Revolution Review: A Powerful Premiere? Comments (Page 2)
73 Comments
Mandee
September 25th, 2012 2:46 PM
OK , I was so excited to begin watching this show. I am fascinated with the survival methods we would have to learn if such an event did occur, sadly this show is greatly lacking in that creativity, but sure seems to include killing after gory killing. Not the kind of show me and my children will continue to watch thank you.
richmondred13 Rank: New User
September 24th, 2012 6:45 PM
It certainly wasn't boring, it was AWESOME and I can't wait for the next episodes. I'm sure if you see my other posts I'm a Billy Burke fan but even if you set that aside, think about this for a sec--not only do you have the director of "Iron Man" but you have the genius of J.J. Abrams at work on this incredibly refreshing NON-REALITY based series. I think it ROCKS, the character choices are perfect and I love the fact that it makes you wonder how are they going to top THAT episode! I LOVE IT! CAN'T WAIT FOR 10 P.M.-SHOWTIME-and should something come up where I'm not here for an episode, God Bless DVR'S!!!!
Jon
September 22nd, 2012 7:16 PM
They didn't say the "event" made modern medicine stop working - they said that without electricity, the means to produce it were destroyed. Therefore, using a relic like an inhaler is plausible.
Also, guns also work in this series - you see a few non-muskets around. The Black Lieutenant uses a handgun, and soldiers in Monroe's camp have machine-guns in their hands. I'm assuming muskets are only used because guns are falling into disrepair 15+ years into the future.
My only complaint about the pilot was brother Miles pulling all that ninja stuff to kill all those foot soldiers:
1.) It's implausible.
2.) It turns the foot soldiers from actual threatening enemies to cannon fodder, and to do so in the pilot really sets a tone for the rest of the series.
3.) I'm fearing that it'll exploit this really neat, speculative setting to make an action series.
ginger
September 22nd, 2012 1:12 PM
This pilot reminded me of Terra Nova. I had great expectations but found the inconsistencies became more important than the storyline. The visuals were interesting but not enough to carry the series. I will be surprised if it survives on Monday night when it goes up against Castle and Hawaii 50, both of which have large fan bases.
sharon
September 22nd, 2012 12:33 PM
Seemed a lot like Jerico. You could almost write the show yourself. Don't think it will make it. I say try again.
gibbles
September 22nd, 2012 8:01 AM
Liked this pilot
Stephen
September 22nd, 2012 2:12 AM
SM Stirling explored this theme in his novel Dies the Fire (which was reasonably self-contained, but lent itself to a follow-up series). He took much more care with the technology, making sure to kill not just electricity but also combustion. The characters spend some time running scientific tests to try to figure out the new physical laws and wondering why the human body is still functioning, before concluding that there's clearly something intentional and targeted at work. They don't have much time to think it through, though, because ALMOST EVERYONE DIES THE FIRST YEAR.
Yes, we have people with all sorts of old-fashioned skills, and yes, American society functioned for a long time without electricity. But that tech level supported a much smaller population. Without the technology to move food and supplies around, the world faced a mass starvation event, with its accompanying disease and war (and lots of bad guy cannibals). You don't just magically drop down to a sustainab
jax22
September 21st, 2012 8:33 PM
Best looking show of the season so far.
Not happy they had to kill the father off right away. he seems like a good character.
Julien
September 21st, 2012 7:06 PM
A quite interesting topic, but the only feeling I had watching this pilot is doubt.
Background and landscape is pretty cool and realistic (In 15 years, nature was able to expend in cities, but it's not a huge jungle...). The soundtrack isn't very good. Sounds like a kind of medieval tune, I don't think that's the right thing to do fort a post-apocalyptical world. Clothes are too much trend and clean, looks like they just bought their stuff at H&M.
Why is google-guy looking for first aid kit in the plane? Isn't medicine a short lapsing time stuff?
The device used by the teacher is a little bit "magical"... Perhaps they will end out with a rational explanation such as an electric field which turns on everything in a short range...
Long story short story, next episode will be determinant for my choice of watching or not this show.
