The Perils of the Fast Lane Dystopia

We have now watched rather a lot of Dystopian shows. Sometimes dystopians where the whole world is being destroyed and now lives in terrible straits. Sometimes it’s dystopia in a microcosms where the world is ending… but only for specific people behind a fence/wall/whatever.

And there’s one question we have to keep asking - how did these people function in the world?

I mean, I get it, they’re in a terrible, scary situation… but they start panicking within literal hours! Look, I know humans are inclined to panicked over-reaction - but there’s a number of times we have people losing their shit in utter terror on these shows when barely any time has passed, people making terrible, soul wrenching choices… they really don’t have to make yet and folks suffering under terrible privation when their store cupboards should still be quite full.

Here we have the fast forward dystopia, the end of the world in 16x speed. Letting us get past all that pesky development, world building and slowly dawning tension and horror with people grasping their new reality; so we can get right to the nitty gritty of showing young girls the flowers and having to decide who dies so you can preserve your girl scout cookie stash.

After watching many dystopian shows in which the key element is humanity trapped or cut off from the rest of civilization (please stop making these btw), the one thing necessary for these shows to work is a sense of panic. The quickest way to achieve that, of course, is shortages of basic life sustaining items like food, water, or medicine.  Here’s the thing, even the smallest towns these days have a Walmart, drug store, hospital; shit even walk in clinic and yet somehow, people are cut off from the rest of civilization are dying of starvation two days later. Yes, I’m looking directly at you Between.  

What makes Between particularly bad in this area is the starving baby and the fact that all of the adult population has died off. This means that supplies can go even further because a significant percentage of the population is DEAD. Well, you wouldn’t know this from watching Between because the kids begin to go hungry almost immediately. Jason is the only infant in the town and somehow they don’t have any formula. Who the hell consumed the formula if there’s only one infant?  And no, the formula didn’t go bad because formula has a shelf life of at least six months and Jason is one baby and it hasn’t been six months since they’ve been trapped in Pretty Lake. Sure, I know a starving baby adds to the drama but if they cannot even do it in a believable fashion, then why the hell do it? In fact, I think that we should just can the entire idea of starving isolated people as plot advancement until the characters are stuck for at least a couple of months. Most towns could withstand that (even without an entire dairy herd to slaughter). Hell, how many people have a couple of months food in their larders alone?  

Then we have Under the Dome, which almost immediately jumped from “hey we’re trapped” to “let’s have underground fighting rings!” Let’s not forget that within the Dome were FARMS.  Yes FARMS, and still somehow survival was only possible because one character started hoarding. If anything, Under the Dome is even worse than Between, because they had so many more supplies on hand which, while not allowing the gluttonous wasteful food fiesta that we enjoy today, would not have left the characters so desperate at the drop of hat as portrayed. Clearly, the authors didn’t think that dropping a Dome down on a town of unsuspecting people provided enough of a mystery and or plot point so they went with starving people, who shouldn’t even have been hungry.

Containment continues the theme - we need desperate food drops and criminal gangs barricading the local corner shop because, despite a huge segment of the population dying, again there’s no food. They’re not trapped in for months - they’re not even trapped for a month, yet you’d think they’d been desperately confined for years with nothing but bread, water and poutine to live on.

It’s not only shortages that lead to simply odd behaviour. On Revolution, the power suddenly goes out which means no INTERNET people. Why, whatever did people do before the internet? Well, the answer is an agrarian society folks. Without all of the modern conveniences of Internet, electricity, ATM’s, people on Revolution packed up their shit and headed for Beverly right quick. They packed anything valuable and they immediately started hoarding food.  They don’t even wait for the government to attempt to create some kind of order, they pack up their shit and move to the nearest farmland that they can find. Do these people even realise how long it takes for canned food to bad? They had months before they had to worry about getting to farmland for survival and yet it only took Julia six weeks to suggest to Neville that they should leave the city. No one even stopped to think about whether or not farmer Brown wanted their company, even if they could sing B-I-N-G-O. It’s a ridiculous over reaction to show immediate conflict in the story. Look, losing all electricity forever is ridiculous but an entire population shifting out of urban areas rapidly after losing said power is even more ridiculous. I can’t imagine the traffic jams everytime a fuse burns out! I don’t recall anyone in the great northeast blackout of 2003 running for the nearest farm. Sure, we whined about no air conditioning and having to bbq all the meat as quickly as possibly, but it’s funny how in the real world, people were fine just waiting for the power to come back on. We were even happy to be able to see the stars for a little while.

American Exceptionalism in Speculative Fiction

© 2011 Joe Wolf, Flickr | CC-BY-ND | via Wylio

Much of the media in this genre is created in the United States, which is hardly surprising given the hegemony of American pop culture.  Because of the pervasiveness of American pop culture it has come to constitute a form of American soft power.  No country ever wants to see itself as anything but the center of the world but American pop culture has exceedingly made a point of this not only in the fantasy genre but in pretty much everything it produces.  In the eighties, it was all about some brave American taking on a Russian threat and ending up victorious; the hero often wrapped in the stars and stripes, delivering a big dose of patriotism with their knock out punch.  In the nineties, with the end of the cold war, we saw a brief time of antagonists coming from different geographic areas but the hero resoundingly remained American.  With the dawn of the 21st century and the rise of the McWorld vs Jihad dilemma, antagonists have overwhelmingly been Middle Eastern, while the hero remained American. The point of all of these stories is to suggest to the reader, viewer and consumer that no matter the situation or the villain, America is always on the side of right and will emerge victorious based solely American exceptionalism.  The bigger the threat, the faster and stronger the American response will be and whether by might or intelligence, some American will have the right answer to the situation.

The very first time I became aware of this phenomenon in speculative fiction was the movie Independence Day.  Yeah, it was great to watch Will Smith, as Captain Steven Hiller, take on the aliens but it’s telling that it was Jeff Goldblum, as David Levinson, who came up with the solution to the alien invasion. Yes, Levinson graduated from MIT and was an environmentalist but am I really supposed to believe that there was no one else outside of an American smart enough to figure out the invasion countdown clock? And what about the fact that the rest of the world seemed to be sitting around waiting for someone else to come up with a solution? Not only did Hiller and Levinson take the war to the aliens on behalf of the rest of the world, the Americans co-ordinated the attack which occurred on July 4th.  Could American exceptionalism be any more obvious?  Even President Thomas J. Whitmore, played by Bill Pullman, joined the fight because he was a former Vietnam vet. If that were not enough, Whitmore declared July 4th the Independence Day for the world. It's not like the independence of any other country from colonial rule could possibly be significant.

“Perhaps it’s fate that today is the 4th of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom, not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution -- but from annihilation.
We're fighting for our right to live, to exist.
And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:
"We will not go quietly into the night!
We will not vanish without a fight!
We're going to live on!
We're going to survive!"
Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!”

