Confessions of a "Johnny come lately"

It was just a month or two ago that I discovered the priceless treasure we all call "Jericho". Based upon my previous viewing habits, my TiVo suggested Jericho as being something I might find of interest. What can I say? Absolutely fantastic! Now, it's at the very top of all my viewing priorities.

I shoot and edit weddings, documentaries and TV news magazines for a living. I can really appreciate the gorgeous production values of Jericho.

The music is always perfect. Sets the emotional tone required for maximum viewing impact. I especially enjoy the throbbing beat of the undertone during all the suspenseful scenes. Attention to musical detail seems to know no bounds -- even right down to the resolution from relentlessly driving strings crescendoing in their minor key, to a single major chord sung by a seeming choir of angels at the very instant Jake's improvised tracheotomy proved successful on the school bus (episode 1). Like the little girl Stacy, we viewers finally can breathe again, and we sigh that same "amen." Without such musical perfection and attention to detail, the emotional impact would be diminished infinitely, both in that scene, and in the entire series. I'd be absolutely delighted to buy a soundtrack CD. It truly would be a bargain at any price.

The cinematography is to die for. Gorgeous lighting, subtle camera tracks for a 3-D experience, pedestal shots, rack focus, reveals … you name it. Just one example: that superlative pedestal shot of Mimi's strewn IRS papers at the Richmond farm (I don't recall which episode). And all that great cinematography without the camera jitter and quick zooms I find so annoying in today's edgiest TV viewing. With Jericho, the quality of the cinematography enhances the viewing experience, never using tricks that detract from it.

The quality of the acting is just amazing. Over and over again, I see enormous emotion expressed with even the slightest facial expression or eye movement. Let's face it, the storyline of Jericho is utterly emotion-packed, and the cast does an exemplary job of expressing it. Thanks to the directors for shooting as many takes as necessary to get everything absolutely perfect. It really shows in the ultimate quality.

Attention to detail shows everywhere. For example, I can count on one hand the number of continuity errors among the fifteen or so episodes I've seen so far (including all those I've seen via the CBS web site in the past few days). That's an incredibly low number.

The sound technicians and foley artists are top-notch. What can I say? Jericho demands to be viewed while wearing the best headphones, lest some audio subtlety be missed.

All in all, Jericho is not just the best television on the air today. It's without a doubt the very best television I've ever had the sheer joy of watching in my entire 54 years of life.

I recall browsing somewhere that the season one DVDs will go on sale this September. I simply can't wait!

I can't thank CBS and its advertisers enough for preserving the show. Much more later about what I intend to do to support that area. But for now, thanks so very much to everyone who worked so hard to see that the show lives on.