'Jericho': Who saw that coming?

Man, those "Jericho" producers really have guts, don't they?

Last season they killed off sweet old grocery store owner Gracie Leigh, the pregnant April Green (whose husband was cheating on her!) and—in a season finale shocker—ex-mayor, Green family patriarch and all-around American hero Johnston Green.

Plus, the very unsympathetic Sarah Mason was blown away not by her badass ex-lover Robert Hawkins, but by Hawkins' teenage daughter Allison. (By the way, wouldn't it be nice to see Allison again this season?)

You might expect these sorts of morally ambiguous developments on cable, where characters and plot twists written in shades of gray are accepted and embraced. But on CBS?

Yes, non-believers, this is the kind of stuff that makes "Jericho" unique.

And then, last night ...

Well, let's save the spoilers for after the jump (and the CBS promo department):

THEY KILLED BONNIE!

Sweet, lovely, noble, deaf Bonnie Richmond. The one who took care of her charmingly oafish brother Stanley both before and after the nuclear bombs forever changed their town and country—all the while lovingly letting him think he was taking care of her.

Bonnie, who was just about to set off on her own for the first time.

Bonnie, who was understandably weary of her brother's growing attachment to uptight IRS agent Mimi Clark only to be won over (like the audience) by Mimi's newfound humanity.

And how tragic was it that Bonnie went out a victim of Mimi's admirable desire to do the right thing?

Of course Mimi is now in critical condition herself, but we know she'll be OK. The producers are gutsy, but they're not crazy.

Bonnie's unfortunate end comes right at the midpoint of the show's abbreviated second season. There were exactly three episodes before this and there are exactly three left to go.

We all know the ratings so far have been mediocre (and frankly, when CBS sees a story like this, it can't help the chances of a middling Nielsen performer like "Jericho"), but it's episodes like this week's that inspire fans so passionate they can bring a show back from the dead.

And let's get one thing straight. The important thing here is not that Bonnie's death was shocking. "24" has shown us how cliché the "surprise" death can become. "Jericho" is reminding us that killing a sympathetic character can increase not just the narrative suspense level but also the audience's emotional attachment to the characters left behind.

We feel their pain, we fear for their safety, and we want to tune in every week to see what happens next.

This sort of bold choice flies in the face of everything we're told network executives demand of their showrunners. And that's what makes a sturdy little action drama like "Jericho" all the more thrilling.

However long it may last.

--Geoff Berkshire

(Photo courtesy CBS)

Comments

[Sandy]

It has been a long time since any show or movie has made me feel so strongly about its characters. "Jericho" is what entertainment should be - compelling and smart. There are not many shows with those qualities and unfortunately CBS may be removing one of the finest examples from its lineup.

I don't feel the network has given Jericho:The Return much of a chance with its scheduling; it's almost as if they want to see it fail. But what do I know?

[Karen]

It's just going to be a crime to lose this show. CBS may be losing most watch when they decide to stick a thriller like this, with a very loyal audience but facing an issue of being serial and bringing new people in on an American Idol night after a drivel reality program at 10 pm. It certainly isn't because the show is not watchable. I think even with AI, and NCIS lead in and a decent timeslot would have helped loads. I think a Friday night slot or a CSI lead in would have fit their programming way better for who just might hang on. Personally, I *think* they saw the fan campaign and thought it was remotely possible it would somehow enhance Big Brother (why, I know not because who is going to turn their brain back ON after watching that show).

Bonnie's sacrifice was amazing. I can't remember when I was last affected by a tv show in this way. What's more, it wasn't gratuitous at all. She was out and out like any one I know, particularly ruralites, would be in *this* situation and with someone invading their home. As J.K. Rowling says, people get killed in wars. People we love get killed. There are no vague "safe" spots.

I also want to say that for me, it has been a very big deal to see people like me, who live in places like I do, placed in that situation. In some ways, it has made me much more aware of how others live in a way that news reports, and motion pictures about places like Africa, China, South America and, indeed the Middle East feel. How ambiguous choices can be when still trying to do the right thing.

The cast, producers, writers and crew can be totally proud of the show they created, no matter its fate, and because it will have closure, I can still recommend it to people. Because it IS fantastic tv. I, myself, will not again watch network television if the show is cancelled. I hate reality tv and there is nothing as intersting as this, and if there were, I"m certain it would be yanked away from me like a particularly spiteful parent taking away the second half of a candy bar.

[gkkatz]

Great article. Thanks.

Agreed that this was a bit of a shocker. I have definitely become much more passionate about what happens next week and beyond. I thought I was attached to these characters after last season, but even more so after last night’s episode.

[artzylady]

Wow! What an great article on last night's episode of Jericho!!! All of the reasons you've stated is why the Jericho fans love it so much. I have to admit I was a bit stunned that Bonnie was killed off, but after reading this, I feel I can accept it a bit easer. The producers and writer's of Jericho really know how to put on a series that never disappoints and keeps us coming back for more. Here's to a season 3.... somewhere!

