Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - 2/27/2009

[Anubys]

it wasn't enough of a bad idea to make an ep a few weeks ago with hallucinations...they had to do it a second time without us having no clue of which was true and which was not...

that was seriously bad...

so now we wasted an ep where we learned NOTHING about anything...

[Shaunnick]

Summenator likes to wear a red bra and panties. I call that a learning experience.

[Kamakzie]

it wasn't enough of a bad idea to make an ep a few weeks ago with hallucinations...they had to do it a second time without us having no clue of which was true and which was not...

that was seriously bad...

so now we wasted an ep where we learned NOTHING about anything...

Agreed, very disappointing episode except for Summer in bra and panties.

[jwjody]

I have no idea what this episode was suppose to be about. If the real part was about the guy kidnapping her, what the hell was the stuff about the sleep clinic?

Agree with above though, Summernator in the bra and panties was the only redeeming aspect of this episode.

J

[cwoody222]

Eh, I liked it.

Still one of my favorite "must watch, nite-of" shows each week.

[MrGreg]

I liked about 5 seconds of this episode. The rest of it wasn't worth watching. This show has been pretty consistently crap since coming back from the break. I wonder if writers like writing episodes like this because they're "deep" and full of hidden meaning or something.

So disappointing.

[MickeS]

Eh, I liked it.

Still one of my favorite "must watch, nite-of" shows each week.

Same here. Yeah, this episode didn't move the overall story forward much, but I had fun watching it.

[Jeeters]

Wow, Summer actually had some lines of dialog tonight. I almost forgot she's even on this show. So what was with Cameron smiling when they were talking about pancakes?

[jones07]

Worst then just a bad episode.........I want my hour back
This series is becoming very disappointing :(

[Rob Helmerichs]

So what was with Cameron smiling when they were talking about pancakes?
Sarah's nightmare...that John is falling in love with Cameron. (Remember that the sleep center stuff didn't actually happen.)

[DouglasPHill]

Without reading any of the prior posts, this was a totally worthless ep.

[ADG]

Absolutely horrible episode

[MacThor]

Let's see, since the break we've had:

Sarah goes to the hospital
Sarah goes to a funeral
Sarah goes to a sleep clinic

I know this show is supposed to be about Sarah, but "Terminator" is still in the title too.

It's so disappointing, since last season's finale was so good. I still listen to "The Man Comes Around" because I liked that ending so much. At this point, I just want them to wrap things up. Judgment Day will not be kind to this show.

P.S. Whatever happened to their pregnant landlord and her cop boyfriend? Is that just a sub-plot that went nowhere?

[omelet1978]

You guys are way too negative on here. It was a good episode. Not their finest hour, but it was a hell of a lot better than the funeral thing last week.

[Rob Helmerichs]

It's so disappointing, since last season's finale was so good. I still listen to "The Man Comes Around" because I liked that ending so much. At this point, I just want them to wrap things up. Judgment Day will not be kind to this show.
I don't know, it seems to me there's been a lot of good stuff this season. True, the past three episodes were varying levels of weak, but I'm fascinated, e.g., by all the stuff they've done with the different factions of the future resistance (Jesse's storyline), and while the Catherine Weaver subplot is still in the set-up phase, it is very interesting as well.

They've accomplished a lot this season, which makes this little side-trip they're taking now seem a little strange...but there are hints that what's going on is more important than it seems (they're spending an awful lot of time on the blown-up factory, its relationship to the town, and Weaver's involvement). I'm hoping this is one of those things where down the road we'll say, "Oh, THAT'S what they were getting at!" Assuming the road has much down left in it.

[MacThor]

I don't know, it seems to me there's been a lot of good stuff this season. True, the past three episodes were varying levels of weak, but I'm fascinated, e.g., by all the stuff they've done with the different factions of the future resistance (Jesse's storyline), and while the Catherine Weaver subplot is still in the set-up phase, it is very interesting as well.

They've accomplished a lot this season, which makes this little side-trip they're taking now seem a little strange...but there are hints that what's going on is more important than it seems (they're spending an awful lot of time on the blown-up factory, its relationship to the town, and Weaver's involvement). I'm hoping this is one of those things where down the road we'll say, "Oh, THAT'S what they were getting at!" Assuming the road has much down left in it.

