Did anyone really expect Revolution to end its tumultuous first season with anything less than a mess of a finale?
I’m a bit shocked that Eric Kripke and J.J. Abrams (whatever the latter’s involvement was) couldn’t pull off a more cohesive season of television. After all, both guys are TV masterminds who’ve been responsible for some of the most impressive hours of television in recent years. I guess the hodgepodge of minds that came together for NBC’s blackout drama proved too many to really string together an effective whole. It’s a sad truth, but it doesn’t look like this show will every truly be great. But let’s start with the good stuff (I’m grading on a curve here people).
Nora’s dead! Woohooo. A round of applause anyone? Truth be told, I couldn’t be happier that dead weight is gone because the writers really struggled to give her anything to do this season besides build a few explosives and play the role of Miles’ booty call. Thankfully, she went out on a high note with her most badass move of the season: setting off the trap that killed the Tower crew. In addition, she got the most incredible honor of explicitly telling the audience that Miles belonged with Rachel. Plus Miles did sort of “choose” her before Rachel. Adios woman, you will not be missed.
I’m getting awfully sick of Miles and Monroe. Their dynamic managed to stay somewhat intriguing throughout the year but I think it’s time for something new. Monroe came across as tremendously childish here, constantly trying to jump Miles for a schoolyard fight. Predictably, Miles acted the hero and saved the man who’d caused him so much anguish this year. Maybe Monroe will become a more compelling character next year? Stranger miracles have happened, but the show needs a tangible and ruthless new antagonist soon.
And what was up with that ending? First Randall sent two missiles that presumably obliterated Atlanta and Philadelphia, before taking his own life and revealing he’s a “patriot”. It’s all remarkably nutty, bookended by an even wackier final moment with the President in the “United States Colony” in Guantanamo, Cuba, ready to return to power. Honestly it’s not the strongest cliffhanger, but it definitely has potential for the show’s final year. Yes I’m calling it from now: Revolution won’t make it past season two with its horrendous ratings and clunky storytelling. Nevertheless, I do plan on sticking with the show, and that’s probably the best compliment I can give it.
Revolutionary Bits
– If you watch Supernatural, you’d recognize the opening music montage as one of Eric Kripke’s signature touches in all his finales. It worked surprisingly well here.
– I was quite taken aback by the coffee-shop bombing in the flashback as Miles and Monroe discussed birthdays.
– Sadly the reveal that Aaron wrote the Tower’s operating system means he’s a pivotal part of the show’s mythology.
– Nevill finally putting his faith in his son should have felt like a monumental character beat for the show. It just fell flat.
– I thought I’d like Grace as a character, but she’s been so devoid of anything that I greatly enjoyed Rachel knocking her out with chloroform.
– Neville telling Monroe he has “a borderline erotic fixation on Miles” was beyond hilarious and strangely appropriate.
– I seriously flashed back to Irina Derevko as Charlie begged her ruthless mom not to leave Nora. Obviously, this crazy momma ain’t nearly as nuanced as Alias‘ villainess but props for the similarities.
– Mile crying over Nora’s dead body went on for far too long. They definitely could have shaved off a couple of seconds from his monotonous grieving.
– What was the purpose of the lightning around Monroe? For a second I thought that would fulfill the whole set-the-world-on-fire prophecy but I guess not…
– Kim Raver! Honestly I’m ecstatic her NCIS spinoff wasn’t picked up by CBS for next season; that means she can stay on this shipwreck of a show. Her reaction to the lights turning on however, was quite anticlimactic. The less said about Aaron’s wife and her brain-dead look the better.
Conclusion
From a purely critical perspective, this was a catastrophic mess of a finale. But let’s be honest, it was also pretty darn entertaining. So props for that I guess?
Nad Rating
B