Tag Archives: Revolution

‘Revolution’ returns to provide closure, but not in the way you think

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Closure is coming! About a year after NBC cancelled Revolution, the cult J.J. Abrams sci-fi apocalyptic drama, it was announced today that series creator Eric Kripke and his entire creative team are reuniting to wrap up the dangling storylines left open at the end of the season two finale.

Alas, there is a slight catch: Revolution is not returning to television but in the form of a four-chapter digital comic book. Fans of the short-lived series may be disappointed to hear this, but at the end of the day, diehards should be elated that Kripke and co. are delivering the ending Revolution deserves–one imagined and written by the makers of the show. Plus, don’t hate on comic books; they’re just as fun to explore as any TV series!

So who’s working on the comic book, exactly? Well it’s Kripke, fellow executive producers J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Rockne S. O’Bannonm, and Jon Favreau (who directed the pilot), as well as the show’s other creative team members Paul Grellong, David Rambo, Trey Callaway, Anne Cofell Saunders, Ben Edlund, Matt Pitts, and Jim Barnes. Revolution writers David Reed and Ryan Parrott are penning all four installments and illustrations are drawn by DC Comics artist Angel Hernandez. See a group picture of select members from this group at work after the break; can you spot series co-star Tracy Spiridakos in the mix? Tagged with this picture is a sneak peek at Hernandez’s illustrations; striking hand-drawn versions of Charlie Matheson, Miles Matheson, and Sebastian Monroe are previewed.

To reiterate, the upcoming stories will be featured in digital comic books made exclusively available online; hard copies are not being produced at this time. The four chapters will debut at ComicBook.com beginning Monday, May 4. Chapters 2 through 4 will arrive May 18, June 1, and June 15, respectively. A week after landing at Comic Book’s site, they’ll be made available at Revolution‘s official Facebook page.

Over the course of 2 seasons and 42 episodes, Revolution had its ups and downs as it weaved an intricate adventure about family and alliances. A heavy mythology had viewers guessing all about why the damn lights went out and thankfully it didn’t take that long for answers. Still, by the time the season-turned-series finale rolled around last May, new questions arose that took viewers by surprise. By closing one chapter (remember that awesome trickery involving our heroes getting the “President” to confess his part in Carver’s death?), Revolution opened a new door of intrigue when the omnipresent nanotech started to manipulate a zombie-like army of sheeple. The digital comic book will surely reintroduce that cliffhanger and aim to resolve it. Also, is Miles the father of Charlie like we always suspected?!

Be sure to jump after the break to read Kripke’s heartfelt letter to fans of the series. In it he acknowledges the passionate #RelocateRevolution hashtag that went viral following the show’s rude cancellation, and he profusely thanks the fans for their loyalty. Revolution‘s showrunner is excited to “end the story. On our terms. Exactly the way we would have.” Continue reading ‘Revolution’ returns to provide closure, but not in the way you think →

Preview ‘Revolution’ season 2 ahead of next week’s premiere (inside J.J. Abrams teases new supernatural element)

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NBC’s action-packed drama that poses the question “what would happen if the lights went out” returns for its second season next week so there’s no better time to catch a new preview of what’s to come in Revolution. At Comic Con we learned that the nukes set off at the end of season 1 do in fact go off and decimate large sections of North America. We also learned that the lights will turn off again, and this time for good. In the new preview clip embedded above you’ll hear from the cast and they spill s’more season 2 details: time jumps three months into the future, our main band of survivors makes camp at a fictional town in Texas named Willoughby, and you’ll also catch glimpses of Rachel’s encounter with her dad (played by Stephen Collins), Monroe’s fight club, and Neville’s beard. “It’s the same Revolution everybody knows and loves,” says Tracy Spiridakos (Charlie Matheson), “but with a different little kick to it.”

What might that kick be? Executive producer J.J. Abrams teases it in an interview posted after the break. When the power goes out for good early in the season, Abrams describes a “rip” in reality that occurs. In essence, a supernatural element is being introduced into Revolution this season and Abrams says it will provide the launchpad for more compelling storytelling and higher stakes. Get the tantalizing scoop after the break; below that is a season 1 recapper.