Yes, I'll grant you that the beginning of this season held some promise, and Derek Reese and Agent Ellison have become the most intriguing characters. But I think we all know this show isn't coming back so I hope the writers have an exit strategy that can play out by the end of this season. Unfortunately, the weakness of Season 2.5 has put this show on my "only watching to see how it ends" list (along with BSG).

[Shaunnick]

Yes, I'll grant you that the beginning of this season held some promise, and Derek Reese and Agent Ellison have become the most intriguing characters. But I think we all know this show isn't coming back so I hope the writers have an exit strategy that can play out by the end of this season. Unfortunately, the weakness of Season 2.5 has put this show on my "only watching to see how it ends" list (along with BSG).

Why are you so convinced it is going away? It will be going back to MOnday nifgts when PB is over. That will give it a nice combo with 24. I don't know that the new exec over at Fox broadcasting will pull the plug so quickly.

[lambertman]

Why are you so convinced it is going away? It will be going back to MOnday nifgts when PB is over.

Where on Earth did you hear something that crazy?

[JYoung]

They've accomplished a lot this season, which makes this little side-trip they're taking now seem a little strange...but there are hints that what's going on is more important than it seems (they're spending an awful lot of time on the blown-up factory, its relationship to the town, and Weaver's involvement). I'm hoping this is one of those things where down the road we'll say, "Oh, THAT'S what they were getting at!" Assuming the road has much down left in it.

It just seems to me that these are "budget saver" episodes and they aren't quite hitting the mark. We're not really learning anything new about the characters and so it comes across as filler.
I've been pretty disappointed by the last three episodes.

[Shaunnick]

Where on Earth did you hear something that crazy?

My fault, I just reread the article. It says that PB will be moving to Fridays in April to fill Terminators time slot. Apparently that will be when Terminator has its season finale. My mistake was in assuming that meant Terminator would be moving back. Apologies.

[Playloud]

From the TSCC blog...
...Some Must Watch, While Some Must Sleep is the final chapter of the series’ exploration of Sarah Connor’s mental journey...

Next week's episode should be back to the TSCC we know and love.

Next Week's Trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVu5vo_Hzl0&fmt=22

[Jim_TV]

Sometimes they are a little disappointing at first, but I kind if like the episodes that are creative or make you think, even if they are done as budget saving measures in part. It's the same way I felt about some of the unconventional Sopranos episodes. I appreciated them more afterward even though I was wishing Furio would get a chance to bust some heads instead. But still, I hope to have an action packed, Terminator filled episode next week.

[smak]

These are the kinds of episodes you'd expect to see on a succesful series that has to fill some time in the middle of the season, not a series on it's last legs.

It seems like they're just not going to be yanked, and may be able to plot a true finale, so let's get to it.

-smakm-

[bengalfreak]

This season has been so very disappointing. Have they been chased by a terminator at all? Its been so long ago, I can't remember.

[newsposter]

Summenator likes to wear a red bra and panties. I call that a learning experience.

I think they put that in there to keep people watching. While i understand not sleeping indeed can be a serious issue, spending so much time on it is a bit nuts..even though the basement did hold some secrets.

[cheesesteak]

I thought I dozed off a couple of times and missed the good parts. Turns out there weren't any. I probably need a T:TSCC For Dummies book to find out the meaning of this episode.

[Rosincrans]

I thought I dozed off a couple of times and missed the good parts. Turns out there weren't any. I probably need a T:TSCC For Dummies book to find out the meaning of this episode."Well it looks like we're not going to be picked up for next season. We might as well let Rudy write the next couple of episodes."

[Einselen]

"Well it looks like we're not going to be picked up for next season. We might as well let Rudy write the next couple of episodes."

People keep talking about the show being canceled. FOX has not yet canceled the show, they also have not yet renewed it.

[cherry ghost]

People keep talking about the show being canceled. FOX has not yet canceled the show, they also have not yet renewed it.

:confused:

[Einselen]

:confused:

I am pointing out that there is speculation that the show will not be renewed, but FOX has not taken any action in regards to the actual show status. I don't want anyone to accidentally think that FOX has leaned one way or another at this point of time.

