TV Review: Terminator: SCC – Adam Raised a Cain
Posted by Kevin Carr (kevin@filmschoolrejects.com) on April 4, 2009
The Sarah Connor Chronicles, FOX, Airs Friday 8/7c
Episode: “Adam Raised a Cain” (Season Two, Episode 21)
Synopsis: While picking up the pieces of the Lighthouse where Charley Dixon was killed, John discovers that Savannah Weaver is a target of a Terminator. As the Connors strike out to save Savannah, John Henry detects the threat and tries to lead Savannah to safety. Derek Reese is killed in the rescue, but John and Sarah are able to bring Savannah to safety. When the Garbage Terminator learns her daughter has been kidnapped, she enlists the help of both John Henry and Agent Ellison to track her down.
Review: It is kind of a shame that this season of The Sarah Connor Chronicles chose its last few episodes to actually get somewhat interesting. The episodes of late aren’t perfect, but they are going down a better path than they were half-way through this season.
Unfortunately, with the ratings in the toilet (a paltry 3 million or so viewers compared to more than double that for the lowest rated show of season one), I’m not confident that FOX is going to bother renewing the show for a third season. We’ll see if the theatrical release of Terminator: Salvation can save the show. (Of course, since the movie’s not necessarily continuous with the series, it may not have any impact whatsoever.)
It’s also a shame that the best part of this show continues to have nothing to do with the title character. Even in this episode, with Sarah and Company taking center stage to save Savannah, she really isn’t the focus. Rather, the meat of this episode is what’s happening inside John Henry’s head. It seems that he’s developing a conscious and might have some good in him. However, we all know what’s supposed to happen to the human race, and with John Henry likely being the future of Cyberdyne, you can’t help but wonder when he’s going to snap.
The Garbage Terminator didn’t show any more of her hand in this episode, but she alluded to it. Make no mistake… she definitely has a plan, and in it, John Henry is more important than Savannah. Of course, John Henry’s attachment to Savannah will likely serve as his emotional Achilles’ Heel.
So, like other recent episodes of this series, the shows have gotten better by focusing on John Henry, Agent Ellison and the Garbage Terminator. And now that Derek has been killed (and I can’t say I’m heartbroken over that turn of events), the only interesting “good guy” left is Cameron… and who knows how her nature is going to play into the rest of the series.
Up Next: The season finale, for which FOX declares: “The future depends on it.” Sarah speculates that the Devil himself is planning to orchestrate the destruction of the human race. Enough Biblical references, already!
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Did you watch The Sarah Connor Chroniclesthis week? If so, feel free to discuss below.
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