Revolution returns Wednesday, September 25 at 8PM on NBC. Continue reading Preview ‘Revolution’ season 2 ahead of next week’s premiere (inside J.J. Abrams teases new supernatural element) →

Comic Con: Showrunner Eric Kripke opens up about a “better” ‘Revolution’ in season 2

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Are you a fan of spoilers? Well you found yourself in the right place if you took a seat at this year’s Revolution panel at Comic Con. Unlike most showrunners at the Con, Revolution‘s Eric Kripke did not hold back when it came to promoting season 2 of the NBC post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama. The panel started with this three minute preview of the new season which includes a boatload of new footage including a first-look at Stephen Collins (No Ordinary Family) as Rachel’s dad, Monroe’s fight club, Neville’s bad-ass beard, and–YIKES!–the death of Aaron Pittman?!

Kripke expanded on some of the screened footage. First of all, our heroes failed to stop the detonation of the nukes; Philly and Atlanta have been decimated. “We’re trying to be the first network show in history that loses two American cities in the first 15 seconds [of a season],” Kripke said. “We’re back to a very intense set of basics, [a world] that’s even more dangerous than in season one.” Furthermore, when Revolution returns the lights will be off again (apparently the consequence of flipping the switch only lasts so long) and a new foe will emerge. The “Patriots” that Randall was referring to before he shot himself in the finale and the “President” who is hiding out in Cuba–these are not good guys according to Kripke. “The idea was to create a villain this year that’s so bad and so insidious and whose tentacles go so far, that even our heroes and our villains ultimately have to band together to fight this threat. They’re using the iconography of stars and stripes and patroism, but they’re using it as a mask. If you were to look behind closed doors…you’ll see that they are really, really bad dudes up to some nefarious stuff.”

So Miles and Monroe and Neville and the rest of our main cast of heroes and villains will team up to fight the Patriots. And no longer will the series be about claiming power and the pendants and the tower; driving the story now will be digging into the characters more and unfolding the mystery behind the Patriots and their endgame.

“It’s always been a show about family and hope and love, and now they can all move towards each other and not just make it so obsessed about the power. I think you’ll see much more intimate digging into character,” said Kripke. “Let’s stop talking about the power and lets start talking about the world.” Later he summed up, “As good as [the show] was, it needs to be better…It was a lot of story about a light switch,” he admitted to some laughs. “I think we have, no question, a better Season 2 than Season 1.”

TV renewals: ‘Bates Motel’, ‘Revolution’, ‘Glee’ and others coming back next season

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On April 8, A&E renewed Bates Motel for a second season. Same order as before–10 new episodes will premiere in 2014.

A&E president Bob DeBitetto: “Bates Motel has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first few weeks. With superb writing and exceptional acting, led by the critically acclaimed performances of Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, we’re incredibly excited to see where Carlton and Kerry take Norma and Norman Bates next.”

On April 26, NBC renewed five dramas including freshmen Revolution and Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU (for a fifteenth season), Parenthood (for a fifth season), and Grimm (for a third season).

NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke: “On the verge of our 2013 fall scheduling decisions, we’re pleased to renew five drama series that will be important to our new season line-up. We’re proud and very appreciative of all of the actors, producers, writers and directors who work so hard to deliver such high-quality work week in and week out. These complex shows represent a broad range of genres and tones, and all of them stand out for us in a television landscape now filled with one-hour series. We’re especially pleased to be renewing Revolution and Chicago Fire — two first-season successes — and there will be more returning series announcements made in the next couple of weeks.”

For more renewal news, jump after the break. Continue reading TV renewals: ‘Bates Motel’, ‘Revolution’, ‘Glee’ and others coming back next season →

TV reminder: ‘Revolution’ returns Monday at 10PM on NBC

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After an excruciatingly long four month hiatus, NBC’s Revolution returns on Monday night, March 25. Things will pick up right where they left off: our group of rebels have finally reclaimed long-lost Danny and they are forced to face Monroe’s evil empire that managed to harness some power thanks to the powerful amplifier Rachel built for him under duress.

At the winter TCAs, series executive producer Eric Kripke promised that the second half of the show’s debut season will be “bigger, better, more exciting and [with] more revelations–at the same time maintaining the format.” He added, “Giving [Monroe] power was more about making him an unstoppable force. We start to deliver on the promise of the title. The revolution begins.”

