Revolution Review: A Powerful Premiere?

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There was mostly good on the Revolution pilot for me, and only some bad.

Let's get the latter out of the way first: I had a big problem with what is and isn’t working (keep reading for my snarky comments at the end) in relation to technology.

Now, obviously, some technology is going to be used as a plot device because Ben knew this was going to all go down, and, therefore, the algebra teacher’s super special flash drive and ability to boot up her computer didn’t bother me.

Revolution Premiere Picture

However, the narration in the beginning said that modern medicine isn’t really working without technology... so is Danny just benefiting from a left over inhaler because it doesn’t require a plug, merely a pump action?

The good news is for all of the minor quibbles I have over the technology, I never really dwelled on it. I was far more focused on getting to know the characters.

Beginning with the Matheson family: I can’t really say Charlie and Danny are exceptionally deep individuals at this point (but they are pretty, so there’s that), but I do enjoy the bond they share. Charlie is willing to quickly move on after watching her father (maybe) bleed to death to rescue Danny from the militia and keep her family intact.

Charlie doesn’t have the luxury of grieving for very long over anything. The only time we ever see her really show those emotions is when she’s at The Grand with Miles. Her predicament is undesirable, to say the least.

Speaking of Miles, Charlie has to quickly replenish her increasingly diminishing blood relatives to save Danny. Enter Uncle Miles as a not-so-willing participant. Miles is just the type of character to lead the Merry Misfits and the show. His past in the military provide a direct link to the Militia’s leader, Monroe, but he still manages to be incredibly relatable.

If I were in his shoes I, too, would prefer to drink myself to death and stay under the radar if possible, but now that the Militia has found him alive he only has two choices really: hunt or be hunted.

But, for me, the best character is Giancarlo Esposito’s Tom. Just like Breaking Bad’s Gus, Tom has that strong foundation Esposito can project so well. Hr knows when to intimidate and when to use force. There’s also a murky middle to him that makes his character cold and ruthless while simultaneously possessing a set of rules and boundaries.

As for the rest of the characters, Aaron, the guy who worked for Google, will likely come handy at some point, but right now he’s just boring; Nate is trying far too hard at being a Hunger Games participant – should he rebel against the capital or just ruthlessly kill all the Tributes?

Monroe himself has potential. I certainly like what David Lyons was able accomplish with the mediocrity of The Cape. Finally, I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Mitchell and will gladly watch anything she does.

Finally, we’ll end where we started: with technology. The algebra teacher, Grace, leads me to developing a theory. I’m going to guess Ben, and maybe Miles, are part of a group that has the answer to turning everything back on. Miles alluded to as much during his talk with Charlie:

Charlie: Why did Monroe want my Dad? Why does he want you?
Miles: Monroe thinks your dad knew something, something important, and he thinks your Dad told me so I must know it too.
Charlie: What?
Miles: Why the lights went out maybe how to turn them back on. | permalink

However, the characters need a plan a course of action before turning everything back on since the Militias would probably prefer to use technology to start wars versus restarting humanity. The super secret flash drive has the ability to turn electronics on. The damage potential it has is far reaching. The Militia can literally turn all weapons of war back on.

Random Thoughts:

  • The re-emergence of nature is just so amazing. It’s sometimes hard to imagine how much we’ve shaped the world in our image and to watch nature take that back is powerful.
  • New ingenious uses of cars: Flower pots, the cart for a horse and postcard storage.
  • I keep expecting Florence and The Machine to begin playing in the background.
  • This technology thing is getting confusing; as long as someone reloads his musket with a rammer we’re all good? Or are they using them to shoot arrows? So, we’re at Pirates of the Caribbean levels of technology?
  • Should have brought the scotch with you Miles.
  • Did the world’s lack of technology bring about a closeout Henley sale?
  • I was slightly disappointed 4 8 15 16 23 and 42 weren’t used to boot up the computer.

What did you think? Grade the Revolution premiere now:

Pilot Review

Editor Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 3.2 / 5.0 (194 Votes)
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Revolution Season 1 Episode 1 Quotes

80 million dollars in the bank and I would trade it all, right now, for a roll of Charmin.

Aaron

Tom: To tell you the truth, when General Monroe finds out, he's gonna be irate and he might even have my head.
Danny: Let's hope.