Considering that the Americans would not have gotten to their Independence Day without the French, one really had to suspend belief to buy into the whole rally the troops moment delivered by the impassioned Pullman, as President Whitmore.  Naturally, the president had to get into the action because like the rest of his people, he was a problem solver and epically brave. Thank goodness this is fiction because despite having the title commander in chief, there has only been one president since Eisenhower to actually serve in an active duty position.

Revolution Season Two, Episode Twenty-Two: Declaration of Independence

Priscilla is still in her little dream world with her children.  Outside, a lightening storm flashes because she is being electrocuted.  Aaron begs Priscilla to fight this and wake up and right on cue, Priscilla's eyes open. Aaron and Rachel don't get the result they want because nano Priscilla stands up saying that she is really angry.  Nano Priscilla begins destroying the room and Aaron begs Priscilla to wake up.  In her head, Priscilla hears Aaron calling for her to wake up, as the nano taunts him. Aaron professes that Priscilla is the love of his life, as in her head, Priscilla realizes that her children aren't real.  Nano Priscilla falls to the ground and this time, when Priscila opens her eyes, the Nano has left her.  Priscilla begins to cry about what she went through and how real her children felt to her

President Jack Davis and General Bill Carver shake hands in front of an American flag and wave to a happy crowd. Truman leads Davis away and they lock the doors with the residents inside, as the children sing. Miles et al arrive and break into the room.  Miles fires into the air and screams for the people to run, as Bass secures the gas. Gene finds a dead Marion next to the gas and pauses to mourn but Charlie informs him that it's time to go.

Davis wants to know what is going on and points out that Ed was supposed to handle Miles and Bass. Davis tells Ed that they are going to have a short conversation about Ed's future, so Ed pulls out his weapon, and shoots Carver along with all of the other patriots.  Ed then shoots himself in the arm. Later Davis announces that Carver is dead and that Miles and Bass attacked at the behest of California  It seems that war has been declared.

Miles, Charlie, Gene and Rachel are gathered.  Charlie offers her condolences about Marion and Gene cries about making Marion go back to Truman. Aaron checks on Priscilla, who is still unconscious and running a high fever. Bass returns and is worried about his son who is with Neville.  Bass says that what they did was for nothing because the war is still going to happen. Bass adds that Texas and California are going to war, thus leaving the Patriots to clean up the mess.  Bass declares that he is going to kill Davis, since he is still in Willoughby but Miles has other plans. Miles wants to kidnap Davis instead.

Conner is with Neville and they also plan on killing Davis. Neville snarks on Bass needing approval from Miles to act. Neville declares that Davis is his to kill because he killed his entire family.  Back at camp, Miles tells Gene to get to Austin because the President is coming with a confession. Miles says that they are doing this for everyone the Patriots have killed.

Neville and Conner are up on a roof waiting for Davis to appear because he has to go that way to catch his train. Davis waves to a crowd and gets into an armored wagon. Conner begins to wonder if Davis is coming because it's been two hours.  Conner and Neville hear gun shots and when they investigate, they find dead men and an empty armored car. What they don't know is that Miles et al have already kidnapped Davis.

Davis is gagged and is being marched by Miles and company, and Miles wonders why Davis keeps looking back at Rachel.  Rachel admits that Davis knows her.  Patriot soldiers arrive and the shooting begins.  Miles and company are clearly outnumbered, so Miles orders Bass to take Davis and run, promising to meet him at the rendezvous. As more soldiers arrive on foot, Miles calls that it is time to go.

In Austin Texas, the general is in the hospital and Gene walks into his room saying that he is a friend of Miles.Gene  says that Miles wants to stop the war but the General doesn't think this is possible.

As they head to the rendezvous site, Rachel and Charlie doubt that Bass will be there and Miles points out that Bass followed him into a pile of mustard gas.  Miles says that he is choosing to have faith in Bass.

Bass has Davis all tied up and is about to leave to get water when Davis asks for a moment. Davis tells Bass that he impresses him but his current action is ridiculous because he has already lost.  Bass admits to admiring Davis as well, saying his God Bless America routine is genius. Bass says that he still gets to cut Davis's throat and watch him bleed to death as a consolation prize and re-gags Davis.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 21: Memorial Day

To reiterate last episode, Neville is now monumentally pissed with the Patriots and wants to burn the whole thing down – and wants Monroe to join him. He also wants Miles to join, but Monroe points out Miles probably isn’t on board with the mass slaughter/wholesale destruction thing

Miles & co have found some level of co-operation from people Marion has talked to and one of them shows them the barrel of mustard gas the Patriots have brought to town. The barrel is the size of a tanker. Also Scanlon is with them but he misses Monroe.

Marion herself spies on Truman while bringing him lunch and playing the doting partner. She finds documents that seem to indicate a plan involving/targeting the President of Texas with Mustard Gas, tomorrow which probably involves, death, destruction and provoking Texas and California to go to war. The plan? Rachel is going to go find Aaron and Priscilla who have wandered off and are being creepy elsewhere (hey, maybe the Nano can eat Rachel?) while everyone else tries to steal the train.

Scanlon turns out to be a mole for Monroe and he and Neville are quite delighted at the possibilities presented by a huge tanker full of mustard gas.

Do you know what we need? More angst. Marion shows up with resistance helpers that don’t meet Miles way-too-picky-for-this-standard but it turns out this man and daughter combo are real gung-ho to kill Patriots because his son, her brother was killed by them. And by “killed by them” we mean brainwashed by the Patriots to kill the Texas President and then Miles killed him. ANNNGST. They don’t know Miles pulled the trigger. For some reason Miles think it’s a good idea to tell them this – albeit it not right now. And also he trusts them, not because he does trust them but because he thinks good guys should trust them. This is totally reasonable reasoning. Marion also has doubts about her ability to be a covert agent as well as the awfulness of it all; Gene is there to reassure her even if he is perhaps the least reassuring person ever. Hey he could appeal to moral authority! The hint of Mustard Gas and she’s out, Gene was happy to be a fun torture buddy for some time

They use their new friends to steal the train and it’s all going smoothly until the horrible bloody mess Charlie apparently left the sentry in attracts attention by raining blood on passers by. After a firefight they get their new friend Joe to get the train moving and drive away (though why I don’t know, between them they killed an almost comic number of Patriot guards). They make off with their train.

Scanlon is waiting with all the lye ready to neutralise the gas – with Monroe, Neville and Connor. Neville and Connor check the perimeter and Connor wants to know what’s happening between his dad and Miles. Neville: “Don’t ask don’t tell”. Of course they do. Connor comes to the conclusion that because of Monroe’s obsession with Miles he’ll never succeed in getting the Republic back while Miles is still around – this is his “you cool with murdering Miles?” not-so-subtle-question.

The train arrives and the Monroe gang steals it at gun point. We have another attempt from Monroe to recruit Miles and Neville points a gun at Charlie. He remembers the whole killing his son thing. Miles steps in the way, which hardly stops Neville but with Miles under threat, Monroe points a gun at Neville. Bteween them they hit Neville and knock him out – a stray bullet hitting the gas barrel

Which is empty.

