Revolution Observations explores the clues and connections from NBC’s Revolution. Join us as we power up our pendants and navigate the winter finale, “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”.
TRENTON CAMPAIGN
- Trenton Campaign (flashback): Monroe tells Miles that according to “Kipling” they’re running out of bullets. We meet this Kipling fellow in present day Monroeville, when Miles and the gang need a place to lay low.
- The ammo shortage necessitated other means of combat, informing Miles and Monroe’s ability with swords. At this time (5 years after the blackout, more than 4 since the militia was effectively formed), it was still a wild notion, as noted by Monroe’s comment: “[we'll have to] start using swords. We’ll be like pirates!”
- Wounded, Miles tells Monroe to leave him behind and lead the men. Of course, Monroe doesn’t leave Miles (nor does he run from him in present day), but it helps inform the leadership situation at this time. We know the Militia was Miles’ idea, though arguably it was a joint leadership with Monroe possibly taking on more responsibility due to Miles’ injury.
- Monroe tells Miles, “I don’t care about the men”. His his love for his ‘brother’ ran deeper than anything else — certainly at this time.
MUTHA OF ALL RETURNS
- The long-awaited reunion between Charlie and the very much alive Rachel. Once again we’re met with the question of whether Ben lied to Charlie about Rachel being dead or whether he really did believe that she perished “out there”.
- Rachel is surprised to find out that Miles is with Charlie and she doesn’t waste time in asking whether he hurt her. Hmm.
- As touched on above, Rachel handed herself over to Miles when he was still militia honcho, though we’ve yet to discover what happened between them.
- Miles is similarly shocked to find out Rachel is still alive – which we get more insight on when he later rails Monroe for keeping her prisoner. From this we can deduce that it may have been Monroe and not Miles who dishonored the agreement to release her.
- So what did happen between Miles and Rachel? Dare we assume they had an affair of some sort? Her reaction to seeing him is decidedly mixed, as exemplified by the look and then the slap heard all the way in the California Commonwealth.
POWER PLANT
- Rather fittingly, the big Miles/Monroe showdown takes place at a power plant. According to Miles, Monroe uses it for drug experimentation, weapons R&D and balloon manufacturing.
GRAVE DAY
- In perhaps one of the most significant scenes of the series thus far (certainly in terms of contextualizing the Monroe/Miles relationship), we discover that Monroe lost both his parents and sister to a drink driving accident.
- He was possibly going to kill himself right then but for Miles’ intervention. So Miles made his life worth living, which certainly helps magnify their showdown.
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Roco, I really don’t think that Ben knew that Rachel was still alive. If even Miles didn’t know, I doubt that Ben did. I’m sure that Ben’s thought was that Rachel would have returned to her family if at all possible. The fact that she didn’t after so many years–he must have presumed that she had been killed.
Just exposure to their mother appears to have raised Rachel’s children’s IQs by a few points–because Charlie & Danny managed to escape on their own for a change. Maybe it’s not too late for them. They can certainly learn more about stabby & shooty things from their mom. Not only did Rachel kill two guys recently, as you point out, Roco, she did it while being held as an unarmed prisoner. And she tried to kill Monroe too (he apparently did not learn the lesson about Rachel in proximity to sharp objects). Unfortunately, I think that the plot is set up for Rachel to work on those pesky pendants so we probably won’t see that much of Action Rachel in upcoming episodes.
Miles has now had two opportunities to rid the world of Monroe & has been unable to do so either time. Guess Miles is really sentimental about M&M.
I hope we get a more developed story when the series returns. It would be good to see how the various pieces of plot fit together in a coherent manner (if they do).
I enjoyed your observations, Roco. “Revolution” is a hit-or-miss proposition, but I would like to see it succeed because at least it’s a bit different from most other shows. I’m wonder how “Defiance” will be because these shows seem to have some elements in common.
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Good point about Ben, Peanut. Looking back at the story so far and what we learned in this and recent episodes, Ben not knowing would seem to make the most sense. I think I arrived at your conclusion previously, so thanks for pointing me back in the right direction.
Revo is definitely still trying to find itself, but as you point out it has huge potential. I’m willing to cut it some slack even while poking away at the plentiful holes. Defiance is an interesting one, it does have a similar build to Revolution, with the ‘new world’ scenario. The game attachment will also be an intriguing element. I’m looking forward to it.
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