It's easy to find out what TV shows a person likes -- and, even more telling, what they hate. All you have to do is look at their PVR and see what's there multiple times, being saved for a rainy, really snoozy day. Take what I have banked, for example: "Once Upon a Time" (any episode with Rumpelstiltskin, good; any other one, meh), "CSI" (good, but not absolutely urgent), "Fringe" (not what you think -- my PVR missed the second episode of the season and we haven't had a chance to catch up online), and "Last Resort" (actually, I have no idea why that's there; pressing "play" now).
Oh, wait. How could I forget the show clogging up most of my PVR's space? "Revolution." Oh, "Revolution."
Sigh. I had such high hopes for the show. It started off so well. Remember that moment, in the pilot, when we first saw the lights go out? Cell phones dying, TVs getting fuzzy, radios becoming staticky, car headlights fluttered, then came to a halt, airplanes falling from the sky ... it was eerie and suspenseful and awesome. Then -- bam! Or, should I say -- yawn. The end of the world as we know it, thanks to a complete crash of technology, is a premise with loads of possibilities, but, so far, J.J. Abrams' and Eric Kripke's end of the world tale has been pretty dull. (Perhaps "revolution" in the title is a bad omen. There's "The Revolution." Crap. "Step Up Revolution." Yeesh. "Dance Dance Revolution." No comment. "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." Wait, I actually like that one.)
Don't get me wrong; "Revolution" does have some strong-ish points. Take Miles (Billy Burke), Tom (Giancarlo Esposito) and Aaron (Zak Orth), for instance. They're decent enough and are probably the only characters that keep the story consistently interesting (though, I admit, Daniella Alonso's Nora earned some cool, albeit predictable, points in last week's episode). And while Elizabeth Mitchell (Rachel) never hurts any show, and normally can do no wrong, she has yet to make any sort of impact on "Revolution." Not yet, at least.
For the longest time, the destitute man's Katniss Everdeen, Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos), has been the weak link in all this, as they search for her boring brother, Danny (Graham Rogers). You know, he of the floppy Bieber 'do and the one-note ... everything. But as the episodes pass, there's one woefully miscast character who is driving me up the wall even more than the surviving hair models: General Sebastian Monroe (David Lyons).
Honestly, did all the other actors who command any sort of presence miss the auditions? Or did Lyons have the role of Bass locked up because of his past history with NBC ("The Cape," "ER")? Because those are the only reasons I can think of to explain why he could be cast as any sort of formidable villain. A random henchman or a douchey rich psychopath, maybe. But as the evil dude in charge? No way. Especially when Lyons shares screen time with Esposito, who is much more suited for the role of feared general. Perhaps the ultimate goal is for Tom to get "promoted," but for now, it's easily the show's worst puzzle piece.
Perhaps my problem is impatience and the fact that they're still looking for Danny. Zzzzzz. (I know they can only get from place to place by foot, but all the walking is so tedious.) Last week's episode was probably the best hour since the premiere, but it's still not great. I guess I just didn't think it would take this long to get to the good stuff.
Yes, "Revolution" is picking up (the best parts are the back stories, and what has led each character to where they are now. With Led Zeppelin's music playing throughout tonight's episode, it's almost certain that we'll learn more about Miles' past). But these last two episodes of the year will be the test. If there's not enough juice to keep viewers interested, my PVR can breathe a sigh of relief because it'll have one less show to record.
You can watch "Revolution" on Citytv in Canada and on NBC in the US, on Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET.
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Andrew Rannells, "The New Normal" (NBC)
After a hilarious stint on HBO's "Girls" (which he'll also return to for Season 2), we're thrilled that Rannells ended his Tony-nominated run starring in "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway to play one-half of Ryan Murphy's new comedic leading gay couple on "The New Normal." His scene-stealing skills are still very much intact -- he goes head-to-head with co-stars NeNe Leakes and Ellen Barkin and still manages to get the last laugh.
Clare Bowen, "Nashville" (ABC)
Yes, "Nashville's" big draw is the rivalry between Connie Britton's one-time queen of country music and Hayden Panettiere's up-and-coming starlet; but the real gem here is Bowen's Scarlett O'Connor, a sweet girl with an even sweeter singing voice. This Australian native might not be a big name in the States just yet, but it's only a matter of time.
Ed Weeks, "The Mindy Project" (Fox)
British actor Weeks plays Jeremy Reed, the devilish doctor who tempts Mindy Kaling's title character to the dark side on "The Mindy Project." This is his first US TV role, and we're already expecting great things.
Danai Gurira, "The Walking Dead" (AMC)
We only caught a glimpse of katana-wielding Michonne in the "Walking Dead" Season 2 finale, but it was enough to get fans excited for more. As our survivors seek shelter in the prison and meet The Governor (David Morrissey), they're gonna need someone who knows how to wrangle up zombies right, and Michonne's their girl.
Jacob Artist, "Glee" (Fox)
Now that Puck (Mark Salling) has graduated from McKinley, there's a new generation of Puckerman in town -- Artist is signed on to play Jake, Noah Puckerman's half-brother, in Season 4. If he's even half as talented, sweet and prone to causing trouble, we'll happily have a slushie or two waiting in the wings with his name on it.
Laura Benanti, "Go On" (NBC)
Benanti was a bright spot in NBC's drama flop "The Playboy Club" last season, but while the Broadway vet got to sing and shake her tail feather (literally), we didn't get to see her show off her comedy chops there or on her "Law & Order: SVU" stint. Now playing opposite Matthew Perry, there's great comedic potential and some sexual tension to mine.
