Revolution Loses The Rogue And Makes Billy Burke A Straight Up Anti-Hero

Miles gives himself up to be noble and then they free him almost immediately because a well-trained militia is nothing compared to a teenager girl with gumption and an explosives expert…okay fair enough on that second one Revolution

We’re typically compelled to make order in chaos. Often times the more chaotic things become the more stringent the order imposed. That’s why you see martial law instilled after riots. The military can’t return things to the status quo but they can beat down anything that would ruin peace.

The men (have we seen any women yet?) of the Monroe militia saw chaos and imposed order. That makes sense. Limiting the use of guns to keep dangerous people from hurting others? That makes sense too. We see how Monroe naturally progressed from a loyal marine to despot of the Illinois. It wasn’t evil that turned him down his path, it was a desire to do good.

But this episode is really about Miles, who is now no longer quite so mysterious. He didn’t stand back and watch his best friend Monroe because a despot. He actively aided in the manufacturing of a warlord.

I guess I should have seen that coming. He is, after all, a rogue with a past and a selfish streak a mile wide that’s really developed because he feels being selfish and alone is the only way he can protect those he loves. I tend to abhor that kind of character because often time their crimes in no way match up to their self loathing.

But Miles was clearly not a nice guy and he happily crushed rebellions and enslaved young boys because some small part of him thought he was doing good. It twists him from being the rogue to the straight up anti-hero on a path of redemption and that’s much more interesting (though no more original).

Its becoming clear that he, Nora and the rest of the adults (including guest Mark Pellegrino!) are the leads waiting to bust out around the kids. Danny continues to be annoying and even having Pan Am’s Michael Mosley couldn’t save his scenes from me not caring. I don’t know if it’s the kid or my fatigue when it comes to annoying know it all teens who know nothing but if neither Giancarlo Espositio or Michael Mosley can make it interesting there’s a problem.

Charlie fairs better–though not by much. When she’s snarky or shows glimpses of the competent breadwinner the show keeps telling us she is she’s a top notch character. But this episode had her reverting backing to being a damsel in distress that her uncle Miles had to rescue with his superior snark and knowledge of combat. As long as she keeps being the earnest one who is never right then this will be a show that’s often wrong.

There was a bright spot in amongst our view of Miles’s past and angry Catholic priests and Nora being sad over her miscarriage and using it as her reason for revenge.

For a brief moment Marvin Gaye played after fifteen years of silence. The Doc (Megan) and the Geek (Aaron) make it to the wizard’s house but she’s been kidnapped so they wander through and wonder why she’s collecting computer parts. Then the music plays and her phone powers up and the sheer joy on both of their faces convey more of what has been lost than the last two episodes combined. It’s truly a magical moment and the single point (besides the flashback de-aged Billy Burke yowza) that will bring me back next week.

Notes

• None really this week. Except BULLETS. My dad used to make bullets on our dining room table when I was a kid and I don’t really remember him needing electricity to do it. While I’m sure in the future sans electricity it would be difficult and require people who are very skilled in working with metal but it certainly wouldn’t be so difficult as to turn bullets into an absolute rarity. I mean they were making cartridge style bullets like we use now in the 1870s.
• Next Week: Someone dies! It will probably be the British doctor that they don’t have listed on IMBD but is my favorite. Or Nora. But probably Megan. MEGAN I WILL MISS YOU.