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'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' builds a better mousetrap
I wasn't exactly hankering for a Charley Dixon-centric episode on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but I guess we were due for one. At the end of last week, Ellison sent Charley and his wife out of town, which we all knew wouldn't last, so it probably is better that they did this episode now rather than waiting a few weeks and trying to convince us that Charley was gone for good.
Tonight's episode started off with Charley and the missus in the middle of nowhere getting gas, you may recall that Ellison suggested they go far away in the last episode Charley was just there, getting gas, cleaning the windshield, and trying to get his wife not to be angry. Cromartie pulled up, hopped into the driver's seat of Charley's car while the man was getting a soda and drove off with Charley's wife, Michelle. Poor lady, getting kidnapped by a Terminator is never a good thing.
Back in Connor-land, John learned about the death of George Lazlo (the guy whose look Cromartie stole). That possibly important bit of information was quickly overshadowed by Cameron figuring out the rate the house was settling at and that they'd have to repaint the place next summer. Sure, that was almost as important as what came next – Charley making the all-important phone call to inform Sarah that his wife was kidnapped. Charley actually spoke to John first, but didn't want to dish the dirt to him, and when Sarah got on the phone she didn't want John to figure out what was going on either.
That's one of those things I don't understand about the show – if John is going to lead the resistance one day, surely at some point he should be fully informed about what's going on around him. As Derek hopped into the car with Sarah to go rescue Michelle, he pointed out that what they were doing was a mistake, that Cromartie had grabbed Charley's wife in order to get to John. Even if that was the case, shouldn't John know what was going on? Wouldn't he have been better served by being informed than by being kept in the dark? Instead, John was sent to get computers with Cameron, whom he promptly ditched to go hang out with Riley.
As Derek, Sarah, and Charley were contemplating how to find Michelle, she managed to get to her cell phone and give Chuck a call with her location. Now I assumed (and you probably did too), that Cromartie allowed her to get to the phone to make the call. Apparently Sarah, Derek, and Charley weren't quite that swift (or at least didn't discuss it). They were certainly expecting Cromartie to be ready for them when they arrived at Michelle's location, but there was no mention of Cromartie allowing her to make the phone call.
Cromartie certainly was ready for them. Once her phone call was made, Cromartie duct-taped Michelle's mouth and sat her chair on four mousetraps. It was apparently a little homemade booby trap designed to make her (and anyone nearby) go boom should she be removed from the chair.
It didn't take anytime at all for Sarah and company to recognize the mousetrap bomb once they saw it, which meant that there had to be a second part to Cromartie's plan. Charley went back to the car to get a bag so Sarah could disable the bomb and found that their car had been tampered with. Learning that little tidbit, along with seeing Michelle still alive instead of terminated, clued Sarah in to Cromartie's actual plan. The mousetrap bomb was not a bomb – it was just some molding clay. The point of the whole thing was, she assumed, to get John to come get them.
As Sarah was working that out and calling John to tell him to be careful and stay away, Derek was exploring their environs and noticed some cell surveillance equipment and an actual bomb on a cell tower just outside. No sooner did Derek figure out what was happening and rush everyone out of the place than the bomb went off and the nearby cell tower was destroyed. Sarah couldn't make anymore calls to John and Cromartie (who had tapped the first call) had John's phone number and the date code they'd been using to confirm their identities to one another. Cromartie instantly dialed John, pretended to be Sarah, and told John to wait for her (which would actually be him).
The expanded Scooby Gang hijacked a van that just happened to be traversing a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and sped off to save young John. Michelle was moderately injured when the cell tower crashed into the shack they were in, and Charley was terribly worried about what the jostling on the van was doing to her. Sarah actually stopped the car when Charley asked her to and I was shocked – shocked I tell you – by that. On the one hand her son and future leader of the resistance is about to end up in the hands of a Terminator, and on the other hand some lady she doesn't care for is about to die. She opted to save the lady even though it might end the world, and the lady ended up dying anyway.
