Day 8: "You. This Show. Watch now."

[rogueslayer452]

Day 08 - A show everyone should watch


Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

"It is said that the death of any one person is the death of an entire world. Certainly for parents, the death of a child is no less than a holocaust. In the case of my son, these words are literally true. And even though we’ve traveled through time, bent the rules of nature, they will keep coming for him. Keep trying to kill him. But until that day, it’s gonna be one hell of a dogfight."

Although canceled after two seasons, it's certainly a worthwhile show to watch that I feel some people have missed out on while it was airing. If you like science fiction, similar shows to Battlestar Galactica and Caprica, or just like the Terminator franchise in general, I definitely recommend this show.

I'm not going to go overboard in fear I might spoil those who are interested or contemplating watching the show, but let me just say that this show absolutely surprised me after watching the pilot. I knew that I would watch and like it because I'm a fan of the franchise myself, but I never expected it to blow me away as it did. It totally hooked me from the beginning, and I stuck with in all the way to the end. There's been some debate about the second season and how it held up and all of that, but honestly? It's a great show overall and it really deals with the characters, with John Connor and how he managed during his teenager years (and if you disliked T3 I think you'll appreciate this show, since it doesn't have any regards to it whatsoever, obviously from a timeline standpoint), plus it shows that not only is John Connor a regular teenage boy but that all these characters are human; they make mistakes, they are flawed individuals. Sarah Connor, the series told from her eyes, is just remarkably strong and courageous, again one of the few women characters on television today; taking on the role previously set by Linda Hamilton and, IMO, pulls it off very well. We see her struggling between shaping her son into becoming the future leader of humanity and being a mother, seeing her train of thought at knowing what is right and wrong in situations such as this. There's also Cameron, our new resident Terminator sent back to help aide John Connor, who undergoes learning about humanity along with her relationship with John.

Plus, it's SUMMER GLAU. How can anyone not be interested in a show that features her? ;p

This is a show that shouldn't have been canceled, but unlike some shows the series finale was very satisfactory, as we know it doesn't end there as the franchise continues on, if only there's a cliffhanger that leaves us wondering what happens after that. But I say after two seasons of explosive action and character drama, even if we wanted more, it is conclusive as it is and left open for many hopeful possibilities.

The score soundtrack is also particularly outstanding, as well. It completely fits the mood of the entire atmosphere of the show, and it's composed by Bear McCreary who is also known for his incredible work on BSG as well and who is, in my opinion, a musical genius. Here's a sample from the OST:

Watch on YouTube

In conclusion, I highly recommend this show to everyone, even if you're not a science fiction person, because it has not only action scenes but drama between characters, a mystery woven throughout and for anyone familiar with the Terminator franchise you know that ending of the show or not it's not the end. It's a very unique and well-done interpretation of filling in the blanks to what happened to John Connor between T2 and T3 and the character stories are fantastic, it's just all around wonderful.


Runner ups for this category: Battlestar Galactica, Legend of the Seeker and Firefly

Masterlist of days here.

Comments

[carameltrap.livejournal.com]

What I love about this show is how they took the well beloved characters and developed them and gave them so much more depth that what we've seen in the movies.

[rawthorne.livejournal.com]

I loved this show when it was running, although I maintain that the writing in season 2 placed a nail in TTSCC coffin. Too many new characters, too little development and it just seemed both Sarah and John were permanently pissed off. Not to say they shouldn't be, but season 1 showed a bit more variety in the acting and the tension wasn't quite so pervasive.

I still mourn the fact that the show is off the air now. Lena Headey is a fantastic actress.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Heh, I liked S2 very much although I agree that they introduced just too much in the short timespan we had with it. It would have been better if some of them were mildly introduced in the first season then gradually got development over into the next. Of course, whatever happened to that original blonde girl that John was talking with in S1? I've always wondered that, was that the original concept for Riley and it just didn't work out?

I miss Lena Headey, she was fantastic. All three of them were, they played off each other so well.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's precisely what I loved about it too. There was much development of these characters in a very real way with what they were dealing with, it just fills in those blanks the movies didn't show you and I think they did a marvelous job with handling all of them. I especially liked that we see the gradual humanizing of Cameron, which is very similar to the beginnings of what we saw in T2 with "Uncle Bob".

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I'm still puzzled as to why they canceled it. I heard it was about ratings, which is a contributing factor but I figured since this was a show based around a very popular franchise it would have gotten more press. But this was FOX, they don't do well with promoting and advertising anything that isn't one of their top rated shows. *cough*GLEE*cough*

[cheerful-earl.livejournal.com]

I LOVE THIS SHOW.

WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS IN MY BRAIN, BB? :D

I still haven't finished it, which makes me sad and angry. I only have like three episodes to go.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

BRAINTWINS BB, BRAINTWINS. ;D

THEN STEP TO IT, GURL! It's very awesome, and I really like the outcome and how they handled the finale very well. It's sad how there won't be anything else after it, but it makes you feel satisfied. :)

[falsebeginnings.livejournal.com]

I miss Summer Glau on my tv being awesome and kicking ass.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

She's going to be in a new NBC show this fall called The Cape, apparently going to kick ass there as well so. Yeah. :)

[imisspadfoot21.livejournal.com]

Hmm...well I keep hearing about this show, so I might watch it now.

Thanks!

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's definitely worth a watching, at least the pilot because that's what drew me in and I was not expecting it to be as amazing as it was. So yeah, give it a try and see how you like it. Especially if you're familiar with the Terminator movies and mythology you'll definitely enjoy the show. And if not, well, you'll still enjoy the show. :)