Three Reasons Why I Love the Television Show Jericho

When the first season of Jericho started, I was very surprised to see how much I enjoyed it. The only reason I even watched the first episode was because it was set in Kansas. I was curious to see how they would portray the state that I now call home. Needless to say, the entire season was a pleasant surprise. It was a sad, sad day when the news came that it was canned due to low viewer-ship. Thanks to an incredible influx of nuts sent to the company, it has been revived on a trial basis. Hopefully, the media attention will increase viewer-ship so others can see what an interesting television show it is. There were three main reasons that I loved this show.

First, it is more realistic that anything I have ever seen. When was the last time you saw a movie or show about a post nuclear world and you thought that it was how it could be. Most of them are full of monsters, horribly disfigured or mutants bent on taking over the world. This show is full of real humans who face real problems. Food shortages, rationing and lack of electricity and communication with the rest of the country are all problems that we can relate to even if we haven't experienced them. Corruption in the government, mercenaries taking the meager supplies that have been stockpiled and the leader of a neighboring city becoming a dictator and raising a military to take over your fairly peaceful city were major problems during season one. Season two is going to continue dealing with those issues and the conflict is only going to increase. With problems that we can relate to and even fear, something from each episode is sure to hit home.

Second, it has everything you could want in a show. There is comedy, drama, romance, suspense and even crime. It is classified as a drama, but there is a little bit of everything in it. There is romance with long lost loves, affairs, divorces and new relationships. There is a certain criminal aspect to it, as well. Small town sheriffs with very little experience in fighting crime are subjected to things that usually only big city cops have to deal with. They are also in unfamiliar territory, since this has never happened to them before. The first season was very suspenseful. You were never sure who was telling the truth and who was lying. The bad guys don't look like bad guys and the ones who look and act like good guys have secrets that they are trying to hide. Some of the secrets have begun to be revealed, but until we know the whole truth, things could change dramatically. Every time you think that you know what is going on, who is behind the bombings, who is good or who is bad, something happens that turn all your theories upside down. It causes you to think and it keeps you on your toes. The comedy aspect is, obviously, not as large, but there is still a little bit of comedy in this series. So, whatever you like, this series is bound to interest you.

Lastly, it makes you think. In a world where we just sit and stare at televisions, computers and video games, this series gets you thinking about the intriguing web of lies and deceit that began before the bombings. It makes you wonder who is responsible, who can be trusted and if anyone is really good. Plus, it can provoke interesting conversation about what you think might happen in this situation. What would you do to survive? I love that this series really touches you. You can get involved with the characters and their lives. Each incident that has occurred in the lives of this small town has the amazing ability to cause us to imagine how our lives would be in this situation, if we let it. Of course, if you just want to veg out and watch this series, that is possible, too.

Thankfully, my wait for the new season is almost over. It is scheduled to begin February 12. If this season is as interesting as the first one, it should be great to watch. Hopefully, the viewer-ship will increase and there will be no need to repeat last seasons protest. I honestly don't think it will work a second time. Those of you who already know and love Jericho will hopefully agree with something that I have said. Of course, you may not agree with anything I said and have your own opinions about why you love this show. To anyone who hasn't given this show a chance, I hope one of my reasons will entice you to watch it at least once. If you want to watch, the new season begins on February 12, 2008. Be sure to check your local listings for the time.