In a more recent interview with EW, Kripke opened up more about what to expect in the final ten episodes of the season. If you thought the first season featured some high-octane, action-packed sequences, things are about to get turned up to a whole other level. “It’s so big,” says Kripke. “It’s action on a level that I’ve truly never seen on network television before. This show is about the characters and it’s about the emotion, and we really keep it grounded, but man, we really blow some s–t up, too.”

In addition to more action, there more also be more revelations. In early April (on the 8th, to be exact), viewers will finally be privy to how the lights went out. “[Rachel] basically just sits there and tells the entire story. That’s it. Literally, she lays it out. It’s absolutely fun,” says Elizabeth Mitchell, Rachel’s portrayer. We’ll also learn more about Rachel and Miles’ past, Aaron will eventually have to face the wife he left behind, and relationship between Neville and his son Jason will be tested.

And now, some goodies. First, flip through a gallery of stills from Monday night’s new episode “The Stand” right here. Next, jump after the break to watch a couple promos highlighting the upcoming episodes, one of which will really pump you up ‘cuz it plays Fall Out Boy’s bangin’ new single “Light ‘Em Up” (how appropriate, yes?). And then there’s a very special clip embedded after the break–you can watch THE FIRST EIGHT MINUTES of the new episode, right here, right now. Continue reading TV reminder: ‘Revolution’ returns Monday at 10PM on NBC →

New ‘Revolution’ web series to be live action featuring Monroe & Neville in the flesh

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One web series wasn’t enough, apparently. To help fans of NBC’s hot adventure drama Revolution bide their time during the series’ extended hiatus, the Peacock is introducing a second, this time live action web series featuring the show’s stars David Lyons (General Monroe) and Giancarlo Esposito (Captain Neville). According to EW, “The story will follow Capt. Neville on a mission to hunt down and kill and those who had a hand in the attempt to assassinate Monroe. While on his journey, however, Neville will apparently stumble “upon an even greater conspiracy that could change the course of the Republic forever.”” The five-part web series premieres Monday, February 25 at NBC.com. If you haven’t already, check out Revolution‘s animated web series that focuses on Sgt. Joseph Wheatly that debuted last month. The five released installements can be viewed at NBC, right here. Revolution kicks back into gear March 25.

Update (2/25): Episode 1 is out now! Watch it after the break.

Update 2: (3/18): All four episodes of Enemies of the State are out now. You know where to find ’em. Continue reading New ‘Revolution’ web series to be live action featuring Monroe & Neville in the flesh →

‘Revolution’ expands into webisodes in six-part animated series

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While Revolution is on its long hiatus until March, here’s something to bide the time. NBC is releasing six webisodes that take place in the world where power is everything imagined by creator Eric Kripke and executive producer J.J. Abrams. The animated installments star Sgt. Joseph Wheatly, the Militia Corporal from the show played by Reed Diamond who turned on our rebel group and shot and nearly killed Charlie Matheson in the underground tunnels leading out of the subway in Philly. The first webisode titled “Wheatley’s Letters: May 7th” is embedded above. A new one will release every Monday through February 18; you can find them at the show’s official YouTube channel. Also available for viewing today is the pilot featuring commentary by Kripke and director John Favreau; watch it here.

Revolution returns March 25 on NBC.

TCA 13: J.J. Abrams and Eric Kripke promise a bigger, better, more surprising ‘Revolution’ this spring (new trailer inside)

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Revolution is on break until March and executive producers J.J. Abrams and Eric Kripke accept the extended with a positive attitude and they think viewers should as well. “When we were doing Lost, that [scheduling] helped us enormously,” Abrams said. “So when the idea came up for Revolution I was really relieved. I thought, and still think, that it will get us to a place where it will be the best possible way for the viewer to watch the show.” Added Kripke: “The little break has afforded us the ability to take a breath, look at what we’ve done, really analyze it, and make adjustments. It also supplied us a natural break point between the season’s first half and second half, and the second half sort of lives as its own continuous piece.” While Kripke maintained that “we learned that we did a lot of things right,” he also admitted that “the pace of the shocking surprises were a little too slow.” So what can viewers expect next?  The “second [half will be] bigger, better, more exciting and [with] more revelations–at the same time maintaining the format.” The shock factor will increase as well.

