TSCC: The Finale Episodes
Mar. 4th, 2008 05:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer4521.08 "Vick's Chip"
I think one of the interesting aspects of this episode was discovering how memory works on these terminators, and how their memory/brain chips can have stored information, while incoherent, that may be useful to solving complicated puzzles. This is what I'm wondering about how the Cylon models in BSG can store their memories -- then again, they have the collective memory thing going on, where one model can keep information stored from another model of their number (like how Sharon on Caprica could acquire the memories and behavior from Boomer on Galactica, and how all the Three's could've been "fundamentally corrupted" by D'Anna's findings of the Final Five, and so forth). Then again, the Cylons are more evolved and human-like than the Terminator models, because I don't think Cameron could ever reproduce since she IS mechanical underneath all that skinunless future!John made or reprogrammed her differently, which should be an interesting fanwank if you will.
I was freaked out when the chip suddenly was activated and the computer acted like the eyes of the machine. When the screen went red and the target aquired was on John, I was like holy frak! That's some twisted shit there, but then again they are machines and they can be connected to anything that is machine-like. Pretty awesome, in a scary way.
But I guess the best scene of this episode was the human connection between Cameron and John. I know that Thomas Dekker mentioned that there would be some kind of connection between them in a previous interview, and the finale bits would provide that there might be something more happening between them. I was pleasantly surprised to see more involvement with Cameron and John, particularly once Cameron mentioned that when they were performing the "operation" to get her chip out that they'd done this procedure many times before. Now it's no secret that I like the possibilities of John/Cameron, and this pretty much opened the doors to those possibilities now that they've made it canonical that her and future!John have worked together intimately in terms of chip-removal and whatnot. It just makes things more interesting.
I also liked that John was defending Cameron and believes that she would not betray him. Derek, for all his good intentions, seems to think that all Terminators are the same and, even when reprogrammed, may still turn back to their original programming and kill them all. Though Cameron is slightly secretive (even a little scary) and does admit to lie about important things, I firmly believe future!John programmed her in that way so these important things don't get out until the time is right. Or perhaps John has to find out for himself.
I'm going to fanwank here: in Sarah's monologue she mentions that everyone wears a mask, and with Vick's chip there are memory cards which has him pretending to be human only to get the information he needs to complete his mission. There's something mysterious going on with that wacky blonde girl John keeps going after. So what if she's wearing a "mask" of some sort? Not necessarily one of a machine but there's another secret she cannot reveal, that her family or whatever is part of something and she has to keep to herself, therefore denying anything said about her? I don't know, but they're obviously setting her up for being someone with secrets and not being all there, and since this follows with the Terminator mythos who knows what else is going on with this girl. Since it strikes me as odd she would dismiss being from Wichita as if it were a disease or something.
1.09 "What He Beheld"
The chola returned! Personally, I think she's the best silent recurring character in the series, and there should be more of her and Cameron interacting or just being around each other.
You know, when I was watching the previous episode I kept thinking if Derek and Kyle were alive in this year wouldn't he have been a kid and still running around? Surely enough in this episode, not only do we see a flashforward scene with young!Kyle and young!Derek, but Derek takes John to the park to see those younger versions firsthand and in person. This is, it actually broke my heart and made me tear up, I'm not going to lie. It was very well-done for the emtional impact. But of course, here I am thinking about the whole time paradox issue and whether this could create some repercussions, but I'm like whatever. This scene is heartfelt and it brings a certain balance to Derek's character. Besides, he knew all along that John was his nephew. How can you hide the fact that your nephew looks like your younger brother? Seriously. It's still pretty awesome how it all played out. I'm actually liking Derek a whole lot more now. He can rant and rave all he wants about the machines, but for touching moments like taking your nephew out for his birthday and showing him something like that, I'd say keep him as a regular for the second season. And there WILL be a second season, I command it be so!
Also, doesn't the younger versions of Derek and Kyle remind anyone of Sam and Dean in a way? Just me then? Okay. Moving on...
