The Remote Island : Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" Goes Goth? [PHOTO]

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Doesn't the cast of Terminator look so very happy and shiny here? It's as though they were on their way to the Spring Fling but decided to stop and get soft serve cones at the local Dairy Queen. Look at Thomas Dekker, the kid who plays John Conner. Dekker seems downright giddy about his DQ treat. Summer Glau are you wearing a floral print?

Those were the innocent days of fall when the gang had all of season 2 ahead of them, and they were probably feeling pretty optimistic about a third season.

My, oh my how times have changed. Check out Thomas Dekker now.

What in the world? Is it an homage to Heath Ledger's Joker? Did he just discover Hot Topic at the local mall? Was Duane Reade having a sale on hair gel and Revlon? Or is Dekker just mourning the following news:

Of Fox's two bubble series, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Dollhouse," sophomore "Terminator" is considered all but gone, while freshman "Dollhouse's" chances are 50/50. (thrfeed.com)

We're not sure dressing like an escaped carny/mental patient is the way to deal with your grief, Thomas. Look at Summer. She's just bearing a little appropriate midrif and moving on. She's working a look that appeals to her fan base and producers who may want to cast her in something new. Maybe you're looking to be cast in a Blade 19? Yes? No? If not, maybe wash your face, get yourself a metaphorical crop top, and get on with your life.

(reddit.com)

Previously:

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" Finale: Cyborg Sex Sucks [VIDEO]

“Terminator” and “Dollhouse” Might Just Avoid Cancellation

Thoughts On “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

Brian Austin Green As The Green Lantern? He Wants Your Vote!

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

So we're a little infatuated with B.A.G. Sue us. He's funny-hot . . . like: ha-ha, he used to be that kid on 90210 and he had a brief ill-advised hip-hop career (also he kind of looks like that guy Mystery from VH1 in the above photo). But he's also hot-hot . . . as in: omg B.A.G, you dated Megan Fox and your facial scruff is perfect.

That perfect scruff has been all over the television airwaves, what with his character's unexpected revival in the season finale of Terminator:The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and his upcoming role on CSI: Miami's season finale as a carjacking victim with "leading man presence" (people.com).

Unfortunately, Brian's thinking about leaving TV behind. But he needs fan's help. Hear his plea . . .

Comic Book Resources sat down with our favorite tv-star turned former rapper turned tv star, and here's what he had to say:

Is that the next step for you after “Terminator,” moving on to film?

Well I think it’s always, everyone in televisions next step. Television is an interesting thing. I’m really lucky on “Terminator” because I love the show and I love playing the character that I play. But most of the time, one of the tough things with television is it can get kind of be tedious playing the same character for multiple seasons because you start running out of stuff. You know, you want to creatively do other things. In film you have the opportunity to spend five months shooting something and then you’re done with that. You move on to a completely different character and get to create all new things.

In conclusion, any final thoughts on Green Lantern?

I’m just intrigued and curious to see what the fans think. Ultimately, fans of the comic and the history should decide. If I’m not the right guy then I shouldn’t be playing the character but if people think that there’s something there, then lets see where it can go.

Okay, so here's the thing: We can kind of get behind Brian as the Green Lantern. Here's a fan rendering to help put you in the BAGreen Lantern mood. Good right? He's certainly got the face for it. Though he'll probs have to leave the scruff behind. (le sigh). Partial beard aside, we're just not sure that Brian will land this role. Can he get the kind of box office draw necessary to support a comic-inspired feature?

We'll follow him to the big screen, but the entire time we're watching we'll be thinking of David in the 90210 high school DJ booth writing rap songs for Donna. Anyone else?

(people.com)

(cbr.com)

Previously:

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" Finale: Cyborg Sex Sucks

Megan Fox Is Single. So Is That Guy Who Was Engaged To Her

Megan Fox, You Do Not Look Like Alan Alda. Trust Us.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles:” Notorious B.A.G.

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" Finale: Cyborg Sex Sucks [VIDEO]

Olivia Purnell — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:00:00 GMT

We thought the hot sex scene between John and Cameron would involve . . . .

Hot Sex.

Instead, we got some demented version of second base.

John suspects that Cameron's nuclear power source may have given his mother cancer. Just to be safe, Cam makes him get on top of her and check her system. Sounds kinda hot in theory right? Nope. Not hot. John cuts through her robot skein and jams his hand up under her breast plate to check wheter Cameron's nuclear core is leaking radiation. That's not sexy. It's like a metal mamogram.

Ewww. John kinda likes it. Gross.

Another upsetting thing about this finale? Most of it made little to no sense. Last episode, Cops caught the uncatchable Sarah Connor by following a former FBI agent (a trained lawman) to a clandestine meeting. This week a priest (with no black ops training) is commissioned by Sarah to get John and his robot girlfrined out of L.A. The good Father is somehow able to deliver messages and produce passports. It's amazing. They spend most of the hour hemming and hawing over Sarah's cancer, and Cameron's metal boob, and the passports.

Then, then, in the last ten minutes of the episode, after Cameron miraculously breaks Sarah out of jail, loosing half of her robo-face in the process, the Connors head off to their meeting with Shirley Manson's terrifying cyberqueen character Katherine Weaver. But Katherine's a good guy now (maybe?). In a series of nonsensical mindfucks, Shirley shields the Connor crew from a robo plane that flies through her office window (although, the pilot of that plane seems to be inexplicably connected to her). She explains that she's protecting John Henry, the robot baby in the basement, saying that he will eventually save the human race. And she and John follow her robo-baby into the future, a future that has been changed by their actions. Biggest presto-chango? Nobody in the new future knows who the F John Connor is.

We can get behind Shirley being on team Humanity (sort of). We're definitely behind John's new found anonimity. We can even get behind Cameron giving John Henry her chip for the good of homo sapiens everywhere. But why did Shirley allow Cameron hang out with John Henry in the first place? And why would the Cameron/John Henry robot leap into the future? Why not stay in the present at least until Mama Connor, Johnny C, and red headed cyberchief come downstairs?

Bizarre. It's all bizarre. But at least this guy's back in the picture:

Something good had to come out of this mess. The Notorious B.A.G. never lets us down.

Previously:

"Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles": SPOILERS!

“Terminator” and “Dollhouse” Might Just Avoid Cancellation

“Dollhouse” Second Time’s The Charm?

Thoughts On “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" SPOILERS!

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:30:00 GMT

Attention: There's a new video trailer with a bunch of Sarah Connor Spoilers and a whole lot of Summer Glau wrecking shit, if you’re into that sort of thing . . . . And we are.

See it HERE.

