Major television networks have a bad track record when it comes to producing enduring science fiction and fantasy-themed TV series. “Lost”, “SGU” and “Heroes” were momentarily successful, thanks to cliff-hangers that lead fans to believe their plots were ‘going somewhere.’ Ultimately, these series failed critically because they lacked follow through, dropping the ball after the first two or three seasons with weak writing. Other series, such as “V” and “Terra Nova” tanked mainly because writers failed to incorporate prevailing socio-political commentary into plots, which is the hallmark of the genre. Rather, the networks essentially set soap operas in space or in a post-apocalyptic future. With the new fantasy film “Revolution,” NBC stumbles into murky waters with a series that’s heavy on soap opera drama and very light on science fiction.
“Revolution,” produced by an all-star team including “Lost” co-creator J.J. Abrams and “Supernatural’s” Eric Kripke, begins with a promising premise: a massive power outage has rendered the earth electricity free for 15 years, with no end in sight. The power outage, which inexplicably has seemingly erased people’s memories regarding how to generate electricity from simple alkaline solutions copper wiring or create other easy to make products, has also returned civilization to a pre-industrial revolution level, where survivors must to grow their own food, make their own clothes – save the rags they saved from destruction – and travel by horse. This all sounds interesting, except the series doesn’t focus on it.
“Revolution” skips 15 years into the future, when everyone has accepted their fate and gone about living like its the 1300, when gunpowder is first introduced to the West. Interestingly, guns works, so one would think that steam engines, windmills and other mechanical devises that could generate electricity would also work. At any rate, “Revolution” doesn’t chew on science, but focuses on family feuds, love affairs and nostalgia for the past. In some ways, it’s like “Falling Skies,” with humans fighting each other rather than aliens. Prediction: “Revolution” will last two seasons at best.
Revolution Synopsis:
What would you do without it all? In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and “Supernatural’s” Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology – computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights – has mysteriously blacked out forever. A drama with sweeping scope and intimate focus, “Revolution” is also about family – both the family you’re born into and the family you choose. This is a swashbuckling journey of hope and rebirth seen through the eyes of one strong-willed young woman, Charlie Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos, “Being Human”), and her brother Danny (Graham Rogers, “Memphis Beat”). When Danny is kidnapped by militia leaders for a darker purpose, Charlie must reconnect with her estranged uncle Miles (Billy Burke, “The Twilight Saga”), a former U.S. Marine living a reclusive life. Together, with a rogue band of survivors, they set out to rescue Danny, overthrow the militia and ultimately re-establish the United States of America. All the while, they explore the enduring mystery of why the power failed, and if – or how – it will ever return.
The series also stars Anna Lise Phillips (“Animal Kingdom”) as Maggie, Zak Orth (“Romeo + Juliet) as Aaron, JD Pardo (“A Cinderella Story”) as Nate, Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad”) as Captain Tom Neville, David Lyons (“The Cape”) as Bass, Maria Howell (“The Blind Side”) as Grace, Daniella Alonso (“Friday Night Lights”) as Nora, Tim Guinee (“Iron Man”) as Ben Matheson and Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost”) as Rachel Matheson. Kripke, Abrams and Bryan Burk (“Lost,” “Star Trek”) serve as executive producers, and Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) serves as co-executive producer. “Revolution” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Bad Robot Productions, Kripke Enterprises and Warner Bros. Television. The pilot was directed by Favreau.
This is the Worst piece of Crap on tv. Don’t even waste your time watching it.
Revolution was and is a total Waste of time. Use your time doing something else.
Beleive me Revolution, will not last long, Just a matter of time and off it goes.
In what world do Hollywood producers live; or rather, where do they get their ideas about human nature and cultural evolution? Must all post-apocalyptic futures be populated by pychopaths and militia? Nothing creative here. It is dismally pessimistic and frustrating.