Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

 

            If you were ever wondering why a movie franchise with so much episodic capability was never adapted for television, The Sarah Connor Chronicles proves to us why such an idea was never really a good one in the first place.

Sarah Connor borrows heavily from Terminator 2 (1991) and the inevitabilities of judgment day, which is better than it sounds in theory, but ultimately falls flat when time travel is brought into the situation. It isn’t made clear whether or not our trio Sarah Connor (Lena Headey), John (Thomas Dekker), and friendly-yet-sexy Terminator Cameron (Summer Glau); have traveled back in time or ahead of time.  Plus, all Sarah seems to be worried about is getting john a good education all-the-while being safe from Terminators of all kind that just seem to walk the earth, without being noticed. Regardless of the time period, Sarah feels confident that these seven years she has been given, will be enough time for her to groom him into the war hero and savior of mankind that we know him to be from the films.

Lena Headey whom is known for her role in Zach Snyder’s 300 (2006) as queen Gorgo and whom is currently playing the very manipulative Cersei Lannister on HBO’s Game Of Thrones. Delivers a Sarah Connor that draws from predecessor Linda Hamilton, but also allows for a deeper mother and son relationship to develop with John over the course of several episodes. Headey is no Hamilton and will never be, but she takes in the character and makes her own interpretation one not easily forgotten. 

Thomas Dekker (Honey I shrunk the kids, The TV Show) provides a John Connor that, despite the nine years between the events of Judgment Day and this serialized version, shows no signs of growth or maturity in any sense except that he is taller and has darker hair. Which makes one wonder what this version of the future has in store for mankind, because if this is the case, I seriously hope I don’t live in it. Dekker is a dark and bland version of the character we all know and love; which isn’t encouraging.

Last and certainly not the least is Summer Glau, whom breathes life into the show as Cameron Phillips; A love interest for John as well as protector that manages to keep a good balance between all-out-death-machine and friend to John. However, Cameron is soft spoken and not all that endearing when it comes to dealing with times of crisis. Cameron may take charge when battling other Terminators, but as a leader in time of need takes a backseat and listens to Sarah’s sometimes questionable wishes. 

The Sarah Connor Chronicles is none-the-less entertaining and a good show overall; but fans of the movies will notice its influence from the films without question.

Mario Kassar and Andrew G. Vajna, whom brought the movies to life and do bring to some weight to bear on the show, produce the series. Which was in the end not really a big surprise to see it leave the air waves.