Advance Review: Revolution Returns Tonight With “The Stand”

It’s been something like four months, but tonight, NBC’s Revolution is finally back with new episodes at 10PM following The Voice.

I will be the first to admit that, with no offense meant to the creative forces behind Revolution, I wasn’t feeling the pilot 100%. There were too many questions I had; some still linger, like “whatever happened to fixing your house with your hands” or “why don’t they ride a bike,” but, thankfully, those questions are now more diverted toward wondering what will happen in the conflict between the rebels and the Monroe Republic.

Elizabeth Mitchell’s part has been beefed up in the intervening time, and she and Billy Burke are still the two biggest reasons to watch this show. I loved Elizabeth on V and I’m still sad that show didn’t have a proper conclusion. Seeing her now reunited with her children is a treat, although, I could do without the flashbacks to their childhood. I understand they’re there for a reason, but they seemed to distract from the present day issues a bit too much for me.

My favorite part of the pilot — involving people with the ability to produce power — has thankfully grown in prominence, with the Monroe Republic now employing helicopters for the slaughter. There are some other folks with power, including an old friend of Rachel’s, and when I see that, I become more involved.

I was happy to see that my home town of Annapolis, Maryland was namechecked, and I have decided that the shopping center where the rebels have convened must be where the PathMark used to be by the Annapolis Mall. Clearly it’s not really Annapolis, but I can pretend, right?

What I am surprised about with Revolution at this point, also, is that the budget still seems to be at a movie level. I’m surprised that it can be afforded for television, to be honest. Helicopters flying around, lots of extras, multiple changing sets…. Team Revolution makes it work, and they make it look good.

I am also glad to see that the Revolution returning now in 2013 has solved another problem I had when watching the pilot… the inability to feel invested in the characters. They’ve almost all developed, from Miles and Rachel right down to Charlie, Danny, Neville, and Nate… I mean, Jason. Neville, in particular, is interesting to see in that he, along with Monroe, seem to show signs of what happens when power corrupts. Maybe they were decent people before they had a taste. That investment I referred to is very important for the audience, because there are some dangerous things that happen that will change the course of the series for the rest of the year. I have read interviews where the producers have promised to answer more questions we might have, and whatever happens in this episode may be an early start in that journey.

All in all, for a lapsed viewer like me, the Revolution “winter premiere” is a good watch that leaves me curious and wanting to tune in and see what happens next week. If it worked for me, it will probably work for those of you reading, so check it out. 10PM on NBC, Monday, March 25. Here are some images that NBC has released to promote it.

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REVOLUTION -- Episode 111 -- Pictured: (l-r) Daniella Alonso as Nora Clayton, Graham Rogers as Danny Matheson, Zak Orth as Aaron, Tracy Spiridakos as Charlie Matheson, Billy Burke as Miles Matheson -- (Photo by: Brownie Harris/NBC)