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 Quality Entertainment in a Worthy Box Set Collection Nov 23, 2009
How often can it really be said that a television series actually atones for some of the big budget feature film releases of the same franchise? Calling it a rare occurrence is massively underplaying it and yet that's exactly what many viewers consider Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (especially against the very average Terminator 3: Ride of the Machines).
It would turn out that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season 2 would become last season of a solid science fiction television series that was well on its way to being a great one. Fans will delight in the bitter-sweetness that is an exceptional boxset containing some of the show's finest moments as a grave marker for the entire series. It's especially distressing on the staff commentary tracks where clearly the network's decision to cancel the series had not yet been revealed.
Unlike so many shows of late, this is one where the second season actually capitalized and realized much of the potential promised of in the first (which was pretty darn good itself). The cast expanded, with the addition of Brian Austin Green and Shirley Manson (yes the singer of grunge band Garbage). The scope of the prose enjoyed expansion as well, with new Terminators, timeline fluctuations (with visible consequence/ effect) and the intensity of the possibility of lead character death ever-present.
The acting, which was far above the norm for network television in the first series, actually manages to somehow improve for this season. It's apparent that Lena Headey and Thomas Dekker became far more comfortable with their roles as Sarah and John Connor respectively while Summer Glau is given the opportunity to contrast her role as a human rather than a machine along the way. Brain Austin Green was perfectly cast as Derek Reese (the brother of John Connor's father, Kyle) and Richard T Jones continues to dazzle with his gritty performance as James Ellison. Garret Dillahunt takes the Cromartie role to the next level with an opportunity to "reset" his character here and even Shirley Manson, surely the biggest question mark of the casting selection, absolutely astonishes with her portrayal of a T1000 (liquid metal Terminator).
Naturally the restrictions of television budgeting result in a program that's not quite as visually stunning as the recent films of the franchise, it is very possible that it looks as good as, if not better than some of the earlier movies. When T2 hit theaters, the whole "liquid metal" element was simply mind-blowing and Season 2 demonstrates the tactic ever-bit as well and as casually as if it were old hat.
Even so, the program ranks as among the best of the best of CG-heavy action on television. Just like with the films, massive explosions and gunfights abound with dark, moody environments and tones. While it would be easy for the show's creators to fall into a rhythm based upon what's worked thus far, major kudos go out for the decision to keep the characters' whole world an ever-changing affair (just as it should be given the back story of living off the grid, always on the run).
The Dolby Digital audio is mixed quite solidly as well, which is a treat considering how solid the visuals turned out. The sound follows the onscreen action with near feature film precision and though a bit front-loaded to compensate for the abundance of dialog, the use of 5.1 Surround is particularly noteworthy.
In addition to a full-color booklet with episode synopsis, the extras (spread across the full 6 discs) include:
· "The Continuing Chronicles: Terminator", an 8-part featurette gallery
· The Storyboard Process: Cameron Goes Bad
· Gag Reel
· Cameron vs. Rosie Fight Rehearsal
· Commentary on "Samson and Delilah"
· Commentary on "Allison From Palmdale"
· Commentary on "Adam Raised a Cain"
· Commentary on "Born to Run"
· Terminated Scenes on Select Episodes
Just like with the first set, perhaps my biggest complaint is the mental overload of the source material's heavy reliance upon time travel. If you really want to be a stickler, there are a few plot holes and mismatches that rear their ugly heads when laid out against the movie's timeline but in all honesty, and considering the overwhelming ambitions in sorting it all out, the television crew does an admirable job of keeping it straight.
About the biggest tragedy surrounding the whole affair is that the series does not end conclusively as again, it was cancelled before the production team could tie up all of the loose ends. As it stands (and fortunately) the 22nd (and final) episode does not end on a cliffhanger per se, it just boggles the mind to consider where the writers were going next. Considering that the program was nominated (and won) countless awards from the likes of the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, Emmy, People's Choice, Teen Choice, Visual Effects Society, and Young Artists Awards, the credentials speak far louder than any network's poor decision-making. It's nearly impossible to come away from the second season without concluding that the series was just starting to find its rhythm. It's sad that the show got the ax (especially considering how much junk was renewed) but I suppose the good news is that the Second Season box set is a beautiful addition to any library and a chance to own one of few truly impressive network television efforts of recent times.
One of the best shows on tv that cannot end with season 2 Nov 21, 2009
I've been a terminator fan since I was a kid. I have seen the movies several times so naturally when TSCC came out I was skeptical about the show. I thought it was going to be a cheasy, lame, knockoff from the movies. As a terminator fan I gave it a chance and WOW!! The show is so well written, actors actually act their part, and it follows the plot of the first two movies. DVD is the only way I can watch the show being stationed overseas, so after I finished the second season I was completely horrified and shocked that Fox didn't pick up the show for a third season. What the &%$#?! How can you end such a great show, with millions of fans, end on a cliffhanger? FOX BRING BACK THE SHOW!!! Whether you are a die hard fan or never even seen a Terminator movie, I strongly recommend this show.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Six Stars if available Nov 06, 2009
Wonderful, exciting, great characters and the time-travel elements were easy to follow and I love that stuff.
Buy it to watch the 2 seasons in a marathon TV party.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Best show on TV Nov 05, 2009
this was the best show on TV. smart, dramatic and creative. great acting as well.
it's a real shame it got cancelled- they didn't give it the opportunity to reach it's potential. what a great show.
 Sarah Connor Chronicles season 2 Nov 01, 2009
The second season was ok. It wasn't as good as the first season, so i see why the show was cancelled. Having said that, though, towards the end of the season the plot was starting to progress and get really interesting, so it's a shame that there can be no closure for the millions of viewers that watched the show when it aired on television.
The characters are really good, the twists are predictable, but still worthy of the show, and the special effects are pretty good for t.v.
All in all, it's definitely worth watching if you are a fan of the show.
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