Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 13, 2008
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 179 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 179
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 179
  3. Negative: 32 out of 179
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User Reviews

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  1. RossVegas
    Jan 29, 2008
    4
    What is the point of watching this show anyway? It has the made for TV looks that aren't bad enough to be funny-just weak. Wow! Lotsa balsa wood being broken. I love Firefly, but Glau is underwhelming. And as for J.C. having to snap his mom out of freezing up/daydreaming (Mom! Now! Let's go!) well, this Sarah Connor is no soldier at all. Pointless retcon of the franchise that What is the point of watching this show anyway? It has the made for TV looks that aren't bad enough to be funny-just weak. Wow! Lotsa balsa wood being broken. I love Firefly, but Glau is underwhelming. And as for J.C. having to snap his mom out of freezing up/daydreaming (Mom! Now! Let's go!) well, this Sarah Connor is no soldier at all. Pointless retcon of the franchise that played itself put admirably. Let it go now.… Expand
  2. Blitzcrag
    Jan 28, 2011
    10
    Long-time terminator fan here. I thought the shows were engaging and action packed! Characters are true to the movies, and the additional story in between the movies is definitely welcomed.
  3. NerijusD
    Jun 7, 2009
    4
    Rather bad TV series.
  4. TomS
    Apr 26, 2009
    2
    A melodramatic, drawn out to the nth degree raping of the Terminator franchise. Sarah Connor's voice over narrations at the end of each episode are eerily similar to the Final Thoughts segment from The Jerry Springer Show. Bad in every way.
  5. KristinK
    Jan 24, 2008
    1
    Seriously, I watched one episode and thought it was lame. I tried to watch it again, and after a few minutes I was thinking, even with a writer's strike, I can't stoop this low... I was BORED. It was poorly acted, poorly scripted and just plain not very interesting. I am a fan of the Terminator movies and generally go for the sci-fi stuff, so it isn't a genre issue. It just Seriously, I watched one episode and thought it was lame. I tried to watch it again, and after a few minutes I was thinking, even with a writer's strike, I can't stoop this low... I was BORED. It was poorly acted, poorly scripted and just plain not very interesting. I am a fan of the Terminator movies and generally go for the sci-fi stuff, so it isn't a genre issue. It just simply is not a very good show, and I am frankly amazed that it has gotten such good reviews...… Expand
  6. 1966Zodiac
    Oct 6, 2010
    4
    Now this show i not tht good really. You know that this website is BS if this show got higher ratings than Terminator 2 Judgement day. This show really did not have a good plot and there are many things wrong with it.
  7. Le__Xenomorph
    Jan 9, 2015
    5
    This show is very OK. It has goods but all of the goods are brought down by the bads. The CGI is good for a TV show but it is brought down by the sub-par acting. Just watch the Terminator movies instead, they are a whole lot better. 5/10 (mediocre)
  8. johndoe
    Jan 14, 2008
    0
    im assuming these good reviews are a kind of conspiracy due to the writers strike. the entire industry needs this show to do well because its their obi wan (only hope). i cant imagine real, intelligent television reviewers such as brian lowry at variety actually think this show is decent. the times called it "relevant." what does that mean? this show is garbage. really really bad. viva im assuming these good reviews are a kind of conspiracy due to the writers strike. the entire industry needs this show to do well because its their obi wan (only hope). i cant imagine real, intelligent television reviewers such as brian lowry at variety actually think this show is decent. the times called it "relevant." what does that mean? this show is garbage. really really bad. viva laughlin bad. no viva terminator.… Expand
  9. Stabs_with_Pudz
    Mar 26, 2013
    7
    Its different, i know that. If you are expecting an exact same replica of Terminator 2 then you are in the wrong place. It focuses less on action and more of the emotional side of the whole ordeal, I'm not saying that it hasn't got action in it because it has plenty! The action scenes don't follow too much on James Cameron's massive flamy explosions and focus more on Terminator vsIts different, i know that. If you are expecting an exact same replica of Terminator 2 then you are in the wrong place. It focuses less on action and more of the emotional side of the whole ordeal, I'm not saying that it hasn't got action in it because it has plenty! The action scenes don't follow too much on James Cameron's massive flamy explosions and focus more on Terminator vs Terminator melee fighting and on the guns, but unfortunately doesn't quite live up to the state of the art visuals of T2, mostly because of the budget constraints... the visuals mainly suffered when it showed full CGI endoskeletons or when it showed people shooting lasers at HKs or just in general really. Even though the characters are different to the originals, I reckon the actors bring on a new side of them. Some acting that I would have nag about is that of the Terminators that are sent back, they just don't get it. I mean some of them are actually really good (e.g Garret Dillahunt as Cromatrie/John Henry, Summer Glau as Cameron and the machine from Sarah's dream in the pilot episode: Aaron Cash.) Others just can't do it, I know they're robots but when they walk and talk they aren't completely robotic, some of the people just presume that their movements are stiff and limited but they can actually move quite freely (like humans). So overall this show brings a lot of warmth and humanises the Terminator franachise… Expand