While this video is certainly interesting (lord knows we love a good shotgun rampage), word on the street is that the audience in attendance at Sunday's T:SCC event at San Francisco WonderCon audibly gasped at the sight of this trailer. We think those kids need to check their inhalers, because we’re not sure this vid reveals anything truly gasp worthy.

The most interesting stuff is the Cam and Johnny bit at the end. We’re obsessed, obsessed with the question of Robo-human love between these two. Is John Connor finally gonna get down with his pet-terminator-bodygaurd-girlfriend-sister?

(ew.com)

Previously:

“Terminator” and “Dollhouse” Might Just Avoid Cancellation
“Dollhouse” Second Time’s The Charm?
Thoughts On “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

"Terminator" and "Dollhouse" Might Just Avoid Cancellation!

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

But how? . . .

Well apparently, the Friday timeslot is actually working for these two shows. The first week’s DVR data is in, and the timeshifted audiences improved both shows ratings. Dollhouse’s pilot apparently gained an additional 30% of viewers. And Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles gained 36%. That’s huge.

Although the second and third weeks’ numbers will tell us more, it’s hard to cancel any show with that kind of an audience spike.

We’re kind of glad that neither of show will be getting the boot in the near future. There’s a soft spot in our hearts for these Friday night sci-fi shows with their ass-kicking lady leads and their weird sexual themes.

We’re happy we’ll get to see if Summer Glau’s robot seduction will ever work on little John Connor (our bet: abso-robo-lutely). And we’ll find out whether Eliza Dushku ever escapes the shackles of that brainwashing hooker ring. We hope so.

(io9.com)

Previously:

“Dollhouse” Second Time’s The Charm?
Thoughts On “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

Summer Glau Gets a "Big Bang"

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Not to worry, this is good news . . .

Summer, as you probably know, is one of our faves. She’s just so perky, she’s always kicking somebody’s ass, and she just can’t say no to a science fiction role (no matter how terrible). We like those qualities in a girl. Those attributes also make Summer every awkward adolescent boy’s dream.

That’s why she’s perfect for The Big Bang Theory, CBS’s nerd show. She’ll be guest appearing as herself on TBBT. And, predictably the main characters will flip-out over her sci-fi goddessness. We don’t normally watch this show, but we might just tune in to watch a couple of geeks give Lady Glau props.

(ew.com)

Previously:

Thoughts on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”
Summer Glau Thinks Robots Need Love Too
"Dollhouse" and "Terminator" Get Gritty

Thoughts on “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”

Olivia Purnell — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:45:00 GMT

We still watch this show. We watched Friday. Why are we still watching?

Here are some thoughts:

1.   We have such a girl-bodyguard crush on Summer Glau. We wish she’d be our Terminatrix . . .

2.   Brian Austin Green still rocks the hizouse. He’s good looking and he's a good time. Plain and simple.

3.   The original premise of The Terminator (the vintage Arnold Schwarz shit) is actually kind of genius. Everybody’s afraid of robots and time travel is dope. That’s why the franchise endures. And that’s why we still watch Shirley Manson kill bitches with her machine sword arms on a Friday night.

4.   Heavy-handed biblical allusion. Nothing makes us throw up our hands and yell “come on!” at the television screen like a ludicrous reference to Jehovah or Beelzebub. And we enjoy an interactive television experience. The likening of snot-nosed John Connor to Christ is laughable and awesome.

5.   Sarah Connor is a badass. She’s always overcoming an inordinate amount of pain or choking a bitch out. This week, homegirl limped around with a bullet in her leg for hours. Then she let some lady doctor try to cut it out of her without so much as a shot of Jack Daniels. We’re hoping she gets thug life tattooed across her ribs at some point this season. Treat yourself, Sarah. You deserve it.

Now if we could just get rid of the nonsensical plot twists and Brian Austin Green’s girlfriend. His fictional girlfriend. Not Megan Fox. Megan’s cool. She can stay.

Previously:

"Dollhouse" and "Terminator" Get Gritty

Summer Glau Thinks Robots Need Love Too

"Dollhouse": What Were People Doing Instead Of Watching?

Jake Kalish — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:22:00 GMT

Damn. People really didn't tune in to "Dollhouse." Even after the Eliza Dushku naked promotional pictures, Joss Whedon's new take on a hot girl kicking ass only attracted 4.7 million viewers, making it the "lowest-rated scripted series premiere on a major broadcast network this season aside from NBC's now-defunct "Crusoe.", according to Live Feed. Fox tried to double the ass-kicking pleasure and ass-kicking fun by pairing Dollhouse with Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, but that didn't do either show any favors; Terminator's mid-season return drew only 3.7 million viewers, down 27% from its series low - which, to be fair, was posted on Monday nights, when a lot more people are watching the telly. Still, these are very disappointing numbers. And after this Grindhouse style Dollhouse/Terminator promo...

PREVIOUSLY:

Eliza Dushku Gets Naked For "Dollhouse"

PETA vs. Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku Was Dating Seth McFarlane?

"Dollhouse" And "Terminator" Get Gritty

"Dollhouse" Gets The Friday Kiss Of Death

"Dollhouse" Premieres Tonight!!!

Summer Glau Thinks Robots Need Love Too

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Summer had been off our radar recently. Until this afternoon we saw the 70’s Dollhouse/Terminator trailer (hot). That little bit of grainy goodness reminded us that Terminator will be returning on Friday the 13th. Now we’ve come across Summer’s thoughts on the new season and the love that can exist between a man and his robot.

Last season, Summer’s robot character Cameron declared her undying love for John Connor so that he wouldn’t disable her. Obvious self-preservation right? Wrong. Summer says it’s deeper than that, you guys:

"Cameron's deep love for John is because he is her whole reason for existing... I think that is love, and I think she would do anything for him, and in her reality, I think that's what love is for her."

Summer honey, we really like you . . . but that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

(io9.com)

Previously:

“Dollhouse” and “Terminator” Get Gritty
“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Robot Seduction

"Dollhouse" and "Terminator" Get Gritty

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Next Friday, Dollhouse and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles will premiere on Fox. To get ready for Friday the 13th, Fox geniuses have put together a grimy 70’s grindhouse style teaser heavily featuring the ever lovely Summer Glau and Eliza Dushku.

It’s kinda hot. Wanna see?

Previously:

“Dollhouse” Gets the Friday Kiss of Death
“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Robot Seduction
“Dollhouse” Stop Playing With Our Emotions

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: On Second Thought

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:53:00 GMT

Take a moment to really absorb what’s happening, because this is a historic moment. We, here at the Remote Island are rarely, rarely wrong. And when we are, we pretend the phrase Weapons of Mass Destruction never existed and we spew inarticulately about spreading Democracy and Freedom (thank you, W).

