It seems like forever since we left the primitive world of NBC’s ‘Revolution.’

I had almost forgotten about it – and it was one of the few new shows this year that I actually enjoyed, along with ‘Bates Motel,’ ‘Ripper Street’ and ‘The Americans’.

After a three-month hiatus, Monday’s episode picks up right where the mid-season cliffhanger left off: The bad guys have restored electricity, but only for themselves, and they’re out to get our reticent heroes.

‘Revolution’ isn’t perfect. It’s high concept, and that can be a problem with some viewers. By giving it such a huge hiatus, NBC has run the risk of viewers forgetting all about the show and moving on.

For me, the biggest problem is that Mondays are an extremely packed viewing night – and wedging in ‘Revolution’ this week became a problem. Between ‘Bates Motel,’ ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘2 Broke Girls,’ ‘Mike & Molly,’ ‘Bones,’ and ‘The Following,’ my DVR actually needs a nap after its vigorous workout Monday nights.

I would be more excited about the return of ‘Revolution’ if it was on a Tuesday or Thursday.

NBC is the network in the most trouble right now, though, so even modest numbers are considered a hit. That’s a bonus for fans.

I tuned in to ‘Revolution’ for two reasons: Billy Burke and Elizabeth Mitchell. The characters they play are still the most compelling reasons to tune in – but (thankfully) Queen Charlie of the Pout seems to have toned down her ridiculous posturing and stopped being such a whiny pain.

While the central mystery of ‘Revolution’ – why and how the power went out – is still at the center of the show, the program’s actual strength is the family at the core. Now that Charlie is reunited with kidnapped brother Danny – and they’re both reunited with their presumed dead mother, Rachel – things are bound to take in interesting turn.

 

When you add dastardly Uncle Miles into the mix, things are going to get explosive, I’m sure. Mark my words, Miles and Rachel have some freaky history together – and that’s on top of whatever was going on with Miles’ former best friend Monroe.

Now, supposedly there is going to be a death early on in the return. People are saying it is in the core group. Since the family has just been reunited, I’m betting it’s not one of them. If it does turn out to be one of them, it has to be Danny. He’s the only option.

That leaves Nora and Aaron.

I would be surprised if they killed off Nora – especially since they’ve got a built in love triangle – but my guess is on her. Or, perhaps, maybe I only hope it’s her.

Aaron has become the comic relief of the book – and I want to see him run across the wife he abandoned in a fit of despair. Aaron is to ‘Revolution’ what Hurley was to ‘Lost.’ For that reason alone I need Aaron to survive.

As much as I enjoy ‘Revolution,’ though, the show is missing a key component: Pacing.

The show is all over the place. One episode can be great and then the next two can be stilted. The show was in a hurry to delve into the mystery of the power outage – but they’re doing it in such a roundabout way it leaves the viewer frustrated – not breathless.

Still, I have to admit, I’m curious to see where the show goes – and I’m in for the rest of this season at least.

‘Revolution’ returns to NBC at 10 p.m. Monday.

What do you think? Will you tune in to ‘Revolution’?