  10. DannyM.
    May 10, 2009
    10
    Tim Goodman is an absolute fraud who would rate Michael Phelps a bad swimmer simply because Goodman wants to make a name for himself. Dont listen to his tripe. TSCC is one the best sci-fi series in recent memory. If you want to fall in love with a show then give this a chance. Its superb.
  11. JaredB.
    Jan 20, 2008
    9
    Surprisingly tight and well-acted. Lena Headey is compelling in the role made famous by Linda Hamilton. During my viewing of the first two episodes, I kept thinking that this was what I had hoped Bionic Woman would be more like. It is honest, authentic and human despite being a story about apocolyptic futures. It never falls too far into the sugary sweet family relationship that BW does.
  12. SusanL.
    Mar 1, 2008
    8
    Great effects, characters and premise. Summer Glau is amazing as the robot trying to make sense of humanity. It could use a dose of well written humour, though.
  13. EspenS
    Mar 3, 2008
    9
    Great show! Some problems with the story and the actors in the first two episodes, but now after 7 episodes both the story and the actors has found their roles. Can't wait for more :D
  14. MasJ.
    Mar 4, 2008
    10
    Awesome show !!! A great action show that is well written and has interesting characters. Summer is so good at delivering funny lines with a straight face. What a gem this show is among the tired cycle of reality TV, crime solving shows and boring dramas. I hope it has many seasons ahead.
  15. ShawnR.
    Mar 4, 2008
    8
    i hate time travel in movies and TV. when i 1st heard about this show, i thought to myself...'oh gosh, here we go with another pretentious and lackluster show'. even when the show started i was watching and the eye rolling started, somewhere along the line, it picked up and caught my attention. that pick up was Summer Glau's entrance. what the show does is provide an i hate time travel in movies and TV. when i 1st heard about this show, i thought to myself...'oh gosh, here we go with another pretentious and lackluster show'. even when the show started i was watching and the eye rolling started, somewhere along the line, it picked up and caught my attention. that pick up was Summer Glau's entrance. what the show does is provide an interesting look into the terminator genre and timeline. these glimpses, conceptually are stimulating in execution, they lose a bit of shine but played nicely nonetheless, for the most part. the weakness of the show are, in my mind, Sarah Connor and her son john. the supporting characters have been far more interesting with their story arcs...the FBI agent, cromartie, even the paramedic, and Derek Reese. i hope to see more of this and watch the story line develop.… Expand
  16. ASH
    Jan 15, 2008
    8
    I liked it! At first, I was expecting somewhat low budget production values , bad storylines and casting choices right from the WB stable of actors. You know...kind of like Beverly Hills 90210 vs. Terminators. There was none of that in this show. It definitely has a high budget and a pretty decent story so far and really does nail the overall feeling of the Terminator movies. Can't I liked it! At first, I was expecting somewhat low budget production values , bad storylines and casting choices right from the WB stable of actors. You know...kind of like Beverly Hills 90210 vs. Terminators. There was none of that in this show. It definitely has a high budget and a pretty decent story so far and really does nail the overall feeling of the Terminator movies. Can't say I agree with the casting choice of the woman who plays Sarah Connor. She's definitely no Linda Hamilton. And Summer Glau as the friendly Terminator...Wow! That is one fine lookin' woman! If I were John Connor, it'd be hard...I mean difficult...to not lust after her every second. I'd be torn between wanting to get with her and knowing that underneath, she's a cyborg killing machine. I would definitely recommend this show.… Expand
  17. ChrisC
    Jan 16, 2008
    5
    I still consider Terminator 2 to be the true end of Terminator canon. Different writer + different director = Different franchise.