Mark
September 21st, 2012 2:17 PM
I was really disappointed, with the total lack of realisms and the rubbish formulated plot (well if you can call it that) pretty boy meets tomboys girl , pretty boy has asthmas , girls looks out for him crap. When they got into hat RV that was supposed to be there for years, they just pulled back the creepers and there it was all gleaming inside, mould spores on the food in fridge. It that had been there for more that a years the food would be dried dust and their would be algae all over the RV. I wondered how long the usual NBC formula would surface, it involves guns, shooting and a bit of torture and oh yes there it was. Predictable, boring and lets just hope its gets better, but please drop the pretty boys and girls, were not interested in their romance ( i got up to make tea at these points) , we want a good story and plot.kill them off or something.
Lynda
September 21st, 2012 1:27 PM
And seriously if the writer of this article liked this show he must be getting paid by NBC..Or really doesn't know the difference between dreck and quality. and this show is not quality.
Lynda
September 21st, 2012 1:23 PM
Alfi hit it on the head. The planes spiraling out of the sky was pretty cool. The rest of the show was one big snooze. Every single word of dialogue was so formulaic I practically was able to mouth the words along with the actors. The scenario of the US breaking down into fiefdoms is SOOOOO over done in post apocalyptic books, movies etc it is not funny. And all of that over emoting about it is all about family about made me puke.
The lack of credibility of many of the details was just horrendous - Remember you last bite of ice cream because you won't see it again? Really? Hand churns were around a lot longer than mass produced ice cream. No power? Steam and water power have been around centuries longer than electricity.
The first scene made me want to just bitch slap mom. One kid glued to the TV. Instead of turning it off and making her talk to grandma, she just lets the kid vegetate. Toddler is immersed in what looks to be an IPAD or some such. Mom is on the phone AND the pu
Andy
September 21st, 2012 12:07 PM
Come on, you can use steam to replace land vehicles (steam trains, steam boats - plenty still around), sailing ships, horse drawn canal boats to move freight. Air ships (hot air or gas) can replace aeroplanes maybe with steam powered props. Even computers could be replaced by mechanical equivalents (babbage machine)
Mary
September 20th, 2012 4:27 PM
How did Monroe have ice?
LFord
September 20th, 2012 12:30 PM
Overall, I like it, but there are a couple of "plot holes:"
1. If the loss of electricity world-wide was because the electrons or electrical impulses stopped "flowing," then why didn't all the people die? After all, our bodies depend upon bio-electrical functions in the brain, heart, etc. Perhaps, as the mystery unfolds, we'll find out why it affected only mechanical devices that depend upon electricity.
2. Semi-automatic and automatic firearms don't depend upon electricity (note the militia leader using his semi-automatic 45 cal sidearm to quell the mini-uprising in the village. Also, steam, wind, and water powered machine tools (even horse-powered) were used in the 19th century to manufacture such weapons. Even the bolt-action rifle was invented back in the late 1880s (the Mauser), so this sudden drop back to muzzle-loading muskets seemed a bit ridiculous. Ammo might be tougher to manufacture without electricity, but even in the mid to late 1800s, before wide-spread use
JinxyKatniss
September 20th, 2012 7:34 AM
Ok the tech thing is an issue I will agree, it did occur to me that some of the cars and machines could be made to work without electricity. I am going on the assumption its some sort of nano tech which is inhibiting the use of electrical devices. This would also make the pendant thing very much more plausible as it would disable the nano tech in a limited radius and the computer could have been running off a car battery or something.
gazza
September 19th, 2012 8:38 PM
@Tisha
maybe the blackout effects more than just electricity, such as combustion engines etc (although how I don't know since they run on a fairly basic principle).
However the difference between a musket and a modern rifle isn't really very big. Both ignite a small explosion to propel a projectile. The only real difference is in how the explosion is started....and even then its not a huge difference really. I just cannot see how you can fiddle with physics and kill off modern guns but leave muskets.
My best guess is that muskets are easier to maintain and replace...the components required for a more modern gun are smaller and more precise (I imagine anyway)...so perhaps modern weapons have become rare due to maintainence issues.
Anyway, I will just go with it for now as I prefer bows and swords anyway.
Maggie Elaina
September 19th, 2012 6:14 PM
The pilot episode has my husband & I hooked, which is a rarity with a brand new show. It has some very good characters, and the storyline so far is fine with me. I hope that we see more of the past, in what happened in the early stages of the black out. Great sets, can hardly wait to see episode 2.
Tim
September 19th, 2012 11:53 AM
I so very much wanted to like this show and was sadly dissappointed - the cheese factor was just to great. The little girls gets to eat 3 tubs of ice cream and "remember" the taste - gag. Girl with arrows - hello Hunger Games. The militia coming around the corner in the village reminded me of Planet of Apes - at least the leader's mouth moved. Chubby guy with black hair is behind girlfriend of dying dad and couldn't care less (watch). The next time we see him he is determined to go out of a sense of duty and off they go like a bunch of hobits. Is this guy the replacement for the fat guy from Lost and Alcatraz? "What's Your name buff guy?" Chad was it? "I'm Charlie" - gag. Dramatic music - uh. Did I see militia using powder rifles - WTF? Mister killer brother taking out 300 guys with his sword - I can't stand it. Four hundred mysteries and plot twists in the first show? It took Lost many episodes to get to the same point. I quit watching that as how many twists can you stand? Mystery me
Jenny
September 19th, 2012 11:45 AM
There have been a lot of post-apocalyptic TV series in recent years, for example the Walking Dead, Jericho, and Battlestar Galactica. I don't think this can truly live up to them. The dialogue is poor, and the whole concept is not well-thought out.
Also, I find the whole concept of the United States descending into the Dark Ages in 15 years quite frustrating. Both a reverence for democratic government AND the transcontinental United States existed before electrical technology. I don't see why Americans would suddenly fracture into tiny splinter republics in 15 years. Maybe in 200 years, but not in 15.
And I also agree with someone who mentioned steam technology. That isn't hard to figure out. I think it is more likely that the U.S. would return to the 1800s and not the 500s.
Tisha
September 19th, 2012 10:21 AM
I think a lot of you are missing the point. It wasnt about loosing electricity.
I was about loosing POWER.
I love sci-fi tv. The problem with talking the talk is that you eventually have to walk the walk. I was grossly disappointed with this show. NBC promised a lot with this plot & they surely bit off more than they could chew. Even a Steven Spielberg movie would struggle to deliver on such a juggernaut theme. Only the initial climactic scene with airplanes falling from the sky caught my attention. And that was it. As far as the developing plot, everything else felt rushed & poorly thought out. Nobody looked razzled or dirty enough, remarkably clean clothes (even sexy clothes on our protagonist), the suspicious absence of alternative electrical power source, and my favorite - one man (functioning alcoholic) killing an entire militia squad - gimme a break! The final straw was the flashdrive scene, almost as if the people who created this watered down mess knew the whole execution was mediocre & decided to throw that in there so some viewers would return next week. NBC shou
Chris O'Hara Rank: Staff Member
September 19th, 2012 8:15 AM
(Previous Comment Continued)
(shameless Tropic Thunder ref. sorry)if he is indeed that big of a drinker.
At least the computer from LOST got a new gig. I don't know if that was an intentional nod by J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot or not, but so far that is the only thing the two shows have in common. I am going to stay involved for a few more episodes though because I like the premise and am hoping the show finds its groove.
Chris O'Hara Rank: Staff Member
September 19th, 2012 8:13 AM
Nick I can't side with you here with regard to Giancarlo Esposito’s Tom. Maybe it's too soon for him to play another bad guy. As I watched the series premiere I found myself wondering why is Gus Fring riding a horse? I also thought the whole "I used to be an insurance adjuster" but now I apparently can tell the difference between male and female footprints and how long ago they were made. The whole doorway interrogation with Maria Howell's character Grace was way too reminiscent of the opening scene of Inglorious Basterds and Tom is no Hans Landa.
Did anyone else shake their head when Miles left that bottle of Scotch on the bar with what looked to be still a third of its contents remaining? Is he a drunk or not? He was planning to drink himself to death or at least listed it as an option. How about that sword fight? I haven't seen drunken skills like that since Indigo Montoya was "waiting for Vizzini." I'm not so sure Miles would venture out into the wild without his "jelly beans,"
skotkolr
September 19th, 2012 1:23 AM
As already mentioned there are too may issues with the creative consulting on this to give me reason to watch this garbage. Steam engines are all over this country with people who would and could get them back n the main lines. The weapon situation is ludicrous, given the number of guns ammo and such JJ is way off base with everything. This show feels rushed through production without any continuity effort at all. Bicycles where are the bicycles? Too much vegetation on everything after 15 years.
