Interesting points, TOM. A harsh Northern-style winter would wreak havoc on a post-EMP-apocalypse civilization (or a zombie apocalypse, as in The Walking Dead. However, that show is set around Atlanta so cold is less an issue). But I suspect the harsh realities of such a winter might not be too appealing to a television audience.

I'm going to keep an eye on Revolution for a while, to see what develops.

Speaking of Anansi and animated shows, there was a Gargoyles episode ("Mark of the Panther") which featured a story-in-story as Diane Maza (voiced by Nichelle Nichols - Uhura in the original Star Trek) tells an Anansi myth to the elders of a Nigerian tribe. The story is even animated differently than the main show. Not surprisingly (to Gargoyles fans anyway, as the show tapped a lot of different mythologies) the real Anansi later make an appearance.

Great observations about Once Upon a Time. To answer your question, the show has not yet explained why Regina adopted Henry. (I can't help thinking the writers have a reason for it - beyond creating a tie between Emma, Henry, and Regina that makes for a convenient flash point). You are correct that Regina does really love him, according to the writers' commentaries on season 1 episodes.

I've heard of One Second After and read a synopsis of the story a few months ago. An EMP destroys modern electronics (from 1980's onwards), basically anything with chips in it. Older stuff or simple electronics will survive. Stuff that's shielded or "ruggedized" will survive no matter what. Fortschen's prediction is that there'd be a huge "die off" of populace, with upwards of up to 70% of population decrease in major metropolitan areas, where the lightest hit would be in areas like Kansas or Nebraska, where population is much less. Older cars (pre-1980's, with carbeurators in lieu of electronic fuel injection) would still function.

In this way I think the show Jericho really nailed it as the show is set in western Kansas, survives fallout from a nuke blast in Denver, and an EMP blast not long after (this latter isn't explained in the show...yet), and they're able to make do by foraging, use of rudimentary technology, and sheer will to live. There's a show I think you'd probably really enjoy, TOM, if you get the opportunity. I just went through the whole thing on Netflix in about 3 weeks and can honestly say that there was never a dull or uninteresting episode. Unfortunately the show got cancelled shortly after season 2 ended its all-too-brief run (7 episodes). Honestly I'm a huge fan of post-apocalypse films, shows, and books, although I can't really say why. Something about the setting intrigues me. Revolution is a show I like because it falls in that specific niche. I recognize that it's going for story over realism...but then again that's true of most shows on TV anyways, yes?

Ditto your thoughts on Jericho, Shadowlander. Very good show of the post-apocalypse genre. Much creepier (in the sense of realism) than Revolution - though to be fair that show's only had 3 episodes so far.

Side note: I watched the latest episode of Revolution on demand this evening - and couldn't help notice the irony that just about every advertisement was for something rendered obsolete or unusable in the show, such as cars, computers, smart phones, etc.

I tried to give Revolution a shot, but just couldn't do it. Too many perfectly groomed people wandering around in obviously store-bought clothing in one of the least grim-looking dystopias I've ever seen. That and I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy it and that's coming from someone who enjoys the zombie apocalypse genre.

I caught part of a 'speculative documentary' on H2 called After Armageddon which addressed what a post pandemic world might look like. It might have been a little more realistic than Revolution in that it would take very little time for the infrastructure we take for granted to collapse; before long things like antibiotics and safe food and water would run out. A routine scratch might lead to dangerous infections. Eventually, survivors would redevelop farming and manufacturing techniques our great-grandparents took for granted but which we've forgotten.

Such a world 15 years after the blackout would likely look much bleaker than that in Revolution, but I'll keep an eye on it for the time being.

Anyone watching Last Resort? I'm actually most curious about its underlying political intrigue.

I've not seen that one, gazer, but on occasion (if they're not flooding us with Swamp People/Axe Men/Ice Road Truckers/Alligator Wrestling in your Daisy Dukes) History Channel will show a show called Life After People. The show posits ideas about what the world might look like if humanity just up and disappeared and how the the structures we left behind will fare without us around to maintain things. Interesting to note that while most cars turn into piles of unrecognized rust that a fruitcake can survive over 100 years, and Twinkies possibly up to around 20 years. Or that the Battleship Missouri would ultimately break free of her moorings and become a small, metallic tropical islet inside Pearl Harbor, complete with it's own ecosystem. The Seattle Space Needle would collapse in 300 years while the Washington Monument might be the only thing remaining of Washington DC left standing after a millenium. It's an amazingly addictive and fascinating show to watch, albeit it a real downer when you consider the circumstances in which it's set.

I have Last Resort on my Hulu queue, but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. It looks interesting, like a military-flavored LOST without the supernatural weirdness.

Before the CW'd bratty video player quit working on me, I managed to watched a good chunk of Arrow's pilot. I liked what I saw. Seems more like Nolan's "realistic" take on Batman than the very comic book-y version of Green Arrow Smallville used. I'm pretty sure they showed Slade Wilson's distinctive two-toned mask on the island Oliver was trapped on, so I'm definitely wanting to know more about that.

...a show called Life After People. The show posits ideas about what the world might look like if humanity just up and disappeared and how the the structures we left behind will fare without us around to maintain things...It's an amazingly addictive and fascinating show to watch, albeit it a real downer when you consider the circumstances in which it's set.

Funny you should mention this one. I happened to catch the last 2/3 or so of this a while back and did indeed find it fascinating (and disquieting as well). I've been watching the listings to see when I can see the entire presentation.

It also came up last night in a discussion with Ryadian and her brother in terms of post-apocalyptic TV shows and novels (especially with NaNo coming up)...but that's a tale for another thread.

Just got done watching The Walking Dead Season 3 premiere! Great episode!
I felt it was a much better pace then most of last seasons episodes.

And I'm greatly enjoying Season 2 of Once Upon a Time!

season 7 of "Psych" premieres on Feb. 27, 2013!! soooo excited for that
I have been watching every single season a million times and I am SO ready for this new season!! anyone else excited?

I'm also enjoying season 2 of Once Upon A Time, 7chronicles. I can't help but be reminded of the writers' LOST heritage because now we have

I know a number of Psych fans, Libby, though I confess I haven't had a chance to see it yet.

stargazer: ooh, I highly recommend Psych it's got the best combination of humor and drama they can be totally hilarious, or totally serious

Just caught the last episode of Once Upon a Time ... well.

Just caught the last episode of Once Upon a Time ... well.

Spoiler

Okay, anybody else think that dream thing is gonna come up again?

Well, mysterious-guy-in-season-premier has been confirmed to be Henry's dad.
August... And of course, what the heck did he show Neal that convinced him?

Thoughts on recently-viewed episodes:

One Upon a Time - ditto to most of the spoilered parts above.

Last Resort - some fun sub battle scenes in the latest episode reminded me of similar scenes in The Hunt for Red October.

Revolution - the previews seemed to promise the backstory of the blackout. But

Castle - the writers had LOTS of fun with this. There's a murder at a scifi/comic convention. Lots of things to see in the costumed characters - including Matt Smith's 11th Doctor - but also in some of the comments the cast makes. Castle talks about good science fiction: "like Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and that show Joss Whedon made" - Nathan Fillion's own Firefly. Later Castle imitates Captain...Kirk's...staccato...speech, and quotes Picard's "Let's make sure history never forgets the name Enterprise" while sitting on a captain's chair prop. Added bonuses: the episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes (Riker on TNG) and Armin Shimerman (Quark on DS9) guest stars.