Series Jericho Review
An interesting concept for a show nearly derailed by a few inept artistic choices. The post-apocalyptic, conspiracy, and survivalist plots quickly stall when the introduction of several love triangles. By the middle of season one most of the love triangles have been resolved by either killing the hypotenuses or putting them on a bus. The other complaint with writing would be the sub-par B stories focusing on the exploits of the towns teenagers. Their either up to a plot that is a pale rehashing of what the adults are up to or acting in incomprehensible to what the situation would dictate. None of the teenagers, expect Bonnie, are even remotely sympathetic characters. I would describe them being charitably as angst ridden for all the wrong reasons spoiled brats. Thankfully the writers seems to realize their mistake and over the course of the series the number of teenage characters in the plot decrease substantially, until the last half of season two where none are present.
Series Wish I saw it as a kid, would've been thrilled to see
It's not a perfect show, has a few boring episodes and some of the drama (such as that between Jake's brother Eric and his love affairs) would annoy some of the audience who would undoubtedly want to see more of the show's other themes (and sometimes make you wonder why people still are in the mood for acting petty during such a serious emergency rather than focusing on bigger problems). But overall it is worth watching because of it's well written and acted characters along with it's unique atmospheric blend of two very different types of doomsday scenarios people feared during very different wars, imagine the cold war era nuclear holocaust panic meets 9/11 terrorism paranoia. It has decently immersive world-building for a show that obviously doesn't have the best budget and couldn't show too much of the larger setting on screen.
If you want to see what Fallout 3 would look like with a 2000s as opposed to a 1950s retro future setting and without any science fiction elements, then you'd enjoy it. If you liked the Walking Dead and are in the mood for a similar experience starring the guy who played Morgan in a major role, then I'd also recommend it. I personally enjoyed Season 2 more than 1, but watching Season 1 is still important in order to really understand and appreciate the show. And in case you might be wondering, no it isn't "woke" and I could see it appealing to an audience with varying social/political beliefs.