This is most likely the worst produced/ creative/ scifi fantasy show I have ever seen, and I watched Buck rogers...
Rachel: Randall, what are you saying? Flynn: I'm a patriot Rachel.
September 25th, 2012 2:46 PM
OK , I was so excited to begin watching this show. I am fascinated with the survival methods we would have to learn if such an event did occur, sadly this show is greatly lacking in that creativity, but sure seems to include killing after gory killing. Not the kind of show me and my children will continue to watch thank you.
Rank: New User
September 24th, 2012 6:45 PM
It certainly wasn't boring, it was AWESOME and I can't wait for the next episodes. I'm sure if you see my other posts I'm a Billy Burke fan but even if you set that aside, think about this for a sec--not only do you have the director of "Iron Man" but you have the genius of J.J. Abrams at work on this incredibly refreshing NON-REALITY based series. I think it ROCKS, the character choices are perfect and I love the fact that it makes you wonder how are they going to top THAT episode! I LOVE IT! CAN'T WAIT FOR 10 P.M.-SHOWTIME-and should something come up where I'm not here for an episode, God Bless DVR'S!!!!
September 22nd, 2012 7:16 PM
They didn't say the "event" made modern medicine stop working - they said that without electricity, the means to produce it were destroyed. Therefore, using a relic like an inhaler is plausible.
Also, guns also work in this series - you see a few non-muskets around. The Black Lieutenant uses a handgun, and soldiers in Monroe's camp have machine-guns in their hands. I'm assuming muskets are only used because guns are falling into disrepair 15+ years into the future.
My only complaint about the pilot was brother Miles pulling all that ninja stuff to kill all those foot soldiers:
1.) It's implausible.
2.) It turns the foot soldiers from actual threatening enemies to cannon fodder, and to do so in the pilot really sets a tone for the rest of the series.
3.) I'm fearing that it'll exploit this really neat, speculative setting to make an action series.
September 22nd, 2012 1:12 PM
This pilot reminded me of Terra Nova. I had great expectations but found the inconsistencies became more important than the storyline. The visuals were interesting but not enough to carry the series. I will be surprised if it survives on Monday night when it goes up against Castle and Hawaii 50, both of which have large fan bases.
September 22nd, 2012 12:33 PM
Seemed a lot like Jerico. You could almost write the show yourself. Don't think it will make it. I say try again.
September 22nd, 2012 8:01 AM
Liked this pilot
September 22nd, 2012 2:12 AM
SM Stirling explored this theme in his novel Dies the Fire (which was reasonably self-contained, but lent itself to a follow-up series). He took much more care with the technology, making sure to kill not just electricity but also combustion. The characters spend some time running scientific tests to try to figure out the new physical laws and wondering why the human body is still functioning, before concluding that there's clearly something intentional and targeted at work. They don't have much time to think it through, though, because ALMOST EVERYONE DIES THE FIRST YEAR.
Yes, we have people with all sorts of old-fashioned skills, and yes, American society functioned for a long time without electricity. But that tech level supported a much smaller population. Without the technology to move food and supplies around, the world faced a mass starvation event, with its accompanying disease and war (and lots of bad guy cannibals). You don't just magically drop down to a sustainab
September 21st, 2012 8:33 PM
Best looking show of the season so far.
Not happy they had to kill the father off right away. he seems like a good character.
September 21st, 2012 7:06 PM
A quite interesting topic, but the only feeling I had watching this pilot is doubt.
Background and landscape is pretty cool and realistic (In 15 years, nature was able to expend in cities, but it's not a huge jungle...). The soundtrack isn't very good. Sounds like a kind of medieval tune, I don't think that's the right thing to do fort a post-apocalyptical world. Clothes are too much trend and clean, looks like they just bought their stuff at H&M.
Why is google-guy looking for first aid kit in the plane? Isn't medicine a short lapsing time stuff?
The device used by the teacher is a little bit "magical"... Perhaps they will end out with a rational explanation such as an electric field which turns on everything in a short range...
Long story short story, next episode will be determinant for my choice of watching or not this show.
