Revolution: The Complete First Season

This successful high-concept NBC-aired series serves up an apocalyptic narrative that begins with a global blackout and then quickly jumps ahead 15 years to life in the new world order. Revolution is not so much about collapse as rebuilding—with survivors returning to an agrarian society while facing a rising culture of warlords, militias, tribalism, and territories at war. The narrative arc gets underway when psychotic militia leader Tom (Giancarlo Esposito) attacks the family of Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos)—an idealist with the drive of a warrior—and she rouses her guilt-ridden uncle, Miles (Billy Burke), to lead a rescue mission. Co-produced by J.J. Abrams, the series takes its cues—a massive conspiracy, mysterious technology, intermittent flashbacks—from another Abrams mega-hit, Lost, as the storyline evolves into chronicling a genuine revolution against a brutal despot and a quest to turn the power back on. Although the science may be a little shaky here, this is really an epic Western set on the untamed frontier of a future sans technology. Lost alumnus Elizabeth Mitchell costars with David Lyons, Zak Orth, JD Pardo, and Colm Feore in one of one of the most talked-about shows of the 2012–13 season. Compiling all 20 episodes, extras include behind-the scenes featurettes, webisodes, and deleted scenes. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are a bonus featurette and the entire series on DVD. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)