Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (DVD review)
Of all the sci fi series canceled in 2009, T:SCC was the one I was really hoping would survive, especially with the killer twist in the final episode. It was ripe for renewal but sadly has gone to the great TV show graveyard in the skies. It’s always sad when a TV series was cancelled but at least this one goes out with a bang.Picking up right after season one’s explosive conclusion and things are not looking good for the Connors. Cameron gone rogue after being blown up and Sarah and John find themselves held hostage by Sarkissian. It’s a cracking start to what was to be the final series of this fascinating sci fi series. Thrown into the mix is a T-1001 posing as Catherine Weaver (Shirley Manson), the CEO of ZeiraCorp, with its own secret agenda involving The Turk.
This is the fascinating part. The Turk was the driving force behind the subplot of series one, a possible precursor for Skynet. Yet Weaver doesn’t seem to want to start Judgement Day, indeed by the end of the series she is keen to prevent it completely using the AI created from The Turk and implanted in Cromartie’s shell. This being – nicknamed John Henry – becomes the real hero of the series, as he learns and grows, becoming a being of morals and curiosity. Also thrown into the mix are John’s uncle, Derek, and Agent Ellison, who becomes John Henry’s teacher. The final revelations
At the same time Cameron is also changing, after her chip is damaged she returns to her original mission before being reprogrammed by the Resistance – to kill John Connor. However she eventually chooses to disobey this programming but all promise of what she could become is left uncertain due to the series’ cancellation. Yet there’s the ongoing impression that there will at some point be something between the two of them.
The whole series is presented over six discs and it’s really a rollercoaster. This series doesn’t just delve into John Henry’s growth, there are also tantalising glimpses of a future gone bad. That said, many of the episodes have a ‘Terminator victim of the week’ feel but most focus on the overarching plot involving three dots, John Henry and the T-1001′s attempts to masquerade as Catherine Weaver.
In the end though, this is the last we’ll see of this particular series and it’s a crying shame. Just as all the twists and turns where sorted and a whole knew question dumped in viewers’ laps. The series does end, leaving an almost bitter aftertaste as beloved characters are changed for ever, others are cut down almost carelessly and a darker, but very different future is revealed. That said though, it’s one of the saddest causalities of 2009 but at least it lives on in DVD form.
Season two of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is out on DVD and Blu Ray now.



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