lennie james

(S02E01) As the show began, I couldn't help but feel like I was seeing an old friend. You know, that friend who went away for a semester and you missed because he was always entertaining. I know I wasn't the only one grinning like an idiot as the the new season of Jericho began.

Esai Morales sure has come a long way since he played Ritchie Valens' big brother. Seeing him in another leader role reminds me how good he was on NYPD Blue. Taming Sipowicz is going to look like a piece of cake compared to this job.

I suppose we're lucky that this is a "season one" DVD and not a "complete series" set. The nut campaign aimed at CBS worked, and the second season of Jericho will start in a few months. It's only going to be seven episodes long, and then they'll look at those ratings and see if it warrants more episodes.

In the meantime, we have this season one set. You either like the show or you don't, which will help you decide whether you will want the DVD or not. And if you buy it, you're interested in the extras, and on this set they're actually pretty good.

Jericho was canceled once, only to be saved by a massive nut-sending campaign (and that's probably the first time I've ever typed the words "nut-sending campaign"), and the show will return in a few months for it's second season, which at the moment is slated to last seven episodes (when we last left the town, they were starting a battle with New Bern and military people were on the way). But what if the episodes are low-rated? What will happen in the story if the CBS show is canceled again?

(S01E22) First off, I have to say I love a good flashback. The way tonight's show blended the flashbacks with the current scenes was really well done. For a show that has really become very basic, the level of artistry is very high.

Well, Heather is alive and she's in Nebraska. I've been to Nebraska and, quite frankly, she was better off dead (that's a joke, son). It was great that Heather was able to alert the military to what's happening between Jericho & New Bern but relief is clearly going to come at a price and Robert Hawkins' name is on that price tag. I loved that shot of Heather looking at the flag, that very disturbing looking flag.

(S01E20) As the episode began, with Jake & Erik both behind bars, it looked like this might be Erik's big chance to grow a pair. It was nice to see the Green boys working together and standing up to the New Bernians, who it turns out are a bigger threat than Ravenwood.

I can't say I was surprised to see Maggie return but it made me really concerned for her safety. As we've seen, when a lady gets involved with Jake, things rarely turn out well for them. I guess she should consider herself lucky that she was only shot in the leg.

(S01E18) Beef Stew. That's what I call an episode like tonights. Plenty of great information to sink your teeth into. Let's get right to it.

Most of the episode was spent with Hawkins filling JackJake in on what happened. Amazingly, he had all the answers. Who dropped the bombs, why they did it, how he was involved. He revealed it all, much to Jake's shock and awe. I'm glad that we finally got some answers. Personally, I can never understand why people don't just ask, "What is going on here?" Cough, Lost, cough.

(S01E17) Well, it had to happen. No, I'm not talking about the refugee uprising. I'm talking about the below average episode that Jericho always delivers after two great ones.

I'll try not to dwell on the bad parts so I'll just say I have no interest in the criminal adventures of Dale & Skyler. The smug look on Dale's face was enough to make me want to stop watching.

I honestly don't know what to say about the use of the old hackneyed "wrestle for the gun until it goes off" device. What's next? An impromptu concert from a rock band who happens to be passing through town? I really thought Jericho was better than that.

(S01E16) I love any show that starts with someone burying a dead body. I especially liked the metaphor that Hawkins was digging his own hole deeper and deeper with every lie he tells. It's clear that he will have to share his secrets with the town very soon.

This episode had so much action in the first ten minutes that I was hooked right away. Just when I think I've had enough of the end of the world, Jericho reels me back in.

I especially liked all the technical information I learned by watching this episode. Whether it's building a windmill, delivering a baby or "negotiating" a contract, there was plenty to be learned.