Jericho: The Most Underrated Show on Television

The CBS drama 'Jericho' wrapped up its first and possibly only season with one of the most thought provoking season finales on television in recent memory. 'Jericho' comes from the mold of shows such as 'Lost' or 'Heroes', where there are so many different questions to be answered that will leave the viewer trying to put the pieces together. The premise is after terrorists attack the U.S. with strategically placed nuclear bombs, the small Kansas town of Jericho has to carry on without knowing what is going on with the rest of the country.

This show is so much more than another disaster drama. For example, there is Jake Green, played by Skeet Ulrich, who returns to town after living a, for a lack of a better word, colorful life after leaving town. Playing the role of the prodigal son, Jake returns to town with a lot of questions about why he left town and what he was doing in the time he was gone. He arrives in town the day the bombs go off and has no other choice but to stick around and help the town he once thought he left in his rear view mirror for good.

There is also Robert Hawkins, played by Lennie James. Hawkins' true identity remained uncertain for most of the season. It was believed that he had a hand in the nuclear terrorist attacks that devastated 25 U.S. cities. However, it was revealed that he is an FBI agent who infiltrated the domestic terrorist organization that carried out these attacks. With Hawkins' combat knowledge, he has become a great help to protecting the town of Jericho from the dangers of the outside world.

The first season ended with Johnston Green, Jake's father, played by Gerald McRaney, leading the townspeople in a very lopsided effort against the neighboring town of New Bern, whose mayor is under the impression that Jericho was responsible for sending the militia group, Ravenwood, into their town to kill their people and pilfer their supplies. The town of New Bern has Jericho outmanned and outgunned in efforts to take over the farms of the people of Jericho. In a dramatic turn of events, Johnston is shot and killed, leaving Jake and his brother Eric to lead the town and make a stand against the invading forces. Jake found himself having to make a decision, stand and fight or give in.

The defining moment of this episode came when the mayor of New Bern, Constantino, radios Jake requesting that he and the rest of Jericho surrender. In defiance, Jake responds in one word, "nuts", in reference to a World War II story told to him by his grandfather. The season ends with the cliffhanger with the people of Jericho opening fire, but on whom?

This show has not been getting the ratings it really should for the caliber of show it is. The break it was given by the network during the winter months may have factored into the drop off in ratings. For that, the network has itself to blame.

There is not another show like it on television right now. It is comparable to '24', but with a more in-depth storyline. Network television today consists of two types of dramas, crime and supernatural. There are enough of these two on the air right now. 'Jericho' is in danger of being cut loose after one season. It would be a shame for the loyal viewers of this program to be left hanging after what was truly a great way to end a season of a television show.