Revolution, Season 2, Episode 17: “Why We Fight”
Written by Rockne S. O’Bannon
Directed by Fredericke E. O. Toye
Airs Wednesdays at 8pm (ET) on NBC
The art of war is playing on everyone’s minds this week as some of our heroes (and anti-heroes) try to refine and figure out just what the hell it is they’re actually fighting for — in case there’s any doubt, it’s right there in the episode’s title. Miles and Gene are on a mission to recruit the townspeople of Willoughby in an uprising against the oppressive patriots when Gene questions what Miles is fighting for. He is battling for Rachel and Charlie, just as Rachel is fighting for her daughter. Miles once tried to fight to make things better, before that idea turned into the oppressive Monroe Republic. It’s not an ideological fight for them this time; they’re in it to survive. That and protecting one’s family are fundamental human traits, but even though family is at the heart of the show, two such prominent characters require much more of a narrative drive for them to remain interesting.
For Monroe, it’s much more than staying alive. It’s about his legacy, his megalomania, and his desire to give his son a powerful father figure. Once he hooks up with the remnants of Duncan’s crew (and it’s at this point we raise a glass to the presumably razed New Vegas), he immediately takes it upon himself to move on the Patriots’ military camp, wiping out soldiers and children alike. It’s a monstrous attack, and he spares no souls other than those who manage to flee. It’s a stark reminder that Monroe is a despicable human being at his core and one who will stop at nothing to regain power. That makes him a much more compelling character than Miles at this point, despite the latter once again finding his sharp tongue.
Neville, meanwhile, finally gets the opportunity he’s been seeking for so long. After almost dying at the hands of Victor Doyle, he manages to turn the tables and kill him using his own belt. He and Jason scurry off into the night after almost running into Monroe, presumably to return to Washington in search for Julia.
The plotting is tight this week, as the raid on the camp has a direct bearing on the outcome in Willoughby. Marion rats out Miles (who almost deserves to take a bullet graze after his overt slut shaming of her) and Gene once she sees the aftermath of their acquaintances’ handy work at the camp.
This is an interesting episode that raises a lot of questions about the characters’ desires, goals, and narrative arcs at this point. Currently, it looks like only the Patriots and Monroe have clear plans for what they want to achieve: world dominance. As Charlie suggests to Connor, neither option appears particularly enticing, leaving everyone else in the group somewhat directionless.