What else? When Revolution returns this spring, the action will continue “exactly” where we left off. “Giving [Monroe] power was more about making him an unstoppable force,” said Kripke. “We start to deliver on the promise of the title. The revolution begins.” Kripke fed the questions, “Can [the Matheson family] stick together in the face of these overwhelming odds and danger? And can you maintain your soul when you’re a warrior?”

Kripke went on to say that he’s definitely planning ahead for upcoming seasons of the show, but they’re at the “cocktail napkin sketches” state at the moment. “Because [the world is] so expansive, there’s no end to the stories we can tell,” he said.

Revolution returns March 25. Get a glimpse of what’s to come in a new trailer after the break. Continue reading TCA 13: J.J. Abrams and Eric Kripke promise a bigger, better, more surprising ‘Revolution’ this spring (new trailer inside) →

TCA 13: NBC’s Bob Greenblatt pats own back for hugely successful fall season

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The Television Critics Association is back for its winter tour. It’s the time of year when the major networks and their shows talk about their fall performance and preview what’s to come midseason and beyond. Of the big four networks, NBC was up first today and man-o-man was the Peacock’s chairman of entertainment Bob Greenblatt happy to see a sea of press because this marks the first time in a long time that his network has something positive to really talk about. NBC’s had a great fall as they currently find themselves the #1 network in the adults 18-49 demographic and #2 in total viewers (still trailing CBS). “What a difference a year makes, right?” he exclaimed toward the crowd packed with press and critics. “I’m going to bore you with statistics because I’m not sure when I’m going to have the chance to do this again.” The major stats are as follows: for the first half of the season, NBC is up 24 percent and 19 percent in the 18-49 demo and total viewers, respectively. The net can thank the ultimate Monday pairing of The Voice and Revolution for their recent success, as well as high ratings for Sunday Night Football and their surging sitcom Go On. In 2012 FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly accused the heads of the other major nets of having their heads up their asses. Greenblatt responded directly today with the most publicist quote to come out of his panel: “I can guarantee you, we don’t have our heads up our asses,” he said.

Greenblatt and NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke used the rest of their time to discuss specific shows, new ones and old. Jump after the break for the bullet-point breakdown. Continue reading TCA 13: NBC’s Bob Greenblatt pats own back for hugely successful fall season →

TV PSA: ‘Revolution’ gears up for midseason finale on Monday, won’t return until March

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The battle for power begins on Monday, November 26 as we head toward the midseason finale of NBC’s buzzy new drama Revolution. So says the promotional artwork whipped together for next week’s pivotal episode titled “Nobody’s Fault But Mine.” Following the Led Zeppelin heavy “Kashmir” episode that aired earlier this week, Charlie, her uncle Miles, Aaron, and Nora have finally made it to Philadelphia  the city where Sebastian “Bass” Monroe has set up camp. Will Charlie (at long last) rescue her captive brother Danny? Will Miles succumb to Monroe’s pressure and rejoin the Republic (as was hinted at in last week’s hallucination)? What is Monroe’s ultimate plan when/if he gains power via the pendent with Rachel’s help? These are the questions you should be asking heading into Monday’s episode. Expect a major cliffhanger at the end–why?–because new episodes won’t return until March 25 and NBC has to leave viewers begging for more during such an excruciatingly long hiatus.

Revolution‘s midseason finale airs Monday, November 26 at 10PM on NBC.

[Image via TVLine]

NBC grants full season orders to ‘Revolution’, ‘Go On’ & ‘The New Normal’

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If you’ve been glued to the intriguing drama Revolution and eccentric but heartfelt comedies Go On and The New Normal, it’s time to celebrate because NBC has granted these three new series full season orders! This means these selected shows will fill out their premiere seasons with new episodes that will run into spring.

NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke released the following statement.

“We’re impressed with the imagination and creative direction of the entire team on Revolution, not to mention the immediately strong response we got from the audience. Ordering the full season of this show is a pleasure. Thanks to J.J. Abrams, Erik Kripke, Jon Favreau, and everyone at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television for their dedication to making a truly unique series. And I personally love to escape into a world where there is no power, the phone doesn’t ring, and the pace of life slows down — if only for one hour a week!”

