Lower Decks

A friendly warning: “Thoughts On…” will be examining episode of television shows that have already aired to completion in the United States, be forewarned that these posts will contain spoilers. So, if you haven’t seen Jericho and don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading now.

Thoughts on Jericho – “Federal Response”

The fourth episode of Jericho was originally broadcast on October 18th, 2006. Power is suddenly restored to the town and a message from Homeland Security arrives through the telephone, on television and on the Internet telling everyone to stay put.  Unfortunately, a power surge causes fires throughout town.

Here are our thoughts:

• The reverse 911 system is pretty darn neat, if it actually works the way it did in this episode.  Simultaneous calls arrive on all the landlines in town?  Impressive.
• Do we ever learn who was responsible for getting power restored to the town?
• Skylar’s friend has actually memorized an IP address?   Who does that?
• Following a nuclear attack, how many people decide to vacuum first thing when power is restored?  Is it just Gail Green or would others think of cleaning?
• That power spike was nasty.  Imagine if those kids had been playing just a few feet closer to the power line.  Grilled.
• This episode had a wonderful exchange between Heather and one of her students:
  

  “Is she going to wake up?”
  “Yes.”
  “With super powers?”
  “Probably not.”

• First Heather runs into a burning building and then Eric!  This town is full of heroes.
• There is probably a good percentage of people who would worry if Lindsay Lohan — or any celebrity — had survived a nuclear attack. Human nature.
• Given all his secrecy and, well, paranoia, it seemed out of character for Hawkins to simply go out in the backyard with a laptop and a giant satellite dish.  And come on, he just happens to glance in the direction of Jake and spot him with the scope?  Maybe he’s the one with the superpowers, not Emily…
• Aside from the pointless teenage scenes, the weakest aspect of this episode was the Eric-April-Mary storyline.  Will he leave his wife for his bartender or won’t he?  Gosh.
• Jake is a person of interest with a flagged passport? What a shocker.

Discuss!