But today, we’re gonna have to admit it: Maybe John Connor’s girlfriend Riley is not so bad. She does look like this . . .

Hot, right?

And, we got a little background on Riley this week. Apparently in the future, little blond Riley was a dirty scavenging orphan, fighting extra large rats for scraps of food, looking like her clothes (and hair) had been rinsed in actual shit before she put them on. Resistance fighter Jesse (Brian Austin Green’s shady ass girlfriend) found Riley, saw her potential cuteness beneath all that grime and plucked Riley from the machine pits of hell to be Johnny’s girl. We kind of had Riley pegged as a grunge-era Bond-girl. You know, one part flannel, two parts scheming spy bitch on a sex-infused mission.

While she was definitely on a sex-mission, Riley didn’t really have a choice. She could do what Jesse asked or keep fighting the local rodents for lunch. The choice is obvi, no? But this week, homegirl’s conscious starts showing. The lies are all too much. She turns to Jesse, but that bitch cold cocks her upside her head (rough, right?). So she goes to Johnny’s house and slits her wrists. Hmmmm. If she dies, we have to say, we’ll be sad to see her go.

"Sarah Connor Chronicles” Fans, Be Advised: Christian Bale Is Coming

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT

We watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Obviously, we enjoy Brian Austin Green, and Summer Glau stays fly. But we have seen the Terminator Salvation trailer. And Christian Bale is rocking our socks off.

And we know that comparing Fox’s Monday night series to McG’s big-budget termination extravaganza is like comparing apples to post-atomic machine oranges. But, we still think that the kids over at T:TSCC should review Christian Bale’s tape, and take a few notes. Maybe incorporate some of his intensity into the Spring episodes. Christian's inherent hotness can't be duplicated, but Brian Austin Green could get some sort of rasping vocoder for the new season. What do you think?

Compare apples to the delicious Christian Bale in the Terminator Salvation trailer after the jump.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles:” Notorious B.A.G.

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:30:00 GMT

This week Brian Austin Green saves the world. Twice. Lets celebrate with some gratuitous dirty B.A.G? Want to?

We thought you might . . .

Brian, Brian, Brian you’re almost hot enough to marry Megan Fox, oh wait . . .

She’s so hot we’ll take the pair. But that is another story for another day.

This week on T:TSCC a daughter and her pregnant mother call Sarah for help after the father dies saving them from a terminator. These two miscellaneous ladies have Sarah on speed dial because saved them from annihilation months ago. This time she sends Uncle Derrick to do the dirty work.

The T-888 found the mama-bear sister-bear combo after the mother decided it was time to make a quick phone-call to her ex-lover. You know to catch up, whisper sweet nothings, and lead her family into a death trap. Now, the daughter and mom, Lauren and blah-ba-di-blah (We refuse to learn mama’s name after that last little bit of foolishness), are holed up in some kind of an abandoned bus situation.

The mama bear is 34weeks along and has a bullet hole through her chest. Lauren is holding it together rather nicely. As we’re thinking to ourselves “she has really maintained her haircut while on the run,” in swoops Brian Austin Green to save the day.

He puts a tube through blah-ba-di-blah’s chest to help her breathe/relay important plot points, and we flashback/forward about a million times to fill in the blanks. We learn that Sarah continues to be a badass, and that in the future, fetus Sydney (who is still inside blah-ba-di-blah’s belly) will save the world and Brian Austin Green with an immunity hidden in her blood stream.

Thankfully, none of these flashbacks/forwards involve John Connor. It’s not that we hate little Johnny. We don’t. It’s just that sometimes a little break is good for everyone. He’s probably off somewhere with his shady girlfriend listening to Soundgarden and wearing hemp. Good. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, or at least less annoyed with your broody-teen angst.

Uncle Derrick on the other hand, is getting all kinds of face time this episode, and we love it. The Notorious B.A.G helps birth the immunity baby, saves future Sydney from machine death, coaches mini-badass Lauren on how to be tough, and all the while looks good in that slightly paranoid, I’m being chased by robots from the future sort of a way.

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles": K.I.S.S.I.N.G.

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:00:00 GMT

While robot Cameron is working on some sort of robot history project at the local library, John fools around with Riley in the back of his car.

Johnny wins . . .

Good for him, maybe a little lovin' will help his perma-brood. We’re excited that he’s getting some action. We’re just not particularly excited about Riley. Here’s why:

Strike 1: Riley’s a resistance spy from the future sent back to be Johnny’s girlfriend and save him from Cameron’s robot clutches. We can respect the resistance fighter thing (she’s trying to save humanity, what’s cooler than that?). But the physical girlfriend factor makes her a resistance-Geisha at best, whoring herself for the good of humanity. This makes us uncomfortable.

Strike 2: This week, Riley calls John up, pretending to be scared and in troubs. Like a good boy, John goes save her. But when he arrives, she’s fine and smiley, drinking beer, playing video games. She just wanted to see him. Yuck. Don’t play that card. The girl who cried rape is just not cute.

Strike 3: She’s bad at her morally questionable job. After manipulating John into attending a terrible house party, Riley steals a lighter from some skinny wife-beater wearing teen-rebel (with inexplicably pruned eyebrows . . . How can you be rebellious when you’ve spent all morning in the mirror with your tweezers?). John gets in a fight with the well-groomed young man, and pounds his over-plucked face in. This happens a lot when she’s around.

As John’s resistance-approved girlfriend, Riley is supposed to protect/nurture/love John. And she’s supposed to ensure his survival. Answering the door when a terminator knocks, landing him in Mexican prison, getting him in fights with West Side Story extras . . . these all seem counterproductive, no? Not the way to get that Geisha of the month plaque she was hoping for. You know, the one with the bronzed miniature kimono and removable hand mirror.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Psycho Sarah

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:00:00 GMT

This week, Sarah goes apeshit, John’s girlfriend Riley turns out to be a double agent, Uncle Derrick’s girlfriend is a bitch, and Agent James Ellison can’t seem to pull his head out of his ass.

Wanna discuss? We thought you might . . .

So last week, Mama Connor got the flu, and in her feverish delirium, Sarah dreamt of killer machine cacti, turtle babies, and this utterly vague series of three dots. You know, the usual. Now, even after she’s recovered from her influenza-induced mania, Mama C is still obsessed with those three ridiculous dots. So obsessed that she’s tricked into a techno scheme by a shysty-dad/genius-kid combo with three dots on their company logo.

When Sarah finds out that she's been played, she throws the double-crossing dad to the ground straddles him, and feeds him at least half a dozen knuckle sandwiches. Mmmm, tasty. We love it when Sarah throws down!