Luckily for Sarah, John spotted Cromartie at the pier before Cromartie got to him, and Cameron had learned from Riley about where John was headed too. A short little foot chase scene ensued, and John jumped into the ocean to try to escape. Apparently Terminators aren't swimmers and when Cromartie jumped in after John the metal man sunk to the bottom with nothing but John's jacket in his hand.
John emerged from the water to see Cameron and they both hooked up with Sarah. One has to assume that Sarah informed John about what she'd been up to during the day, because John went and comforted Charley outside an emergency room. At Michelle's funeral, Charley, in front of Ellison, dropped the bible the FBI Agent had given him onto the casket. Apparently Charley will not be finding solace in God anytime soon.
As the real story was unfolding, our liquid metal buddy gave Ellison a call and invited him to lunch, saying she knew the truth about the George Lazlo shootout. Curiosity piqued, he attended the meeting and was further tantalized with more Terminator stories. Weaver asked Ellison to help her find another Terminator, and while we didn't see what he answered, I have to assume he agreed.
Questions and thoughts:
- I can't decide about Sarah, maybe you can help – is she too weak and emotional? I assume she stopped the van because she loves Charley and didn't want him to hate her by causing Michelle's death, but weighing that against the end of the world… I don't know that I would have made the same choice she did.
- But, my real question this week - how far do you think Weaver will be able to lead Ellison down the primrose path? How far is he going to go before he realizes that he's making a mistake?
The TV and Film Guy's Reviews - just about the best mousetrap there is.
Well, I thought the show was pretty lame tonight. I mean are they really dumb enough to go rushing to the rescue of Michelle knowing it's a setup? Come on. We deserve better writing than that. And the little chase scene with Cromarte and John...been there, done that. So now we know, to escape a Terminator only requires scuba gear!
This was a weak episode, I agree. I mean, are Terminators of not-Cromartie's design not programmed to know the basic laws of physics? Heavy metal sinks, duh. Also, I sure would like to know what they're putting in these vehicles for fuel, because I really don't think even a Terminator could have driven from where he was in the desert all the way to the Santa Monica Pier in what seemed to be a relatively-short time. Especially not during a busy part of the day. Like 24, the writers seem to conveniently forget that most of that part of California is a parking lot with exit ramps (except for maybe at four in the morning). I realize, as I've said in other places, that the writers are locked in to a 44-46 minute time frame for each episode, but let's be a little bit realistic, hm? Until they develop Terminators that can fly (and why, now that I think on it, haven't they?), they're stuck with the same laws of physics and traffic patterns as we humans. Sucks, but there it is.
As for Riley, at least we didn't get any insipid vegetable/fruit combo platter comments this week. The dress she tried on, though...hmm, I'm suddenly reminded of that line in the movie Carrie, where the eponymous character's mother refers to breasts as "dirty pillows." Riley's pillows were definitely not dirty. Pervert moment over, back to the show...
Really, though, if this kind of crap is what Sarah and John Connor had to do in the movies, we'd all be ash being flicked off the end of God's cigarette by now. Oy vey. Hopefully next week's episode is better.
Oh, and Big Sister Watchdog Cam is even creepier than I-am-a-cyborg-who-can-smoosh-you-into-compost-with-my-pinkie Cam. Shudder.
Revenant | Sep 22, 2008 8:20:30 PM | #Revenant: they DO have Terminators that can fly, or at least machines that can: you see them every single time they flash forward to the future. I'm pretty sure, at least according to the movie canon, that the time traveling can only work for something covered in skin, which is why the terminators can go through but they can't send an army of metal robots back. I'd imagine a flying terminator wouldn't be easy to cover with skin, so that's probably why they don't try to send them back.
Chris | Sep 22, 2008 10:52:18 PM | #i knew this wasn't gonna be the best epi from the preview last week. too much time spent on charley and his wife...i mean, who cares? it's a bad sign when you don't even care if she dies or not...and then when she died, it was like at least she is out of the way now! get on with better plotlines puleeeez....
that being said, i still luv this show :)
sorry for the double post but i also meant to say that when sarah stopped the car, i think it was a temporary moment of resignation, but yes very un-sarah-connor-like....