September 21st, 2012 2:17 PM
I was really disappointed, with the total lack of realisms and the rubbish formulated plot (well if you can call it that) pretty boy meets tomboys girl , pretty boy has asthmas , girls looks out for him crap. When they got into hat RV that was supposed to be there for years, they just pulled back the creepers and there it was all gleaming inside, mould spores on the food in fridge. It that had been there for more that a years the food would be dried dust and their would be algae all over the RV. I wondered how long the usual NBC formula would surface, it involves guns, shooting and a bit of torture and oh yes there it was. Predictable, boring and lets just hope its gets better, but please drop the pretty boys and girls, were not interested in their romance ( i got up to make tea at these points) , we want a good story and plot.kill them off or something.
September 21st, 2012 1:27 PM
And seriously if the writer of this article liked this show he must be getting paid by NBC..Or really doesn't know the difference between dreck and quality. and this show is not quality.
September 21st, 2012 1:23 PM
Alfi hit it on the head. The planes spiraling out of the sky was pretty cool. The rest of the show was one big snooze. Every single word of dialogue was so formulaic I practically was able to mouth the words along with the actors. The scenario of the US breaking down into fiefdoms is SOOOOO over done in post apocalyptic books, movies etc it is not funny. And all of that over emoting about it is all about family about made me puke.
The lack of credibility of many of the details was just horrendous - Remember you last bite of ice cream because you won't see it again? Really? Hand churns were around a lot longer than mass produced ice cream. No power? Steam and water power have been around centuries longer than electricity.
The first scene made me want to just bitch slap mom. One kid glued to the TV. Instead of turning it off and making her talk to grandma, she just lets the kid vegetate. Toddler is immersed in what looks to be an IPAD or some such. Mom is on the phone AND the pu
September 21st, 2012 12:07 PM
Come on, you can use steam to replace land vehicles (steam trains, steam boats - plenty still around), sailing ships, horse drawn canal boats to move freight. Air ships (hot air or gas) can replace aeroplanes maybe with steam powered props. Even computers could be replaced by mechanical equivalents (babbage machine)
September 20th, 2012 4:27 PM
How did Monroe have ice?
September 20th, 2012 12:30 PM
Overall, I like it, but there are a couple of "plot holes:"
1. If the loss of electricity world-wide was because the electrons or electrical impulses stopped "flowing," then why didn't all the people die? After all, our bodies depend upon bio-electrical functions in the brain, heart, etc. Perhaps, as the mystery unfolds, we'll find out why it affected only mechanical devices that depend upon electricity.
2. Semi-automatic and automatic firearms don't depend upon electricity (note the militia leader using his semi-automatic 45 cal sidearm to quell the mini-uprising in the village. Also, steam, wind, and water powered machine tools (even horse-powered) were used in the 19th century to manufacture such weapons. Even the bolt-action rifle was invented back in the late 1880s (the Mauser), so this sudden drop back to muzzle-loading muskets seemed a bit ridiculous. Ammo might be tougher to manufacture without electricity, but even in the mid to late 1800s, before wide-spread use
September 20th, 2012 7:34 AM
Ok the tech thing is an issue I will agree, it did occur to me that some of the cars and machines could be made to work without electricity. I am going on the assumption its some sort of nano tech which is inhibiting the use of electrical devices. This would also make the pendant thing very much more plausible as it would disable the nano tech in a limited radius and the computer could have been running off a car battery or something.
September 19th, 2012 8:38 PM
@Tisha
maybe the blackout effects more than just electricity, such as combustion engines etc (although how I don't know since they run on a fairly basic principle).
However the difference between a musket and a modern rifle isn't really very big. Both ignite a small explosion to propel a projectile. The only real difference is in how the explosion is started....and even then its not a huge difference really. I just cannot see how you can fiddle with physics and kill off modern guns but leave muskets.
My best guess is that muskets are easier to maintain and replace...the components required for a more modern gun are smaller and more precise (I imagine anyway)...so perhaps modern weapons have become rare due to maintainence issues.
Anyway, I will just go with it for now as I prefer bows and swords anyway.
September 19th, 2012 6:14 PM
The pilot episode has my husband & I hooked, which is a rarity with a brand new show. It has some very good characters, and the storyline so far is fine with me. I hope that we see more of the past, in what happened in the early stages of the black out. Great sets, can hardly wait to see episode 2.
