Here's what I wrote on 30 April 2009, right after watching this pilot:
This managed to give me a fit of rage!
First off, rise and shine everybody, the story died in Hollywood, or rather the producers became that idiot to kill it anyway. I believe that every age has its own unique writers and writing, but it seems that this age's producers aren't unique, or even close. Look at today's movies; they're nothing but based on older movies, TV shows, comics, video games, or sequels, prequels, spin-offs, reboots, and even midquels (Yes, there are things named midquels now!). But to have the same problem in TV as well?! I mean if all the world's men have become with mustaches, it's fine with me, but all the women too? It's horrific! WHERE ARE THE ORIGINAL IDEAS??!! Sure they're out there, waiting for the production companies to make them, but apparently these companies don't give a hoot!
Writer / director (James Cameron) made once 2 movies; (The Terminator - 1984), and (Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 1991). I'm not a fan, however I have to admit that they were big hits, and considered classic sci-fi action. But when their lead (Arnold Schwarzenegger) made many flops later, he decided to do what all of Hollywood stars use to do whenever their careers goes wrong; a come back to their hit role. The third movie, (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 2003), wasn't that great, toying with the 2 previous movies' story (about the GONE-TOO-BORING END OF THE WORLD!), let alone that it nearly remade the second one yet with a female super stalker. I go through this history lecture simply to assure that: 1) They returned to the old story, 12 years after the second movie, because "the name got fame". 2) They did nothing but repeating this second one! 3) There was an intention to exploit the name through next movies and - why not - TV shows too. Ok, my only comment is: Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!
Despite that part of me was happy to have the chance of watching a new (Hmmm!) action show, and despite the fast-paced, hot-colored persona of it, (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) pilot is dull and un-enjoyable exploitation. Though it's not totally pointless, since it's made for one unmistakable purpose: The Cash.. namely the god of most of the producers!
Clearly this is the practical definition of bankruptcy. After the super stalker was a man in the first movie, he became the super helper in the second one. And after the super stalker was a woman in the third movie, the super helper became a woman in the TV show. See, it's an easy game of changing cards, where "Come with me if you wanna live" is what the produces say to their poor writers! Ironically, recreating the good terminator as a girl, and naming her (Cameron) - obviously to honor (James Cameron) - could be the first and last original things here!
To make matters worse, from all the plots in the world they selected "good guys on the run" aka (The Fugitive - 1963) good old formula, which was recycled many times along the years, just remember: (The A-Team - 1983), (Hot Pursuit - 1984), (P. S. I. Luv U - 1991), (Vanishing Son - 1995), (18 Wheels of Justice - 2000), or even (Renegade - 1992). The thing is, this round, it's not an old plot only; IT'S AN OLD STORY TOO!
While some fans were mad because the script ignored part 3 completely, I was more mad because of a very logical question: Is the future Skynet that dumb?! Because if all that is needed is getting rid of tomorrow's leader John Connor, then why doesn't it send a machine to older time to get rid of him early?! Or get rid of his mother while she was pregnant? Or get rid of his father? His grandfather? Or (James Cameron) as the original responsible for all of this drivel in the first place?!!
Add to that, (Lena Headey) as (Sarah Connor) dreams of herself in a miniskirt?! Has long kisses with her boyfriend. And (Summer Glau) as (Cameron) is supposedly naked in more than one scene?? As if it all became about gathering elements of sex and violence, through pretty old story and plot, to fill the channels' air with more air, or dirty air for that matter, which is repugnant before being pathetic!
To be objective, I liked: Lines like "I'll make pancakes" and "class dismissed", and where they were being said. (Headey) and (Glau) charisma. The decent visual effects. And the moment in which (Cameron) somehow makes a connection between playing a role in saving people, and having friends. You're not a weirdo when you help people out.. nice message indeed.
Finally, some messages from my side. To the one who came up with this show's idea: You're evil! To the producers that don't care about new or different ideas: You're worse than evil! To my fellows, the miserable viewers: Hang on folks, nothing goes forever! To the director: How come that (Sara)'s house has a bullet-proof chair?! And to the writers: Why not making it as a comedic cartoon series, naming it "100 ways to not kill John Connor"?! It would work better this way!
Who knows? It may turn into the best TV show ever! But according to the idea itself, I'm not enthusiastic, seeing that it's not The Sarah Connor Chronicles; it's The American TV Bankruptcy Chronicle!
