Second Episode of Revolution Heats Up

The second episode of Revolution, “Chained Heat,” saw a lot more balls put in play. The series is having a nice slow build with a compelling balance of exposition and action. This episode was nicely structured with parallel fight scenes, quests, and flashback cuts. Eric Kripke again wrote the script that was directed by Charles Beeson.

For those of us who are diehard Supernatural fans, we are getting many of the same themes, especially about family, that were – and still are – compelling about that show. When Rachel tells Charlie, “Be a big sister. Never let go of Danny’s hand,” it echoes John’s charge to Dean to look after Sam. Charlie even explains to Miles that “It’s my job to look out for him.” A virtual quote from Dean Winchester in Supernatural about his brother. We also see what family is willing to do for one another. In flashback, we see that Rachel is ready, willing, and able to kill to protect her family. As the scene cuts back and forth between Rachel’s first kill (we assume) and Charlie’s first kill (again, we assume), viewers can contrast their motives. The scene is wonderfully paced to build tension, and the viewer isn’t sure that either Ben or Charlie will be able to make the kill. I, for one, was surprised when it was Rachel who pulled the trigger, but it certainly helps to provide a believable role model for Charlie to be able to kill as well. Rachel kills to protect her kids from starving. Charlie kills to both further the search for her brother but also fight the injustice of the militia holding prisoners and using them like slaves. In many ways, Ben and Rachel have sheltered their children from this kind of violence and injustice. And in the process, have actually kept their children from being impervious to that violence and injustice. Characters like Miles, who have been living in the thick of it, don't even seem to register the violence all around them.

A continuing theme in Supernatural is that “family don’t end with blood,” and in this new world without power, that theme is going to be even stronger. Already we have seen the various tight-knit communities and allegiances that have sprung up in the wake of the power going out. Tonight’s episode introduces us to the rebels who are fighting the militia. Rebels? Seem like a Star Wars reference to anyone else?

As in the first episode, viewers are given a few answers even while more questions are asked. Enough exposition is provided, such as Maggie having children of her own whose only pictures are on her useless iPhone and that the possession of a firearm by non-militia personnel is punishable by death. But the episode doesn’t become mired in the exposition. There are a couple of great swordfights in tonight’s episode, and the flashbacks were also designed to keep us on the edge of our seats. This episode also sees the beginning of a number of quests. Charlie and Miles appear to be the ones going after Danny, except that they are waylaid and end up rescuing Nora and seem likely to be side-tracked into joining up with the Rebels. Maggie and Aaron decide to take the medallion back to Grace who has her own problems with the very mysterious Randal.

This week’s episode provides a lot more depth to the characters. We see the layers pulled back a little from Captain Neville as he comforts one of his men who is dying. We are given a little of what motivates him to support the Militia with the promise of more backstory to come. It will be interesting to see if he really is the brutal murderer that Danny sees him as. I trust Kripke to keep that promise as the story unfolds.  As already pointed out, we also see more of what motivates Maggie and Charlie.

There were a few parts of the plot in this week’s episode that did seem a bit contrived, such as Charlie sneaking off at night to join her uncle. And while the sword fights are brilliantly choreographed and shot - allowing us to see most of the action, not just quick cuts - it is NBC-bloodless, which is a little disappointing. There doesn't have to be a completely realistic amount of blood, but no blood? 

There were also early pay off surprises like Rachel showing up in the current timeline, an apparent prisoner of Monroe. When Charlie slips and falls and is almost captured by “Nate”, my initial reaction was that the scene wasn’t particularly well acted and was seemingly forgetting that Charlie was supposed to be a good hunter. However, Charlie turns the tables and captures “Nate.” This was a nice little wake up call to remember to trust Kripke to remember his own story.

We also see a lot of an Abrams’ signature mystery a la Fringe or Lost. We’ve got Grace sending messages to someone on that old computer. Aaron is convinced now that the power went out and stayed out because of some human intervention. I’ve been intrigued by the title card’s scrolling between Evolution and Revolution, and I’m convinced that it is significant. Perhaps the power being taken away is linked to someone wanting to evolve society in a particular direction – to make people value the simple things in life more, to take the country back to a simpler time – or at least make them easier to subjugate by dividing them and keeping them isolated from one another?

Next week sees a Supernatural AND Lost alumni join the cast with the exceptionally talented Mark Pellegrino. Lots of questions are being asked. Sound off in the comments below. What are your theories on the title sequence? Who is Randal? Where are those mysterious messages going?