In town Marion continues to play spy, but she’s nervous and her act is fraying around the edges as she pretends to still be in love with Truman. They go to a big community meeting – also attended by the President of Texas and the President of the Patriot US. Above them are many many many canisters of mustard gas ready to be piped into the room

At the train, Mile hears about the concert from Joe and realises it’s the real target and his team heads back, along with Monroe since, if the Patriots win this, all is lost. Connor elects to stay, not really wanting to go to a town that’s about to be gassed.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 20: Tomorrowland

Truman reports to the president who is very very very unhappy with him. The assassination attempt in Texas going so badly wrong all because of Miles and Monroe (I love how we’re actually pretending these 2 are an effective resistance). Truman shows some spine and blames the president – he kept sending in people to take over his job while tying Truman’s hands. Which is pretty true. The president (after making a comment about him having “a pair like Hillary’s”) gives him one chance. And it seems he still wants to provoke a war between Texas and California.

Charlie finally finds the much battered Miles.

Truman returns to Willoughby and is told that an informant has found Miles and Monroe’s camp – and he takes the opportunity to send someone to fire Neville.

At said camp, Aaron is getting frustrated that Nano-Priscilla isn’t actual Priscilla and Miles has decided he’s all better and doesn’t have to stay in his hospital bed; both Rachel and Monroe do their own form of fawning over him. An ominous flock of birds appears and Nano-Priscilla tells Aaron to run since he’s slower than everyone else; he does warning everyone else and Monroe throws in a random insult over his weight – before they see a creeping yellow gas.

Those caught by it choke and die – it’s mustard gas. Thankfully they’re in a chemical plant with lots of climbable things; but as they climb men in gas masks emerge from the gas and shoot people

I personally would not trust a gas mask that has been literally decades without proper maintenance.

Miles finds a sealed truck for all the important people to hide in, though Aaron wants to find Priscilla and save her despite her actually being god at the moment. They hide while outside the men massacre everyone. Except Nano-Priscilla who walks calmly through the gas. Some of the masked men fire bullets into the container – but inside they plug the holes.

The survivors gather up and Monroe wants to hit back – steal mustard gas and release it wherever he can do the most damage. And he shouts down any argument, he’s tired of moral quandary and argument – even if they have to destroy Willoughby, their inaction is killing them. Miles agrees – while Rachel stares at him. He waits for her to complain but she says that she’s tired of competing with what’s between him and Monroe and they’re done.

As they walk off Miles asks what Monroe’s plans are for the Monroe Republic and Mornoe is vague but Miles realises he plans to take Georgia as well, the whole Eastern Seaboard. He promises it will be different and he wants Miles to join him.

Truman returns to where he’s staying with Marion before leaving. She checks the drawer he used and finds a false bottom – in which is a gas mask and some paperwork which horrifies her. She goes to see her dad’s gave that night and Gene and Charlie kidnap her.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 19: S#!& Happens

Charlie is in the back of the wagon being driven by Monroe, Miles and Conner.  Charlie has flashbacks to Jason's death.  Miles tells Charlie that she had no choice and that bad things happen in life. Mile declares Austin a win and suggests that Charlie stop wringing her hands. Bass sees this as a signal that Miles's head is in the game and suggests that they need to figure out their next move. Miles believes they need to kill Neville and Bass tells Charlie that Tom is going to kill her when he finds out what happened. The conversation stops when they realise that they have Rangers on the their trail.  Monroe wants to kill everyone but Miles points out that they still need Texas on their side. They decide to split up and Charlie is told to return to her mother. Miles drives the wagon hard but it over turns when he hits stones. Miles finds himself surrounded and says that he just wants to talk.  The ranger points out that Carver is pissed because he believes that Miles tried to kill him and Miles calls back that he was trying to save Carver.  The ranger tells Miles to come out and that he wants to hear his side.  Miles reveals his position and is shot at. The Texas rangers are the worst shots in history and Miles manages to shoot himself out of trouble  Miles ends up in a sword duel with the last ranger and is slashed for his trouble. So the rangers can fight with swords but for some reason they cannot shoot.  Of course, Miles gets the upper hand and kills the ranger.

In Willoughby, Aaron brings a cassette to nano Priscilla, so that she can hear music. Poor thing, the first song Aaron plays is We Built This City on Rock and Roll by Starship. Aaron however does call it the worst song ever written.  Aaron tells nano Priscilla that she has had the being human tour and asks the nano to release Priscilla.  Nano Priscilla is not content and asks to have a slice of pizza.

Bass and Charlie make their way back to camp and meet up with Aaron.  Charlie is relieved to see Aaron but is upset that she thought he was dead.  Rachel asks where Miles is and Charlie is shocked to learn that he has not made it back by now. Charlie tells Rachel to get her stuff. Conner tells Bass that Charlie and Rachel are freaking out over nothing because Miles can take care of himself. Miles orders Conner to remain in camp and heads off to join Charlie and Rachel. Conner snarks that Miles is Bass's boyfriend. Really? There has not been a single gay character on the show but the writers are going to through fodder to the Milo slashers. Thanks, but no.

Miles is making his way on foot but having difficulty due to the wound in his side. At an abandoned camp, Miles sees a first aid kit but when he heads towards it, he falls through the flooring. Fortunately for Miles, the first aid kit falls with him but of course, when he opens it, it's empty. A wall crashes and covers the opening to where Miles has fallen.

Rachel tries to talk to Charlie about Jason but Charlie is not interested in conversation.  When they come to a road, they decide to split up and continue to search.

Nano Priscilla is still listening to the song, when Aaron interrupts to inform her that Miles is missing. Aaron asks the nano to find Miles but the nano questions whether Miles is worth saving. The nano reveals that they probed Miles once and that he has dark notions. Aaron is shocked and the nano reveals that it has appeared to over 3000 people so far and are are curious about humans. Aaron may be the creator but it's clear that nano don't see him as a special snowflake.

Miles is now on his feet and he is looking for a way out.  He tries unsuccessfully to break a window. Miles is forced to stop moving when the bleeding in his side increases.  Miles then starts a fire, heats his sword and in the process gets flashbacks to his past. Miles cauterizes the wound in his side screaming.

Charlie walks along a river looking for traces of Miles. Charlie calls out to Miles but doesn't get an answer. It's Neville who catches up with Charlie.  Neville points a gun at Charlie and demands that she throw down her weapons.  Neville asks what happened to Jason and Charlie says that she doesn't know where he is.  Neville is not pacified and points out that Jason would not leave Charlie's side. Charlie bluffs and claims that Miles is going to be there any minute. Neville tells Charlie that they are going to head back to her camp because that is where Jason is.

Miles manages to find a little booze and has yet another flashback.  He starts to talk to a wooden duck.