Riley on the other hand... This girl has gone from adorable grunge-teen, to annoying robot-bait, to double agent in three episodes. Apparently, she's in cahoots w Uncle Derrick's shady-ass GF Jesse, the British resistance fighter chick who continues to lie to Uncle Derrick’s face. How can you lie to Brian Austin Green?

How?

Anyway, Jesse and Riley are working to wean John off of robot Cameron through some sort of covert love trickery, which may or may not involve luring Johnny boy to bed.

Admittedly, the undercover spy/girlfriend from the future bit does make Riley a little more interesting. But really, coming back from the future to sex John into submission? That's pretty low down.

Agent James Ellison is also sinking lower and lower by the minute. First. he hands the robo-carcass over to the evil Catherine Weaver. Now after plugging Cromartie's robo-shell into her A.I. science project, Catherine has talked Agent Ellison into teaching the robot the Ten Commandments. Yup. That’ll be a fun project for him. Robot bible study.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Loose Ends

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:01:00 GMT

Our Mama told us that any job worth doing is worth doing right. She said, if you’re gonna start something you better damn well finish it and finish it good. Also, cross your legs and sit up like a lady. We took all of Mama’s advice. Our posture is perfect. Our legs are closed . . . most times. But the Connor gang apparently didn’t get the message . . .

First, after defeating the T-888 Cromartie, they leave his robot carcass buried in the desert for the taking. Really? You’ve been battling this machine for almost two seasons (a sizable chunk of your natural born life, John Connor) and you’re just gonna leave his metal ass in Mexico for anyone with a shovel? Damn, take him with you. Put him in the back of the trunk and throw a blanket over him. Come on!

And of course, Agent James Ellison, Mr. my-idle-hands-are-the-devil’s-whorehouse, takes Cromartie’s body. We feel for James and we want to slap him. He so wants to do the right thing, but his plans inevitably turn to shit on a regular basis. He takes the robot corpse and gives it to Shirley Manson (aka robot Catherine)! Are you kidding Agent Ellison? Is this a joke?

What’s more, John and Cameron had a chance to stop Agent Ellison from making his robot-to-robot delivery. They went to his home. They gave him the business. But they believed his lies and let him go. Mercy and stupidity, kids. There’s a fine line. The Connors keep on crossing it.

Let’s talk about Uncle Derrick for a moment. He might be our favorite character. Lets rediscover why:

Yup, Brian Austin Green. Uncle Derrick can do almost no wrong in our minds. In addition to being fine, he’s usually the most thorough fighter in the family. He’d rather just shoot someone in the face if his or her existence will lead to the ruination of mankind later. Cause if you weigh the two tasks (face-shooting versus salvaging humanity in the wake of machine ruin), shooting someone is just easier.

However, when Derrick’s girlfriend Jesse brings him a torturous traitor from the future named Charles Fisher, he hesitates. Then, he lets Jesse shoot Fisher before he can get all the details on his mission, details that include the whereabouts of a young Charles Fisher. Derrick and Jesse even have young Fisher in custody and let him go. They let him go! Damn you Brian Austin Green, we depend on you for diligence and good looks. And right now, you’re only doing half the job.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Robot Seduction

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:00:00 GMT

This week robot Cameron hits on John and the terminator Cromartie chases the Connors to Mexico.

First, lets discuss John and his life-sized Robot doll Cameron . . .

Cameron is/has always been creepy. She’s a terminator with the likeness of a slightly undernourished seventeen-year-old girl. Her stoic Children of the Corn vibe is less than soothing. And since sustaining chip-damage in the season-1 explosion, Cam has pulled some strange shit, including: telling John she loves him in order to save her own robot ass, reverting to the girl she was made to impersonate, and, last but not least, climbing into John’s bed to get him to break up with Riley. What?!

Both Mama Connor and Cameron agree; John’s girlfriend Riley is a security threat. Sarah Connor tries to appeal to John’s sense of duty and logic to get him to drop Riley. Cammie, on the other hand, throws on a sheer tank top and short-shorts, goes to John’s room, and curls up next to him in his twin-sized bed, whispering things like “I understand that being John Connor can be lonely.” What?!?!

Wait, wait . . . Is John gonna hit that? We’re going to need some kind of Parental Discretion Warning before that situation hits the fan. Angsty teen future savior of the world gets it on with his pretty robot companion. Summer Glau is adorable and all . . .

But that’s just not the show we signed on for.

We’re heartened by the fact that Cameron’s robot seduction doesn’t work all that well. John tells Cam that he needs some rest, and promises that he and his girlfriend are through. Then he sneaks out the back door, grabs Riley, and gets on a bus headed to Mexico. Of course, Johnny and the disaster that is Riley find a way to mix it up with the local authorities and end up in the clink.

After their arrest, John lights up the bat-signal, calling his Mommy and Uncle to come get him. Enter Cromartie with Sarah Connor in the trunk, comin’ across the border to kill John. Uncle Derrick is en route with Cammie (who must be pissed that Johnny resisted her roboto charms). Agent James Ellison is on his way too, thanks to the wide reach of the FBI.

It’s a veritable Mexican Connor Family reunion. Except instead of donning matching t-shirts and doing the electric slide, the Connor gang sets an ambush for Cromartie in the local church. In a faux-Desperado blaze of gun smoke and Christ-like glory, they finally kill the T-888 who’s been after them since season 1. Even with the heavy handed slow-motion, the smoke machines, the Spanish guitar, and Agent Ellison’s “All things are possible to him who believes” prologue, Cromartie’s death was a little anti-climactic. Which means he’ll be back. Yup, Governator Style.

"Dollhouse" Gets the Friday Kiss of Death

Olivia Purnell — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:20:00 GMT

At first, we were hopeful about our relationship with Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse. We’d look deeply into Eliza Dushku's eyes and think . . .

This could be good. We could be happy together. But now, we’re truly worried. Beginning in February, Fox will be plugging Dollhouse into it’s Friday night line up at 9pm, following the already flagging Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (we dig T:TSCC, but lets face it, the Connor gang’s viewership is not high). We are feeling a little upset about this new development. We are not alone; The Hollywood Reporter says:

The "Dollhouse" shift to Friday is certain to provoke a despondent cry from Whedon fans, especially after having watched "Firefly" wither away on the same night. Fox could have given the series a premiere behind "Idol" before shifting it to Fridays -- something the network has done a few times to boost sampling of new shows. And if that weren't unlucky enough, "Dollhouse" premieres on Friday the 13th?

Is there still hope despite the dreaded Friday time slot? Will we still tune in? Eliza, What do you think?

Dollhouse. February. Fridays. It’s a date.

Previously:

Fox Crams Extra "House" Into New "Dollhouse" Promo

"Dollhouse": Stop Playing With Our Emotions

Uh-Oh . . . "Dollhouse" May Be in Trouble

Today in Mulligans: Trouble in the "Dollhouse"

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles:” House Calls

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:20:00 GMT

This week, Ellison gets a visit from his doppelganger, evil filmmakers break into the Connor home base, and John’s girlfriend Riley (seen above) proves to be a total idiot.

Let’s get into it shall we?

Agent Ellison is attacked by a terminator wearing his likeness. Basically his evil twin comes to his doorstep to murder him. Luckily (or unluckily) Cromartie (the friendly terminator next door) stops the evil twin robot, telling Ellison that he has faith in him and predicting yet again that Ellison will lead to the Connors.

We hope not. The thought of broody Ellison taking the road to hell even though he’s paved it with all kinds of good intentions makes us sad.

The Connor troupe is robbed this week. They’re looted by some movie-making degenerates (one of whom happens to be played by The Ringers frontman, Joe Hursley). The film gang stole their IDs, credit cards, diamonds, and Cameron’s leather jacket. They shouldn’t have taken her jacket; it seemed to piss her off a bit.

While Mama Connor and robot Camie set off to hunt down the motley crew of writer/directors (gotta love Los Angeles) Cromartie catches the Connor scent through the halfway house where Cameron stayed when she had that brief internal malfunction. He tracks the Connors to their local grocery store then to their home where, despite John Connors efforts to get her to run, girlfriend Riley answers the door and bluffs until the robot goes away.

Riley, Riley, Riley. She was so cute when she was just the blond girl in Doc Martens. But now, it’s her fault the Connors get robbed (she left the security system off). And she brazenly confronts a robot at the Connor’s front door, even though John tries to tell her “No, girl, don’t go. Danger, Danger Will Robinson!” Then, she has the nerve to make John call her a badass. If badass = kind of irritating and about to get him killed, then yes girl that’s you. You’re a badass.

So anyway, as John is narrowly escaping a quick and decisive neck-snap at the hands of a terminator, Cameron and Sarah track the film crew to a bowling alley, where Cameron makes them give back her leather jacket then shoots three of the four (obviously the sensible thing to do). Sarah, in a moment of weakness, spares the fourth kid. Of course, Cromartie finds the Last Mohican, and is beginning to wrench the Connor family’s whereabouts from his trembling lips as the episode ends. Doh!

Blame it on the Dow

Olivia Purnell — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Above, Brian Austin Green poses hard as Derek Reese in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, a show that was recently renewed, in spite of the fact that it’s falling behind in the ratings. Knight Rider, Private Practice, and T:TSOC were all picked up this season despite fairly low viewership. We must say, people should tune into Private Practice just for a quick look at Taye Diggs.

Dig Diggs after the jump:

We watch these shows for obvious reasons (see Diggs' picture). Except Knight Rider; we can’t abide by Knight Rider . . . That talking car creeps us out, and, you know, it’s also just not good. But, we watch and write about T:TSOC with a fervor (for hilarious recappage, click here). But facts are facts, the ratings for these shows are fairly low. The Hollywood Reporter suggests that our national economic hiccup (read: meltdown) may be a factor in these unusual pickups:

The economic crisis, combined with the cost of marketing a new series, the lack of new programming inventory because of the WGA strike and the anticipated difficulty of locking down new advertiser commitments, has networks inclined to play it safe.

"From the networks' standpoint, they're loath to cancel since the cost of finding something to replace a show may not be worth it," said Shari Anne Brill, vp and director of programming at Carat. "And advertisers still prefer to be in a quality scripted series to an inexpensive reality show," she said, adding, "I'm in the camp that believes it's a mistake for an advertiser to disappear during a recession because you need the consumer awareness so sales won't grind to a halt."

Listen, we’ve got no problem continuing to follow the Connor family's adventures, or envying Kate Walsh’s perfectly styled hair on Private Practice. But, The Hollywood Reporter seems to suggest that we’re stuck with these shows instead of inventive fresh alternatives. So not only are our wallets empty, but our programming is stale. The economy strikes again. Damn you Dow Jones, damn you.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Just What the Doctor Ordered

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Now this week’s episode we can get behind: A little psychology, a little ass kicking, and a whole lot of Shirley Manson.

Let’s talk about it, shall we?

We begin the episode with team Connor’s recognizance on Dr. Boyd Sherman, child psychologist and family therapist. The Doc’s name is on the blood-list on the Connor basement wall. You know the one, smeared in red by a dying resistance fighter from the future. It’s not a big deal, just some crucial tasks and names meant to help the team save all of humanity. Yeah, no pressure there.

In order to get inside the good Doctor’s head, the team decides it’s time for a little family therapy, just the three of them: Mommy Connor, Johnny Connor, and Robot Connor. Surprisingly, melancholy John takes to therapy like a suburban teen moth to a mall flame.

Meanwhile, Mama Robot (Shirley Manson) seeks Doctor Boyd’s help with her very human child, Savannah. Savannah’s actual parents, Catherine and Lachlan were killed in a plane crash. But robot Catherine has stepped in since, taking over their company and raising their kid. Understandably, Savannah’s having some troubs warming up to her replacement mommy. Ooh girl, we feel your adolescent pain. Roboto Shirley Manson is a scary lady, scary enough to make little Savannah pee all over the floor, literally (oops!). But with Dr. Boyd’s help, Catherine and Savannah talk about hugs, and legos, and they bond. Apparently therapy = magic.

Catherine is so impressed with Boyd’s work that she asks the Doctor to help her raise another one of her children. This one just happens to be a computer (oh no!!!!).

Uncle Derrick is MIA during all these therapy sessions. He’s off somewhere in Griffith Park looking hot, eating hotdogs (not a euphemism), and chasing down chicks. Derrick pursues one runner-girl all the way back to her hotel room. Turns out, she’s an ex-girlfriend/future resistance fighter named Jesse. But apparently Jesse’s over the whole ‘war’ thing. She’s tired of shrapnel, and, you know, death. She’s more into relaxing. That’s just where she’s at right now. Derrick disapproves, but he gets over it and they go at it in her hotel room. Brian Austin Green, we love how your characters really cling to their moral high ground.

As previously mentioned, John Connor lurves therapy. He wants to talk it out, express hisself, and work through all that nineties teen angst. During John’s sesh with Doc Boyd, Cameron intercepts a future robot girl on her way to visit (protect?) the doc. Cam beats robot girl down after an extended girl-on-girl robo fight scene, allowing John to discuss his issues in peace. What are his issues you ask? Defending the world, dealing with his firecracker of a girlfriend, having a robot sis, and, oh yeah, killing a man with his bare hands.

That’s gonna be a lot of time on the old couch.

Wake Up And Smile: Obama's October Surprise Might Be A November "SNL" Cameo

Bryan Christian — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:26:00 GMT

Time for another Halloween party at the Clinton's? Maybe... plus the latest on David Duchovny, Sarah Silverman, Terminator, Dollhouse, the Thursday ratings battle between Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour, plus -- does someone die on both Gossip Girl and Heroes this November?

-- Seth Meyers may have let slip plans for an Obama guest spot on Saturday Night Live the weekend before the election. But, then again, the rightwinger guy who claims to have heard this from an unnamed aide to Governor Sarah Palin also claims to know that John McCain consulted Lorne Michaels about picking Governor Palin as his running mate, so, you know, moron.

-- A tennis instructor was claiming to have been involved in the conspiracy known as David Duchovny's humpin' around until she backed off those claims suddenly. She now claims to have been fucking the planet Venus.

-- "Great Schlepper" Sarah Silverman bombed big time in London earlier this week, in front of Brit comedy luminaries like David Walliams and the guys from The Boosh. Turns out no one in England knows what a vagina is.

-- Nerds webwide are rejoicing the full season pickup for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles... except the ones that believe it cost them Dollhouse.

-- Thursdasy night's ratings continue to get interesting, except for the part where the subpar and insulting Eleventh Hour is now beating Life on Mars. Maybe give Michael Imperioli a shave or something?

-- E! says someone is dying in November on both Heroes and Gossip Girl, but we hate spoilers, so don't call us unless it's actually a crossover and Suresh eats Chuck Bass or something.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: Word to Your Mother

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

We want mommy. Not our mommy though (homegirl is in South Carolina right now, packing up a lovely care package for yours truly. Love you Mom!). Right now, we want John Connor’s mommy. The Sarah Connor we know and love, the ass-kicking bitch who takes no prisoners.

This week she takes a prisoner . . .

a 9 year-old kid named Martin Bedell. Little Martin has the same name as a future resistance fighter who will (or already has, or will have . . . thank you time-travel for confusing us grammatically once again) save John Connor’s life. Predictably, an extra large Triple-8 robot from the future comes back to kill the future badass Bedell. 9 year-old Martin will probably grow up to be a plumber or something, nonetheless, the Triple-8 wants him dead.

While Uncle Derrick and John go to military school to protect the real Martin Bedell, Sarah kidnaps little Martin and keeps him safe by stroking his hair and reading him bedtime stories. Granted mama Connor does have one moment of seriousness in which she shoots the triple-8 in the face with a sawed-off shotgun, but otherwise she’s basically making some kid milk and cookies.

John on the other hand, grows a pair this week. Uncle Derrick concocts some stupid plan to lure the Triple-8 into a military school trap. And while Brian Austin Green looks real good making all these plans, his little war game doesn’t go so well. The Triple-8 zeroes in on Martin Bedell. But just as the machine’s about to snap Bedell’s little GI-Joe neck, John calls out “It’s me, John Connor.” What? John? Is that you acting all heroic and shit? Word. Up.

Then, Uncle Derrick and Johnny the Brave somehow run the Triple-8 into a tar pit and do away with the gargantuan massassin (combination of machine and assassin, clever right?).

In other news, Agent Ellison continues to do Catherine Weaver’s investigative dirty work, delving into the drama at the Serrano Point power plant. Based on Ellison’s findings, Weaver shoves her metal tongue down the plant manager’s throat, killing him in the alley behind his favorite bar. Shirley Manson, ya’ll. Cold. As. Ice. Maybe not the best actress in the world. But she’s looking v fierce in that white suit. Keep doing what you do, Shirley.

Wake Up And Smile: If Duchovny's Sex Scandal Was A Ratings Stunt, It Didn't Work

Bryan Christian — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:31:00 GMT

Click through for more on Dexter, Californication, Russell Brand, Terminator, Supernatural, Mitch Pileggi, and the scandal brewing about tonight's debate.

-- Dexter premiered to strong, firm ratings Sunday night, but Californication couldn't get it up.

-- Catch Mitch Pileggi on tonight's back-in-time episode of Supernatural! Man, that show doesn't get its due. Its grisly and goofy and a lot of fun. Some day we're gonna come across a marathon of it and be all like "Dude, we were watching 30 Rock?" (OK, maybe not, but sort of.)

-- Hey Remote Olivia, your Mondays might be free pretty soon; Terminator is pulling in crummy ratings, and might not last the season.

-- They're giving Russell Brand something else to do on this side of the pond? Oh, hang on, it's just an hour-long Comedy Central special. Jesus, our grandma had one of those. (She killed.)

-- Here's our warning to the media regarding tonight's VP debate: nobody better fuck with Gwen Ifill. We don't care if she's writing a book on black politicians. She's the only person that we know of to have addressed the Imus scandal -- and Tim Russert's tacit approval of Imus' previous actions -- and still stay classy, which we're pretty sure makes her more prepared than any of us to do anything ever. That is all.

Wake Up And Smile: Katie Holmes Finally Discovers The Nadir Of Her Career

Bryan Christian — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:25:00 GMT

Yes, that's Joey Potter up there. What crummy hour-long drama got her to dress up like, um, what... Gwen Verdon playing Ava Gardner? Playing a drag queen? Click through for the answer -- plus news on How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Meet The Press, Friday Night Lights' Gaius Charles, and that wicked "vampire Bush" picture that was behind the bar on True Blood Sunday.

-- Eli Stone, everyone! Eli Stone has dressed up Katie Holmes as some sort of ridiculous glamourjoke and undoubtedly given her something embarassing to say. Hooray for everyone! Would you like a stress test?

-- Tom Brokaw will still leave Meet The Press sometime following the election, which we knew, leaving Tim Russert's chair to be filled permanently by NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd and White House reporter David Gregory, which we basically also knew. What we couldn't have guessed is how silver-tongued Brokaw could be in talking around the many embarrassments that Keith Olbermann caused NBC/MSNBC this election year. Work that liquid L, Tommy.

-- Monday night was a ratings wash, with How I Met Your Mother, Terminator, Life, and Worst Week all suffering declines from last week or last year. Not even Josh Schwartz, whose creation Gossip Girl actually gained viewers, can claim a victory for the night; he also created Chuck, which is currently scheduled at the same time, and whichsaw its second season premiere fall 27% from its pilot.

-- Hey, a link to that excellent Village Voice cover that turned up in True Blood's Fangtasia last Sunday

-- Friday Night Lights star Gaius Charles (adorably) covers the Austin City Limits festival for Entertainment Weekly and fails to engineer a meeting between himself and Erykah Badu. We like how he just kinda "ran into" Minka Kelly, something we never seem able to do when we are back in the River City.

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”: I Robot

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:25:00 GMT

Here’s what we like about Skynet: There’s no resting on your laurels if you’re a robot. The machines take The Secret to the next level. A robot doesn’t just visualize, and make collages, and wish upon a star. If a robot wants something, say the manipulation of human attributes, that robot literally goes out and gets itself a personality. This week Cameron shows us how it is done . . . was done . . . will be done . . . has already been done in the future? (Damn the Terminator tense conundrum!)

John sends Cameron to purchase a few groceries on a lovely So Cal afternoon, and Cameron, who’s been a little iffy lately anyway, goes off the reservation . . .

She can’t remember who she is, where she is, or even the fact that she’s, you know, a machine. Instead, she reverts to Allison Young, the resistance fighter she was programmed to impersonate.

Turns out that in the future, Allison was captured by Skynet, studied, and then ‘coerced’ into divulging John Connor’s location. Allison tries to trick her captor robot into approaching the resistance camp without a pass. But when her master plan is discovered, she’s killed by the infiltrator robot designed in her image. Yup, Cameron deals Allison a brutal neck snapping. Throughout the episode, Cam somehow rediscovers all of this info buried deep in her machine memory files or wherever.

All the while, Sarah is off telling birth stories with the ridiculously pregnant Tamara neighbor lady (Tamara’s constantly exposed and gynormous belly leads us to believe that she may be popping out six or seven babies, like, yesterday). While Tamara is getting a quick sonogram and eating green jello, Sarah recants the quaint tale of John’s birth in the jungles of South America with only a bottle of dark rum for antiseptic/anesthetic. Cute.

Agent James Ellison’s internal struggle continues. This guy is obviously a very deep individual who feels feelings deeply in an emotional and spiritual sort of way, all the while dealing with metaphysical questions and philosophies of a sentimental nature. He’s the kind of person who wants to do the right thing in this whole robots-from-the-future scenario. After much mulling and thought (almost three episodes worth) and a chance meeting with Catherine Weaver’s (Shirley Manson’s) ginger robot daughter, Savannah, our little FBI emo makes the decision to trust Catherine and work with ZeiraCorp, the future Skynet.

It was the kid, wasn’t it? It was that cute little red headed robot kid. She didn’t even speak! Damn. Sometimes the dapper Agent Ellison, not such a smart cookie.

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles": Sarah the Softie

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:20:00 GMT

Gotta be honest, we’ve become convinced that the machines might actually take this one. Up until now we went with the show’s premise that John Connor is destined to save humanity from Skynet. Although we’ve always doubted Johnny’s survival skills (that kid wouldn’t last two hours with out his mommy and his pet robot), we put all our faith in Sarah Connor’s grim resolve, combat boots, and general righteousness. But this week we didn’t see Sarah the warrior queen, or Sarah the ass-kicking HBIC. This week we got a taste of Sarah the pushover.

And we’re not sure we liked it . . .

Last week Charlie Dickson, Sarah’s ex-fiancé, and his wife fled Los Angeles on the advice of the ever-dapper FBI Agent James Ellison. This week Cromartie catches up with the unhappy couple on the highway and kidnaps Charlie’s wife. Predictably, a weepy Charlie calls Sarah on the phone begging her to help him.

Even though she knows that this entire kidnapping scenario is a machine rigged trap to kill John (her son) and sabotage any future resistance to Skynet domination, Sarah jumps in the truck to go help Charlie, leaving Cameron to baby-sit John.

At this point we found ourselves hollering at the TV screen like we were watching a horror flick at Magic Johnson Theater. (Don’t go that way! Behind you! Behind youuuuuuu!) Sarah, why don’t you just hand Skynet the human race in a hand basket? Who cares about Charlie’s new wife? Don’t walk directly into the trap!!! The terminator’s gonna get John! He’s gonna get Joooohhnnnnn!

So while Sarah goes off on an expedition to save her ex-boyfriend’s replacement bride, John shakes his robot bodyguard and decides to go on a date with the adorable Riley.

Back at the ranch, Sarah, Charlie, and Uncle Derrick (Brian Austin Green) fall headfirst into the save-Charlie’s-wife ambush. Even though they all tried their darndest, surprise surprise, the wife is injured.

Let’s take a quick moment to talk about Brian Austin Green. First of all, he is kinda fine (correct pronunciation: foynne). Second of all, we’d like to see him in more fight scenes, more love scenes, more scenes. That is all.

Cromartie secures John’s location and goes after the unarmed lad. John narrowly escapes the machine’s clutches by jumping off of a pier into the Pacific Ocean. Apparently T-888s can’t swim. Who knew?

Oh, and in the end, the wife dies. So, Sarah risks the human race to save this woman she doesn’t even know but looses her, and almost looses John (her son) as well. We hope Sarah gets her game face on. Because this Charmin extra soft side of her persona is not doing it for us. At all.

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles": Home Sweet Home

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:24:00 GMT

So last week’s episode rocked our socks off. It was an all action all the time non-stop twist fest, and the writers threw in a healthy dose of John and Cameron who’s-gonna-terminate-who drama. Loved it! But T:TSOC can’t always be rock-em sock-em robot. This week we see a kinder gentler portrait of Connor and friends. Less ass kicking, more acquisition of home furnishings and such. It’s like they went from an intense (and deadly) game of lazer tag to shopping at Raymour and Flanigan.

First things first, the Connors get a house. Thank the Lord they get out of the church where they were holing up; all that heavy-handed biblical allusion was making us hungry for a communion cracker. Also, perhaps with a more stable home base and a shower, John can stop going to school looking like a refugee from a Matrix casting call. Hygiene is important, son.

Although apparently hygiene’s not that important because even though Johnny needs a bar of soap, some moisturizer, and a band-aid, he managed to get himself a girl. And she is fabulous! Her name’s Riley. She’s a rebel! She wears tights under her jean shorts, Doc Martens, and she got kicked out of a Christian school for having a tattoo. She makes John turn his perma-frown upside-down, and she stays the night with him; so you know she’s a little bit slutty . . . we love her!

Moms is not pleased though. Is Sarah Conner ever pleased? Nope, she’s mostly pensive and trying to save the world or whatever. Riley shouldn’t take it personally. Eventually their mutual love of John and combat boots will bring them together. But in this episode, Sarah’s a little tired and she’s got some things on her mind. For example, she’s finally bout to get a little cat nap in her new home when a wounded and dying resistance fighter from the future bursts in through the back door and starts bleeding all over her living room carpet.

