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Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

January 18th, 2008

While I was testing out the iTunes Store movie rental service, I noticed the premiere episode of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles was free download, so I checked it out.

The Good

  • The special effects look great. The once high technology of a liquid metal terminator is now available to a television series.
  • Sarah Connor (Lena Headey) and Cameron (Summer Glau) are portrayed pretty well. Both lend a bit of geek appeal as Headey was in 300 and Glau in Firefly.
  • The series takes place between the movies Terminator II and Terminator III and looks like it may fill in some continuity questions between the films. I personally would like to see how Skynet still gets built after all the technology was destroyed in T2, and how does Sarah Connor die before T3.
  • Decent doses of Terminator-style violence.

The Bad

  • The basic premise of mother and a son on the run from homicidal robots, cops, and Armageddon – is pretty darned depressing. Not a lot of smiles here.
  • Neither is there enough humor. Ah-nold is sorely missed, with his robotic line delivery of “Hasta La Vista” and “I’ll Be Back.” The movies also had a lot of ridiculous humor based on robots trying to make sense of our world.
  • The kid playing John Connor was slacker-vapid and the bad Terminator was nothing more than a marching meat loaf.
  • Sarah Connor’s miniskirt in the first scene was fairly ridiculous (trying to get those viewers hooked, eh?) and Heady is so thin I don’t know how she picked up that heavy electric cannon from the future. But I suppose if it’s eye candy you want, there’s a brief broadcast-television-acceptable nude scene near episode’s end when Sarah, Cameron, and John are sent forward in time in true sans-clothing Terminator fashion.

Conclusion

While amusing, this episode actually made me want to re-watch all three Terminator movies. I generally liked what I saw but not enough to become a regular viewer. Still, I’ll monitor the buzz and see how the series is shaping up. If the series isn’t cancelled, I’ll rent the first season instead. I was reasonably entertained by Summer Glau kicking robot meat-loaf.

Check out the trailer for yourself:

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  • JC
    I LOVE Summer Glau (Firefly, baby); admittedly, I'd have no interest in this show whatsoever if she weren't in it. But I did download the free pilot to see what it was all about. Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, though. Your assessment seems about spot on with my expectations. I'll let you know if those expectations are met after having seen it.

    I've never liked the John Connor character. In every one of the movies, he seemed pretty lame to me. Terminator has always been about Sarah, which is where I think this show gets it right and the third movie got it wrong.
  • Heh... the John Connor character is equally pathetic in the show as well... looks like some outcast from One Tree Hill or some other teen show. definitely amusing that all this fuss with the robots and killing is over some wussy, clueless teenager.

    Oh and if you're into ms. Glau you won't be disappointed.
  • I was excited about this show too, but then it kinda dawned on me - where really can this thing go since it's boxed in on both ends by the movies. Prediction: it'll fizzle before March.
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