"Heavy Metal"
"If you're gonna be a hero, you gotta learn how to drive stick."
- Sarah Connor
While John laments over the death of Jordan Cowon, Cameron discovers that Cromartie was able to make the trip ahead with them into the future via news footage from a cell phone camera (she doesn't sleep, after all). With a newspaper reports of an arson at a dock and the re-routing of coltan, a 'key element' in the construction of cyborgs, Cameron deduces that Cromartie is attempting to reconstruct or repair himself. The group decides to be pro-active, instead of running like John thinks his mother always wants to do, and intercept Cromartie as he picks up the coltan. At the docks, they discover that it is not Cromartie, who is busy getting some plastic surgery done, but rather another model Terminator that is programmed to stockpile the element for Skynet's future plans. John forces Sarah and Cameron's hand into helping secure the element and effectively dealing with the new Terminator. Cromartie assumes his new identity and Special Agent Ellison continues to deal with the trail of bodies and inner FBI rivalries.
Commentary:
I didn't really like this episode as much I as wanted to. I was expecting a little more action, especially after last week's episode, but got more of the same: exposition and character development. I seriously hope this is leading somewhere. Obviously, there can't be huge action/CGI sequences every week but I did expect a little more than what was presented here (the cyborg fight in the bunker was cool, but too abrupt). The idea that Skynet is preparing for the future in such a manner is great; however, at present, it seems a little out of place. My fellow gamers out there will probably agree with me when I state that this episode seemed more like a "side-story/mission" from a video game.
Totally didn't like the whole, let's fake out the audience into thinking the George Lazlo in the FBI holding cell was in fact Cromartie! Bah! It was semi-cool to see the real George Lazlo and Cromartie in the mirror, with Cromartie imitating George for a second or two before... SMASH!
Did anyone else think of C3P0 when the Terminator shut down? "Sir, if you won't be needing me, I'll close down for a while." OK, OK. That's a stretch. I did expect the key's removal to reactivate him. Now we know that these model Terminators have a 15 second reboot time.
Besides the mirror smash, I was fond of the Cameron effect shot when she jumped off the back of the truck. They even matched the panel that flew off the back of the truck! Cool!
So is Cameron thinking of using the coltan she took to fashion a cyborg baby for herself (I jest) or for spare parts? Why is John's hand shaking whilst we hear the Terminator theme in the background? I'm sensing that Ellison will eventually find out the hard way that Sarah has been telling the truth all this time and will team up with the Connors plus one (like the way Spike and Principal Wood joined the Scooby gang... sort of)
Nitpicking:
Odd how the drivers in the truck filled with stolen coltan didn't see or hear the commotion between Cameron, Sarah and the security guard? How come the new Terminator didn't see John climb in through the window, Sarah frantically reaching in the window after him or at least hear Sarah call after her son ("John! Damn it John!")? Sarah effectively killing the guard by having Cameron leave him in the mine field (doesn't this go against the whole 'not killing humans' mantra she now has - then again, I guess it does leave his fate in his own hands). Mike seemed a little too friendly to John, especially after being hit in the head and seeing his buddies lying on the ground, dead. That's some crazy & quick plastic surgery that Cromartie got done (could be explained away because of his futuristic flesh).
Quotes:
Sarah: "Get the shotguns... and the C4 from the bathroom under the towels."
John: "That's coltan. That's what you're made of. No wonder that you're so dense."
Cameron: "Not density. Heat resistance."
Sarah: "You know what I love about you guys? Even when you've evolved into the ultimate, indestructible killing machine, you are not above self examination and improvement."
Cameron: "Thank you."
Sarah: "Please shut up."
Sarah: "If you die, they win."
Sarah: "Tell me where they went or I'll beat you to death. And don't call me lady!"
Till next time, I'll be back! (ya know I would have to start using this eventually)
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