The Johnny Cash musical montage was really cool. At first I was like, WTF are they doing musical montages for? Whatever happened to the score? But then, given what this episode was all about and the biblical verses being repeated, it makes sense. It was also the moment of truth for the FBI agent Ellison that the machines are really real, and now he fully believes. He was exposed before, with the hand and seeing Sarah Connor through the fire (trial by fire, y'all), but this has fully convinced him that these machines are real. Now hopefully this means that when he finds Sarah Connor again he'll be teaming with her or helping her in a way. It's also awesome that he and Charley connected on that very same level, too.
I need to say this, I really love Sarah's monologues. Just like Mohinder monologues, they give great records of information that are helpful and useful for each episode. Like diary entries that help define the underlining message of what'd occurred, to give the audience a sense of what's happened and a morality lesson to this life she lives. Her reciting the message from Lord of the Flies in connection to what'd happened at the hotel was amazing.
And then....KA-BOOOOM! They CANNOT leave it there, that's an obvious cliffhanger. Of course Cameron cannot die, but her skin will no doubtfully not be intact. Yeesh.
There's so much to tie-up and discover with this series. Like what's going to happen with The Turk? Will Cameron go to prom even after being blown up? What's up with that blonde chick and is there anything beyond her weird behavior that's setting up for something bigger? Will they stop The Turk from ever creating Skynet? Will John become the leader he's supposed to? Cameron and John, is their relationship purely a man-machine one or does it go deeper than that? GAH! They cannot cancel it, and if it doesn't get renewed I'm gonna scream.
Dear FOX,
We've had our disagreements and I've cursed you more times than I can count for canceling my shows prematurely or barely giving them a chance to show their full potential. Though I have praised you for keeping Bones and House on your network, and I was thrilled to see you've given Dollhouse a chance. HOWEVER, if you do not renew TSCC for a second season, mark my words, THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
Signed,
A Viewer That Has Had Issues With Your Network But Is Willing To Make Exceptions
I think one of the interesting aspects of this episode was discovering how memory works on these terminators, and how their memory/brain chips can have stored information, while incoherent, that may be useful to solving complicated puzzles. This is what I'm wondering about how the Cylon models in BSG can store their memories -- then again, they have the collective memory thing going on, where one model can keep information stored from another model of their number (like how Sharon on Caprica could acquire the memories and behavior from Boomer on Galactica, and how all the Three's could've been "fundamentally corrupted" by D'Anna's findings of the Final Five, and so forth). Then again, the Cylons are more evolved and human-like than the Terminator models, because I don't think Cameron could ever reproduce since she IS mechanical underneath all that skin
I was freaked out when the chip suddenly was activated and the computer acted like the eyes of the machine. When the screen went red and the target aquired was on John, I was like holy frak! That's some twisted shit there, but then again they are machines and they can be connected to anything that is machine-like. Pretty awesome, in a scary way.
But I guess the best scene of this episode was the human connection between Cameron and John. I know that Thomas Dekker mentioned that there would be some kind of connection between them in a previous interview, and the finale bits would provide that there might be something more happening between them. I was pleasantly surprised to see more involvement with Cameron and John, particularly once Cameron mentioned that when they were performing the "operation" to get her chip out that they'd done this procedure many times before. Now it's no secret that I like the possibilities of John/Cameron, and this pretty much opened the doors to those possibilities now that they've made it canonical that her and future!John have worked together intimately in terms of chip-removal and whatnot. It just makes things more interesting.
I also liked that John was defending Cameron and believes that she would not betray him. Derek, for all his good intentions, seems to think that all Terminators are the same and, even when reprogrammed, may still turn back to their original programming and kill them all. Though Cameron is slightly secretive (even a little scary) and does admit to lie about important things, I firmly believe future!John programmed her in that way so these important things don't get out until the time is right. Or perhaps John has to find out for himself.