I think Ellison knows she is a Terminator. He watched her "not drink" and played it cool. I think he'll go along for a while but knows this isn't kosher. I wonder what HER motives are though since she's not focusing on finding John
Todd | Sep 23, 2008 5:10:43 AM | #I agree about Ellison. I also saw him notice Weaver not actually taking a sip. I don't know why he would go along with it, but it was obvious that he made a note of that.
I FF'd Michelle's dying scene that's how little I cared.
I was also taken aback by Sarah's stopping the car. That goes against everything we know about her and made no sense.
genniel | Sep 23, 2008 7:19:06 AM | #I thought it was the best episode so far, actually. I loved the Cromartie heaviness of it. I think Dillahunt is great. There was a real sense of menace that I hadn't felt with this show in a long time. I thought the Beast Wizard stuff was hilarious, and I loved that Cromartie went into the water without hesitation. All he has to do is kill John. It doesn't matter if he ends up at the bottom of the ocean or not....as long as he takes John with him (and he can always just walk out...as we saw).
The Dixon storyline...not bad, but I did want them to hurry up and get to the good stuff. The cool desert cinematography made up for a lot.
I look forward to this show every week. It's throwback television for me, like The Six Million Dollar Man, or something. ComPLETEly implausible, but so much fun.
jacksprat | Sep 23, 2008 7:48:18 AM | #I loved the repaint line. Summer Glau delivered it with that "Cameron" deadpan and I laughed out loud.
John: How does this affect the safety of one John Connor?
Cameron: It doesn't, but next summer we're going to have to repaint.
alia | Sep 23, 2008 8:10:50 AM | #I agree this Sarah is not Linda Hamilton, she would have killed them both. I couldn't believe she stopped the car. (why is a car in the middle of no where anyway) I thought we were suppose to see some growth from John this year? Being a brat doesn't qualify.
jbw | Sep 23, 2008 8:24:48 AM | #Lena is better than Linda Hamilton, sorry folks
The point of the episode was that Sarahs reckless anger isn't always the best solution to a problem (they were out-thought by cromartie, it wouldn't have mattered if they stopped or kept going, they were so far behind by the time they carjacked the van).
Lena protrayed that sense of losing control perfectly.
David | Sep 23, 2008 8:58:22 AM | #Was anything said at the dinner table at the end of the show? My DVR stopped recording at 10.
Tim | Sep 23, 2008 9:21:29 AM | #I agree with David above. Also when Sarah stops the truck she believes that John's with Cameron -- she didn't know he'd ditched her. I thought the point was the more Sarah tries to protect John and the more he rebels, the worse things get.
k8ie | Sep 23, 2008 9:22:34 AM | #I'm thinking the T-1001 is trying to a do an end-run around destiny. Get things moving in a faster or bigger way and John becomes irrelevant.
VideoBeagle | Sep 23, 2008 9:26:08 AM | #Something is up with Riley too. I originally thought she might be a "good" Terminator or a resistance fighter sent back by John...I base this on her comment last week about the LEGO robot that she made him...something like "It's a robot. It can protect you". I think that theory has been debunked after last night's show. Had she been from the future, she probably would have gone with Cameron to the pier.
Tim | Sep 23, 2008 9:28:34 AM | #Well, I guess Michelle, I mean "Penny" had to choose between Charley and Desmond (from LOST) and decided she'd rather be with Desmond. LOL.
Thank god Brian Austin Green's character is still in the show. If it weren't for him, the show would be full of wusses.
IggyPop | Sep 23, 2008 10:24:56 AM | #And that chick Riley is bad news. If she's not a terminator, she's a spy for that ugly red-head. Boy is that broad ugly.