Revolution, Season Two, Episode 18: Austin City Limits

Neville finds Jason staring into any empty field and says that they need to leave and track Monroe.  Jason is quick to say no and asks Neville if he even cares what the Patriots have done to him.  Jason is concerned that he doesn't remember what he was made to do or what he will be made to do in the future.  Neville wants Jason to tough it out but Jason is adamant that his mother is dead and will never be returned to them. Jason grabs Neville and asks for his help. Nevillle tells Jason that he has to hold it together for a little longer. With tears in his eyes, Jason walks away from his father.  Neville screams at Jason not to walk away from him but Jason keeps moving.

Back at the camp, Miles learns that the cadets are heading to Austin.  Miles snarks about wandering around Austin aimlessly until they find some suicide bombers.  Miles is not only concerned that if the Patriots take Texas, there will be no one big enough to stop them but that the Patriots are three days ahead of them on the road.

Jason walks into the camp with a gun to Conner's head and says that he wants to help the rebels.  He releases Conner and puts his hands in the air.  Jason pulls out a letter from Truman's office.  When Miles asks how Neville feels about this, Jason replies that he doesn't care.  Jason hands over the letter to Miles and says that the Patriots are sending cadets to Austin, specifically 19 Arnold street.  Miles asks why Jason is revealing this information and Jason replies that he needs to go with the rebels and stop the Patriots.  Charlie asks if Jason is joking because he has screwed them over several times.  Jason admits that he is the last guy they should trust and shows them the tattoo. Jason admits that he has nothing but burned bridges in camp and adds that he needs payback. Monroe asks how they know that Jason isn't a zombie now and Jason replies that if he steps out of line, they should shoot him.  Charlie is shocked that Monroe is even considering this but  Monroe suggests that Jason could come in handy.  Monroe adds that if Jason makes one wrong move, they shoot. him.  Jason is then handcuffed.

Rachel and Miles talk briefly about Gene, who is healing from his wounds. Miles asks Rachel if she is sure she doesn't want to come with them.  Rachel asks why they plan to do with the cadets when they find them but Miles doesn't answer.  Rachel tells Miles to take care of Charlie and to watch out for Monroe.   Miles leaves Rachel and heads over to a wagon where Miles, Charlie, Conner and Charlie wait.  Monroe tells Miles to relax because he can handle 72 hours with the ball and chain.  I have to say that Bass has a point. They pull away from the camp.

50 Miles outside of Willoughby Texas, Aaron sleeps as Patricia stays awake in front of the fire.  Patricia puts her had into the fire and it starts to burn but she doesn't make a sound.  Aaron awakes and says that something smells good.  Eww, that means Patricia's burning flesh smells good. When Patricia pulls her hand out of the fire, the burns heal.

Miles, Charlie, Conner, Jason and Monroe get out of a boat and start walking. Conner asks Charlie what kind of number Jason did on her and she replies that the only person she trusts less than Jason is Conner.

The scene shifts to a very thriving downtown Austin with the crew walking the streets.  They arrive at 19 Arnell street and find a gun shop.  Charlie and Conner make their way inside and ask if a couple of kids have from out of town have been seen in the last few days.  The proprietor clearly does not trust them but says  that they are tell their deadbeat friends upstairs to stop making noise all night and pay up on the rent which is owed.  Charlie and Conner head back outside.

The crew heads up to an apartment area and Jason reveals what he thinks the Patriots play will be.  When they get the door open, they find the room empty.  Jason marks on the floor where he believes the grenades to be .  Miles says that Jason is paying off already. Jason picks up a lighter with a bald eagle on it and Miles digs through the ashes and finds a burnt piece of paper with an Arabic word. Jason translates it and Bass realizes that the Patriots are going to hit Blanchard, who is not a fan of theirs.  Miles suggests that if they help Blanchard, he will help them out.  Miles and Bass leave Conner and Charlie in charge of Jason, with the order to shoot him if he looks at them funny.

Bass and Monroe are in a large house and they hear the sound of someone being beaten.  When they open the door, they find a dominatrix beating Blanchard.  Bass takes the whip away and beats Frank a few times and he screams his safe word.  Bass takes off Frank's blindfold and Franks shocked to see Bass and Monroe.

Conner and Charlie continue to search and Charlie finds identification for California.  When a patriot sneaks up on the apartment, Jason attacks him and chases him down the hall.  Charlie has to pull Jason off the man, warning Jason that he will kill him. Charlie asks Jason who the man is.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 17: Why We Fight

Miles, Monroe are spying on Patriot people doubtlessly up to something evil, and the kid Miles let go last week is back happily among them. Monroe perfects his “I told you so” look. Don’t let your enemy’s killbots go home! Of course, said killbot is now guiding the Patriot troops to their Camp (shall I call them The Resistance? Because the Resistance in ‘Allo ‘Allo was more efficient).

Gene decides to go to the town full of brainwashed Patriot people with their Killbot children so they can recruit more help. Rachel and Charlie volunteer to join him on their silly side trip but Miles insists on going instead. As is usual Sebastian moans but they do it anyway (hey, at least they’re finally DOING something).

They sneak into the town which looks vaguely like a Fallout New Vegas setting (in an awesome way. If you don’t get the reference you have lived a sad, deprived life, clearly) with lots of dramatic propaganda posters; his former friends are walking around like good little drones.

Neville, meanwhile, is manipulating the not-very-bright Truman to turn him against Doyle. When he leaves some of Doyle’s men have a message for him involving lots of punches to the face.

Gene and Miles find Marion in the bar she runs and Gene decides they can totally trust her – but they still end up kidnapping her because she believes they’re terrible terrorists. Truman has done a really good job of framing him as a terrorist. He takes a while trying to talk her round despite her being an old ex of his. Of course, her current boyfriend is actually Truman which may be why she’s so hard to convince (Miles “you really get around” comment is rather unnecessary – last I checked, 2 lovers may be more than we’ve seen Miles have. His tormenting of Gene is much more fun). And he’s come to dinner so they have to let her go talk to him and pretend everything is normal.

In response to his taunting, Gene asks why Miles is doing anything – why does he always think everything’s so bad. Miles has a simple answer – it’s the apocalypse – and a more complex one; he tried to make things better with Monroe. It didn’t turn out well – because people will always be stupid and selfish.

I can’t say I disagree. Gene rightly points out Miles isn’t fighting for anything, he’s just fighting his own demons.

Marion asks Truman about Kim and Grant and his answers make her suspicious and lean towards believing Gene.

At the Resistance camp, Charlie and Connor snark a bit before the whole gang finds something else to go spy on. It’s a camp full of Duncan Page’s men – the Patriots found poor Duncan and now she’s dead and her men want some vengeance. Thank gods for random events giving them an army, because standing around bickering was surprisingly ineffective for defeating the Patriots. The Patriots are rampaging across the Plains Nation, destroying the War Clans (and he makes lots and lots of Native American analogies, in case you missed them with the Plains Nation).

