WARNING: Spoilers may be contained below

Original air date: February 12, 2008

Morse code deciphered: We are back

Summary:
Following the battle of New Bern, Jericho begins the rebuilding process, while the Cheyenne government shows a particular interest in the town. While the dispute between Jericho and New Bern is being sorted out by the Cheyenne government,an old friend of Rob comes to Jericho. - tv.com

Episode recap:
The episode begins with an invisible narrator (presumably Jake Green) explaining what happened in Season One, detailing the Battle of New Bern. (This is all I managed to acquire so far, I will keep watching!)

This information was used from links in this topic.


The Federal government shows up in the form of nearly a dozen helicopters and a group of soldiers. Their commander, Major Edward Beck, contains Jake and Constantino in the Richmond farmhouse, making Jake crazy with the sight of his father's blood still on the table and floor. The commander orders the two to cease their fighting by order of the Cheyenne government. The Battle of Jericho ends there, but the blood feud does not.

One month later Jericho is immersed in the rebuilding efforts. Jake and Eric are still hurt and angry about their father's death. Jennings and Rall, a company that helps with day-to-day projects and employing people, is also present in Jericho. Jimmy and Bill who have both survived the war watch the news while eating peanuts! (Tribute to the fans!) News reports state that the bombs were the work of Iran and North Korea. It's implied later in the episode that those countries were "bombed off the map" as a result. The News also states that there are only a few stars on the new flag because not all the states are sided with the Cheyenne Government.

Apparently the ice is at last broken between Jake and Emily because they are very happy to be together and kiss in public. Emily is helping with a J and R project while Gail is out at the ranch mourning her husband.

After Beck catches a New Bern citizen trying to kill Jake, Jake comes in to talk about it. Here he sees Heather, who hitched a ride with Beck. " "Just a few days, Jake'?" laughs Jake.

His relief is only momentary; he simmers in anger and annoyance at being held in check by Major Beck, especially after the Major declares amnesty for the participants in the battle.

Jake plots to murder Constantino, even going so far as to convene an after-hours meeting at Bailey's Tavern, but after words with Hawkins and Major Beck, he decides not to go through with it. Emily also advises Jake not to go on the revenge quest, and it is her input (I believe) which really got through to Jake. He then must stop Eric from riding out on his own, lying to Major Beck (and saving Eric's life) when the group is caught.

Hawkins, meanwhile, is trying to uncover the reason behind the sudden interest in Jericho. After driving around the area and allowing the Powers That Be to trace his laptop, he discovers that Valente is placed high in the new Cheyenne government. Hawkins asks Jake for a safe house and Jake offers a little-used family cabin. Darcy and Hawkins both seem happy now that things are going well between them; and Darcy helps Hawkins a lot by working in the military office. She brings news that the government is looking for Sarah, labeling her a terrorist in possession of nuclear secrets -- a bit of misunderstand and misinformation Hawkins was counting on.

Hawkins is at the cabin Jake recommended, when he is caught from behind by a mysterious gunman. "Chavez," says Hawkins knowingly. Chavez is an agent who infiltrated the army as a solider but was originally part of Hawkins's group. When Chavez continues to hold Hawkins at gunpoint, he says, "Ten years ago you never would have allowed me o get this close. Doesn't that bother you?" Just then Darcy comes up and catches Chavez from behind. "Not really," smiles Hawkins.

When Hawkins and Chavez are sure of each other's trust, they begin to talk. From Chavez, Hawkins and Darcy find out about Iran and North Korea being bombed off the map. Chavez also tells them of the power structure of the new government.

Cheyenne, which claims the states west of the Mississippi, is more powerful--but not powerful enough to consolidate all the U.S. Former Senator, but now President, Tomarchio is leading this government. The other government, based in Columbus Ohio, is led by elements of the former Washington, D.C., government and is weakening as the Cheyenne government grows stronger. The holdout in joining either is, of course, Texas.

When Heather returns she isn't very talkative, except to confirm that one of the renegades caught on Main Street was one of Constantino's most bloodthirsty henchmen. "Do you think he deserves to die for what he has done?" asks Major Beck.

Heather hesitates for only a second before replying, "I thin enough people have died around here, don't you?" (Jericho's death toll is 65.)

Beck then asks Heather to take a job for him. "Colonel Hoffman said you showed a lot of guts with him. He recommended you specifically."

Heather has never felt comfortable around Beck and now she explains, "I've just come from a town where guys with guns and uniforms made life...very unpleasant." Her experience in New Bern and Cheyenne has left its scars.

"And you can't tell the difference between me and Phil Constantino?" asks Beck.

Meanwhile, a happy Mimi proposes to Stanley, who becomes tongue-tied, but accepts. Stanley signs a contract to take him out of debt and give him ownership of his farm, but Mimi discovers it is a faulty contract. She warns Stanley of his mistake, and Stanley is obviously upset. Being raised as the man of the house and the sole provider, he has some issues with being a little controlling, and reluctant to admit to wrong. He states in frustration, "I'm not stupid!" Debatable. :)

Mimi settled the contract incident and gets Stanley back on track. Stanley says with a grin, "Wow, you're terrifying." Mimi notices that Stanley has not been quite himself, and explains apologetically that maybe she takes the initiative too often. "I'm a very goal-oriented person."

Stanley explains that he was feeling awkward because he planned his own proposal but Mimi did it first. (That's only fair since Stanley got to say "I love you" first.) But determined to preserve his father's traditions, Stanley gives Mimi an engagement ring (from his mother) and proposes. "I have never loved anybody the way I love you. And I can't remember my life before you--" (disproving Stanley's statement earlier, lol)--"and now I really don't think I can live without you!"

Beck had offered Jake the position of Sheriff during the conversation about ending vendettas toward the beginning of the episode. At the end of the episode Jake accepts the offer ... just in time to find out that President Tomarchio's whistle-stop tour is coming to Jericho.



Questions for next episode:

Who did the EMP?

Quotes:

Beck: "this man couldn't put his vendetta to rest, so it was put to rest for him."

Jake: "You bake?"
Emily: "Yeah."
Jake: "Since when?"
Emily: "Well, since...okay, when I was a kid."
Jake: "No you didn't."
Emily: "I did once, back in home ec."
Jake: "And...?"
Emily: "It didn't turn out too well."
Jake: "Because?"
Emily: "Because of the fire."
Jake: "Which could have been prevented by..."
Emily (laughing): "Leave me alone, Jake!"

Trivia:


Guest stars:


See also:
(Link to related pages on the wiki, where relevant.)

• Music of Jericho
• Morse Code

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