Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILERS)

[DarkHelmet]

So, this is not specific to any one episode.. hopefully the modz let this stay open.

I want to encourage general discussion about the series.

The primary reason I started this thread is that with my wife and son out of town, I just watched the most recent 7 episodes of season 2.

A couple of general jump-start topics..

1) I think that despite the ratings, the series has developed and been stronger from S1 to S2.

2) I never thought I'd like Brian Austin Green in any role, but damn.. he's pretty good in this show.

3) Lena Headley, while damn good, cannot measure up to T2 Linda Hamilton/Sarah. T2 was so "hard". Kick your ass. No matter what, I see a softness in Lena's portrayal.

Discuss.

 

[nx1701g]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

1) I think that despite the ratings, the series has developed and been stronger from S1 to S2.

I have to agree. The storyline is becoming more interesting with the introduction of the hitlist and the development of John Henry. I admit that I like the stand alone episodes being introduced into the show, but some that we thought were standalones have become recurring story arcs (Seranno Point). I also - I'll admit it - think that the Riley storyline is a good fit, but she should have been either from the future and we knew it from the beginning or she should have just remained free and clear from John's terminator life.

2) I never thought I'd like Brian Austin Green in any role, but damn.. he's pretty good in this show.

When he was announced as "The Stranger" I was thinking it was a jump the shark moment that would destroy the show. Derek has become my favorite character - could be because he also has a passing resemblace to my older brother and they have the same personality.

3) Lena Headley, while damn good, cannot measure up to T2 Linda Hamilton/Sarah. T2 was so "hard". Kick your ass. No matter what, I see a softness in Lena's portrayal.

I still love Linda Hamilton's portrayal of Sarah Connor; however, I see Lena's Sarah as the post Sarah from the novels and comics. In some of the comics and novels after the events of T2JD Sarah Connor calmed down and they moved to Latin America. John still trained and went to a military academy, but Sarah somewhat let herself go. She was still fit, but she drank too much and she smoked two packs a day. Her fitness came into question in one novel (Stirling's Infiltrator series) when she met the man the T-800 was based on and running a short distance was like hell for her. In another comic it was an actual Terminator that she encountered and had trouble evading. Lena's fits that description of the 'rebuilding' Sarah Connor.

 

[TheArsenal]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

1) I think that despite the ratings, the series has developed and been stronger from S1 to S2.

I was afraid that we were going to get a recap of T2 every week. Terminator chases Connors, Connors run. Or, a variation on that theme, Connors chase down Terminator to destroy it, then run from the FBI guy. And, while some miss the high school setting, I find the show is freer to explore more expansive plots not having John Connor stuck in a school routine.

Another difference is the introduction of the damaged chip allows to Glau do some very good nuanced and nimble acting. She shows glimpses of something resembling emotion or humanity (it is often a bit off and otherworldly), but remains the efficient, remorseless killing machine.

2) I never thought I'd like Brian Austin Green in any role, but damn.. he's pretty good in this show.

Never heard of him before this show. But he definitely brings something to the table. Most importantly, his character's addition opened up story possibilities as we are seeing. The family was fairly insular prior to his arrival. He also serves as an adult counter weight to Sarah; and as the brother of Kyle, cleverly positioned to avoid being a burdensome love interest.

3) Lena Headley, while damn good, cannot measure up to T2 Linda Hamilton/Sarah. T2 was so "hard". Kick your ass. No matter what, I see a softness in Lena's portrayal.

A near mad Sarah Connor as driven and hardcore as Hamilton's portrayal, was probably unworkable in a week to week series. Headley's portrayal is less driven and more soft, but extremely no nonsense and business like. I liked Hamilton's Connor a great deal, but I find Headley's easier to live with over the course of two years.

 

[Apophis]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

I only watched the pilot because there was nothing else on, and, well, River was in it. It is now my second favorite show of the week. (The first being Supernatural.)