Revolution, Season Two, Episode Sixteen: Exposition Boulevard

This episode opens with Jason, Neville, Rachel and Miles still in a standoff over Monroe. Neville threatens to shoot Rachel, so Miles calls his bluff causing Neville to be surprised at how willing Miles is to sacrifice for Monroe.  Doyle comes out of the bushes with patriot soldiers, so Miles and Rachel take off after killing a few Patriots.

The next day, Neville sits with Doyle and asks for more men to continue his search for Monroe.  When Doyle balks, Neville reminds him that no one asked him to come rushing out of the bushes with soldiers last night.  Neville asserts that he needs to do this his way and reminds Doyle that finding Monroe is important to the president as well.  Doyle dismisses Truman, who is not at all pleased and reminds Doyle that he is sitting in his office.  Doyle talks about how he wanted Rachel and Neville's executied and that when he finds Monroe, he is going to ask the president for their deaths.  Doyle declares that he is not going to help Neville, though he cannot stop them.

A week later, Bass and Charlie are making their way to Willoughby.  Bass questions how Charlie finds the time to have sex with Connor and comments that her choice of lovers is interesting.  They stop when they hear sounds and it turns out to be Rachel and Miles.  Miles says that they could use twice as many guys and Bass says that they were lucky to get them.  Miles expresses surprise that Bass didn't screw them over.

They all head to camp and Gene tells Rachel that Charlie and Conner are sleeping together after watching them together.  Rachel of course quickly denies this but Gene points out that he knows something about having a wild daughter.  Really? They're doing the apple and tree bullshit over the choice of sexual partners and implying slutshaming. Umm no Revolution this is not cool.

Miles and Bass talk about Neville's alliance with the Patriots.  Miles reminds Bass that the Patriots have Neville's wife Julia.  Bass suggests that they put Neville out of his misery because Neville is apparently shadier than Miles.  Mile says that they have other things to take care of.  Miles takes Bass to see a Patriot training camp and Bass realises that all of the new recruits are kids.  Bass points out that most of the kids are from Willoughby.  Miles then points out all of the firepower that the Patriots have stockpiled, saying how much they could use it.  As they leave the area, Miles boasts about how his son behaved in New Vegas.  When Bass. heads in the bushes to use the bathroom, he finds two Patriot soldiers.  Bass of course wants to kill the two prisoners.

That night, two hundred miles away, Aaron and Priscilla have made camp for the night.  Aaron says that they will reach Willoughby in a week or so.  They sit eating apples and when Priscilla enthuses about the apple, Aaron wonders why Priscilla has been so happy since Lubbock. Priscilla points out that they have been through hell and not only did they survive, they're together. Priscilla suggests that this is a good thing and they smile.

In the oval office, the president stands over Ron, who is drawing, when Roger enters to give his report.  The President asks how things are going in Willoughby and how General Carter is doing. Roger calls Carter a silly man but the president reminds him that Carter is the commander of Texas and is not to be underestimated.  The president issues an order for the cadets to be activated by the end of the month.  When Roger assures the president that their plans are moving along well, the president reminds Roger that their plans to take Texas depends on those cadets and from there the rest of the continent.  The president say that Monroe and Miles are still at large around this pivotal camp and questions if he should trust Roger.  The president threatens to shoot Doyle, and Roger, as well as their families, if the cadets don't get onto the field. Well, talk about an imperial presidency.  Things have certainly changed.  I wonder how he gets his mandate to wield so much power.  Roger leaves and the president goes back to watching Ron.

Rachel heads to see Charlie, as Miles and Bass walk their prisoners back to camp.  Gene meets them and says that he delivered those kids.  Gene asks if Kim is okay and neither prisoner answers. Bass assures Gene that the kids are alright, as Charlie and Conner tie the kids up. Charlie asks Kim if she has seen her around town, but Kim does not answer.  Miles points out to Gene that if they hit the munitions pile that it will cause a lot of damage and give them a window to get in. Gene wonders what will happen to the town's kids. Miles says that the boot camp is bad for them but Gene points out that he practically raised those kids.  Rachel asks what the point is of saving Wiloughby, if they have to murder its children.  Bass answers that he is there to win, not save anyone.  Bass walks away and Rachel and Miles share an intense moment.

Revolution, Season Two, Episode Fifteen: Dreamcatcher

Aaron is still lost in in March of 2014.  Priscilla joins him in the kitchen and asks him if he is alright.  He says that something is off and that he is forgetting something.  The news talks about power outage payloads and when he looks at the television, he sees Dr. Calvin Horn. We get a flash to the proper timeline with Horn and Aaron says that he has seen that guy before.  When Priscilla asks who, Aaron points out Horn but admits that he doesn't know where he knows him from.  Priscilla encourages Aaron to eat breakfast.

We next see Priscilla and Aaron on the street.  Aaron pauses to pull a sandwich out of the garbage and Priscilla tells him to put it back.  When Aaron comments that food is hard to find, Priscilla tells him that food is everywhere and that he is not to eat garbage. They continue walking and enter a building together.  Once inside, people great him as boss and Aaron is clearly confused.  His employees call him into deal with an algorithm that they are having problems with.  Aaron gets a flash to the present timeline with himself working on the same algorithm; it's the same one he worked on for the nanos.  Aaron says that he doesn't feel like working on it now and turns up the volume on the television.  Rachel is giving a speech on nano technology and Aaron says that he knows her.  Aaron starts to get flashes of Priscilla and then his knees go weak. When Priscilla asks him what is wrong, Aaron replies that she is not sure that this is real.

Alone, Priscilla questions Aaron about the fact that he lives in a world with no electricity.  Priscilla asks for the last thing he remembers and Aaron says that Rachel, Priscilla and Horn were there and that he gets the crap beat out of him constantly.   Priscilla soothes him with a kiss and asks if he felt that and Aaron says yes. Aaron admits that if this were a dream, the kiss wouldn't feel real.  Priscilla says that she is going to take him home to rest and call the doctor.

Back at home, Aaron flips through the channels on television.  He heads to the fridge and grabs a beer savoring the taste. Later in bed, Aaron closes his eyes and says," let this be real please."  The next morning, Aaron is up, dressed, and even a touch eager.  He tells Priscilla that he is feeling much better and that the blackout was the dream.  He adds that they have a real house, cold beer, internet porn and that this is the real world.

Aaron shows up at work and seems in an excellent mood and Mike confirms that they are ready for their big presentation. Aaron heads back to the chalkboard and the code on the whiteboard.  Aaron quickly picks out the memory leak but pauses briefly and then starts to write on the board.  Charlie appears and uses a cross bow to put an arrow in the throat of Aaron's workers.  Charlie orders Aaron to come with her but he balks, so she grabs him forcefully. They run down the stairs together and Aaron refers to her as the belly shirt girl. Charlie tells Aaron that he has to remember everything. Charlie asks Aaron what her name is and after a few flashbacks from the alternate timeline, Aaron calls her Charlie.  Aaron realises that he is dreaming and Charlie tells him that they have to move because some mysterious "they" are coming for him. Outside, Charlie tells Aaron that the nanites are coming for him because they are dying and need him to fix the code. Charlie reveals that it's like the Matrix - a virtual reality program.  Charlie is actually a figment of Aaron's imagination - the part of him trying to fight off the nanite invasion. Charlie tells Aaron that he needs to find Rachel and make her help him.  Charlie stands to guide Aaron away but is shot by Horn.  When Aaron stands, Horn is surrounded by armed men and he calls out, "I'm going to need you to fix that code Pittman." Aaron takes off running and hops into a cab to escape.  He asks to be taken to Chicago.