[dcheesi]

I liked about 5 seconds of this episode. The rest of it wasn't worth watching. This show has been pretty consistently crap since coming back from the break. I wonder if writers like writing episodes like this because they're "deep" and full of hidden meaning or something.

So disappointing.No, the writers are writing like this because it's cheap, and full of non-CGI meaning... :D

[Playloud]

People keep talking about the show being canceled. FOX has not yet canceled the show, they also have not yet renewed it.
I want to see TSCC get more seasons more than anybody. However, the ratings are SO low, that there are people wondering if the show will make it to the end of its own season. They say Fox can get better ratings showing reruns of House instead.

I just don't understand it. How is this show getting fewer viewers than a RERUN of WIFE SWAP, as it did last week?!?!?

Seriously? Wife Swap? and a rerun at that? How could this be? I don't get it!

I don't know who they give these Nielsen boxes to, but I am convinced they look for people with poor taste.

[Hunter Green]

I thought maybe they're thinking "we're going to get cancelled, let's try some really out-there experimental stuff in hopes we'll hit on something that'll save us from the brink". In any case, I'm barely paying attention now.

[BluesFools]

Fox moved the show to Friday nights and ran a ton of previews with Summernator and Eliza Dushku, presenting them as the pair of bad girls on Fox Friday night. If that attracted any viewers, they must be gone by now. What, precisely, has Cameron done in the three Friday night episodes? Bumping the vending machine was the most action she's been involved in. If Fox was going to run promos like that, they should have given Cameron something to do to justify them and retain any viewers who tuned in.

[Playloud]

Fox moved the show to Friday nights and ran a ton of previews with Summernator and Eliza Dushku, presenting them as the pair of bad girls on Fox Friday night. If that attracted any viewers, they must be gone by now. What, precisely, has Cameron done in the three Friday night episodes? Bumping the vending machine was the most action she's been involved in. If Fox was going to run promos like that, they should have given Cameron something to do to justify them and retain any viewers who tuned in.
I never thought of that. You bring up a very good point. People tuning in to see her kicking ass will have been disappointed.

[dcheesi]

Fox moved the show to Friday nights and ran a ton of previews with Summernator and Eliza Dushku, presenting them as the pair of bad girls on Fox Friday night. If that attracted any viewers, they must be gone by now. What, precisely, has Cameron done in the three Friday night episodes? Bumping the vending machine was the most action she's been involved in. If Fox was going to run promos like that, they should have given Cameron something to do to justify them and retain any viewers who tuned in.Keep in mind this the same organization that made "a girl in a box!" a major part of their ad campaign --after they nixed the episode that showed the girl in the box... :rolleyes:

(Come to think of it, that was Summer as well. Hmm...)

[astrohip]

Just watched. Very very disappointing. I've watched from day one, and for the most part, have really enjoyed it. I know the ratings are dropping like a rock, and the chances for renewal are less than zero. But it's been fun to watch, so that's all that mattered.

Until lately. The last few eps have just been god-awful. The story doesn't seem to have any point. Major characters drop in & out of the story with no rhyme or reason (eg, BAG, his girlfriend, blondie). Characters with no discernible purpose. So little continuity from week to week that I honestly can't remember the previous episode, because the current one doesn't seem to follow it. Last week they were at a funeral, and saw metal rising from the swamp. Now she's in a van, or a clinic. Or not.

I'll stick it out to the end. But I've read this show has lost 50% of its viewership. And when one considers that fanboys prolly make up a good percentage of viewers, a drop like that has to be disheartening.

I gotta blame the writers for this. You know those bridges the politicians get funded that lead to nowhere, this is the story to nowhere.

[justen_m]

If anybody understood this episode, I want some of the drugs you are taking. It would have been nice if the ep was at least internally consistent.

[MrGreg]

No, the writers are writing like this because it's cheap, and full of non-CGI meaning... :D

Then could we skip the entire dream stuff and just have an hour of Summer doing ballet in her underwear? I would watch that 5 nights/week.

