Today we have a return engagement by guest blogger Kay. She was one of our first volunteers for the Great Jericho Blogging Experiment. We last heard from her with her recap of “Blackjack.” This time, she blogs on Episode 20: “One If By Land.”

First, here’s a review of Kay’s info:
Age: Old enough to know better, young enough not to care…
Home:Akron, Ohio—Once the Tire Capital of the world, (Goodyear still produces tires for NASCAR here), we’re the home of the Goodyear Blimp, The All-American Soap Box Derby and LeBron James
Started watching Jericho: from the first previews and commercials!
Favorite character: Jake Green, particularly because he’s played so well by Skeet Ulrich. It’s interesting to learn how and why Jake has evolved into the man he is today. Jake still sees himself as the town misfit, the young hotheaded screw-up he used to be, unworthy of the respect he’s earned in Jericho. He seems surprised at his own strength and capability when heroics and responsibility are demanded of him.
What about Jericho makes it so special: I think it’s the whole ‘What if this happened here, to us?’ scenario. How WOULD we react if we faced these same circumstances? I love the way the writers make this town and these characters so real-that in the midst of a frightening tragedy there’s still hope, love and humor.
More about Kay: I love to read, write, and keep in touch with friends and family. While I love to travel, I can’t imagine living anywhere but the Midwest.
Kay’s Jericho sites: http://tmoodaddicts.blogspot.com, http://skeetulrich.proboards80.com and http://capturingskeet.smugmug.com

After the break, we get Kay’s excellent recap.

We revisit our hero, Jake, as he is being interrogated by Constantino — and threatening harm to Eric doesn’t sway Jake’s refusal to give up Hawkins’ name. He’s taken back to his cell to find those threats are not idle — Eric has been worked over by the sheriff’s thugs. Eric looks Jake over, “Looks like they went easy on you…”

Contantino knows this is the surest way to get to Jake, and make him cooperate. It seems as though Eric’s been broken. Added to his guilt over April and the baby’s death, he’s ready to give up, he’s seen too much. Jake takes his role of big brother seriously and bolsters Eric with stories from their childhood. As they talk, we see an old acquaintance, “fake Marine” Maggie being brought into the jail.

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Back in Jericho, things are deteriorating quickly. There’s a skirmish at the salt mine, and shots are fired. After the injured are assessed, one of New Bern’s men has been killed. Russell pleads with Gray Anderson to end this feud by sharing the salt or the worst is yet to come for the neighboring towns.

Across town, Gail Green is trying to manage the clinic. While she accepts some homemade antiseptic from Mary Bailey, she is not ready to deal with her. Emily cautions Mary to give it time. Later, Gail nearly loses it when Johnston tells her he must go to New Bern in the hopes of rescuing BOTH of their sons.

Skylar has a rude awakening as she is subjected to the townspeople’s real feelings for her family … especially her father. He wasn’t so much admired for being a good man, but somewhat feared for being powerful. Dale makes her see that there is a huge difference: people with power hold all the cards … that’s just how life is.

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Jake is shocked when he recognizes Maggie entering their jail cell. He’s somewhat dismissive, wondering how she ended up in this predicament. But Maggie works on Jake, trying to convince him she can make a deal with Constantino. (It seems as though she is playing both sides, so we’re not sure she can be trusted.)

After hearing Eric’s screams as he is tortured by Constantino’s men, Jake reluctantly gives her information. She bargains her way out in order to find Hawkins to help free the Green boys.

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Johnston and Russell have been taken to Constantino. While he first tries to reason with the sheriff, Johnston is incensed over the accusations against his sons. He goes into “Ranger” mode and while Constantino doesn’t back down, he knows he is on thin ice. He refuses to let Johnston see his sons, and wants him escorted out of New Bern.

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At Ted’s fishing cabin, Hawkins eliminates several deputies, and turns his attention to Maggie, handcuffed to a squad car. She screams “Jake! Jake! Columbus! Jake said you’d know what that means!”

Ted looks green as Hawkins assures Maggie no one is left in the cabin. They head back to town, bent on making their plan succeed.

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When Jake and Eric are being questioned simultaneously, the brothers stand strong, refusing to divulge anything. They now know this is about more than salt … New Bern wants Jericho entirely. Even with a knife held to his throat, Jake tells Eric not to talk.

Suddenly, there’s an explosion and it seems Maggie (who’s been taken into custody again) has been telling the truth — Hawkins was going to blow the factory. Everyone rushes out to defend and protect their town, and Constantino decides to move these two valuable prisoners to the warehouse. Jake and Eric’s eyes meet … they silently acknowledge what they must do outside, knowing Hawkins will be waiting.

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Once they reach the town checkpoint, Russell thanks Johnston for his offer of residence in Jericho, but says he must stay in New Bern to protect his daughter. As the explosions ring out, Johnston is all but forgotten as the guards rush off — he guns the motor and heads for City Hall.

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Meanwhile, Hawkins is in sniper mode, watching and waiting. Ted bails on him — he cannot bring himself to shoot at his former friends and neighbors. As Jake and Eric are brought into the open, Robert takes aim at the guard on the roof, then targets the other men on the ground. He yells for Jake, who overpowers his deputy and retrieves a gun, helping to free Eric from his guard.

They are able to find cover and help Hawkins fight off the enemy, when Maggie shouts out a warning. Johnston Green roars up and with bullets continuing to fly, they leap for the truck, Jake helping the injured Maggie. Thanks to Russell’s previous directions, they escape from New Bern.

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With 12 miles left to Jericho, the truck runs out of gas. They hide it under brush and the men start home on foot. While Hawkins points out that Maggie may not make it, Jake says, “She didn’t leave us, we’re not leaving her.”

Fair enough.

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The stars still shine and the wind blows on, despite all that’s happened and all that’s yet to come.

Thanks, Kay!