Revolution, Season Two, Episode Fourteen: Fear and Loathing

In New Vegas, Connor and Monroe are dragged and dumped into a chain-link cage.  Charlie who is still free, moves along the outskirts and she follows Duncan Page. Gould reveals that he knows who Bass is and announces that Connor and Bass are going to fight.  When Connor agrees, Bass informs Connor that this is a fight to death. Monroe reaches through the fence and puts a knife to Gould's throat and Gould tells his soldiers to shoot Connor if Bass does not let him go.  With no options, Bass withdraws and Gould says that the fight is tomorrow and if they try to throw the fight, he will shoot both of them on the spot, before walking away.  Connor asks how they are going to get out and Bass asks if he has any ideas. Connor points out that Charlie is still free, but Bass is not hopeful and instead informs Connor that he is going to teach him how to kill.

Neville, Miles, Jason and Rachel are at the site of the old field hospital and it seems that the Patriots are making renovations.  When Rachel asks about Doyle, both Neville and Jason deny knowledge of who he is. Miles suggests picking up Doyle to find out what the Patriots are up to.

Outside of Duncan's camp,  Charlie makes her way through the crowd.  She is stopped and grabbed by two men.  Duncan refers to Charlie as Monroe's bitch and asks where her diamonds are.  Charlie says that there is a delay and that Gould has Monroe.  Charlie asks for help getting Bass out and Duncan says that she is not going to make things worse for herself  Charlie points out that without Duncan's help, Monroe will die and adds that she cannot do this alone.  Duncan orders Charlie taken away.

Alone, Jason tells Neville that Doyle is building a re-education center and he is keeping cadets in barrels. Neville points out that they don't have a choice but Jason reminds Neville that Doyle took his mother. Neville reminds Jason that their job is to find Bass and kill him and that saving his mother is their top priority.  At a distance, Rachel and Miles talk about the sense of trusting Neville and Jason.  Miles says that if the Nevilles have actually turned that they would make a great addition to the team. Miles informs Rachel that he wants her to stay behind when they go to grab Doyle and Rachel replies that he needs to stop worrying about her.

In Lubbock Texas, Aaron and Priscilla are still locked in a room.  Aaron paces while Priscilla sleeps. When Aaron looks in the mirror, the nanos appear in the form of Cynthia and repeatedly say, "save us."  Aaron tells the nanos that he is sick of their crap.  The nanos reveal that they are dying and then disappear.  Priscilla wakes up and says that she saw her father who said, "save us," and asks what it means

Back in Vegas, Monroe is coaching Connor on how to fight.  Monroe quickly defeats Connor and then informs him that he has a blind spot in his left eye and tells Connor to come at him from the left.  Connor puts down his weapon and suggests they should make a run at the guards.  Bass makes it clear that this is not a good plan because they are surrounded by men with rifles.  Bass tells Connor that he has to take him down for real because Gould will know.  Connor refuses to participate saying that he is not going to kill Bass. Miles tells Connor that he should want to kill him because he got his mother killed by dragging her into gunfight where she got shot, bled out and died in his arms. Connor does not believe what Bass is saying so Bass asserts that this is the truth and asks how Connor feels about him now.  Connor picks up a weapon and attacks and this time he quickly over powers Monroe.

Miles and Neville watch the patriot camp where Doyle is walking around giving orders.  Neville says that he and Miles are quite a team and Miles tells Tom that he never liked him.  Miles sympathisez with Neville's loss of Julia and Neville says that there''s nothing he wouldn't do to see Julia again.  Jason shows up and says that he has found a place with a better vantage point.  Before they leave, Neville snarks about Miles getting together with Rachel.

Peter walks into Priscilla and Aaron's room and asks, "what save us," means.  Priscilla asks if they should pretend that they are all friends again.  Peter apologizes saying that the nanos wanted them there and that there is something is wrong with the code. Aaron admits that there must be a problem with the code and that eventually the nanos will become corrupt and die.  Peter calls them blessed and adds that everything that has happened has led them to the opportunity to save the nanos.  Aaron points out that there are not a lot of computers around.  Prisicilla asks what happens if they refuse to help, and Peter says that they don't have a choice and cannot fight fate.  Peter adds that the nanos are alive who answers their prayers and heals and is therefore a new God.  Priscilla refuses to help and adds that she wants the nanos to die because it is too powerful. Peter asks them not to force him to do anything he doesn't want to do.

Revolution, Season One, Episode Thirteen: Happy Endings

 

Rachel and Charlie struggle to revive Gene who has stopped breathing.

Connor is still holding Truman captive, so Truman orders his soldiers to take the shot. Connor warns Sanders not to take the shot.  Monroe playing the role of sniper, kills Sanders and the soldiers all back off.  Connor grabs the drugs, ties Truman up and leaves.

After a struggle, Rachel is able to revive Gene, just as Connor runs in with the vaccine.  Rachel orders everyone receive a dose and Connor says that they have to go.  

A patriot finds Truman tied up and he orders the key found..

Charlie, Connor, Rachel and Gene hop onto a wagon but are stopped at the gates.  Connor claims that they are going on a supply run, so the soldiers open the gates for them. Just outside of the gates, they pick up Miles and Bass.

When Truman rushes into the tent, he finds that Rachel, Connor and Charlie left him one dose of the vaccine and he quickly takes it.  It makes no sense to me why they would leave a dose behind for Truman because they know exactly what he is and what he is capable of.  The only reason not to kill him off is because the writers want him to continue to be thorn in the side of Miles, Rachel, Bass and Charlie.

A clearly beaten Neville is dragged into the oval office to meet the president.  Neville struggles to his feet and is ordered to take a seat.  The president reveals that he knows that Tom has spent the last six months plotting to kill him.  Neville starts to lie but president Davis cuts him off saying that his charm won't work because he knows the truth.  Davis reveals that he got his information from Julia and that Julia is alive for now.  Neville asks why they don't kill him and Julia. Davis replies that he has plans for  Willoughby Texas and it just so happens this is where Monroe is.  Monroe being alive is a problem because he was supposed to have been executed. The president tells Tom that he is to hunt down Monroe and execute him and to make sure Tom complies, the president shows Tom a picture of a battered Julia which he then rips in two.  Monroe asks to take Jason with him because Jason wouldn't want to see his mother dead anymore than Neville does.

