Each week we will previewing new shows being added to the Fall TV Line-up. These recaps should help you decide what’s worth adding to your viewing schedule and what you should skip. This week introduces us to NBC’s The Revolution starring Billy Burke (Twilight), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad). The series is executive-produced by J.J. Abrams (Lost), Jon Favreau (Iron Man), Eric Kripke (Supernatural) and Bryan Burk (Fringe); Favreau directed the Kripke-penned pilot. To start off, have a look at the trailer for the new series and then read on after the jump for a full synopsis:

Premieres: Monday, September 17th @ 10pm EST on NBC

Starring: Billy Burke (The Twilight Saga), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Tracy Spiridakos (Being Human), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), and David Lyons (ER)

Competition: Castle, Hawaii Five-0, Boss, Perception(new), and Alphas

The Plot: What would you do without it all? In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Supernatural’s Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology – computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights – has mysteriously blacked out forever. A drama with sweeping scope and intimate focus, Revolution is also about family – both the family you’re born into and the family you choose. This is a swashbuckling journey of hope and rebirth seen through the eyes of one strong-willed young woman, Charlie Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos, Being Human), and her brother Danny (Graham Rogers, Memphis Beat). When Danny is kidnapped by militia leaders for a darker purpose, Charlie must reconnect with her estranged uncle Miles (Billy Burke, The Twilight Saga), a former U.S. Marine living a reclusive life. Together, with a rogue band of survivors, they set out to rescue Danny, overthrow the militia (led by Giancarlo Esposito’s character) and ultimately re-establish the United States of America. All the while, they explore the enduring mystery of why the power failed, and if – or how – it will ever return.

Should You Watch It?: The reviews have been favourable for the pilot, as they usually are with J.J. Abrams shows. I am expecting large draws for the premiere episode, but should we stick around? What will make this show different from Flash Forward? What we do know is that we can’t expect to get any answers in the pilot, and we just have to accept the situation that is happening. From the reviews I have read I need to tell you not to get too attached to any of the characters (even the main ones). Revolution offers up a large number of casualties early in the pilot and seems prepared to continue doing so in further episodes without any hesitation. The series also offers up a great deal of fight sequences and gruesome deaths in a large part of the pilot. We can also expect one or two major twists which will make us stick around for at least the second episode. Elizabeth Mitchell was added to the cast after the pilot was filmed and previewed so it will be interesting to see how she will be included once it airs in September. Giancarlo Esposito was so beyond amazing in Breaking Bad that it may be difficult to see him as any other character. The cast and storyline are strong, probably the strongest of all the new shows premiering this Fall. The true test will be the ratings by the third or fourth episode. Like other recent Abrams series, if too many questions are arising and not being answered than viewers tend to abort. I would suggest you do as well or you will be left with a cliffhanger season finale haunting you for the rest of your life. On the other hand, this could turn into the series that Lost fans have been waiting for. Personally, I am leaning towards this one being a success. My fingers are crossed.

Will you be watching The Revolution?

Check out our other Fall TV Previews:
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