Another great premise for a show that didn’t have the ratings to sustain its existence. Perhaps if it was on a network other than CBS, it would’ve been easier to promote, to get a bigger, wider audience and to secure advertisers that follow it. All we have to go on for this post-apopalyptic idea are the 29 episodes that were made. The title of the series is evocative, rousing all sorts of parallels to a biblical town which also was forced to survive apart from the outside world.
During the first season, there were reasons Jericho created such devoted fans. After surviving a nuclear holocaust in which 23 American cities were destroyed, the residents of the farming town of Jericho, Kansas are left to survive without any outside communication or help. On the same day, the return of the mayor’s prodigal son Jake Green (portrayed by classic bad boy Skeet Ulrich of As Good As It Gets and Scream) shakes up the small, close-knit town almost as much as the sight of a mushroom cloud over Denver. Jake returns from a mysterious time away to a family and ex-girlfriend angry with his disappearance, but before long, he becomes the rock of the town, helping to organize people to take care of each other and survive.
Character and relationship development are delightfully central to this ensemble-cast show. Ulrich excels as a dark hero whose past haunts him beneath a tough exterior, and who rises to the challenge of being more than his previous life. He is supported by a large, multi-generational cast that includes veterans Pamela Reed (Kindergarten Cop, Proof of Life and numerous others) and Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon, Major Dad) as well as many younger newcomers and lesser known actors.
The psychology of how humans respond to a crisis of this magnitude is well-explored through Jericho and through its foil, a neighboring town called New Bern. A suspicious character named Robert Hawkins (Lennie James) ties in the mystery element that weaves throughout the show, for it’s clear that Hawkins knows has inside information about the explosions.
What’s unusual about this show is that after the first complete season, CBS cancelled it. The budget was undoubtedly big with all of the special and visual effects, as well as the backlot devoted to the “town” of Jericho. After the season ended, the dedicated fans of the show took a phrase from its battle-filled season finale, the word “nuts,” and declared war on the cancellation. With the encouragement of the show’s cast and makers, the fans sent thousands of packages of nuts to the studio, declaring their faithfulness to its return. CBS reversed its decision and brought Jericho back, but between the writer’s strike and a significant loss in the overall depth and likability of the show, it still wasn’t viable in its second season, lasting just 7 episodes.
The quality of the writing in the second season seemed to be the reason for its downturn. What once was a delicate balance of dialogue, fighting, tension and release became a haphazard mix of trying to quickly answer questions raised in the first season. The characters and relationships that viewers loved about the show were almost completely ignored, neglecting the heart of the story and its fan base.
Special features for Season 1 include commentary on every episode, as well as “Building Jericho,” an interesting mini-documentary explaining the genesis of the show, casting, character construction, and involvement of the cult of Jericho fans.
Season 2 extras are on a bonus DVD of their own. They include a table read of the first episode that is split-screen with scenes from the show; interesting for aspiring scriptwriters and filmmakers. Much attention is paid to the fans of the show, who are credited with bringing it back. There are a few behind-the-scenes looks at the most impressive special and visual effects of the season. “100 Reasons to Watch Jericho” is a cheeky, fan-made montage that any regular watcher will appreciate.