rest of the show. I didn't cry at the scene with Stanley saying goodbye to Bonnie, because I was too damned pissed off that she was dead. Call that my unfortunate white knight wannabe coming through. What did deeply disturb me, though, was when Stanley shot Goetz in the head. Yes, Goetz deserved to be executed (if not outright tortured beforehand, Jack Bauer-style), but I really, really did not think Stanley would be the one to do it. There's something about him that doesn't scream "vengeance seeker," unlike Hawkins, who probably would have preferred to have taken Goetz somewhere private and "disappear" him. With the execution--for that is what it was--of Goetz out in the open for all to see, now everything that the folks of Jericho have been trying to accomplish for the past few weeks is going to unravel very quickly. There are only two episodes left, yes, but I get the feeling that more will get done in 88 minutes (aka, two 44-minutes "hours") than happens on most shows in two seasons. You could almost see the look of total exasperation on Hawkins face after Stanley pulled the trigger, as if he just wanted to throw up his hands and say, "Y'all work this out for yourselves, I'm done." While the scene was very well done and effective (particularly with Stanley's vomiting afterwards, which I think most decent people would do after executing somebody, even if the bastard did deserve it), in some ways I'm sorry it happened, now that I've had time to get over the shock of it and digest the potential ramifications. True, the innocence of Jericho was tainted early in the first season, but now it almost seems as if what made Jericho, Jericho, is all but gone. Maybe by the end of the last episode, we won't want to come back for a third season, for much of what made Jericho such a wonderful town no longer exists. When a show can make me feel that way about a fictional place, then I know the writers and others involved have created something worthwhile. Really, did anybody care when the tornado took down Wisteria Lane? I didn't. Jericho, on the other hand (the town, I mean)? I'll miss what it used to be. And for the folks at CBS...Hawkins needs a spin-off. 'Nuff said.
Dark Disciple | Mar 12, 2008 10:25:11 AM | #Linda- The cancellation nor renewal is set-in-stone yet. The network and producers are eternally optimistic about the show and will not bill it the series finale unless they have a signed cancellation notice (or whatever is applicable). I wouldn't read too much into it. Hell, the last four episodes of my beloved "Arrested Development" were aired opposite the Winter Olympics opening ceremony and was still billed as a "season" finale. The official cancellation wasn't confirmed until the network upfronts in May.
Blue Sean | Mar 12, 2008 11:06:40 AM | #WOW..WHAT AN EPISODE!!
Is it just me or do they just keep getting better and better?
I was sad to see Stanley kill Geotz. I didn't blame him and I understood, but it still hurt a lot. I wondered what would have happened if Johnston was still here.
CBS just CAN'T cancel JERICHO. I will be so broken-hearted. This is the best show I've seen in a long, long time.
CBS PLEASE RENEW JERICHO!!
Oh yeah...I LOVE JAKE AND HAWKINS!!
THANKS FOR YOUR BLOG.
BTW, it's Constantino, whom I hope gets killed next!
Blue Sean
but how would Beck know who to question in New Bern? I didn't see anyone around for Beck to capture when he discovered Goetz's body. Jake and Co. could still play dumb; even if somebody from New Bern gave up Jericho. The body is in New Bern; so why would Beck believe anything from New Bern. Especially considering New Bern is such a problem with violence.
jbw | Mar 12, 2008 2:16:43 PM | #Love this show! I hope it gets renewed but not for more than 10 episodes each seacon. That way, each episode will be tight like now.
katie | Mar 12, 2008 5:35:29 PM | #Love this show! I hope it gets renewed but not for more than 10 episodes each seacon. That way, each episode will be tight like now.
katie | Mar 12, 2008 5:35:53 PM | #I watched the scene where Stanley said good-bye to Bonnie ... and kept waiting for the scene to end. Yawn. She's dead. We get it. Move on with the plot. (Well, it was an easy way for writers to fill 2 minutes.)
yawn | Mar 12, 2008 8:13:46 PM | #My memory seems to have failed me because I thought Constintine was dead. Didn't Beck take Jake to a tent and unzip a body bag which contained Constintine's body? It happened when Jake was going to go after Constintine for killing Johnston.
Cherokee672 | Mar 13, 2008 6:44:50 AM | #Huge ache in my throat and tears down my cheeks, even though I kept telling myself, "It's only a TV show." This is truly edge-of-your seat drama and CBS would be brain-dead not to renew it. But fear not, fans - if they do, someone else will pick it up, much like what happened to "Monk."
Ardently second the motion for a Hawkins spinoff!
Nancy | Mar 13, 2008 6:53:26 AM | #Cherokee, according to the recap of the premiere episode at this site, Beck shows Jake "a couple of New Bern thugs" who were caught/killed trying for revenge. I'm sure if it was Beck, the writer would have said so. I remember the scene and remember the bodies, but I wasn't sure who was in the bags...I didn't recognize Constantine.
Danny | Mar 13, 2008 7:00:42 AM | #Oops, make that last reference to Beck Constantine.
Danny | Mar 13, 2008 7:02:07 AM | #jbw- Good point. I'm sure Beck would be smart enough, though, to know who some of the trouble-makers in New Bern are and I'm sure word would get around to all of them.
Also, I think the body is on the New Bern/Jericho city line so it isn't guaranteed to be in New Bern city limits.
Blue Sean | Mar 13, 2008 8:11:51 AM | #
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