OT, I get a Daniel Jackson/Vala Mal Doran vibe vu from Derek/Jesse.

 

[captcalhoun]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

we just had "Mr Ferguson is Ill Today" on Virgin 1 last night...

i'm enjoying it. Riley's f***ing HOT!

i like BAG as Derek (though i wish to hell tehy'd given him a more macho name...)

is it me or was Cameron trying to come on to John in that episode when she got on the bed?

anyone else notice that the T-1001/Weaver oscillates between being able to smile properly and creepily getting it wrong?

 

[Ethros]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

^ I'm watching it on Virgin1 too. I really enjoyed Season 1 and the first couple of eps of Season 2. But for a while it really started to sag a bit IMO, quite a few duff episodes doing the same old routine. But the last two have really picked up the pace, and I thought last night's was great.
Although it seemed a bit too easy to kill Cromartie, just a shotgun to the head.


But I'm still not sold on the Shirley Manson Terminator. She just can't act all too well, and it and her Scottish accent kinda takes me out of the show.

 

[TremblingBluStar]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

I haven't been keeping up on the series in the past few months, unfortunately since the show is on at the same time as Chuck. However, I plan on catching up by watching it online!

I think the show deserves all the praise it gets for taking a formula that was old and stale when T2 came out and making it feel fresh again. Also, for not being a "Terminator of the week" show it could easily have become.

 

[Tim]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Another difference is the introduction of the damaged chip allows to Glau do some very good nuanced and nimble acting. She shows glimpses of something resembling emotion or humanity (it is often a bit off and otherworldly), but remains the efficient, remorseless killing machine.

I'm of the (romantic) camp that Cameron may be starting to feel true emotions. The great thing about Summer Glau's superb acting is that the hints and nuances allow many different interpretations. Glau is easily the best actor on the show.

2) I never thought I'd like Brian Austin Green in any role, but damn.. he's pretty good in this show.

Never heard of him before this show. But he definitely brings something to the table. Most importantly, his character's addition opened up story possibilities as we are seeing. The family was fairly insular prior to his arrival. He also serves as an adult counter weight to Sarah; and as the brother of Kyle, cleverly positioned to avoid being a burdensome love interest.[/quote]I'd probably rank BAG as my second favorite actor on the show, as he has been able to tread the line between "tough" and "emotional" very well.

A near mad Sarah Connor as driven and hardcore as Hamilton's portrayal, was probably unworkable in a week to week series. Headley's portrayal is less driven and more soft, but extremely no nonsense and business like. I liked Hamilton's Connor a great deal, but I find Headley's easier to live with over the course of two years.

I completely agree. The softness also makes her character far more likable, as with her great interaction reading Wizard of Oz to young Martin Bedell. However, she also can go "hardcore" when necessary, as when she beats the tar out of Mr. Akagi in "Strange Things Happen at the One-Two Point."

Overall, I'm really loving this show and it's the only show I've watched in the last several years that has me eagerly anticipating next week's installment. I certainly hope that it gets a third season; the cast and crew deserve it.

 

[The Badger]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

The great thing about Summer Glau's superb acting is that the hints and nuances allow many different interpretations. Glau is easily the best actor on the show.

It's great that we are getting the chance to see her range. A lot of critics, especially during the early days, had accused her of not acting at all. There's not much that can be done with a completely emotionless machine. Fortunately she's now getting more to work with.

The move away from the school was a good idea, although I wish they'd left it a bit longer. I wanted to see Morris take Cameron to the prom!

 

[Kail]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Watched the first disc of the first season, and was not hooked on it. Thought it was Ok, but did not leave me wanting to watch more.

 

[nx1701g]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Watched the first disc of the first season, and was not hooked on it. Thought it was Ok, but did not leave me wanting to watch more.

The early episodes of the series were very poor. They didn't hit their stride with good episodes until the Queen's Gambit/Dungeons and Dragons two parter.

