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What I had never expected is that the most impacting moment in the Revolution pilot would be a sword fight. I also did not expect that this scene would be so absurd as to play better as a comedy. In future years, I fully expect to utilize Revolution as the blueprint example of how the whole winds up being oh so much less than the sum of its parts.

Stating the obvious, Revolution is the worst pilot I’ve seen in several seasons.

Revolution does not start horribly. Unfortunately, the only interesting character is killed almost immediately. I don’t want to get too technical with the terminology here but this is what is known as a “bad decision”.

Actor Tim Guinee is the world’s youngest looking 50-year-old. His Hollywood career goes all the way back to being a regular guest on 1980s gem Wiseguy. I never noticed him until he started stealing scenes on The Good Wife. When I heard he was in the Revolution pilot as the father, I recognized that he would have to die at some point so that the teen heroine could mature. I did not expect this to happen in the pilot. Guinee’s character does not even last until the first commercial break.

Before Ben “Dead Meat” Matheson passes on, he does create interest by demonstrating knowledge of the impending blackout moments before the doomsday scenario unfolds. Then, Ben shows that he is a great father to his daughter and son as well as a remarkable farmer, tailor and town leader. I would also note that since nobody in town has had hot water in their lifetimes, the clean hair and teeth are impressive.

Nitpicks such as the above are annoying, I realize. They are also unavoidable in watching Revolution. I suspended disbelief less often when people effectively flew in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Honestly, the only time I suspended disbelief in the post-power era (i.e. the final 42 minutes of the 45 minute show) is when Gus Frink showed up to kill Ben. The combination of two marvelous actors in a showdown that unintentionally led to Ben’s death is the only time during the entire episode when I wasn’t fighting back laughter.

Before I get to the unintentionally hilarious moments, let’s explore why the Revolution pilot fails. I maintain that a lot of television programming is won and lost in the casting department. The afore-mentioned The Good Wife is an impeccable example. Actors generally found in movies trust this show’s production team enough to accept minor parts. Michael J. Fox effectively made his comeback from Parkinson’s Disease in a recurring role. Meryl Streep’s daughter, Mamie Gummer, has been honing her craft. And I have already celebrated the talents of Tim Guinee. The Good Wife is maintaining proven talent as well as drawing attention to rising stars.

Revolution goes an entirely different way. The Hunger Games has encouraged the concept of female archers. Presumably, at some point, Charlotte aka Charlie Matheson will evolve into this sort of Katniss-kicker. Thus far, actress Tracy Spiridakos has demonstrated the sort of latent thespian abilities that are usually found in stockbrokers. Even star athletes forced to do commercials demonstrate more instinct and ability. Charlie has all of the emotional range of a battery-drained doll. Maybe there was a previous ability to walk, talk and blink at the same time but that moment has long passed.

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