September 19th, 2012 11:53 AM
I so very much wanted to like this show and was sadly dissappointed - the cheese factor was just to great. The little girls gets to eat 3 tubs of ice cream and "remember" the taste - gag. Girl with arrows - hello Hunger Games. The militia coming around the corner in the village reminded me of Planet of Apes - at least the leader's mouth moved. Chubby guy with black hair is behind girlfriend of dying dad and couldn't care less (watch). The next time we see him he is determined to go out of a sense of duty and off they go like a bunch of hobits. Is this guy the replacement for the fat guy from Lost and Alcatraz? "What's Your name buff guy?" Chad was it? "I'm Charlie" - gag. Dramatic music - uh. Did I see militia using powder rifles - WTF? Mister killer brother taking out 300 guys with his sword - I can't stand it. Four hundred mysteries and plot twists in the first show? It took Lost many episodes to get to the same point. I quit watching that as how many twists can you stand? Mystery me
September 19th, 2012 11:45 AM
There have been a lot of post-apocalyptic TV series in recent years, for example the Walking Dead, Jericho, and Battlestar Galactica. I don't think this can truly live up to them. The dialogue is poor, and the whole concept is not well-thought out.
Also, I find the whole concept of the United States descending into the Dark Ages in 15 years quite frustrating. Both a reverence for democratic government AND the transcontinental United States existed before electrical technology. I don't see why Americans would suddenly fracture into tiny splinter republics in 15 years. Maybe in 200 years, but not in 15.
And I also agree with someone who mentioned steam technology. That isn't hard to figure out. I think it is more likely that the U.S. would return to the 1800s and not the 500s.
September 19th, 2012 10:21 AM
I think a lot of you are missing the point. It wasnt about loosing electricity.
I was about loosing POWER.
Rank: New User
September 19th, 2012 8:26 AM
I love sci-fi tv. The problem with talking the talk is that you eventually have to walk the walk. I was grossly disappointed with this show. NBC promised a lot with this plot & they surely bit off more than they could chew. Even a Steven Spielberg movie would struggle to deliver on such a juggernaut theme. Only the initial climactic scene with airplanes falling from the sky caught my attention. And that was it. As far as the developing plot, everything else felt rushed & poorly thought out. Nobody looked razzled or dirty enough, remarkably clean clothes (even sexy clothes on our protagonist), the suspicious absence of alternative electrical power source, and my favorite - one man (functioning alcoholic) killing an entire militia squad - gimme a break! The final straw was the flashdrive scene, almost as if the people who created this watered down mess knew the whole execution was mediocre & decided to throw that in there so some viewers would return next week. NBC shou
Rank: Staff Member
September 19th, 2012 8:15 AM
(Previous Comment Continued)
(shameless Tropic Thunder ref. sorry)if he is indeed that big of a drinker.
At least the computer from LOST got a new gig. I don't know if that was an intentional nod by J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot or not, but so far that is the only thing the two shows have in common. I am going to stay involved for a few more episodes though because I like the premise and am hoping the show finds its groove.
Rank: Staff Member
September 19th, 2012 8:13 AM
Nick I can't side with you here with regard to Giancarlo Esposito’s Tom. Maybe it's too soon for him to play another bad guy. As I watched the series premiere I found myself wondering why is Gus Fring riding a horse? I also thought the whole "I used to be an insurance adjuster" but now I apparently can tell the difference between male and female footprints and how long ago they were made. The whole doorway interrogation with Maria Howell's character Grace was way too reminiscent of the opening scene of Inglorious Basterds and Tom is no Hans Landa.
Did anyone else shake their head when Miles left that bottle of Scotch on the bar with what looked to be still a third of its contents remaining? Is he a drunk or not? He was planning to drink himself to death or at least listed it as an option. How about that sword fight? I haven't seen drunken skills like that since Indigo Montoya was "waiting for Vizzini." I'm not so sure Miles would venture out into the wild without his "jelly beans,"
September 19th, 2012 1:23 AM
As already mentioned there are too may issues with the creative consulting on this to give me reason to watch this garbage. Steam engines are all over this country with people who would and could get them back n the main lines. The weapon situation is ludicrous, given the number of guns ammo and such JJ is way off base with everything. This show feels rushed through production without any continuity effort at all. Bicycles where are the bicycles? Too much vegetation on everything after 15 years.
This is most likely the worst produced/ creative/ scifi fantasy show I have ever seen, and I watched Buck rogers...