 

[Wouter2]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Another difference is the introduction of the damaged chip allows to Glau do some very good nuanced and nimble acting. She shows glimpses of something resembling emotion or humanity (it is often a bit off and otherworldly), but remains the efficient, remorseless killing machine.

I'm of the (romantic) camp that Cameron may be starting to feel true emotions. The great thing about Summer Glau's superb acting is that the hints and nuances allow many different interpretations. Glau is easily the best actor on the show.

The many different interpretations that are possible are entirely deliberate on the part of the writers, according to producer Zack Stentz. "Self made man" for example, was deliberately written and acted in such a way that 2 interpretations could be argued with equally good arguments: one that Cameron was merely using Eric as a valuable tool (which was in need of some repair), the other that she genuinely cared about him and his friendship.

In a recent interview, Glau said that she wants the audience to wish that Cameron was human. As far as I am concerned, she has reached this goal, easily.

2) I never thought I'd like Brian Austin Green in any role, but damn.. he's pretty good in this show.

Never heard of him before this show. But he definitely brings something to the table. Most importantly, his character's addition opened up story possibilities as we are seeing. The family was fairly insular prior to his arrival. He also serves as an adult counter weight to Sarah; and as the brother of Kyle, cleverly positioned to avoid being a burdensome love interest.I'd probably rank BAG as my second favorite actor on the show, as he has been able to tread the line between "tough" and "emotional" very well.

I had likewise never heard of him, but Derek is a very good character and the actor does well. All the regular actors on TSCC are good, I think (Thomas Dekker makes a very believable/interesting John as well), even debutant Shirley Manson isn't too bad as a T1000-variant.

Overall, I'm really loving this show and it's the only show I've watched in the last several years that has me eagerly anticipating next week's installment. I certainly hope that it gets a third season; the cast and crew deserve it.

Seconded.

 

[The Badger]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Overall, I'm really loving this show and it's the only show I've watched in the last several years that has me eagerly anticipating next week's installment. I certainly hope that it gets a third season; the cast and crew deserve it.

Agreed. Failing that, because there is no rhyme or reason in what television executives may do, let's hope it gets a proper ending. Obviously one that leaves room for future stories, but no hanging plot threads please!

 

[gblews]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

I don't think the acting is particularly good. I agree with those who think Hedley's performance of Sarah pales next to Linda Hamilton, but then I also agree with the poster who said that Linda's performance wouldn't work in a T.V. series format.

Not very impressed with the guy that plays Derek either (I read that he's dating Megan Fox, whoa!). He's just okay. River's okay, too. I thought Cameron's dialogue in the first season ventured into the 'just too cute' area and that was annoying, but they seem to have fixed that. The weird looking redhead who plays the T-1000 is also just okay, but with outstanding legs.

None of the acting gets in the way of my enjoyment of the show which has gotten SO much better this season. It has become must see T.V. for me and I just hope that it gets multiple future seasons.

 

[Tim]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Another difference is the introduction of the damaged chip allows to Glau do some very good nuanced and nimble acting. She shows glimpses of something resembling emotion or humanity (it is often a bit off and otherworldly), but remains the efficient, remorseless killing machine.

I'm of the (romantic) camp that Cameron may be starting to feel true emotions. The great thing about Summer Glau's superb acting is that the hints and nuances allow many different interpretations. Glau is easily the best actor on the show.

The many different interpretations that are possible are entirely deliberate on the part of the writers, according to producer Zack Stentz. "Self made man" for example, was deliberately written and acted in such a way that 2 interpretations could be argued with equally good arguments: one that Cameron was merely using Eric as a valuable tool (which was in need of some repair), the other that she genuinely cared about him and his friendship.

Absolutely. Shame on me for leaving out the writers' deliberate ambiguity. They've been playing this line well ever since Cameron's trapped-between-the-trucks "HAL 9000" moment in the season opener.