Bloody resistance guy sputters a few last words about Greenway and Syranno and stop him! And suddenly Sarah’s received her next mission. Sarah and Cam go undercover at the Syranno Point power plant (a resistance controlled point in the future fight against Sky Net). Even though she’s supposedly a janitor, Sarah gussies herself up like an off duty cowgirl and gets buddy-buddy with their target, Carl Greenway, a middle-management worker in charge of nuclear safety.

Greenway thinks there are problems with nuclear reactors, but the delays in testing might shut the plant down. While Sarah and Uncle Derrick puzzle over what to do next, a T-1000 hangs poor unsuspecting Greenway in his own apartment. Then proceeds to impersonate him at the Syranno Point plant initiating a nuclear melt down.

Which leads us to Cameron. Cam is a little off since her accident. She’s a little more . . . how shall we say . . . human. When Sarah tells her to stop the meltdown, Cameron pauses saying, “I’m thinking about what to do.” Girl, you don’t think! That’s part of your robot magic! Run, jump, kick something! . . . Cam eventually steps up to the plate and terminates the T-1000, stopping the melt down and saving the resistance stronghold.

However, along with Johnny’s new (and awesome) leading lady, Cameron’s newly iffy wiring and seeming fallibility will bring us fresh boat loads of Terminator drama. Especially as the Connor crew follows the instructions written in resistance fighter blood on their brand new basement wall. Love it!

The Weekly Rewind: Floating in a Sea of Television

Ben Kallen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:35:00 GMT

The new TV season is here, and so far it's going pretty well. None of the new shows have bowled us over yet, but that's okay, because we still have other things on our minds... such as politics, and stars' naked booties. Let's remember it all fondly with the highlights of the week.

We gawked at the stars on the Video Music Awards, and examined what they were wearing. But we were glad host Russell Brand didn't offer Britney a drink.

We saw far more than we should have of Julianna Margulies and Jessica Simpson. But Pam Anderson? We've seen it all before.

We watched Kanye West get arrested at the airport, apparently for carrying more than an ounce of toothpaste.

We heard that a fellow critic whacked ailing legend Roger Ebert at a movie screening, even though it wasn't Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

We saw Gossip Girl uglify Blake Lively using nothing but a bad camera angle and a strawberry. But the wholesome kids of 90210 almost gave us sugar shock, even though there was a hint of bitterness.

We watched Barack Obama on Letterman, then we all blabbed about Sarah Palin going up against Charlie Gibson, and it made us about as happy as a pig in... well, never mind. But in more important political news, we got a clue about whether or not Tina Fey will return to Saturday Night Live.

We thought the "vamp walks into a bar" drama True Blood was cool, though not entirely original. We thought the "agent walks into a conspiracy" drama Fringe was pretty good as well. Not that you'd know it from the ratings.

We learned that rock star Shirley Manson is a shape-shifting Terminator. (Of course, Marilyn Manson is Kevin from The Wonder Years.)

We saw Entourage's Vinnie Chase trade a sex romp on the beach in Mexico for meeting interruptus back in Hollywood, and it was as fun as ever -- for us and, especially, for him.

We heard that the new season of 24 and the first season of Dollhouse were temporarily shutting down production due to "minor" script problems. Which is like a doctor telling you you'll have to undergo "minor" surgery.

...And we got terrible news about Paris Hilton.

Previously:
The Weekly Rewind: We're All Just a Bunch of Gossip Girls

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles": It’s Computer Love?

Olivia Purnell — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:08:00 GMT

The Connor clan dropped by to say hi last night... and it was the bomb dot com. We know you have your doubts. We did too. But now, we are in love -- and we might not be the only ones. Here are a few of the reasons everybody's all twitterpated:

1. Everybody loves a plot twist: Cameron, John Connor’s terminator turned body guard turned sister turned sort-of love interest (say that five times fast), survives the fiery Jeep explosion of season one. She survived! The robot’s alive! (Thank god because Cameron’s pithy observations and steel-bending strength really move the story forward). But now that she’s up and at ‘em again, Cam is programmed to terminate John. Oh no! Something happened to her chip! She’s damaged goods! What will happen next!?! (We know, too many exclamation points; we’re just very excited about a twist!!!!)

2. You’re crazy if you don’t love Shirley Manson: Listen, she’s no Meryl Streep. But she’s got other strengths: the brogue, the fitted white suit, and the fiery red pompadour to name a few. Not to mention the fact that she can apparently pull the old "silver finger through the eye" trick from T2: Judgment Day. You heard us, y'all; she's a T-1000. Which means she can brush up the old acting chops at her leisure. (Note to Terminator writers: You think you can work in a musical episode this season? We’re hoping there’ll be an opportunity for Shirley to break out in song.)

3. John and Cameron sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G.: That’s right kids; robot-human love is blossoming before our very eyes. How do we know? Um, John saves Cameron even though she tried to clock him upside the head with a wrench and (more dangerously) got weepy trying to keep him from pulling out her CPU when she was pinned between those two semi-trucks. As far as faux-girlfriend/pretend-sister/bodyguards go, homegirl is obviously less than stable. (Ed.: You ain't kidding! That thing with the trucks? Best T:TSC scene ever. All of a sudden she was the deathless ex-girlfriend in the zombie-filled breakups of our nightmares.) But she said she was sorry and even whispered "I love you." The burgeoning relationship between John and killer Cammie makes us want to put on a little Midnight Star and whisper "Aww Baby" into our vocoder. (What? We're the only ones got a synthesizer ready for those times you need to put a little more stank on a slow jam?)

4. John's growing up: This was a pre-req to our really getting into this show. First season, John Connor was a little mopey and we weren't really seeing the whole "savior of mankind" thing. But: he had a couple of chilling scenes last night when he was faced with the prospect of deactivating Cameron; in the next episodes he's getting a gf to keep his mind off her (good idea); and his new Fauxcratic trick for winning an argument (convincing the other side that he's already won because, after all, he's in the fuuutuuurrrrre) is sneaky and self-involved in a Christian Bale-sort of way -- which is plenty soldier-like (and since Bale's playing him in the new movie, is actually bringing the continuity back a little to boot).

5. Stop or my Mom will shoot (and look good doing it): Sarah Connor didn't do much last night -- some running, some driving, some shooting -- but we think she might have gotten hotter. Just so we're all on the same page.

Coming up on the show: the Mansonator continues to try to build SkyNet (which is kind of a chicken-and-egg thing, right?), Cromartie the other Terminator tries to turn Agent Ellison to the dark side, Brian Austin Green and Dean Winters clutter up the periphery, and John's new do attracts the ladies, or at least one lady. Oh -- and stuff blows up big time. We're so in.

PREVIOUSLY:
Top Ten Returning Shows: #1 - TIE: "30 Rock" & "Terminator"
Can We Talk About Shirley Manson Being On "Terminator"?