[Rob Helmerichs]

If anybody understood this episode, I want some of the drugs you are taking. It would have been nice if the ep was at least internally consistent.
Sarah is investigating a warehouse where the space metal is used. She is kidnapped by the guy she thought she killed in the desert. He drugs her for interrogation. She has a vivid series of nightmares about being in a sleep clinic run by terminators. She escapes and kills her captor.

Not really that complicated, once you realize which part was real and which was the dream...

[dcheesi]

They were trying pretty hard to make you think that the sleep clinic was the real one; hence the scenes with John & Summernator by themselves --it implies that we're not just in Sarah's head, since we're seeing things she wouldn't know about. But of course in dreams you sometimes can see "scenes" that you're not a part of, so that didn't mean as much as you would normally assume. It was an interesting bit of misdirection by (mis)using standard storytelling conventions.

I had guessed early on that the kidnapping was real, so those scenes didn't fool me. In fact, I thought the scene with Summer in her underwear was a veiled hint that it was a dream --people being inexplicably unclothed is a common component of dreams.

ETA: And FWIW, I have had a serial dream/nightmare like she did. Every time I went back to sleep, the dream would pick up more or less where it left off. Of course it usually took a turn each time, so the "plot" wasn't as consistent, but it felt like the same story.

[DevdogAZ]

Crappy episode. Like others have said, I'm expecting the show to end soon, so now I'm just watching to see how it ends. There really hasn't been anything interesting since the break.

[Justin526]

Sadly, this show is as good as dead come the end of this current season.

It has horrendously bad ratings and it's costly to make. That's not a good combo.

It bums me out because it's easily my most anticipated show on a weekly basis. Even lesser episodes such as this past Friday's installment are well thought out and executed.

The problem for me in watching such filler episodes is that I realize they have precious few more chances to further/complete the story and sadly such character development doesn't jive with that reality. Then again, it's not like the writers should have been writing with a mind to wrap up that which is not only their apparent passion, but their paycheck.

It's frustrating, kinda.

[nlsinger]

I'm straight, and the Summernator in hot underthings was still the best part of the episode.

[scsiguy72]

Sarah's nightmare...that John is falling in love with Cameron. (Remember that the sleep center stuff didn't actually happen.)

It didn't? I truely had no idea what was real and what wasn't.

It's a shame really. I want to like this show, I give it so many second chances. I try hard to like, it, but they are just making it hard to stay interested.

But maybe I will keep tuning in just in case Summer comes walking through the scene again in her undies.

[FlugPoP]

You guys are way too negative on here. It was a good episode. Not their finest hour, but it was a hell of a lot better than the funeral thing last week.

Yah I totally agree.

[JoeyJoJo]

I think they put that in there to keep people watching. While i understand not sleeping indeed can be a serious issue, spending so much time on it is a bit nuts..even though the basement did hold some secrets.


There was no basement.

[busyba]

There is no spoon.

[scsiguy72]

There is no spoon in the basement?

[Timbeau]

I get the feeling that the producers have totally written off the series and then said to the writers, "Here's a show you can try out new things on. Try out your most off the wall ideas such as trying to make the audience think the dream is real and reality a dream. It doesn't matter how crappy it comes out, the series is dead anyway. Make sure you don't use any good ideas though, remember -- the show is DEAD."

This was a horrible horrible episode.

It's still better than Andromeda at the end though.

[DevdogAZ]

I get the feeling that the producers have totally written off the series and then said to the writers, "Here's a show you can try out new things on. Try out your most off the wall ideas such as trying to make the audience think the dream is real and reality a dream. It doesn't matter how crappy it comes out, the series is dead anyway. Make sure you don't use any good ideas though, remember -- the show is DEAD."

This was a horrible horrible episode.

It's still better than Andromeda at the end though.
Well, according to this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=420308, there is a clear direction for the rest of the season and things get wrapped up properly. And don't forget that these episodes were written months ago, not in the last few weeks since they've known that the ratings tanked after the move to Friday.

[IndyJones1023]

WTF was that?

[newsposter]

There was no basement.

i disagree...unless you tell me sleeping quarters were on the 2nd floor because i distinctly remember them going down hiding in a stairwell and watching the bad woman enter the room...but if the room is on the 1st floor and living quarters on 2nd then i agree with you

[heySkippy]

i disagree...

