Terminator: Today is the Day, Part 2

I wasn’t real jazzed by this two-parter. Despite some intriguing moments, it was much more low key than I would have expected or wanted at this point in the season. I found the second part particularly underwhelming. It seems strange to say that for an episode that featured a liquid metal terminator, a break room riot, several key confrontations, and the likely death of a major character at the hands of another. And yet, in the end, I was left feeling rather ho hum about the whole thing.

I do have to give the episode credit for bringing the Riley and Jessie story to what felt like a fitting conclusion. John and Derek learned the truth, we learned Jessie’s motivations, and she paid for her crimes. The tale even featured some surprising twists: John already knowing about Jessie and laying in wait for her; learning that Jessie lost a baby in the future/past; and learning that Future John tries to join forces with a faction of liquid metal terminators.

There were other things to enjoy in the episode as well. I loved John’s initial conversation with Derek about his chances against Cameron. What a great way to make Derek understand that Cameron didn’t kill Riley, and to begin convincing him that maybe Jessie did. I also really liked Jessie and Derek’s final scene. I knew he’d kill her when he found out what she’d done, but I liked the way they revisited his history with Andy/Wisher and the fact that she’s from a different future to explain why he’d go through with it (I honestly think he did). It’s always interesting to get some insight into the inner workings of Derek’s mind and how he justifies his actions. We even got a great scene at the end in which John finally lets himself grieve for Riley. It was nice to see him turn to Sarah for comfort rather than Cameron (even if she’s not necessarily better equipped to provide it).

Once again, the John Henry, Catherine, and Ellison material felt like it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the episode. That said, the writers did pique my “what’s really going on here?” radar when John Henry told Catherine that Ellison agreed to leave him turned on and she said “Well, that’s progress.” I’m starting to think that she’s not interested in John Henry learning morality at all, but rather learning how best to manipulate humans emotionally. She seems to want Ellison to see John Henry as more than just a machine. In retrospect, John Henry’s comments about “the eyes being the window to the soul” and his “friendship” with Ellison seem designed to break down Ellison’s preconceived notions about his pupil. In that context, I suppose their scenes did provide a nice counterpoint to Jessie’s experiences.

Other thoughts:

The lack of background music in several of the scenes was very conspicuous.

Jessie to Cameron: “What the hell are we fighting for, if telling you is the same thing as telling Connor? You’re a damn machine. You’re not the same. It’s not the same.” It’s pretty hard to argue with that point. Between that and losing her baby, it’s no wonder Jessie thought things would be better if she split up John and his “metal bitch.”

And with the demise of Captain Queeg, yet another actor from The Wire meets an unfortunate fate on Terminator. This one was pretty easy to see coming.

Final rating: 3 out of 5. I’m hoping the last few episodes step things up a little.

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

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