Terminator-212 "Alpine Fields" - Discuss/Grade <SPOILERS>

Good choice. I got your back on this one homie!

I voted above average. I like the different time lines and the further look into Derek's future/past. BAG is really great again in this episode. It was nice to see him take the lead instead of John or Sarah.

 

I enjoyed this episode. And I like how the use of frequent time travel has opened up story possibilities.

It's interesting to see the focus switch from film to series. Time travel in the films was just a means to set the monster loose in the village. But here, time travel is the primary focus. This, as last week highlighted quite clearly, is a time travel show.

One effect of this is the flood of terminators. While that lessens the impact of the individual terminators - they are with few exceptions no longer characters, but cannon fodder - it also brings Skynet more into the forefront as a tangible force. Likely built from the Turk chess program, Skynet uses the Terminator as pieces on the time travel board. Skynet moves, the Connors counter, Skynet moves again, and so on. It's a little messier than chess because there are more than two players in the game - Jesse, Weaver, Babylon - whose intentions and impact are unknown. But I like the way this is all playing out.

As far as the episode, it was good to see how the relationship between Jessie and Derek was forged. It makes her more interesting. And I enjoyed the no nonsense way Sarah and Cameron go about their business despite being surrounded by a hysterical family, although I found some of the family "drama" to be a bit forced.

Above Average

 

Voted average. Weakest episode of the season so far, IMO.

The family in the present didn't really engage me, the "6 months later" part with Derek felt very isolated from all the rest and the future story was interesting, but short and a bit disjointed.

Cameron losing a fight for once was actually a nice touch though, considering that so often she wins through the skin of her teeth. Cameron would have lost quite a few fights (against Carter, against Vick, against Cromartie once and against the Greenway Terminator) if not for intervention by Sarah, or other lucky breaks (like the enemy terminator having other priorities than dealing with her).

 

Eh, Average.

 

Which one was Carter?

 

From season 1's Heavy Metal. Dressed as military, collected coltan, locked up in a bunker.

 

Voted average..

Some good laughs, "Cameron knocking Roger out, is he human?" , and "Why did you use his computer? - watching lesbian porn, - YOUR GAY?",

But the episode was slow, and the family storyline didn't really do anything for me. Liked the future scenes though.

And one would think that Sarah would have informed them about calling relatives/loved ones.. After all, the Terminator killed her mother and waited by the phone for her to call in Terminator 1..

 

Ah, right. I'd forgotten him.

 

I think it was implied that she did warn them about that. That's why the mother felt so bad about "breaking the rules" by calling her boyfriend.

 

I keep saying this, but it is true, the series is getting better and better with each new episode. Another new episode next week

 

I'm sure she told them to not call any loved ones, but somehow I doubt that she told them about the terminators voice adapter abilities. Anyhow, the pregnant woman who wanted to live a "normal" life was pretty stupid.

 

So, how were the ratings this week?

 

I've been pretty discouraged this season for the most part. This ep and the previous one have turned it around IMHO.

 

I liked it. Enjoyed the future mission with Derek. The idea of a virus and a Terminator-powered sub were intriguing too. Loved Cameron not realizing the guy was human and all the family bickering.

 

Down by .62 points from last week. Why do Terminator ratings remind me of the Stock Market?

 

I want to see more of this new girl. She's got spunk. Really, Sarah should be building up a network of fighters here, not just tackling individual terminators on her own. Why wait until JD to form the resistance? Do it now!

I wasn't entirely clear on the import of the last scene with the abandoned medallion.

 

^ Saint Christopher was the patron saint of travellers. It was to help her mother with her journey home (if you want to go with a religious/metaphysical possibility). Or, simply, Derek had told her it was a target so she left it behind. Or it could be a combination of both.

 

Well, the Mon 8pm time slot never was a good one. This is, of course, why Fox decided to pick an even worse time slot for the new year.

 

It was a target, I think that's all there is to it. T's could recognise it, I suppose.

 

Actually, it's a St. Jude's medal, who is patron saint of desperate cases.

not Catholic, just Google-proficient