Jericho Premiere Review

The CBS TV show Jericho returned from the dead for its Season 2 premiere Tuesday. Jericho had originally been canceled, but passionate fans managed to revive the show. After watching the first episode of season 2, I have to wonder if the show was really worth saving?

For those new to Jericho, the premise revolves around the town of Jericho that has to come together after a series of nuclear attacks on the United States. Season 2 begins with the Cheyenne government trying to restore power and communication to Jericho after their battle with neighboring town New Bern was put to an end.

In the opening minutes, Major Beck (Esai Morales) enters the picture as leader of this rebuilding effort. His character almost plays as convenient plot device; always appearing out of nowhere at just the right time. But maybe this is just part of Major Beck's cunning charm and his self-proclaimed ability to get things done right.

Over the next hour of the TV show, Major Beck seeks to convince Jericho hero Jake (Skeet Ulrich) to give up his vendetta against the man who killed his father, and to help Major Beck rebuild the town by becoming the new sheriff of Jericho instead.

The one for sure saving grace of this saved CBS show is the longtime underrated actor Skeet Ulrich. He is simply hard not to like.

But, considering the success of Jericho might rest in its ability to pick up new viewers, is he enough for new audiences to care about the fate of Jericho or the truth behind the nuclear attacks?

As of now, I would have to reply with a big, boring "No". The first episode of Jericho season 2 does have plenty of universal elements ... an engagement between Stanley and Mimi, the grief of two sons who have lost a father, the need to protect one's family, the search for truth, and a desire for good to win over evil. But with spotty background information, Jericho newcomers might have trouble truly connecting to the characters or the plot. The pilot episode featuring a dropped nuclear bomb was a bit more intriguing than the political nature of this premiere second season episode.

That is not to say that audiences should flip channels just yet though. CBS currently is airing the entire season one episodes online at their official website (here). Newcomers or those who just occasionally watched Jericho last season still have a free chance to catch up on the show. The show is not overly complicated, but an emotional connection to Jericho is more likely to happen with the history of season one in viewer's minds.