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Terminator: Heavy Metal

This is my least favorite episode of the series thus far. I didn’t like it the first time I saw it, and I was not looking forward to re-watching it. But I gave it another shot for the sake of the reviews. Sadly, it didn’t fare much better the second time.

So far it seems the more an episode focuses on John and his struggles with his destiny, the more tedious and predictable it becomes. Good old teenage angst leading to petulant, stupid decisions and Big Trouble. Earlier episodes at least threw in some good Sarah and/or Sarah and Cameron material to balance out the irritating John bits, but this one didn’t even give us that. Sarah and Cameron were essentially reduced to a one-note rescue squad and comic relief. I don’t mind the occasional bit of humor in the Sarah/Cameron dynamic, but funny Thelma and Louise is not really what I want to see for these two characters.

At least the episode also featured Agent Ellison and the now finally restored Cromartie. (I’m glad Cromartie is back to being freaky and scary, as opposed to just gross.) I liked seeing more of Ellison’s dynamic at the Bureau. He reminds me of a cross between Agent Mulder from The X-Files and Inspector Javert from Les Miserables. He is going to pursue his quarry and the truth, no matter the cost to his reputation and career trajectory. Watching him inch closer and closer to the truth is fascinating and scary all at the same time. Especially now that he’s “found” his killer. I’m getting really worried for him.

Cameron’s comments about the Terminators and their mission programming made me wonder, again, if this is supposed to explain her sudden inability to act normal in school. I’m also starting to wonder about the full extent of her mission. Why steal the metal bar at the end? Is she supposed to do something other than protect John? Hmmm … I like that her motives are very cloudy.

I also noticed in this episode that Cameron has a very heavy walk. A nice touch from the sound effects guys.

The reveal that the machines are also sending back fighters to stockpile materials was interesting. I like the idea that they are doing more than just trying to kill John Connor. It fleshes out the universe a little more, and lends support to the idea that the future is changeable and not a fixed loop.

Final rating: 2 out of 5. I will not be watching this one again.

Jess Lynde is a highly engaged television viewer. Probably a bit too engaged.

1 comment:

  1. Fudge, I haven't noticed about the walking. Next ep, I'll tune my ears.

    Loved this : "You can go, if you can get passed her!"

    ReplyDelete

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