Revolution Episode 2 Review: A Post iPhone 5 World Where Things Get Real

Culture

Imagine a world where a mysterious and unknown phenomenon, such as a crazy cyber attack from our enemies or an unidentifiable and devastating natural disaster, leaves our civilization without electrical power and all the amenities it allows: computers, telephones, television sets, radios, refrigerators and cars -- to name a few. 

The chaos ensued by this tragic event, with private militias overpowering the government's authority and fighting to control the world's scarce resources and enslave its survivors, is the main premise of NBC's new prime time sci-fi drama Revolution -- created by Eric Kripke (Supernatural), produced by J. J. Abrams (Mission ImpossibleStar Trek) and which pilot/first episode was directed by Iron Man's Jon Favreau. 

Last week's premiere introduced the Matheson family, who possess a special device (think a flash drive) that is the key to not only finding out what happened, but also a possible way to reverse the effects of the 15-year blackout. As it's customary, the Mathesons must elude and fight various enemy groups that want the device for themselves in order to maintain the new status quo in which they enjoy unchecked power.  

And tonight's episode, "Chained Heat," promises to keep the audience hooked to this post-apocalyptic drama as foes realize they need to join forces and exchange bounties in order to keep surviving (15 year-long blackouts sure make strange bedfellows), all because a lack of iPhone 5s -- Google Maps or not -- and all the computerized systems that in real life prevent us from descending into utter chaos and anarchy.  

Revolution's premiere last week on NBC drew 11.7 million viewers, the best debut for a drama in three years. Part of the appeal is American audiences' taste for post apocalyptic scenarios (Zombie Apocalypse, anyone?) as well as an imagined desire of experiencing freedom from the beloved devices (Apple or not) that keep us hooked to our jobs, families and friends in a way that prevents us from achieving human contact. It's a rebellion against our gadgets, albeit a fictitious one.

Watch NBC's Revolution Episode 2 trailer: