Release Date: August 19th, 2008
Running Time: 394 minutes

The Show

Few franchises achieve the iconic status that the Terminator films have earned. With strong characters, ground-breaking effects, and a unique vision of the future, the films are some of the best representations of sci-fi action ever put to celluloid. Having such a rich world and mythology, the opportunity has always existed to expand upon the franchise. Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles: The Complete First Season is not only successful as a Terminator product, but is simply good television.

The film picks up a few years after T2. Sarah (Lena Headey) and John (Thomas Dekker) are living their lives under fake names as they are still wanted fugitives hunted by Agent James Ellison (Richard T. Jones). Things have settled down and they have a semblance of a normal life. However, after Sarah has a nightmare about a terminator killing John and then her boyfriend Charley (Dean Winters) proposes, she realizes they have gotten too secure in their situation. They pack up and disappear over night to start yet another new life.

In their new location, John begins school and hits it off with a pretty girl named Cameron Phillips (Summer Glau). Things seem fine until a substitute teacher named Cromartie takes roll call and tries to execute John. He’s a terminator. As it turns out, Cameron is also a terminator, but a new, different kind capable of understanding more emotions, and even eating. Cameron saves John and explains to Sarah and him that they didn’t stop Judgment Day—someone else builds Skynet. Realizing that they were found at the new location in less than two days, Cameron decides to take drastic measures to save the Connors. Under the guise of holding up a bank, she takes them to the vault where there is a time machine and a nuclear gun capable of destroying Cromartie. Cameron activates the machine, and Sarah blasts Cromartie to hell just before they are whisked to the future.

The trio arrive completely naked on an LA freeway in 2007. They are in the future where no one is after them. Cameron explains that there are resistance fighters sent back from the future to help with the war, as well as terminators sent back to stop those fighters and ensure the creation of Skynet. Armed once again with a mission, to stop the genesis of Skynet, the series officially commences. What they don’t know, however, is that parts of Cromartie’s body were also blown through the time machine, and he begins the process of rebuilding himself so he can complete his mission—kill John Connor.

First and foremost the acting is really impressive. Headey’s Sarah Connor is simultaneously a tough-as-nails leader, but also retains a femininity and vulnerability rarely seen in the films. Dekker’s John is a perfect blend of a normal, hormonal teenager, but he still has a weight of the world, literally, on his shoulders. The dynamic between the mother and son is explored in great detail. John wants to have a normal life, but Sarah is always in full-blown protection mode, leading to many clashes between the two. Brian Austin Green is also introduced as Derek Reese, one of the resistance fighters. His character gives us the perfect look into the future and the attitude of people living in a war-torn world, fighting for their very existence against the machines. The hidden fact that he is actually John’s uncle adds another rich layer to the character dynamics.

The action and effects are incredible; some of the best I have ever seen in a television series. The violence, while censored compared to the R-rated films, is still very hectic and brutal. We also get to see a lot more of the future and cool technology throughout the season, adding more depth to the mythology. The show plays out like a mini-action film every episode, making for an adrenalin-fueled, extremely fun series. I only wish the season wasn’t cut short due to the writer’s strike.

It has to be noted that the events taking place in The Sarah Connor Chronicles exist on an alternate timeline from those in T3. Initially, this really annoyed me as I wanted it to be canon for the franchise, but if you can get past this fact and accept it as its own entity, it really isn’t an issue. Whenever you have a franchise dealing with time travel, things get so muddled anyway. Who knows, maybe they will eventually end up tying it in with the films.

The 3-disc set contains all 9 episodes from the first season: “Pilot,” “Gnothi Seauton,” “The Turk,” “Heavy Metal,” “Queen’s Gambit,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” “The Demon Hand,” “Vick’s Chip,” and “What He Beheld.”

The DVD

The video is presented in a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The print is pristine with no damage or dust. Colors are natural, and the level of detail is very solid for standard DVD. A few compression errors and grain pop up now and again, as well as some edge enhancement, but the transfer is still quite pretty.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with English/French/Spanish/Chinese/Korean/Thai/Portuguese Subtitles. I was blown away by the surround usage considering this is a television show. It is a very active mix, constantly throwing action across all of the channels. The mix is balanced as well, never drowning out the various sound elements. It isn’t as multi-dimensional as a theatrical action mix, but it is definitely one of the best television efforts I have heard on DVD.

The Extras

Commentary is offered on “Pilot” with Josh Friedman, James Middleton, David Nutter, and Summer Glau; “The Turk with Josh Friedman, John Wirth, Lena Headey, and Thomas Dekker; and “What He Beheld” with Ian Goldberg, Summer Glau, and Brian Austin Green. The commentaries are more scene-specific with the participants providing plenty of anecdotal information regarding the production rather than tons of background information. They are good tracks, and worth a listen if you really dug one of these episodes.

“Creating the Chronicles” is a 3-part, 40 minute documentary that covers the history of the show from the conception to production. It has a ton of cast/crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and more. It is a complete, in-depth piece that is far more informative than any of the commentaries.

“Terminated Scenes” are a collection of deleted scenes split across all three discs. They are mostly character moments that would interrupt the high octane pace of the show.

“Cast Audition Tapes” shows auditions for Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, and Richard T. Jones. Acting buffs will appreciate these, but personally, I thought seeing one for Summer Glau would have been the most interesting and revealing.

“Summer Glau Dance Rehearsal” shows off the Summer’s well-documented dancing abilities.

Also offered are Storyboard Animatics from the pilot, a Gag Reel, and an extended version of “The Demon Hand.”

Final Thoughts

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles defied the odds, and the result is a well-rounded, exciting action series. I recommend that anyone who even has a slight interest in the franchise to give this show a chance. I doubt you will be disappointed.