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DVD TV Show Reviews
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Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles - The Complete First Season
by Suzanne 8/2/08 |
I loved this show from episode one, all the way through the
first season, so I am very happy to get this disk collection. It is a
thrill-a-minute ride, just like the movies. Yet, because it's a TV show, it has
more layers and more character development. It was a brilliant idea to show what
John Connor's teen years would be like because he's got a few more problems than
your average teen. Like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Joan of Arcadia, or many other
scifi/fantasy shows, he is trying to be a regular high school kid, even though
he knows that he has a great destiny that has to come first.
They chose great actors for the show. They all do a fabulous job. Lena Headey is
a very worthy successor to Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor (Hamilton played her in
the Terminator movies). The actor who plays John, Thomas Dekker, does a great
job as the angsty John. He previously played a minor role on "Heroes", which I
also watch. The casting department on the show deserves kudoes for the job they
have done here for every single role.
Like 24, the show is action-packed, especially in this first season. It just
grabs you and doesn't let you go. I'm sure that you are familiar with the basic
plot from the three Terminator movies: evil robots from the future are sent to
the present to kill John so that he won't lead a successful human rebellion
against the robots. I am not a Terminator expert, so I can't tell you whether
the show sticks closely to the movies' history or whether it messes up any
timelines. It's not the kind of show that really sticks to one certain timeline,
though, since it can be changed so drastically and easily. It's not really a
time travel show, but some time travel does occur. Honestly, though, I don't
find that part confusing. I just enjoy the great characters and the action. Even
if you've never seen the movies, you will probably enjoy the show on its own.
One of my favorite actresses also stars in this show as a robot from the future,
but she has been programmed to help the Connor family, not hurt them. Summer
Glau, who previously starred in "Firefly" and "The 4400" (and was superb in
both) does her usual great job here as Cameron. As the three travel around the
country, Cameron and John must pose as brother and sister. Cameron looks young
enough to pose as a high school girl. Since she is very sexy, it makes it
difficult for John to remember she's a robot.
Anyway, it's an awesome show, especially if you like scifi. Now, the DVD set is
packed with many features that are worth having if you are a fan of the show.
There are commentaries on three of the episodes (why only three, I'm not sure--
maybe because they wanted to rush it out while the show was still in its second
season, since FOX tends to cancel scifi shows very quickly). There is a
behind-the-scenes specially called "Creating the Chronicles" which examines how
the show is made. There are two different versions of one of the episodes "The
Demon Hand", which is a pivotal episode (guest-starring fine actor Bruce
Davison). I guess they cut their original for TV, so here is the extended
version as well as the one that aired. There are the usual features such as cast
audition scenes, storyboard, gag reel, and unaired scenes. They also show SUmmer
Glau's dance rehearsal (she dances toward the end of the season).
The DVD set is just a really great treat and everyone should buy it.
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