Jericho - The Second Season (DVD, 2008, Multi-Disc Set - Sensormatic Packaging)

In the minds of just about every human being on the planet, nuclear apocalypse reigns supreme on the list of horrifying "End of the World" scenarios. Jericho takes that premise and turns it slightly sideways by showing us a small town in Kansas where the initial, obvious effects of nuclear war wouldn't quite reach (far away from blast centers, far enough away that fallout was minimal, etc.).

What the show does with impressive bravado is paint the audience a picture of how secondary considerations would become the focus in this kind of event. Amidst the everyday problems of a small town community (politics, rivalries, relationships, etc.), we see them struggling with basic needs such as food supply, power for heat, and most frighteningly - information.

The town is cut off from all sources of information - as is the audience, as a result. This allows the viewer to feel more immersed in the situation. The writers do a really great job at keeping "omnipotence" away for the audience - leaving the viewer intrigued and begging for any kind of consolation to ease their mind. In turn, we are quick to empathize with the characters and feel more invested in how things will turn out.

The show is smart, entertaining, and has a lot of heart. It was canceled after its first 22 episodes, until fans buried CBS offices in New York with over 20 tons of nuts in protest. CBS was gracious enough to reconsider and order 7 more episodes of the series. Season 2 was born. It wraps up a most of the story but leave a little if they ever wanted to do more.