“We’re also very proud of our new comedy block of Go On and The New Normal. In partnering with Matthew Perry for Go On, creator Scott Silveri has created a comedy with a highly original voice that deftly combines humor and emotion. And Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler have created a truly unique family in The New Normal that is reflective of the changing dynamics of the world we live in. These shows are both welcome additions to our new lineup!”

If you’re into the ratings numbers, Revolution is averaging 3.6/9 in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers (it’s also been noted as the fall’s strongest DVR performer thus far); Go On is averaging 3.2/9 in the demo and 8.6 million viewers; and The New Normal is averaging 2.2/6 in the demo and 6.0 million viewers.

The network is on a roll this week. In addition to granting the aforementioned FSOs, the Peacock was named the “winner of premiere week” averaging the highest share ratio in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic; they received a 2.9 and that’s up a solid 12% from last fall. The network can thank programming like Revolution, The Voice, and Sunday Night Football for the prize. In total viewers, however, NBC trails CBS and ABC averaging 8.2 million viewers (but that’s up 9% from last fall).

The fates of other new comedies Animal Practice and Guys with Kids hang in the balance. New drama Chicago Fire debuts next week.

Revolution airs Monday nights at 10. Go On and The New Normal air Tuesday nights at 9 and 9:30, respectively.

[Via Deadline; EW 1, 2]

2012 Upfronts: NBC orders 12 new series for next season

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Today NBC kicked off the 2012 Upfronts, an annual event where the big four networks present their upcoming slate of new programming to advertisers and the press. The Peacock unveiled 12 new series coming to the network next season; seven comedies and five dramas. Half will premiere this fall, and the others will wait for midseason. Jump after the break to get more information about all of the new shows including synopses, cast and creator/executive producer listings, and clips.

Also posted after the break is NBC’s 2012-13 programming schedule. The three most significant changes to the schedule include Whitney and Community moving to Friday nights paired with Grimm and Dateline NBC; The Voice gets a second cycle in the fall; and Smash is being held again for midseason.

NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt explained Community‘s move to Friday: “I know that most people in our industry think Friday is a graveyard but we don’t really believe that. If you don’t build it they won’t come. We got some traction with Grimm, it’s the No. 1 18-49 on Fridays. We thought if we have a base there, let’s see if we can give Grimm a lead-in with these shows that actually have fan bases–including Whitney.” … He added, “[Community] has its faithful audience and they will follow it to the ends of the Earth. And I really wanted to do something to invigorate Friday because we love Grimm. So I thought, let’s move a show where the audience will move with it. I actually look at the positive side of it, although no good deed goes unpunished.”

While The Office and Parks and Recreation were picked up and given full 22-episode full season orders, other comedies like 30 Rock, Community, and Up All Night were handed smaller 13-episode orders; and this has led to speculation about whether or not NBC plans to phase these shows out sooner rather than later. Greenblatt addressed this: “[The Thursday night comedies] have a really strong following [but] they don’t have a large enough audience. They’re still shows that mean something to this network…I think on the Thursday night shows, ‘broad’ is synonymous with ratings…we’re always trying to be broader.” … He added, “a 13-episode order does not mean a death knell to the show.” So fret not, my friends. (5/14 update: It has been confirmed that the upcoming seventh season of 30 Rock will be its last.)

On why the network is saving Smash for midseason, Greenblatt wants the second season to air uninterrupted with not a single hiatus, like FOX started doing with 24 by premiering it in January instead of September. The plan is for the musical drama to produce 15-18 episodes every season as opposed to the standard 22. Also, the network wants accomodate new showrunner Josh Safran (Gossip Girl). Explains NBC’s Jennifer Salke: “New showrunner Josh Safran is coming in–he’s awesome. And we wanted him to get a chance to own [it] and get in there and have an ownership stake in the show — not just put a gun to his head and [tell him], ‘You gotta get going!’ So we wanted him to be able to stand back and have a real creative discussion about what he wants the season to be and be a big part of that.” Continue reading 2012 Upfronts: NBC orders 12 new series for next season →