 

[Mr Light]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

i like BAG as Derek (though i wish to hell tehy'd given him a more macho name...)

That! Is my name! It's funny you say that because any time I see a Derek in media he's always a bully or an asshole. I think S2 is an improvement but I also feel a growing disinterest as the show goes on. It feels like nothing important can ever happen in the show, that the story must remain in stasis until Judgment Day. For example the T-1000 Garbage girl was a fascinating addition in the premiere, but she hasn't really done anything since then. How long before she gets revealed to the gang? The only major progression recently was the "death" of Cromartie. I do like the additions of Derek and the girl from BSG Razor, as well as the duplicity of Cameron. I feel that John is not the most interesting character or that the choice of actors in John and Sarah were not the greatest.

 

[nx1701g]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

A lot of people have been critical of Shirley Manson and her acting in the series. I have to admit that I find her a perfect choice for the role because of her acting. The T-1001 is learning about humanity and how to interact with them, in many respects Shirley's acting is perfect for this because she's learning (this is her first acting role). I think they're a perfect fit.

Just a little thought I had.

 

[Bishbot]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

I was very sceptical of this show before it premiered. While I liked T1 and T2 as anyone who enjoys scifi action films ought to, I hadn't seen them for years, and didn't think the premise would sustain a weekly series on a tv budget, but I'm tremendously pleased to have been proven wrong.

I've only seen each episode once, so I can't actually remember very well whether early episodes were lacklustre or not, but I do know that I really look forward to each one at the moment.

The ongoing plot threads are very interesting. I really like Manson as Weaver. I did think at first that her acting was a little bit dodgy, but I think ever since the episode with the little girl that she has had the right level of creepiness. Someone I spoke to says that she makes a great villain because she has a really punchable face. I felt that was a little unfair, but she definitely has the right look to be really scary (and she did do very well in that episode as well, playing the normal version of Weaver in video clips).

I also think the studio-mandated standalones have been surprisingly successful. People are always sceptical about standalone episodes, and it can be hard to shoehorn them in, even my favourite TV series ever, nuBSG, struggles quite noticably with them at times, but the writers of this show have really used the format to construct some intricate and interesting storties, especially in the last couple of weeks.

I appreciate that not everyone can like every show, but with this show, I honestly wonder what people who complain about it really want. It really seems to be firing on all cylinders currently.

(I didn't bother praising Glau, because frankly, what more can be said?)

 

[Mitty]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

This is easily my favourite show at the moment. The last few episodes have really knocked em out of the park I think. I was also skeptical when I first heard they were making this show and figured it would suck but I'm incredibly glad to be proven wrong.

Summer Glau is amazing... she easily makes the show. She may be learning... but she's still a killing machine. Just when you think she's having a Data like moment, she turns around in that bowling alley and just blows those guys away. The same with the guy in the library. He was just a resource... once he was gone she moved on to his replacement. She plays the machine incredibly well.

It was a shock the first time I saw BAG. This is about a billion miles from David Silver and shows that the guy is a true actor. Any typecasting he may have had is well and truly on the cutting room floor.

I had no idea who Shirley Manson was until I read this thread. I think she's awesome... plays the part very well.

All the supporting players are great as well, Ellison, Charley (when he was around... will he be back?)

I've never been sure of Lena Heady... like others I think Hamilton is hard to beat, so playing the character differently was here only choice. And as some have said, two years of the same character we had in T2 would have been a bit trying. Though in the recent episode where she smashed Cromarties chip... I really thought that was her best moment to date.

Thomas Dekker is almost secondary to the story in many ways, even though it all centres around him. He does play a great part though.

 

[TheArsenal]

Re: Terminator Sarah Connor Chronicles Gen Discussion (PROBABLE SPOILE

Boy, the quotes got pretty screwy upstream. I see my name attached to all manner of quotes that aren't mine, and my quotes assigned to others. Not a big deal, but amusing.