Gene awakes coughing and looks much better.  Outside, Connor approaches Charlie saying he is thankful that he was able to get the medicine because there were three guns him.  Connor starts to brag to impress Charlie and she plays along briefly before walking away.

Miles tells Monroe about the typhus and Miles argues that they need to buy some mercenaries.   Apparently, Monroe has a friend in New Vegas.

Five days later, Jason and Neville arrive in Willoughby and appear in Truman's office.

Charlie has her bag packed and Miles tells Rachel that Charlie is going with Bass and Connor to keep an eye on them. Rachel resists but Miles makes it clear that neither Bass or Connor can be trusted. Charlie hops into the back of the wagon as they drive away.

Truman lies and says that he saved the town from Typhus and asks how many men Neville needs.  Neville says that he knows Miles and Monroe and that he will find them and kill Monroe.  When Truman asks why he should listen to Neville, Neville tells Truman that he has orders.   Truman reminds them that one word from him and Julia is a dead woman.

Patricia and Aarron arrive at Lubbock Texas and Cynthia asks what they are looking for.

Revolution, Season Two, Episode Twelve: Captain Trips

The crew has arrived back at Willoughby to discover that Charlie and Gene are missing. Connor is quick to snark about the humble surroundings he now finds himself in.  Miles notes that Charlie and Gene's things are missing. They all head out and stumble across the tent city which has been created to deal with outbreak. When they see Gene chatting with Truman, Monroe snarks about how quick Gene switched sides.  Miles looks through binoculars and spots Charlie.   Rachel notices that the tents are quarantine tents and the people are wearing masks.  As they continue to watch, a wagon rushes in with a new patient and Gene and Charlie run to help.  The patient is taken into a tent and Gene starts to initiate medical care.  The man quickly dies, as Gene works furiously to save him.

Gene heads out to see Truman and demands to know when the medicine is getting there.  Truman says three days and Gene is not at all pleased.  Truman says that they are in this together because his men might possibly die alongside the residents.

On the hill, Rachel says that they have to get down there.  Miles is quick to offer up Connor because know one knows him but Connor makes it clear that he is not walking into a plague.  Rachel says that because charlie and Gene are at risk, she is the one who is going to go.  Rachel puts on a mask and slips in with a group of residents to enter the camp.  For someone so highly recognizable, she is able to slip in awfully easily.  Rachel makes her way to Charlie and Gene and Gene confirms that they are in the middle of an outbreak which is just getting started.  Rachel asks about Aaron but before either Gene or Charlie can respond, Truman approaches.  Truman immediately demands to know where Miles and Aaron are and Rachel lies and says that she came alone.  Gene tells Truman that if he really wants to stop the outbreak that he needs Rachel's help, then he reminds Truman that they are in this together.  Truman consents but promises Rachel that when this is over, they are going to have a chat. 

Julia and Neville meet at the Washington memorial. Neville tells Julia that her new husband has Jason in captivity.  Julia asks where but Neville does not know.  Neville says that if Jason breaks, he will tell the patriots everything about them.  Julia makes it clear that she does not care about any of that and is only interested in freeing their son.  Neville tells Julia that she is the best chance they have because her husband is pulling the strings and then leaves.

We get a flashback to two years after the blackout.  Jason is very sick and Neville promises to find some food.  Julia makes it clear that if he isn't successful, Jason will die.  Neville makes his way to a campsite where two men are roasting meat and are surrouned by canned goods.  Neville explains that his son is sick and starving but the men declare that they only have enough food for themselves.  Neville argues that people used to help people and then he draws a knife on the men.  He is quickly overpowered and then beaten by the both of them for his trouble.

In present day,  Gene walks into a tent where Rachel asks him when he slept last.  Rachel and Gene talk about the disease being typhus.  Gene explains that the symptoms match but that the disease is not running the way it should. Gene adds that they are losing people by the hour and that this is exactly like how he lost his wife.  Rachel comforts her father and promises that they will figure this out.

Aaron looks for Grace only to discover that she left him and Priscilla a Dear John letter.  When Aaron turns he discovers that the nanos have appeared to him in the form of Cynthia.  The nanos tell him that he has to face it.  Aaron tells the nanos that they don't get to look like Cynthia.  The nanos then ask if Aaron has ever been to Lubbock Texas, which has the largest concrete cowboy. Aaron asks where the nanos went and they claim that they didn't go anywhere because they are in everything.  The nanos tells Aaron that all of his questions will be answered in Lubbock Texas and that if he doesn't leave, Aaron and Priscilla will be in danger. Aaron asks from who but the nano does not answer. Priscilla appears and asks who Aaron was talking to.

Charlie walks into the morgue tent and draws a sample of blood from one of the dead.   Charlie gives the sample to Rachel, who immediately begins to work with it.   Rachel heads outside to find Gene and tells him that blood tests reveals that this is not a naturally occurring typhus and that it was made in a lab. Rachel suggests that the Patriots started this outbreak on purpose.  They walk through the camp and Gene has doubts about Truman wanting to wipe out the town.  Gene asks how they stop it and Rachel suggests that the Patriots have a cure and a vaccine.  Gene says that he thinks he knows where they would keep it.  Rachel hangs white sheets which signals the cavalry that she has left them a note.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 11: Mis Dos Padres

In Spring City Oklahoma, Grace is a little surprised to find Aaron because she’s moved there to be completely alone and forget everything about the Tower and what happened there; and then the Nanites send Aaron to find her. And he’s just the second surprise visitor – a woman always walked into town before collapsing from heat stroke. Priscilla. Aaron’s first wife

Damn, Grace, who thought being a hermit would be so hard?

Apparently Priscilla has been lead to Oklahoma by hallucinations of her dead father. And fireflies. Yay, hallucination buddies! Well Priscilla’s relieved, she thought she was losing her mind (eerr… Aaron ALSO losing his mind doesn’t mean you’re not losing yours).. They update everyone then ask Grace what’s going on. Apparently Grace thought the Nanites could wake up – after all, if a brain is a lot of neurones talking to each other then a cloud of Nanites talking to each other is pretty analogous; especially since there are a cagillion gazillion Nanites that, when networked form a (in Aaron’s words) big ass brain.

Why Aaron and Priscilla? Because the code Aaron invented was the one Grace, Rachel, Warren and the other Nanite inventors used to create the Nanites. And Priscilla helped him with the code creation. Awww they’re Mummy and Daddy nanite! Though apparently someone called Peter also helped and he’s absent. With them reeling, Grace decides to hit them with another whammy – a powerful, omnipresence force with its own mind sounds a lot like God to her.

Alone, Aaron and Priscilla update each other on their respective love lives (Priscilla’s new husband couldn’t handle Priscilla apparently losing her mind so left her and took the kids with him).

In Mexico, Connor has heard his dad’s offer of a new fascist state just as soon as the pair of them wrest it off the Patriots and has decided that it’s not all that tempting and takes him, bound into a compound with lots of partying and a hanging body as a warning. Outside, Rachel and Miles watch and Rachel repeats my thoughts about them actually choosing to RESCUE Monroe.