I'm going to fanwank here: in Sarah's monologue she mentions that everyone wears a mask, and with Vick's chip there are memory cards which has him pretending to be human only to get the information he needs to complete his mission. There's something mysterious going on with that wacky blonde girl John keeps going after. So what if she's wearing a "mask" of some sort? Not necessarily one of a machine but there's another secret she cannot reveal, that her family or whatever is part of something and she has to keep to herself, therefore denying anything said about her? I don't know, but they're obviously setting her up for being someone with secrets and not being all there, and since this follows with the Terminator mythos who knows what else is going on with this girl. Since it strikes me as odd she would dismiss being from Wichita as if it were a disease or something.
1.09 "What He Beheld"
The chola returned! Personally, I think she's the best silent recurring character in the series, and there should be more of her and Cameron interacting or just being around each other.
You know, when I was watching the previous episode I kept thinking if Derek and Kyle were alive in this year wouldn't he have been a kid and still running around? Surely enough in this episode, not only do we see a flashforward scene with young!Kyle and young!Derek, but Derek takes John to the park to see those younger versions firsthand and in person. This is, it actually broke my heart and made me tear up, I'm not going to lie. It was very well-done for the emtional impact. But of course, here I am thinking about the whole time paradox issue and whether this could create some repercussions, but I'm like whatever. This scene is heartfelt and it brings a certain balance to Derek's character. Besides, he knew all along that John was his nephew. How can you hide the fact that your nephew looks like your younger brother? Seriously. It's still pretty awesome how it all played out. I'm actually liking Derek a whole lot more now. He can rant and rave all he wants about the machines, but for touching moments like taking your nephew out for his birthday and showing him something like that, I'd say keep him as a regular for the second season. And there WILL be a second season, I command it be so!
Also, doesn't the younger versions of Derek and Kyle remind anyone of Sam and Dean in a way? Just me then? Okay. Moving on...
The Johnny Cash musical montage was really cool. At first I was like, WTF are they doing musical montages for? Whatever happened to the score? But then, given what this episode was all about and the biblical verses being repeated, it makes sense. It was also the moment of truth for the FBI agent Ellison that the machines are really real, and now he fully believes. He was exposed before, with the hand and seeing Sarah Connor through the fire (trial by fire, y'all), but this has fully convinced him that these machines are real. Now hopefully this means that when he finds Sarah Connor again he'll be teaming with her or helping her in a way. It's also awesome that he and Charley connected on that very same level, too.
I need to say this, I really love Sarah's monologues. Just like Mohinder monologues, they give great records of information that are helpful and useful for each episode. Like diary entries that help define the underlining message of what'd occurred, to give the audience a sense of what's happened and a morality lesson to this life she lives. Her reciting the message from Lord of the Flies in connection to what'd happened at the hotel was amazing.
And then....KA-BOOOOM! They CANNOT leave it there, that's an obvious cliffhanger. Of course Cameron cannot die, but her skin will no doubtfully not be intact. Yeesh.
There's so much to tie-up and discover with this series. Like what's going to happen with The Turk? Will Cameron go to prom even after being blown up? What's up with that blonde chick and is there anything beyond her weird behavior that's setting up for something bigger? Will they stop The Turk from ever creating Skynet? Will John become the leader he's supposed to? Cameron and John, is their relationship purely a man-machine one or does it go deeper than that? GAH! They cannot cancel it, and if it doesn't get renewed I'm gonna scream.
Dear FOX,
We've had our disagreements and I've cursed you more times than I can count for canceling my shows prematurely or barely giving them a chance to show their full potential. Though I have praised you for keeping Bones and House on your network, and I was thrilled to see you've given Dollhouse a chance. HOWEVER, if you do not renew TSCC for a second season, mark my words, THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
Signed,
A Viewer That Has Had Issues With Your Network But Is Willing To Make Exceptions
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no subject
Date: 2008-03-05 11:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-05 07:56 pm (UTC)Summer Glau = too pretty to dismember. Srsly.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-05 12:56 pm (UTC)I'm worried over the fate of this as well--Firefly characters by in large do not bode well in other shows. Nathan, Adam and Morena have had their shows pulled out after joining the cast (Adam twice). Jewel seems to be faring a bit better with SGA and Adam might be okay with Chuck now, but that still leaves plenty of room for Summer to be screwed by Fox...
no subject
Date: 2008-03-05 08:02 pm (UTC)I've never watched 90210 so I don't know Brian Austin Green, but I'm growing on his character quite a bit especially after that episode alone.
