Revolution: Ties That Bind

Lonely Only.

I’ve got to admit, I think being an only child would benefit me greatly in a post-blackout world – at least then, none of these unsavory characters would have something to hold over my head or use as a bargaining chip against me.

However, the crux of the human condition is compassion, empathy, the capacity to care for someone or something outside of ourselves. And that is the precise theme of Ties That Bind – family and the complications it brings.

Of course, the heart of Revolution is family – from Charlie’s plea with Miles in the pilot to this week’s episode, family, for good or ill is what propels the story forward, what makes us as an audience care about these characters and makes us realize that sometimes friendship and trust are a stronger bond than blood.

It’s also evidence that while blood isn’t necessarily stronger, it can poison any relationship quickly. Case in point, Neville’s lovely wife, Julia, played by Kim Raver. Considering her reaction to the return of her son and husband a few episodes ago, I had assumed we wouldn’t be getting any warm fuzzies off the lady. Not sure I had envisioned her lobbying Neville to stage a coup though.

In the end, Neville will not have the backbone Julia wants and I predict she will either leave him for Monroe or maybe even Strasser. She wants to be first-psychopath-lady and if Neville won’t secure that position for her, I have no doubt believing she’ll do it herself.

Tonight’s backstory focused on Nora and I actually enjoyed it. The fact that her sister would betray her and Miles et al. probably should have been more of a surprise. It might have been too if we’d understood what had separated Nora and Mia in the first place. I’d be intrigued to see what could have caused them to abandon each other after swearing mutual fealty in the wake of their mother’s death and father’s absence.

The fact that Nora still has feelings for Miles and vice versa wasn’t much of a shock – I mean, Miles is the perfect tortured hero. Atoning for past sins while trying to maintain his tough guy persona; a Han Solo for a power-less generation. Whether it will be the love of a good woman (Nora) or the love of his family (Charlie, Danny, Rachel) that melts his heart is still a mystery.

Next week’s promised confrontation between Miles and Monroe (finally!) has me anxious for the episode. I can only hope that we’ll get some real fireworks between those two as I think it’s time a few more pieces of this puzzle fit into place. I want to know why Miles left and I want to know why Monroe let him.

Oh, and the pendant thing too … that’s probably important.

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