[daniel]

Geez, the pace just keeps accelerating. The feeling that the entire season is trying to cram in two or three seasons of material into 7 episodes is palpable, and I can't help but feel like it will be a self fulfilling prophecy now. What happens if CBS, shock of shocks, decides to renew? Another 2 episodes like this and there might not be any plots lines or characters left to investigate.

I think if the show does end after 2 seasons, well 1 and a half anyway, it will be fairly obvious that season 1 was about beginning the show and season 2 was about wrapping it up. I just hope there is room for a season 3 after all these action packed episodes.

[Jen]

Thank you for your article. I thought OVERSIGHT was just AMAZING!! There were so many excellent scenes by so many excellent actors. KUDOS to the writers, producers, and cast and crew for a BRILLIANT episode.
I've seen every episode of this show and have loved them all. (Well except for when they killed Johnston...I LOVED him.) But I think OVERSIGHT turned the corner for the show. Now, WE MUST HAVE A THIRD SEASON!!!
We simply MUST.

[Matt]

Great article!! I believe you have touched all the points that make Jericho such a great show!!

Long live Jericho !!!!!!!

[Angry @ Spoilers...]

...not yours, but the one on CBS' website, which I logged onto last night ready to watch this week's episode. (Since my unmonitored TV viewing doesn't help the cause, I hope that helping to increase the hits/views online does.) Right as you loaded the Jericho page, the "surprise" was revealed: "Jericho loses another one of its own" (or something like that). The episode was still quite powerful, for I figured Mimi would be the victim, but I can only imagine how much more powerful it would have been if I hadn't known something was coming. Last season's April episode was one of the most riveting episodes of any program I've ever seen...thanks to the spoiler, this week's will be a distant second. Thanks yet again, network brainiacs!

[AggregatVier]

Bonnie was not a victim. She got 3 out of 4 bad guys. If she hadn't made the choice to NOT be a victim she would have never picked up the shotgun and stood her ground. It's gutless fascists like Ravenwood who try to confiscate guns to keep people from protecting themselves. Bonnie was heroic. How many of us will do the right thing when our Ravenwoods come?

First it was peanuts. Are "Remember Bonnie" T-shirts next?

[stelladubois]

This is my first time commenting on a website about a TV show. I do not watch any of the big network shows and I cancelled HBO to save money. The Wire was the only thing I watched now that Deadwood is gone, and I can wait for the DVD. The only program that I "have" to see is Project Runway. One reason I quit watching network TV was the capricious cancelling of shows in mid-narrative, which left me feeling as though someone took away the only existing copy of a great novel before I finished reading it. I resolved never to get sucked in again.

I happened to catch a rerun of Jericho and dropped in on the scene where they were all in church. Knowing nothing at all about the plot, I was getting teary-eyed as those who had lost a loved one stood up. I live in New Orleans, and many of the people I used to see every day are gone, though not dead. All of us here know that feeling of "we are on our own, the cavalry is not coming." Something about it just struck me.

I googled the show and read about the cancellation and the successful campaign to bring it back. I thought, "this might be OK to invest in. Knowing they are on the ropes might make them bring the show to a satisfying conclusion." I recently downloaded all the episodes from i-tunes because I will go to great lengths to avoid commercials. After I watched the first one, I was hooked and spent nearly a whole weekend watching them back-to-back. Although there are some absurd developments, as a whole, Jericho is a great show. I have seen first-hand how catastrophe brings out the best and the worst in Americans. I am not unaware of the parallels with Iraq, where the average people over there are caught in the middle of a war and have to contend with military contractors who are accountable to no one.

I'm now watching on the air date (ignoring the annoying commercials), but I don't count because I'm not a Neilson respondent. I have a feeling that the next three episodes will be the last. It's a shame. Network television has killed the goose that was laying the golden eggs. If they want to regain the viewers they once had, CBS's new slogan should be: "We promise we will not cancel your favorite show until the story has been told." I love a good story, and I don't think I'm alone.

[Joy Marie Lipski]

I just wish CBS would turn this series into a daily show,if leave it to beaver could last years, why couldn't a show like this? sure the world loved batman, a fictional but quite stupid show, but some one kept a cartoon like show on for what seemed like years, Why can't a station have brains to keep a show going while we watch anxiously .
CBS Please add many more showings, now this would be a real show to watch daily, 1 time a week is such a shame. I will put life on hold for Jericho!!!
I want the American flag back!!!

Joy in Nevada

[Judy Rychlewski]

I watched this episode 5 times - watched it with my 91 year old mom who hadn't been watching the show and with my 26 year old daughter who hadn't been watching the show either - now both are hooked. I do feel attached to the characters that remain - the loss of Bonnie was a shock. I keep looking for the Rangers preview - where is it???

[Frank]

I love post apocalyptic stories and it was a great moment for me when Jericho started airing... and to be honest it will be a great moment when it stops airing. It is just another soap opera, this one with a different premise but just as bland and never-ending as the previous ones. It will end in the middle of a story arch just like every other soap out there, be it now or next season, and just leave everyone disappointed. I'd rather read a book, at least there the characters have a chance to achieve something.

[love]

bless this post with love,peace,respect and success.

just let love be