Rob Evans, "America's Next Top Model" (The CW)
Evans, a male model (and current <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/08/tyra-banks-robert-evans_n_1580287.html" target="_hplink">Mr. Tyra Banks</a>), is stepping into some pretty big shoes <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/americas-next-top-model-n_n_1524091.html" target="_hplink">to judge "ANTM" this season</a>, and we have high hopes that he can pull it off. He's got the looks to keep us watching and the pedigree to critique this cycle's contestants ... we'll still miss Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander, but this is a nice refresh.
Janet Montgomery, "Made In Jersey" (CBS)
Montgomery made the final season reboot of Fox's "Human Target" bearable, popped up on "Entourage" and even danced around the company in "Black Swan," but this starring role is her true US TV breakout, and her convincing Jersey accent and go-get-'em attitude will make you forget she's actually a Brit.
Nat Faxon, "Ben and Kate" (Fox)
There aren't many Oscar winners that could come to TV without fanfare ... but that's the case with Faxon, who brings all his funny sidekick experience up a notch to take on one of the lead roles (he's Ben) in this quirky family comedy. He's been around for a while, is a Groundlings member and, yes, even took home an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for George Clooney's "The Descendants" last year, which he co-wrote with director Alexander Payne and his writing partner Jim Rash, a.k.a. "Community's" Dean Pelton. TV is lucky to have him.
Tracy Spiridakos, "Revolution" (NBC)
Spiridakos has done TV guest spots here and there (including a stint on Syfy's "Being Human" last season), but this is the show that should make her a star. "Revolution" has its issues, for sure, but even surrounded by more established stars, Spiridakos shines playing an emotional <em>and</em> gun-toting badass.
Camilla Luddington, "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/greys-anatomy-camilla-luddington_n_1687544.html" target="_hplink">Camilla Luddington is on call at Seattle Grace Mercy West hospital</a>. The "Californication" and "True Blood" alum will don scrubs on "Grey's Anatomy" this fall to play a (sexy) new doc, with the option to sign on as a series regular next season. Start placing bets now about who she'll hook up with first!
Stephen Amell, "Arrow" (The CW)
Amell's most memorable TV role to date might be as Jason, the rival male prostitute on the last season of HBO's "Hung," but his new superpowers really suit him. As Oliver Queen, aka The Green Arrow, Amell has some big leather hoodies to slip into ... but we guarantee no one will complain about the way he fills them out.
Mercedes Masöhn, "666 Park Avenue" (ABC)
Swedish-born Masöhn was a bright spot on Fox's ill-fated "Bones" spinoff "The Finder" -- and she's got quite the sense of humor -- but we're loving her in this darker role as one of the residents of a very haunted building. Cast alongside Terry O'Quinn, Vanessa Williams, Dave Annable and Rachael Taylor, she still manages to stand out as a Park Ave. resident to watch.
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While the Monroe character is lacking, I think it's an interesting cast to have Esposito play the weak-turned-evil 2nd. After seeing how his wife and son both disrespect him, it's not hard to imagine how he could turn into the resentful, vindictive sort. If it wasn't for Esposito, I would've dumped this from my dvr rotation a couple of weeks ago.
Still don't get why The Last Resort isn't getting any chance to take hold. Braugher is one the best actors ever!!!
This, a million times this. I think I could buy Lyons better if there wasn't this glaring other option literally right next to him.
Oh, and the US flag tattoos? Were there no Canadians or Mexicans or Cubans or stranded Asians or Europeans in those areas, that were bothered by the ruthlessness of the militias to join up in some sort of resistance movement? Would those also have tattooed stars and stripes on their necks as a mark of resistance?
And portions of Canada and Mexico were annexed into the nations that emerged following the post-blackout collapse of the US: http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Revolution_Map.jpg Given that Canada's population is only 30 million people, with the majority living near the US border, it's entirely likely they either migrated south or went city-state.
I've lost hope but ya it's still on my PVR in hopes that after a few weeks it will be worth it. But I doubt it will make season 2.
And finally, I don't understand how they all look so clean and healthy. Fine, you've coped with no power for 15 years but you're on the road for days on end and sleeping outside (with no tents/sleeping bags). The first episode of this season's Walking Dead did an excellent job of showing what being on the run looks like. Take notes.
And you should be the one taking notes in the matter: all the events of The Walking Dead so far have occurred over the space of less than one year. Would it not stand to reason, then, that after fifteen years everything's been sorted out and some semblance of civilization has returned?
Why is it that network TV couldn't give us a real gritty and grimy show that felt real? I had no interest in this Exurbian landscape with costumes off the racks of Old Navy and The Gap and actors who just got out of MasterCuts.
* Copper and Hell On Wheels are set in the 19th century and therefore they've had to live without juice as a fact of life to begin with.
* The entire run of The Walking Dead so far has happened over the space of a year since the zombie outbreak. After fifteen years, the Revolution people have pretty much got everything squared away.
Another carrot on a stick is the whole "save the brother" plot. Really it is just a lame excuse for the main characters to come across crazy people, barriers, etc, every single week. Train bombings (that must then be stopped? please), kidnappings, child soldiers, etc. My favorite was the whole "boat" episode a week or two ago and hearing how impossible it would be to survive going aboard the boat...but they do and there is only like 5 guards who are handled in a matter of seconds. Ridiculous.
That's my rant. The show seems like a big budget bait and switch. Which is too bad because if they had any idea what they actually wanted to do, there is a lot of good ideas that COULD have been properly developed on their own.
Go and do some more reflection, you obviously need it.