Jericho: Red Flag
The latest episode of Jericho, Red Flag, added to the intrigue of the bombings while also developing character relationships. However, some problems with character motivation still remain.
The most important event of the episode was the supply drop. The whole thing was very intriguing, what with the mishmash of Russian planes, Chinese markings and US microchips. It’s proof that this show can do things well if it wants to. I liked the tie in with the episode title – the Red flag of China, and perhaps a warning of things to come. I’m not sure about the reasoning behind the idea that the food is poisoned – it seems like a needlessly complicated military course of action. It would make sense if they wanted to keep the infrastructure intact, but I really can’t imagine what strategic value Gracie’s store or the Green’s ranch would have.
The second most important event of the episode is that, for once, Jake (Skeet Ulrich) didn’t know something. I don’t think that there were any pigs flying around the town, but the residents were probably too busy preparing for Thanksgiving to notice.
Unfortunately, the writers seem to think this show can’t survive without a weekly dose of Mary Sue. This week it was Emily’s (Ashley Scott) turn; she was able to single-handedly break into a fortified compound, knock out a guy twice her size and save the day. Significant time was also devoted to flirting with Jake. Despite both being the most talented people to ever grace the Earth, that’s one couple I just can’t make myself care about.
One pairing I do like is that of Mimi (Alicia Coppola) and Stanley (Brad Beyer) – they have great chemistry. I’m quite pleased that they haven’t dragged out the tension between them, which is a mistake that a lot of shows make (I’m looking at you, Lost!). I do wonder what Bonnie (Shoshannah Stern) thinks of their blossoming romance – speaking of which, where the hell is she? They may need to send out a search party – Jericho strikes me as the kind of town where they might burn anyone who is different at the stake…
I still don’t understand why Eric’s (Kenneth Mitchell) happiness doesn’t mean anything to Gail (Pamela Reed) and Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney). As Johnston said, Gail’s view is quite hypocritical, but I suppose that may indicate that she feels some guilt over her actions. I get that the Greens are supposed to represent traditional family values, but surely they can’t think that Eric and April (Darby Stanchfield) should stay together at any cost. Having two parents that despise each other is hardly going to be beneficial for the child. I really don’t buy the Mayor as the pinup for morality, either – he tells Jonah (James Remar) to stop blackmailing Gracie, but then does virtually the same thing. He needs to practice what he preaches, because he sure does a lot of preaching.
As for the election next week. I think it’s good that the electoral process is going to continue. We certainly don’t want the Mayor to follow in Caesar's footsteps like I predicted last week. Truly though, who would really want either Mayor Green or Gray (Michael Gaston) running the town? I’m hoping that there will be a write-in vote for one of Stanley’s cows.
It’s always a brave move to kill a character, but I think the writers took the easy way out by knocking off Gracie. Rather than get rid of one that would potentially be well liked, they took Gracie to the point of cartoonish villain before slaying her. If there’s a lesson to be learned from this, it’s that if you put your own interests ahead of anyone else’s in Jericho, you’re going to die. You’d better watch out, Eric!
As for who did it, the obvious answer is Mitchell (Clayne Crawford) in an attempt to frame Jonah. We’ll have to wait and if the Jericho writers go the predictable route, or take the twisted path.
Next week is the mid-season finale, with the show likely to return in February. I’m hoping they pull out all the stops so that people will actually tune in again next year. Despite all my criticism, I really don’t want the show to bomb.
*Screencap courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and commentary
Screencap from Red Flag*
The second most important event of the episode is that, for once, Jake (Skeet Ulrich) didn’t know something. I don’t think that there were any pigs flying around the town, but the residents were probably too busy preparing for Thanksgiving to notice.
Unfortunately, the writers seem to think this show can’t survive without a weekly dose of Mary Sue. This week it was Emily’s (Ashley Scott) turn; she was able to single-handedly break into a fortified compound, knock out a guy twice her size and save the day. Significant time was also devoted to flirting with Jake. Despite both being the most talented people to ever grace the Earth, that’s one couple I just can’t make myself care about.
One pairing I do like is that of Mimi (Alicia Coppola) and Stanley (Brad Beyer) – they have great chemistry. I’m quite pleased that they haven’t dragged out the tension between them, which is a mistake that a lot of shows make (I’m looking at you, Lost!). I do wonder what Bonnie (Shoshannah Stern) thinks of their blossoming romance – speaking of which, where the hell is she? They may need to send out a search party – Jericho strikes me as the kind of town where they might burn anyone who is different at the stake…
I still don’t understand why Eric’s (Kenneth Mitchell) happiness doesn’t mean anything to Gail (Pamela Reed) and Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney). As Johnston said, Gail’s view is quite hypocritical, but I suppose that may indicate that she feels some guilt over her actions. I get that the Greens are supposed to represent traditional family values, but surely they can’t think that Eric and April (Darby Stanchfield) should stay together at any cost. Having two parents that despise each other is hardly going to be beneficial for the child. I really don’t buy the Mayor as the pinup for morality, either – he tells Jonah (James Remar) to stop blackmailing Gracie, but then does virtually the same thing. He needs to practice what he preaches, because he sure does a lot of preaching.
As for the election next week. I think it’s good that the electoral process is going to continue. We certainly don’t want the Mayor to follow in Caesar's footsteps like I predicted last week. Truly though, who would really want either Mayor Green or Gray (Michael Gaston) running the town? I’m hoping that there will be a write-in vote for one of Stanley’s cows.
It’s always a brave move to kill a character, but I think the writers took the easy way out by knocking off Gracie. Rather than get rid of one that would potentially be well liked, they took Gracie to the point of cartoonish villain before slaying her. If there’s a lesson to be learned from this, it’s that if you put your own interests ahead of anyone else’s in Jericho, you’re going to die. You’d better watch out, Eric!
As for who did it, the obvious answer is Mitchell (Clayne Crawford) in an attempt to frame Jonah. We’ll have to wait and if the Jericho writers go the predictable route, or take the twisted path.
Overall Rating
Next week is the mid-season finale, with the show likely to return in February. I’m hoping they pull out all the stops so that people will actually tune in again next year. Despite all my criticism, I really don’t want the show to bomb.
*Screencap courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification and commentary
Hee. And we've hardly seen them too... unlike the other contenders.
I found the episode quite mediocre, up until the end... I'm both happy/sad to see Gracie get stabbed. I don't like her voice, so if she is dead that's one less thing to be annoyed with.
If Eric dies, I'll be joyful. Emily goes? Ecstatic.
Where was Heather this ep? Her absence helped in making "Red Flag" not so interesting for me.
Celebrity Obsession
For the first time in the series I actually liked Eric. His growing a backbone and standing up to his father about April redeemed him for me. I've never liked Gail or Johnston....and now I really don't like them!
I was surpised they killed off Gracie, but not unhappy about it. Damn she was irritating.
KylieW
I have to say my favourite characters are Stanley, Mimi and Heather. They all seem to be a bit more complex and developed than some of the other characters. I like Hawkins as well, but the heavy-handedness with his plotlines annoys me a bit.