Impressions: "The Sarah Connor Chronicles"
I have to take it back. I said I hated the two-day premiere format because it confuses people. I was afraid that people would miss the second episode and not know when or where to tune in.
Forgetaboutit. I want to see the second episode!
"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" had a strong debut, in my view. Here are my first impressions of the good and bad in the new series.
The Good
Lena Headley makes a good Sarah Connor. Thomas Dekker makes a good John Connor (he even looks like he could be the son of Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese!). The Terminator looks like a Terminator. And Summer Glau is fantastic. The overall casting and acting are top-notch here.
The initial episode was paced and plotted very well. I liked the balance of quips and action and how the writers explained any possible plot holes. For instance, when the Terminator attacks Sarah in her house, she dives behind a lounge chair, safe from all of the bullets that harmlessly bury in the chair. When I watched it, I said - "Hey! those bullets would have torn her apart!" But, when the cops arrived, they note that the chair was lined in Kevlar...that's a good use of exposition to keep an observant fan in the flow of the show.
Finally, I liked the fact that they ended up in 2007. It was a good twist and makes perfect sense.
The Not-So-Good
I think Sarah Connor would not have used the 'Reese' alias again...but, that's just nitpicky. My only real complaint is that I remembered that the Sarah Connor from the movie was kinda annoying with the crazy. Headley does a good job softening up when appropriate, but the character herself is pretty hardcore. And, if the writers are not careful, she could become unlikable if they go too far into the crazy.
The First Impression
Very good. In fact, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" exceeded my expectations. I am looking forward to tonight to see Episode 2!
Prediction - this series isn't going to last past season one. Come on, an Arnold-series Terminator that loses its head and later walks to the head to reclaim it? Too many attempts at levity. The kid isn't serious enough after being pursued by two Terminators? "Sarah" keeps trying to put him into the public school system?
The only original, interesting aspect is the idea of TimeWars between SkyNet and the Resistance, and evidently, the Resistance isn't too well trained in identity control or how to keep T-models out of their hideouts. I'm rapidly losing interest in this one.
-- Posted by: J. at January 22, 2008 5:20 PM