Jeff D's TV Reviews

First off I like the show. Its new, original, and sometimes hard-hitting. I have not been able to watch very many episodes on TV but have caught up on the CBS website. Its about time someone did this for single parents with active kids and a busy life.
There are well-developed characters; villains, heroes, and cannon fodder alike. Wikipedia has a good look at the characters in acse you need a whos who to keep track. Its not too bad on the science of nuclear war and its effects, if a little too restrained. It makes you think what would you do in this situation. Do you have any training in first-aid for someone hurt in an accident? Can you defend your family? Have you ever even gone without a bath or a meal for one day? There have been books and movies about nuclear war and post-apocalyptic survival for years and I have read many and Jericho doesnt do too bad in comparison. Stories such as The Day After, Lucifers Hammer, Alas Babylon, Wolf and Iron, The Postman, and many others give you a good look at what might happen. There is also crap like Damnation Alley and The Survivalist out there too. Lets hope the writers dont feel the need to write in giant cockroaches or mutants.

Some things I question:
As a previous reviewer noted, everything is too clean and bright looking. Look at Battlestar Galactica. Everything on the planet they left behind is dirty and neglected looking. Their equipment is worn and grimy. The survivors are hard-edged and sometimes filthy, with their clothes wearing out and looking tired after the work of surviving.
It looks like too much fun. "Lets go sit in the bar and listen to music and get drunk. There's no one to worry about out there. No one like Ravenwood (Raiders) coming to attack us and take our stuff. No refugees getting ready to swamp our town because it is the last peaceful place in existence. There is nothing better to do with the emergency power than to power up the juke box and dance a little."
Everyone drives everywhere. Gee where is all the gas coming from? I drive a minimum amount and still have to fill up every week or two. Jake just hops in his car and drives downtown to see Dad when he wants. Hello!!! Rationing for emergencies.
It took 2 months before somebody organized a volunteer defense force that still does nothing but fall apart every time Gray wants to be a vigilante or take charge. The mayor should have shot him the first week. I have a hard time believeing that no former Vietnam, or Gulf War, or Iraq vet stepped up and volunteered to train and emergency reaction force of some kind and that the towns safety was in the hands of Barney Fife who mistook a school bus for something else.

Overall still a good show and maybe the writers are correct that too much realism might drive away viewers. I hope that it gets more real in the future. I want to think about the show even after I turn it off and go hmm...what would I have done. Not, "Gee that looks like fun." It grates on my nerves but I still will watch it. After all, its not the A-Team and its not the Batchelor.