IggyPop | Sep 23, 2008 10:26:40 AM | #I'm sure many would refer to Shirley Manson as "Euro-exotic," rather than ugly. True, she is so angular that her cheekbones could probably open a can of WD-40, but she's not that bad looking in a certain light. I've certainly seen uglier (go down any street in Los Angeles at 3 in the morning, and you'll see a bunch of 'em).
As for Riley, I'm hoping for a session with her and Cameron. They need to have some kind of game of one-up-womanship in order for Riley's presence to be worthwhile. A game of billiards would suffice...especially if they're both wearing tight jeans. Sorry, just can't help meself. :P
As for my previous comments about Terminators that fly, as heavy as they are, I also imagine that it would be similar to getting a 757 off the ground without jet fuel. Or, if you have children, trying to move across the living room with a pair of well-fed first graders sitting on your feet. So, no flying T-6666's anytime soon, I guess.
Revenant | Sep 23, 2008 11:16:26 AM | #I really enjoy T:TSCC and will continue watching even though, based on the ratings thus far, I doubt it will receive a back nine episode approval let alone a renewal for another full season.
Simply put: 1) it’s up against too much competition on Monday’s, including MNF; and 2) James Cameron set the bar very high and everyone who’s a fan of the Terminator films that watch the show will scrutinize every little detail in each episode leading to a ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ viewer divide.
Show runner Josh Friedman should have followed the same airing strategy as last season by starting the show in January after the baseball and football seasons were over and some competing series on ABC, CBS and NBC were in mid-winter repeats and run it continuously without a break for 13, 16 or 18 episodes (similar to Lost).
Also like Lost, T:TSCC is a series that could have really benefited from having a specific end date established right from the onset. Since the show is heavily based in the terminator mythology (with at least one more film sequel coming), establishing a set number of seasons and episodes would ensure the writers could chart story arcs accordingly and avoid the kind of plot holes, continuity errors and inconsistencies that occasionally plague the show and are currently being nitpicked by viewers on blogs such as this one.
Steve | Sep 23, 2008 2:09:44 PM | #Not the best, but still a good episode. I actually really liked Sarah's dilemma. Do you keep racing along a bumpy road with a woman bleeding to death and Charley begging her to stop? She knows John is in danger, but rationally, she also knows that Cromartie has a big head start, and Sarah THINKS Cameron is watching over John. Of course she wants to get to John, but she cannot kill Michelle. In dramatic terms, it was time to kill of Charley's wife if he is going to continue on the show, but I was still sorry to see her go. I think there was more drama they could have explored between her and Sarah.
Very little Cameron this week and Sarah's monologue voice overs seem to have disappeared. Shame, I always liked those. The series began with just Sarah, John and Cameron. It's become more of an ensemble now. I love Ellison, Derek is a good addition, Charley is ok, I like Shirley Manson but the pregnant neighbour and Riley are just irritating! More Sarah and Cameron please. Lena and Summer are the best things in the show.
I've never held a shot gun before but did anyone else think the Derek looked funny holding that shotgun (or whatever it was) when they were in the abandoned shack? It looked like he was uncomfortable with it.
I thought this was a pretty good episode. I agree that this show can't last very long. It's like Prison Break, the stories will get old after a while.
I hope they give Derek something do on the show. BAG is so good on this show that I forget all about Davis Silver from 90210.
Sorry for the random assortment of comments.
Buffy | Sep 24, 2008 5:32:37 AM | #Transmission From The Future:
..........Spoilery Message (Stop)........big plot twist (stop)....Riley = Weaver......(Stop).....gotta go! They've got my position!.....
what i've not liked about this season so far is the lack of focus on cameron. they seem to be pushing her into the background for some reason almost as if they're bored with her. c'mon... thats the whole reason i watch.
joits | Sep 24, 2008 2:47:45 PM | #@ Buffy: yes, Derek was holding the gun very awkwardly. i noticed too!
i also like BAG on the show, love Lena, and more Cameron please!
hope arnold dont get zapped by the SAT CREW, at least he might sleep better with the rocks and stones under his pillow.
just hope he throws the electric airfreshener at sarah conner..
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