And the gratiutious shower scene.It's true that Fireflyverse actors' fates on other shows don't do as good as we'd liked, but I think the difference between TSCC is that it's part of the huge film franchise and, if the networks are smart, will see that audiences will take it in stride. Plus there's MANY possibilities because it is taking the universe and mythos from the films and really creating their own in this medium. Besides, hasn't TSCC done well considering the episodes they've had air? I'd like to have some hope that it'll survive on FOX. *crosses fingers*
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 12:29 am (UTC)and seriously more shower scenes pleaseah but remember--Fox LOVES to screw with their audiences, almost as much (but still not quite enough) as the BBC does. They don't have a sensible person amongst them at all. Even if its well liked, if it doesn't bring in the BIG numbers that Fox likes to align itself with, the future is murky at best. (why I'm glad Heroes wasn't on Fox, season 2? Yeah with how far the numbers dropped
horribly writing aside and some horrible character choiceswe wouldn't be seeing a Season 3. Fox doesn't like two things: spending big money and mediocre ratings. From what I can tell TSCC started out really well in numbers and approval, but then it petered out. I guess hardcore fans of the movies were put off by the changes made and then of course casual viewers who just wanted to see what it was about would be put off by the fact knowing some of the mythos is helpful, though not necessary if you pay attention for more then a second...) It must have really gotten their goat that Firefly was not only a hot seller on DVD, but got itself a Big Screen Movie too.no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 01:13 am (UTC)I'm not necessarily a hardcore fan, but I've seen T1 and T2 plenty of times to know what's happening and I have enough sense to know that this is a different medium and there will be changes. I just don't want TSCC to crash and burn just because of that reason, since it's a pretty petty one. I'm loving the series and, quite honestly, I do think it has a fighting chance. I really do.
This also gets me worrying about Dollhouse, if FOX is being faithful to their word that they're going to air all the episodes they said they would, or if that was just talk because of the strike causing issues with them?
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 01:33 am (UTC)late fanto Stargate SG1, I understand where TSCC is coming from.plus the third one was so bad it should be completely forgottenI lost faith in FOX ever airing anything I enjoy a great deal through to a satisfying conclusion. I've lost so many shows to their issues that I just give up now. Though maybe, just maybe we'll get lucky and SciFi will pick up TSCC if Fox ends it. After all when Firefly first ended SciFi wasn't quite the network it is now (at least programming wise).
And I need a Summer Glau show on the air. The 4400 was canceled so I can't get my fix of her through there anymore...
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 02:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 05:49 am (UTC)Dear Network that shall NOT BE NAMED,
You suck. You have always sucked. I refused to watch shows on your channel because of your previous suckage however, you lured me again with David Boreanaz, Hugh Laurie, the EVER PRESENT and BEAUTIFUL Eliza Dushku and NOW Summer Glau. Damn You!
If you should so much as breath a thought of cancellation for either Dollhouse or TSCC... MARK MY WORDS, THERE WILL BE NOT ONLY BLOOD but you will feel my rath. Trust me... renewing it will be easier. So just get it done and DON'T SUCK!!!! Like you normally do...
Thanks,
Signed,
A Viewer who refuses to enable your SUCKY-NESS any more.
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 06:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 04:29 pm (UTC)And don't worry I feel the same way about Dollhouse... UBER PISSED won't quite cover it.
How's you? How's school?
no subject
Date: 2008-03-06 10:09 pm (UTC)