I believe he's saying there was no basement because the sleep center was a dream also.

[mrmike]

I believe he's saying there was no basement because the sleep center was a dream also.

See also the spoon :D

[ThePennyDropped]

How in the world could the guy who kidnapped Sarah be alive? Didn't she shoot him in the abdomen with the gun pressed up against his body in that episode where he shot her in the leg?

[Anubys]

How in the world could the guy who kidnapped Sarah be alive? Didn't she shoot him in the abdomen with the gun pressed up against his body in that episode where he shot her in the leg?

they did a throw-away explanation that they fixed him with their advanced tech...of course, how he remained alive after the shot remains a mystery...but we're supposed to believe it and move on ;)

[newsposter]

I believe he's saying there was no basement because the sleep center was a dream also.

ok in that case i agree with joey but now i wonder why did she dream of something that didnt exist? I guess i should stop trying to make logical sense out of it. Maybe if i dream about it it will make sense:eek:

[cheesesteak]

How in the world could the guy who kidnapped Sarah be alive? Didn't she shoot him in the abdomen with the gun pressed up against his body in that episode where he shot her in the leg?
He was resurrected on the nearby baseship.

[Church AV Guy]

The scene where Cameron bangs the vending machine and many items just fall out, was also part of her dream, and not real. I wonder what that was all about (within the context of her subconscious). I get the fear of John bonding with her being visualized by the underwear scene, but John not getting the vending machine to work, and Cameron getting it to dump out lots of food (food? Snacks anyway) seems more subtile.

[mrmike]

The scene where Cameron bangs the vending machine and many items just fall out, was also part of her dream, and not real. I wonder what that was all about (within the context of her subconscious). I get the fear of John bonding with her being visualized by the underwear scene, but John not getting the vending machine to work, and Cameron getting it to dump out lots of food (food? Snacks anyway) seems more subtile.

That and the pancakes point to her being replaced as provider (I think).

[dba62]

This was the worst episode by a country mile. In the end I did understand it, but it was a complete waste of time. It took an hour to kill a guy who was already dead and really - what was the point of all the sleep center footage? Just awful.

0 on a scale of 1 to 1000.

[Einselen]

My hope is this episode is one you go back and watch (maybe on DVDs, later in general) and it makes a lot more sense after seeing more of this season. It may be a genius episode with tons of hidden information that you don't get until later.

[mattack]

it wasn't enough of a bad idea to make an ep a few weeks ago with hallucinations...they had to do it a second time without us having no clue of which was true and which was not...

I liked it. It's one of the relatively few times I think a TV episode did sort of a Sixth Sense kind of thing.

I think it was obvious which part was real and which was not -- and the cool part is that it "flipped" at some point to show which part was _actually_ real and which wasn't. (In other words, it _seemed_ that the real part was the other...)

[Playloud]

And they wasted half the air time on a gosh dran freakin' dream sequence that has zero effect on the plot! And the producers wonder why the fans of this show are dropping like flies? Sorry, the writers should have finished their masturbation in private before the return to this season. There are actual cool ideas they could address instead of crap like this episode.

They will be back on track next week. Watch the trailer (link posted earlier in the thread).

[JoeyJoJo]

And they wasted half the air time on a gosh dran freakin' dream sequence that has zero effect on the plot! And the producers wonder why the fans of this show are dropping like flies? Sorry, the writers should have finished their masturbation in private before the return to this season. There are actual cool ideas they could address instead of crap like this episode.

Maybe it had no effect on the plot immediately, but as far as character development, it helped greatly to understand Sarah better.

Not only is she the fully trained badass, but she's still a mother terrified of losing her son, whether it's to a machine, another woman, or something else. She also fears that she won't be vigilant enough and that somehow she will be the one to betray John.

[jking]

The scene where Cameron bangs the vending machine and many items just fall out, was also part of her dream, and not real. I wonder what that was all about (within the context of her subconscious). I get the fear of John bonding with her being visualized by the underwear scene, but John not getting the vending machine to work, and Cameron getting it to dump out lots of food (food? Snacks anyway) seems more subtile.

