Civil war to revolution

My absolute highest recommendation — the one reserved for the likes of Firefly and V for Vendetta — is made for the second season of the television show Jericho. What's even better, you can access free viewings of the show via the CBS Web site.

My interest was piqued by the similar recommendation of fellow freedom lover Wally Conger, who enticed me with the image of the Gadsden flag flying over City Hall as the series closes with the beginning of a second American Revolution.

I admit, as someone who tries not to lock himself in front of the television screen, I was tempted but did not originally bite at the show's premise — the small town of Jericho, Kansas, comes to grips with the aftermath of a nuclear attack that destroys a couple of dozen U.S. cities. But I am very intrigued by the themes that developed in this second season, as a tyrannical new government emerges from the ashes.

The Allied States of America establishes its capital in Cheyenne, Wyo., as the remnants of the federal government gather in Columbus, Ohio, and the independent Republic of Texas mulls which side to choose. That's the big picture, though, as the drama remains focused on the little town of Jericho. And an intense drama it is, with all of the tension and heroic sacrifice you might expect from the tale of a small town under siege — and even a nod in the end to the concept that the initiation of force is a dark road we should never tread.

This is the most engrossing television I've seen since I discovered Firefly, and regular readers know that's the highest praise I can give. I'm going back to the beginning to watch the 22-episode first season and will add Jericho to B.W.'s permanent collection as soon as practicable.