Inside the compound they go to the boss man’s office and he’s very very paternal towards Connor – a definite father/son relationship going on there. But the boss man, Luis Nuñez, is pretty welcoming to Mornoe – at least on the surface (Monroe is pouty) and Nuñez stakes his position – he found Connor on the streets, he took Connor in and he raised him. And to prove the point – he asks Connor what he wants to do with Miles and Connor suggests selling him – someone’s going to want Monroe.

Which means Monroe gets to be locked up – but he still tries to warn Connor that Nuñez is dangerous and he should avoid him – yeah, have you not picked up the adopted father dynamic yet, Monroe? Monroe runs with “he’s not your blood” which doesn’t impress – and then Miles, having infiltrated the compound, knocks Connor out. But Monroe won’t run because then his escape will be Connor’s fault. The end result of which is that Miles is imprisoned as well.

Tell me again why rescuing Monroe was a good idea. Miles is not impressed by claims of fatherly bonds to a man Monroe has only known for 5 damn minutes.

Revolution, Season 2, Episode 10: The Three Amigos

Some rather worried Patriot people look at the aftermath of what happens when Aaron gets really really angry and the nanites listen to him. It’s messy and probably smells really bad.

Monroe and Charlie save Gene – no I don’t know either, it makes about as much sense as Charlie being pally with her brother’s killer, just run with it. They take him back to the precious Rachel so we can have apologies and hugs (“sorry I aided and abetted murderers and torturers honey!” “oh it’s ok, we’re with Monroe, we’re totally fine with murdering and torture these days!” “yay! TORTURE HUG!”)

Aaron has no interest in torture-hugs. He is now working on his new super power: killing people with his glare. On a more practical standpoint, they want Gene to treat the infected Miles before he dies horribly. Gross but effective primitive doctoring follows.

Aaron continues riding the angst train and we have a flashback reminder of some place in Oklahoma the Nanitechild mentioned in case you forgot (I did). No-one’s heard it but Rachel is very kind and careful about the hallucinations-experienced-by-the-man-who-can-burn-things-with-his-mind. Gene arrives with one of his magic apologies but given Gene turning Aaron and Cynthia in led to Cynthia getting killed, Aaron isn’t feeling the love.

Miles wakes up demanding whiskey (not a bad idea, many past societies used weak booze as the staple drink since the water was often full of gribbly diseases. And life as a medieval peasant is probably more pleasant if you’re slightly buzzed) and Monroe wants to know where his hidden son since he’s filled in his side of the bargain – Miles agrees to show him

Who bets that his son, Connor, is in Oklahoma?

Rachel tries to talk Miles out of it – but if Miles shows him he hopes he can keep Monroe around because a murdering torturer (who can fight) can be a nifty tool. He always wants Rachel around to stop them doing anything stupid. HA! Oh that’s a classic! I never knew this was a com- oh my gods he’s actually serious. Rachel as the voice of reason…

On the road Miles keeps distance between himself and Monroe and wants to know exactly what Monroe hopes to achieve meeting the 25 year old son he’s never seen before. Monroe just wants to see his son because it’s special and important and Rachel gives him dagger eyes – hearing the man who killed her son wax on about how special it will be to see his son does not make her happy.

While they’re gone Aaron also leaves on his own with the electricity pendant, presumably heading to Oklahoma. Naturally, Gene and Charlie decide to chase him (though apparently he hasn’t told them where he’s going and they don’t track him so how they hope to follow him I do not know – pick a direction at random?) On the way, Gene decides to follow and watch a patriot supply train head into Willoughby because… because… I dunno, low attention span?

Charlie apparently did try to track him following Aaron’s trail but Aaron cleverly covered his tracks. Charlie hasn’t yelled at her grandfather for being a colossal screw up and traitor because yelling at old people is ineffective (cross reference: Rachel) and Gene wants them to sleuth out the wagons in Willoughby because they haven’t put themselves in enough danger yet.

Dystopians: The Leadership of Cis, Straight, White, Able-Bodied Men.

Dystopian worlds have become very popular lately. Whether it is Revolution, Falling Skies, The Walking Dead or Defiance, the one thing they all have in common is straight, cisgender, able bodied White male leadership. This suggests that at the end of the day, no matter the circumstance White masculinity represents authority, logic, safety, and intelligence. People of colour and women are often relegated to side characters who week after week submit to this authority and often times appear to be grateful for it.  It is no accident that the White male is so revered in dystopians. It plays upon the idea that White straight masculinity is a declining power because of resistance by women, people of colour and of course GLBT people. It suggests that there will come a time when nature will correct itself and once again White men will rule the world, as though that is not the current situation and further; the world will be grateful for it.

Sometimes the writers make the effort to explain why these men are in charge - in The Walking Dead Rick is a cop who people look to for stability; rather more dubiously, Nolan is the only person in Defiance able to step into the Lawkeeper’s shoes (apparently). But often leadership just happens - in Terra Nova Jim rises to become second in command in all but name after smuggling himself to the colony and despite there being more experienced people (Alicia Washington, a woman of colour). In Falling Skies Tom is a history professor who has risen to a leadership role in the military before the show even starts and manages to become a major player in all the leadership councils. There’s no real reason for their leadership - leadership just settles upon them.

Even in situations where the great White leader is in a secondary role like for example Joshua Nolan’s position relative to mayor Amanda Rosewater in Defiance, the man still takes a leadership role, rarely coming close to respecting her position. As the mayor she is supposed to run the town, yet Nolan frequently makes decisions on his own, flouts her authority and has all of the delicacy of a bull in a china shop interacting with the various citizens of Defiance. Nolan hadn’t even been in town for a New York minute before Amanda was placing a badge on his chest.  It was Nolan who led and planned the defence of Defiance when it was attacked and though Amanda participated, clearly Nolan was in charge.

This straight, White, male leadership is also typified by dictatorship. On Falling Skies we have military leadership that eventually reaches ‘democracy’ but only in the sense that the supreme dictator is elected - I saw no legislative body or organs of government. Terra Nova is completely under Taylor’s dictatorial control without a pretence of anything else. The Walking Dead is famous for its Rickocracy - and in the comics, Rick’s refusal to even keep Michonne and Andrea informed of his plans is inexcusable considering what they’ve been through together. Even Nolan, subject  to Amanda’s authority, has to be talked into agreeing with her as much as anything and frequently ignores her.

On the rare occasion when leadership passes  on to someone who isn’t a cis, straight, White man then that leadership will be flawed - either the outright enemy on Terra Nova or such incredible ineptness on The Falling Skies that Marina is suspected of being a mole for the aliens.

One of the most glaring elements of this firm placement of cis straight White men as leaders is how impossible it is to actually depose him from his throne! I am actually genuinely curious as to exactly these men have to do for everyone around them to decide that maybe, just maybe, they shouldn’t be the one calling the shots or the one they shelter behind.