An electromagnetic surge destroys all the circuit boards in town, leaving Jericho in darkness. Before this occurred, the citizens watched as minuteman missiles where shot into the sky. Meanwhile, each citizen receives a phone message from stating that the Federal government has been shut down and the town is now under the rule of either local or state authorities. The townspeople now realize that it is up to them to keep the peace. Hawkin's daughter Allison, questions why they ever moved to Jericho.