NBC debuts the new science fiction drama Revolution on Monday night from the creative minds of executive producer J.J. Abrams and director Jon Favreau.
A timely and relevant concept that poses the question of what our future society would be like if we lost electricity forever, Revolution takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where no advanced technologies exist, including cars or computers. Social media? Forget it! You’d have to draw your profile pic on a rock! Texting? Yeah, right! Shooting a note from a crossbow would be more like it.
After humans drain the last bit of electricity left on earth, the society in Revolution is soon ruled by militia groups and warlords no longer saddled with maintaining global economies or keeping world peace.
The pilot of Revolution, helmed by Iron Man director Jon Favreau, centers around the Matheson family, who holds the key to what happened to the world 15 years ago when we lost electricity and the subsequent use of all advanced technologies. More importantly, the Mathesons also hold the potential to reverse the effects and return the world back to the way it was.
The story of Revolution begins with a blackout as Ben Matheson (Tim Guinee) desperately tries to warn his brother Miles (Billy Burke) about the impending and permanent darkness. When the world soon plunges into a technological void, chaos ensues before the story picks up 15 years later with humans trying to survive in a new and much more barbaric world.
Before too long, the Matheson family inadvertently gets involved with Monroe Republic militia member, Captain Tom Neville, after the capture of Ben’s son, Danny (Graham Rogers). As Revolution unfolds, it’s up to sister Charlotte “Charlie” Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos) to save her brother, locate her Uncle Miles, and keep the key out of enemy hands.
One of the most anticipated shows of the fall season, Revolution certainly shines a huge spotlight on humanity’s need to consume. How will people react in the future if we drain all of our resources? Will we revert back to the rudimentary ways of our ancestors?
If you look at where things stand now in the 21st century, personal connections to each other are taking a back seat to a growing dependency on technology. Without the use of cell phones, iPads, and the internet, the characters in Revolution need to rely on face-to-face contact and communication. The interesting question in relation to the Matheson family is, could humans have prevented a permanent blackout?
When modern technology and convenience items are no longer available, including guns, is there something inside of humans that allows us make due with rudimentary tools and weaponry, like crossbows and short swords?
As Revolution progresses beyond the pilot, it’ll be interesting to see if viewers can separate the future from the world we know and perhaps learn through the show’s entertainment value. Will viewers relate to a new world where very little matters outside of your family and friends and where your next meal is coming from?
Just imagine a Revolution-like world without Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, and Instagram. Would you survive?