"Jerico" retutrns for a somewhat unexpected second season on Tuesday, and the show is better than it was in Season 1. It's fast-paced and exciting, with plenty of mystery and suspense to go with great returning characters and some promising additions.

After canceling and then un-canceling the show last spring (see story on W1), it's not like CBS gave "Jericho" an overwhelming vote of confidence. The network only ordered seven episodes.

"We also have to see whether or not the show is going to work," Tassler said. "We think seven episodes gives us a chance to bring viewers back ... It was enough so we could see if the audience was there and if they're going to come back to the show."

The series about how the residents of a small Kansas town cope after a series of nuclear attacks on major U.S. cities certainly has its passionate fans. But it's going to need more of them if there's going to be a third season.

Season 2 is not exactly the show it would have been had "Jericho" gotten a 22-episode pickup. The original plan was sort of a three-prong approach, set in Jericho; in Cheyenne, Wyo., where a new government that controls Western America is headquartered; and with survivors from a decimated New York City.

"When we got the short order, we said, 'OK. We'll focus on Jericho,"' said executive producer Carol Barbee. "With any show ... you tend to arc out stories in sevens anyway. So, this is actually a pretty good number for us because it's sort of like a little movie. You have the beginning, the middle, and the end."

The second-season premiere (Tuesday, 9 p.m., Ch. 2) resolves a couple of big cliffhangers from the Season 1 finale — including the big battle between Jericho and New Bern. Then the story jumps ahead a couple of weeks.

Through the first three episodes (which were sent to critics), the Cheyenne government establishes control and steps between Jericho and New Bern. But there are revenge killings on both sides.

"There's this occupying force that's trying to bring stability to the area," Barbee said. "And then, that becomes — are these guys good or are these guys bad?"

We do learn that the new government's explanation that America was attacked by foreign powers isn't true. There's a big conspiracy going on and Hawkins (Lennie James) has the evidence.

"The big story for the year is the mission that Hawkins and Jake (Skeet Ulrich) have to do to save the world," Barbee said.