Sarah is secretly worried that Cameron is the Fonz and that the series has jumped the shark.

[DevdogAZ]

Sarah is secretly worried that Cameron is the Fonz and that the series has jumped the shark.

:up: EHHHHH! :up:

[omelet1978]

Well the ratings are in and even though TSCC and Dollhouse have low ratings they are recieving a 36% and 30% bump through dvr viewership....there is hope yet for a third season.

It reminds me of battlestar galactica's ratings. They are low every week, but when it comes to DVR playback their ratings are pretty high.

Oh, and I still think this weeks episode was pretty good. Supposedly the last 6 episodes come up are going to kickass too!

[lew]

DVR ratings mean very little to advertisers. DVR viewers are likely to FF through commercials. Some commercials are "time sensitive"--an ad for a program on TV Saturday night, a movie that opens this weekend, a sale at a local store...

DVR ratings might help product placement revenue.

[DevdogAZ]

Well the ratings are in and even though TSCC and Dollhouse have low ratings they are recieving a 36% and 30% bump through dvr viewership....there is hope yet for a third season.

It reminds me of battlestar galactica's ratings. They are low every week, but when it comes to DVR playback their ratings are pretty high.

Oh, and I still think this weeks episode was pretty good. Supposedly the last 6 episodes come up are going to kickass too!

DVR ratings mean very little to advertisers. DVR viewers are likely to FF through commercials. Some commercials are "time sensitive"--an ad for a program on TV Saturday night, a movie that opens this weekend, a sale at a local store...

DVR ratings might help product placement revenue.
You guys should come join this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=420381

[DouglasPHill]

Sarah is secretly worried that Cameron is the Fonz and that the series has jumped the shark.

+1

[wprager]

DVR ratings mean very little to advertisers. DVR viewers are likely to FF through commercials. Some commercials are "time sensitive"--an ad for a program on TV Saturday night, a movie that opens this weekend, a sale at a local store...

DVR ratings might help product placement revenue.

You can't (easily) FF through product placements.

[Church AV Guy]

That and the pancakes point to her being replaced as provider (I think).
I tried putting vanilla into my pancake batter as a test. My wife hated it! She said that they were inedible and tossed them down the garbage disposal. I guess not everyone likes them that way.

I think you might be correct. She might be feeling that the robot can provide for John better than she can. It never gets tired, never sleeps, can take a bullet, etc. Of course, the robot can also kill John without pity or remorse if its programming reverts.

[Craigbob]

I tried putting vanilla into my pancake batter as a test. My wife hated it! She said that they were inedible and tossed them down the garbage disposal. I guess not everyone likes them that way.

I always put a little vanilla in my pancakes (about 1TBSP). Along with some syrup. Occasionally I'll add a pinch of nutmeg. Folks seem to like mine.

How much did you add?

[Church AV Guy]

I don't remember how much I used. Cameron said how much in the show and that's what I used. My wife made me promise I'd never do it again. I guess I'll stick with blueberries.

[pjenkins]

This was the worst episode by a country mile. In the end I did understand it, but it was a complete waste of time. It took an hour to kill a guy who was already dead and really - what was the point of all the sleep center footage? Just awful.

0 on a scale of 1 to 1000.

finally got around to watching this one last night, god it was bad.

[dcheesi]

I don't remember how much I used. Cameron said how much in the show and that's what I used. My wife made me promise I'd never do it again. I guess I'll stick with blueberries.Note to self: don't take cooking tips from fictional killing-machines ;)

[mrmike]

Note to self: don't take cooking tips from fictional killing-machines ;)

Unless they're about how to roast exoskeletons. That was actually a pretty good recipe.

[Mars Rocket]

Unless they're about how to roast exoskeletons. That was actually a pretty good recipe.

There are no exoskeletons in TTSCC.

[mrmike]

There are no exoskeletons in TTSCC.

er endoskeleton. I always get those two confused.

[jebbbz]

Note to self: don't take cooking tips from fictional killing-machines ;)

I would be afraid to turn them down.

[dcheesi]

I would be afraid to turn them down.You're right, I should have said: don't use their cooking tips :p