pendant-shaped device (which is actually a USB flash drive) that is the key to not only finding out
what happened fifteen years ago, but also a possible way to reverse its effects.
However, Sebastian Monroe, the General of the Monroe Militia and self-appointed President of the
Monroe Republic, an area of the former United States east of the Mississippi River northward of
Kentucky and the Carolinas, now possesses that power for himself, seeking conquest of the entire
former United States of America. The remaining Matheson family, joined initially by Miles Matheson,
Aaron Pittman, and Nora Clayton now strive to counter the Monroe Militia. Monroe's new benefactor,
Randall Flynn, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense who 15 years earlier ordered the
deployment of the weaponised technology that caused the blackout, now seeks to fortify Monroe in
his efforts after Ben's wife Rachel (working under duress for Monroe) escapes from his custody.
As the show develops the political landscapes changes significantly due to the actions of the
characters.
Characters
Miles Matheson: A former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant-turned-tavern owner,
pursued by the Monroe Republic Militia. As Ben Matheson's brother, he is
later revealed to be one of the founding fathers of the Monroe Republic,
having established it with Sebastian Monroe following the collapse of the
United States. He is also the former commanding general of its militia, and is
responsible for making them as brutally efficient as they are now. However,
he later became disillusioned with the Republic and unsuccessfully
attempted to assassinate Monroe. He deserted, and becomes dependent on alcohol over guilt of the
Republic's atrocities against civilians. The militia now considers Miles a traitor, and seeks to capture
him as well as the rest of the Matheson family. Miles is shown expressing regret for his role with the
militia, although not without conflicted feelings about his former best friend, Sebastian Monroe, who
offered him his old job back after liberating Rachel.
Charlotte "Charlie" Matheson: Ben Matheson's daughter and Miles's niece. Miles
described her initially as unusual, insisting that it's not meant as an insult. Charlie
has strong remorse for the things around her in the new world and is very caring,
but is increasingly at odds with trying to find a balance between concern and selfpreservation in the post-blackout society, often choosing to emulate her Uncle
Miles more than her own family. After Rachel left, she took responsibility for
looking after her brother, Danny.
Rachel (née Porter) Matheson: Ben's wife and Charlie and Danny's mother, who
is initially believed to have died following the blackout, but later revealed to be
alive and working under duress for Monroe. She has told Monroe about the
existence of the pendants and provided other information to the militia concerning
them. Later, it is revealed that Rachel had been involved in the blackout as she and
her husband know the exact science behind why it has happened.
Aaron Pittman: An MIT graduate, former Google executive, and friend of Ben
Matheson. Aaron was a teacher in the community, educating children about preblackout life. He abandoned his wife after feeling unable to protect her from
looters and thieves, leaving her with a group they were traveling with. This
decision left him with a great deal of suppressed guilt and remorse. over
abandoning his wife. Just before Ben's death, Aaron was secretly entrusted with a
pendant (flash drive) onto which Ben downloaded files from his computer just
before the blackout. Aaron decided to keep the pendant's existence a secret from the rest of the group,
fearing Miles' reaction. Once reunited with Rachel, Aaron is concentrating on the study of her notes