After its ratings fell due to poor scheduling decisions last year, we were under the impression that Jericho had been cancelled, but an immediate public outcry led to a massive protest. Initially, CBS couldn’t care less since in the old days, something like this never would have worked, but behold the power of the Internet. 20,000 tons (8 million) peanuts later, the network finally caved in, giving Jericho an order for an abridged 7 episode season 2. It’s still far from out of the woods and really does come down to getting enough people to actually watch, but at least they have a chance now to either finish telling the story or at least allow it to progress some. Just in case, two endings have been written, one a season ender and one a series ender.
The army’s in the area and investigating the battle that went down in the season 1 finale, which ended when the air force attacked. Both sides blame the other for the attacks. They’re informed the dispute is officially over, whether they like it or not. Order will be restored. Or at least that’s the plan.
Four weeks after the New Bern war, they’re watching the news. Tens of millions are dead, dying, or homeless, and a senator from Wyoming has risen as a hero. In the small town of Jericho, meanwhile, the casualties now stand at 65, which of course includes Jake’s father.
The army manages to stop a shooting attempt believed to be from New Bern, then they raise the new flag, one which lacks about half the stars of the old one.
Hawkins believes that the new government’s tracking them but thinks they’re dead and is actually looking for the person who killed them, Sarah, who in reality is dead herself.
Stanley has now settled his debts with the IRS, which despite the destruction of the country is still collecting taxes, by agreeing to give them a portion of his crop for the next three years. Before he can get a word out about how he wants to marry her, Mimi asks him to get married.
70% of Jericho has had its power restored, with the rest of the town on schedule by the end of the month. The bad news is that New Bern has been given amnesty, even though it appears they were at fault. Jake warns there won’t be any reconciliation until Constantino is dead. Major Edward Beck’s response is that Jake is “the guy,” and he wants to appoint him to sheriff of the town. Unconvinced, Jake plans to head to New Bern later that night to get revenge.
Darcy confirmed Hawkins’ suspicions. They’re passing out wanted posters for Sarah.
Heather informs Beck that the man who they captured yesterday was one of the worst. He asks her to be the liaison between the two towns. Not at all awkward.
Mimi’s reviewing the contract Stanley signed. She informs him they’re just screwing with him. He’ll have to keep forking over his crops until a national monetary system is in place and won’t start receiving credit for the three years until then.
Hawkins doesn’t support Jake’s plan and heads home. He tells him he’s just making a big show, which is both dangerous and stupid.
Beck pulls Jake aside to show him a man in a body bag, a clear threat to put this to rest.
Mimi approaches the lawyer who tricked Stanley into signing the papers, accusing her of fraudulently taking advantage of a debt he doesn’t actually owe, as the new government has granted amnesty for non-violent crimes.
Jake heads to Emily to discuss his father’s death and how best to proceed. She already knows what he’s planning and says his father wouldn’t approve. While there, he’s given news that his brother grabbed a gun and went out with some rangers.
Jake tries to convince Eric not to go through with the plan, but he’s not real interested in listening. Maybe he’ll listen to some military men instead. Jake pretends that they were policing the border because of a rumor about an armed party on the way from New Bern. Beck’s not fooled but does let them go, advising Jake he just saved his brother’s life, and that other people will need similar saving.
Darcy made copies of some faxes but thinks she wasn’t followed. They hear a noise outside. When he goes out to research it, Hawkins has a gun put to his head. It’s a blast from the past, Chavez. He wasn’t going to shoot anyway, but Darcy makes sure of that by in turn putting a gun to his head.
Hawkins lets him know Victor’s dead from radiation, and that Sarah’s dead from other causes (Chavez gives him an “I told you so” about her). He also tells him Valente, now within Cheyenne’s government, was the one controlling Sarah.
Mimi got the contract rescinded, an offer for equipment at a fair price, and an agreement to work with the government in an actual deal. She apologizes for proposing, but Stanley tells her he was going to ask her anyway. He pulls out his mother’s wedding ring to get her to stop talking, then he proposes.
Two countries have been wiped off the map to protect Cheyenne’s secret.
The west is alligned under Cheyenne, Wyoming. The east is under Columbus, Ohio. Texas has not made a decision but is close to siding with Cheyenne, which would end everything. The goal is to expose Cheyenne before they take over the whole country.
Jake agrees to be the sheriff of Jericho, and when he does, he’s given the news that the President’s on his way.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Jericho Season 2 episode 2 Condor, which airs Tuesday at 10/9c on CBS.