.. Even the pilot episode is entitled "pilot"!
This managed to give me a fit of rage!
First off, rise and shine everybody, the story died in Hollywood, or rather the producers became that idiot to kill it anyway. I believe that every age has its own unique writers and writing, but it seems that this age's producers aren't unique, or even close. Look at today's movies; they're nothing but based on older movies, TV shows, comics, video games, or sequels, prequels, spin-offs, reboots, and even midquels (Yes, there are things named midquels now!). But to have the same problem in TV as well?! I mean if all the world's men have become with mustaches, it's fine with me, but all the women too? It's horrific! WHERE ARE THE ORIGINAL IDEAS??!! Sure they're out there, waiting for the production companies to make them, but apparently these companies don't give a hoot!
Writer / director (James Cameron) made once 2 movies; (The Terminator - 1984), and (Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 1991). I'm not a fan, however I have to admit that they were big hits, and considered classic sci-fi action. But when their lead (Arnold Schwarzenegger) made many flops later, he decided to do what all of Hollywood stars use to do whenever their careers goes wrong; a come back to their hit role. The third movie, (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines - 2003), wasn't that great, toying with the 2 previous movies' story (about the GONE-TOO-BORING END OF THE WORLD!), let alone that it nearly remade the second one yet with a female super stalker. I go through this history lecture simply to assure that: 1) They returned to the old story, 12 years after the second movie, because "the name got fame". 2) They did nothing but repeating this second one! 3) There was an intention to exploit the name through next movies and - why not - TV shows too. Ok, my only comment is: Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!
Despite that part of me was happy to have the chance of watching a new (Hmmm!) action show, and despite the fast-paced, hot-colored persona of it, (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) pilot is dull and un-enjoyable exploitation. Though it's not totally pointless, since it's made for one unmistakable purpose: The Cash.. namely the god of most of the producers!
Clearly this is the practical definition of bankruptcy. After the super stalker was a man in the first movie, he became the super helper in the second one. And after the super stalker was a woman in the third movie, the super helper became a woman in the TV show. See, it's an easy game of changing cards, where "Come with me if you wanna live" is what the produces say to their poor writers! Ironically, recreating the good terminator as a girl, and naming her (Cameron) - obviously to honor (James Cameron) - could be the first and last original things here!
To make matters worse, from all the plots in the world they selected "good guys on the run" aka (The Fugitive - 1963) good old formula, which was recycled many times along the years, just remember: (The A-Team - 1983), (Hot Pursuit - 1984), (P. S. I. Luv U - 1991), (Vanishing Son - 1995), (18 Wheels of Justice - 2000), or even (Renegade - 1992). The thing is, this round, it's not an old plot only; IT'S AN OLD STORY TOO!
While some fans were mad because the script ignored part 3 completely, I was more mad because of a very logical question: Is the future Skynet that dumb?! Because if all that is needed is getting rid of tomorrow's leader John Connor, then why doesn't it send a machine to older time to get rid of him early?! Or get rid of his mother while she was pregnant? Or get rid of his father? His grandfather? Or (James Cameron) as the original responsible for all of this drivel in the first place?!!
Add to that, (Lena Headey) as (Sarah Connor) dreams of herself in a miniskirt?! Has long kisses with her boyfriend. And (Summer Glau) as (Cameron) is supposedly naked in more than one scene?? As if it all became about gathering elements of sex and violence, through pretty old story and plot, to fill the channels' air with more air, or dirty air for that matter, which is repugnant before being pathetic!
To be objective, I liked: Lines like "I'll make pancakes" and "class dismissed", and where they were being said. (Headey) and (Glau) charisma. The decent visual effects. And the moment in which (Cameron) somehow makes a connection between playing a role in saving people, and having friends. You're not a weirdo when you help people out.. nice message indeed.
Finally, some messages from my side. To the one who came up with this show's idea: You're evil! To the producers that don't care about new or different ideas: You're worse than evil! To my fellows, the miserable viewers: Hang on folks, nothing goes forever! To the director: How come that (Sara)'s house has a bullet-proof chair?! And to the writers: Why not making it as a comedic cartoon series, naming it "100 ways to not kill John Connor"?! It would work better this way!
Who knows? It may turn into the best TV show ever! But according to the idea itself, I'm not enthusiastic, seeing that it's not The Sarah Connor Chronicles; it's The American TV Bankruptcy Chronicle!
.. Even the pilot episode is entitled "pilot"!