Sixty Second Review

No twist, no surprise, no creativity. An early end because of the writers strike is almost a welcomed gift. This episode ends with a scene that should be the climax with the FBI agents battling Kester in a hotel room. Clearly because of budget constants the entire FBI team are thrown into a pool as we watch from underneath. What a waste, Buffy Season 1 had a larger budget and that was just for Sarah Michelle Galler's make up.

Maybe if I wasn't a fan of the movies, maybe if I wasn't attaching the same expectations from the films I wouldn't be filled with such disappointment. Does James Cameron know what they have done to the image of his master piece?

Now for the real question, will Fox renew this poor excuse for entertainment in the name of making more money?

I keep expecting to see the kind of Television that we all long for - a plot twist, something that we as viewers we don't see coming. But time and time again I'm left questioning if this is just an attempt by Fox to milk the Terminator franchise for more money.

The idea of Cameron turning bad or having an evil streak is a running theme through the episodes of late and a good one. But we're left watching these same old tired stories week after week.

All good story telling should be working up towards a climax. The Sarah Connor Chronicles feels like its going backwards. At least I can be thankful the next hour I watch maybe the last.

Nothing of major note here. Sarah recovered and destroyed the hand. John discovered that his mother disowned him, by watching a tape that his mother left in plain sight. Derek again displays his hatred for Cameron and we get a step closer to the chess playing master mind computer.

The episode is filled with Sarah's voice and too many bible references. I was kept awaiting for something interesting to happen but instead we are reminded of back story which we have already witnessed, most likely included to bring the non-movie watchers up to speed.

After a glimmer of hope last week again I'm left disappointed. I hope they have come up with something decent for the two part finale.

This show has been everything that I wasn't expecting and in a bad way. James Cameron's vision has been watered down to something that is almost unrecognisable.

I know I shouldn't be placing the expectations of the film onto this new series but its a extremely hard act to follow. The road this is taking isn't fitting the bill.

I'll continue watching the series but only because I'm such a fan of the movies.

Finally we're given some depth and some texture to relate to. This week we had a story slowly unfold piece by piece in front of our eyes. Characters relating, some human emotion shine through, made this the highlight of the season so far.

It's taken six episodes to get to this point. But now I'm on board, I'm rallying for the cause. With some creative writing we see some back story from the future, some closer of the relationship between Sarah & Charley, John getting a better idea of his Father and the pending threat that is the FBI.

I'm relieved that the show is starting to pick up the pace.

In an attempt to further link the show to the movie they introduce John's Father's Brother. But the biggest flaw is that John is not the John he should be. The rebel we once knew in the movie is now a soft, cry baby. Look at his actions in the last episode when faced with a terminator.

A scene of long awaited action rings true to form. But Sarah uses the same car that she used to pick up John from school. A mistake that a battle hardened Sarah who is attempting to stay low profile would never make. A few scenes were poorly planned and hard to comprehend. Again no time is spent in connecting the viewers to the on screen characters. The dying Derek Reese has me unconcerned.

We're heading in the right direction but still not quite there.

It's so frustrating when viewers can predict scenes before they unfold. It's not because we are savy viewers, just simply because the complete lack of creative writing. What about when you could have reacted to a situation better than the hero you are watching?

For example: As soon as John places the mobile phone in plain sight and poorly secured you know what is going to happen. Then I am further frustrated when the phone breaks from a 30 cm fall. A flat battery would have been more believable!

Also Cameron a cyborg from the future doesn't hear a teenage boy sneak out of the truck? Its clear that picking the holes in this show is more interesting than watching it.

So our three heroes have time travelled into the future and have brought an unwelcome guest. Unfortunately this episode isn't following through the pace form the first. Things have start to slow down a little. So much episode time taken up by following up new identities which clearly must be setting up for future storylines.

Sarah is given a more human touch as she is tested for cancer. The development of John's character takes on a minor role, which is disappointing as I am keen to see how they will portray him.

Overall an episode spent introducing characters and setting up for future storylines. We can't expect explosions and cyborg battles every episode.

With a good mix of action we're introduced to familiar characters of John & Sarah in their new small screen form. We're reminded straight off the bat to what John Connors mission is to stop - skynet.

Summer Glau steals the show who made her break on Firefly. The episode is well paced and ends on a high note.

I hope the season is as well planned as this episode, if that is the case we're in for a treat. I was first sceptical about the Terminator franchise coming to the small screen but it may do it justice.