Thoughts on Revolution’s Season Finale “The Dark Tower” 

[WARNING: Major spoilers for Revolution season one finale]

Revolution‘s first season is over. Some thoughts. OK, many thoughts:

-Much like he does on Supernatural, Eric Kripke gave us a classic rock recap of the entire season. Instead of Kansas’ “Carry on Wayward Son,” the Revolution one was set to a version of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home.” I totally dig the song but don’t think the Revolution rock recap is as successful as the Supernatural version. Plus, the SPN nerd that I am recognizes that this very song was used in the season one episode “Route 666.”

-Nora’s death. I had a feeling that Nora wouldn’t last beyond this first season. I’d been thinking that for a while and after she was tortured and gave up the goods on their plans, she had to have a redemption moment. I’m glad she had that moment, however, I didn’t find myself caring as much as I wanted to about her big sacrifice. Right now the only characters that I’m totally invested in that I would be crushed to see die would be Miles and Monroe…and possibly Neville, as awful as he is. Hopefully, next season, this show will find a way to make me care about the rest of the characters. There were three major deaths this season: Maggie, Danny and now Nora. And I didn’t shed a tear for any of them. Not even close. Billy Burke did a good job with Nora’s death. Miles was understandably emotional. I was glad to see that he was there at the end. She deserved that for sure. I liked the Nora character — I just didn’t have that much of an emotional connection to her.

However, there was a weird shot that happened when Miles was carrying Nora. Do you know the one I’m talking about? He was carrying her and then they tried to get some sort of close up. But it didn’t work at all. It was crazy weird and I don’t know what to make of it. That took me out of the moment for a little bit. I’m not going to lie.

-Rachel. It’s difficult to be on her side. I know she lost Danny. But her singular focus on turning the electricity back on (for Danny) just didn’t always ring true. But she did remain consistent. She has shown all season long that she will do what she thinks is right despite who she has to hurt or kill. So her actions in “The Dark Tower” didn’t surprise me. Charlie is definitely going to have trouble dealing with the fact that her mother chose the overall mission over saving Nora. I’m guessing their relationship will be in shambles when the show returns. Charlie sees that Miles didn’t have that same issue. He chose to be there for Nora at the end. I wonder if that’ll bond them even further.

End of the Revolution finale

-I can’t believe the power’s back on. I’m still processing the end. Randall says he’s really a patriot.

Randall: “You think I gave two craps about Monroe? I just wanted Monroe to wipe out Georgia then I’d wipe out Monroe. And after that, the East Coast is wide open. After all, our great nation must be united. ‘A house divided against itself, cannot stand.'”

Randall seems to have been working on behalf of the former POTUS who’s being housed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I’m just not sure what this all means yet except to say that I wonder who will be playing the president when season two begins. I cannot wait for this bit of casting to be released. The way we saw the shadow of the leader means they haven’t cast him yet and reminded me of what Revenge did at the end of this season with Victoria’s long lost son. We heard a voice but that’s it. And that’s because the role has yet to be cast. Anyway, I digress. Nukes are set to destroy Atlanta and Philadelphia. It doesn’t seem like anyone’s going to stop them from leveling the two East Coast areas — the ones that have been highly integral in navigating this post-electricity world (that we have seen anyway). I didn’t see Randall offing himself. I thought he might make it into next season but I guess not.

-I think that Giancarlo Esposito was one of the best parts of “The Dark Tower.” I love how Neville’s completely delusional to the fact that he’s no better than Monroe in the brutality department. He thinks he cares where Monroe doesn’t. That’s some serious B.S. But Esposito is a breath of fresh air on this show. He clearly relishes his role and is having fun as his character seizes control of the Monroe militia. He had some great lines, didn’t he? A scene that I loved:

Neville (to Major Franklin): “I’m gonna let you go, Mark.” Mark: “What?” Neville: “I’m not the man Monroe is. I’m neither brutal or capricious. Head home to your wife. Maybe find a nice farm, someplace quiet. Get a horse for Major Franklin. You understand I’m going to have to keep your sidearm, of course.” [Neville shoots him dead and makes it look like it was self-defense] (to Jason) Son of a bitch took a shot at me…you try to be a nice guy.”

-After the electricity turned back on, we saw Neville’s wife reacting to this. We haven’t seen Kim Raver for a bit. Does the fact that her planted spinoff (NCIS: Red) wasn’t picked up mean that she is going to be a bigger player in season two?

-I am wondering if Revolution will be able to be as violent when it takes up space Wednesdays at 8/7c come fall. This might sound weird but I kind of like how the action on Revolution can be brutal and bloody and I don’t want to see it tamed in any way or fashion. But I can’t help thinking that it’s going to have to be considering its new family-friendly timeslot. I hope I’m wrong.

-Why do they keep making mention of Aaron’s weight? That’s annoying to me…

-OK, for the best part of the finale. The Miles and Monroe flashbacks and present-day conversations. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t kick things off with this line from Neville. It was hilarious. Kripke had to have written that line, right?

Neville (to Monroe): “Sir, I could never say this under your employ, but you have become foolish and deranged and you have a borderline erotic fixation on Miles Matheson. There I said it.”

-We found out what caused Miles to break from Monroe. And it’s a good reason. After Miles was injured in a rebel-caused bomb blast, Monroe got his revenge. Not only on the guy who caused the explosion but his family too. The family that included his wife…and kids. Oh Monroe. You did become foolish and deranged.

Monroe: “That son of a bitch wants to mess with my family? I’m gonna mess with his.”

Who kills someone’s kids in revenge? Apparently, Monroe does. The Miles and Monroe backstory is infinitely interesting. And you get why they are the way they are in present day. There were a couple really good scenes where their relationship was rehashed. And we see why they’re able to beat the you-know-what out of each other but are never able to permanently rid the world of each other. They’re toxic but connected. A borderline erotic fixation? Maybe. It’s really the fact that Monroe lost his own family and sees Miles as all he has left. A couple scenes I loved:

In the field

Monroe: “Don’t you walk away from me! You’re the one who tried to kill me. You’re the one who started all of this. And now you’re walking away. You know, I never saw it coming. I woke up that night. You were just standing there. I was about to ask if you were okay, that’s the funny thing. I was worried about you. Then you pulled that gun. You never gave me an explanation.” Miles: “It was a lot of things.” Monroe: “Like what?” Miles: “What you did to those rebel kids, for one.” Monroe: “I did that for you. Everything I have ever done was for you. How you care so much about the Republic? I don’t care. The only thing I ever cared about was watching your back. That’s the only reason I followed you into any of this. And you tried to kill me for it.”

In the tent after Miles cuts Monroe loose 

Miles: “You asked me why I tried to kill you. You’re asking the wrong question. Ask me why I couldn’t. We’re still brothers. And as much as I hate that — let me tell you, I do…That’s never gonna change.”

So we got more intel on the Miles and Monroe twisted relationship. Where does that leave these two? Monroe is on his own. His militia has turned against him. Miles really wants nothing to do with him. I really wonder what Kripke has planned for Monroe next season. I can’t wait to find out. The scenes between Billy Burke and David Lyons were really my Moments of Goodness for the entire hour. And I hope the powers that be find a way to let them interact even more next season.

What did you guys think of Revolution “The Dark Tower?”