MNN - Mother Nature Network

The new J.J. Abrams post-apocalyptic thriller "Revolution" premiered Monday night on NBC, and if early ratings are any indication, the 46-year-old producer of "Lost" and "Alias" might have another hit on his hands. 

 

More than 11.5 million people tuned in for the one-hour 10 p.m. debut, setting a ratings record for NBC. According to TVByTheNumbers.com, that makes it the the highest rated drama debut in three years (since ABC's "V") and the highest rated NBC drama debut in five years ("Bionic Woman").

 

In a recent interview with EW.com, Abrams describes the plot of the show — which focuses on a world robbed of electricity — as less about "soap box commentary" and more about a family's journey. 

 

“It’s a story about a journey, with family at its core, that takes people out of their comfort zone and sends them into a world they’d never seen before," he says. 

 

Abrams, however, does believe we could all do with a little "unplugging" from time to time. 

 

“Our reliance on technology permeates everything we do," he says. “I think we’re all actually desperate to get away from this crap — the electronic firestorm, our addiction to screens. My guess is that any family who owns a television or who has an abundance of handheld devices wrestles with this all the time. How much is too much? Strangely enough, I’ve found that when technology is not an option, oddly enough, it’s a wish-fulfillment. Turning off, shutting down — it just feels right.”

 

"Revolution" airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. EST. To see the first episode, check out the video below.