'Revolution' back in two weeks

I've reached the point of ultimate reluctance when it comes to investing in a new NBC drama series. The sheer heartbreak I endured when Heroes was suddenly decapitated after four seasons still has me in a stale disbelief. My post from last month expressed my warranted disdain for their mistaken attempt at glory with Deception starring Meghan Good. I gave Do No Harm a fair chance in it's debut this season, but Dr. Jason Cole didn't make it past two episodes. Despite my reservations, I just recently caught up on Revolution, which aired it's pilot on September 4, but has not aired an episode since November 26.

We were introduced to a modern country plagued by the loss of electricity (bow and arrows and swords are more accessible than firearms) -- an America divided between rebel groups and a militia army led by General Sebastian Monroe. Our protagonists are led by Charlie Matheson, the curious and daring daughter of Ben Matheson, a scientist assumed to possess the knowledge of how to turn the electricity back on. In efforts to avenge her father's death at the hands of militia's Captain Neville, not to mention the kidnapping of her brother Danny, Charlie summons her uncle, ex-militia general Miles Matheson to assist in retrieving her brother. This serves as the primary objective for the first ten episodes. Along the way, we learn of Miles' troubling past as militia general (and as Monroe's best friend), Charlie's willingness to perform unforgivable acts to save her brother, Captain Neville's lust for his authority in a powerless civilization, and the compromised existence of Charlie and Danny's mother, Rachel Matheson.

With such promising plot points, the appalling news of a four-month hiatus roused speculation as to what caused it, and just how realistic an effective return could be after such an extensive break. Network chairman Robert Greenblatt touched on The Voice's popularity potentially outshining Revolution as they both aired on Monday nights this past fall. What started as an early success story lost 31 percent of its premiere audience by the fourth episode. The strategy to bring both shows back in unison is surely an attempt to reel in old viewers and formulate new ones. Erik Kripke, the showrunner for Revolution, told the Television Critics Association he felt there could be a boost in the show's pace in terms of the "stunning revelations". He promised a "bigger, better, and more exciting" second half, and has since shared that it will start right where we last saw our heroes -- gazing up at General Monroe's newly powered helicopters, prepared for war.

The second half of Revolution is said to be more privy to the show's title. As a more recent viewer, I don't necessarily possess a hostility toward the show's hiatus. Rather, I commend Kripke and Abrams' incessant patience with this story. Like some of it's recent counterparts, (The Event, Flash Forward) Revolution was seemingly doomed for a one season wonder. Many would attest to those shows merely existing as a poorly executed means to an end. With extra time to polish this plot, I can only hope the return of Revolution on March 25 will further ensure my reluctant investment, and help mend my tarnished history with NBC drama series.