  18. RobbieG.
    Jan 16, 2008
    7
    Surprisingly good.. The question is: can they keep it up for more episodes?
  19. TomO.
    Feb 1, 2008
    8
    Will this be more than just chases and robot fights? I like Summer Glau's work, and the reprise of her Serenity role is welcome. Her robot character curious about human eccentricities is mining the same vein as Commander Data and Seven of Nine, but I still think it's interesting even if it isn't fully original. One-liners ("You get all the guns, I'll make pancakes.") Will this be more than just chases and robot fights? I like Summer Glau's work, and the reprise of her Serenity role is welcome. Her robot character curious about human eccentricities is mining the same vein as Commander Data and Seven of Nine, but I still think it's interesting even if it isn't fully original. One-liners ("You get all the guns, I'll make pancakes.") keep me listening to the dialog more carefully. I'll leave this on my TiVo season subscription, at least for the time being.… Expand
  20. OnticT.
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    Great show, a must keep. Hope they don't cancel this one.
  21. MikeH
    Feb 7, 2008
    9
    Since I barely remember the Terminator movies, I'm judging this solely on its own merits. It works. The FBI sub-plot is the main weak link. There is a lot of room for character growth, which is why they've started with an immature John Connor and a robot with a learning curve. An all-action-all-the-time series would pall quickly, but this has great potential.
  22. Dorian
    Feb 9, 2008
    10
    What a let down. As others have pointed out, this series feels like a series of one-act plays commonly found in an off-Broadway production. While Gabriel Byrne is fine (as always), the other characters, err, "patients" are, for the most part, tedious, self-absorbed and unlikable, while the dialogue comes off as stagy and forced, a death knell for a show that is nothing BUT talk. In fact, What a let down. As others have pointed out, this series feels like a series of one-act plays commonly found in an off-Broadway production. While Gabriel Byrne is fine (as always), the other characters, err, "patients" are, for the most part, tedious, self-absorbed and unlikable, while the dialogue comes off as stagy and forced, a death knell for a show that is nothing BUT talk. In fact, the whole thing just comes off as inauthentic, gimmicky and self-important, more an exercise in "duo" acting, than anything else. No doubt, the melodrama will appeal to soap-opera fans, as well as therapists who have been DYING for a show to portray them as they imagine themselves to be: unsung heroes who are too often ridiculed, misunderstood or not appreciated by the world at large. However, judging by this shows portrayal, it seems that being a therapist is synonymous with being an emotional receptacle for histrionic narcissists; I, for one, see this show as doing no favors for the profession.… Expand
  23. weiweiL
    May 20, 2008
    10
    Very good show. better than most shows on TV right now.
  24. R.
    Mar 21, 2009
    10
    Best drama on television. Great writing and acting. Last night's episode; "Today is the Day Part 2" was the best one yet.
  25. MarcelK.
    Jan 15, 2008
    3
    Very weak! I missed the pilot that most of the positive review relate to, however I was very excited about watching the first episode yesterday night. However this excitement only lasted for the exact lenght of the "What happened so far on the Sarah Connoer Chronicles"...I couldn't believe the weak acting, flat storyline and poor special defec...excuse me, effects. The female Very weak! I missed the pilot that most of the positive review relate to, however I was very excited about watching the first episode yesterday night. However this excitement only lasted for the exact lenght of the "What happened so far on the Sarah Connoer Chronicles"...I couldn't believe the weak acting, flat storyline and poor special defec...excuse me, effects. The female terminator (who did a great job in Firefly) looks weak, weird and actually doesn't feel like a Terminator at all. Sure there are some "A-ha" effects when she fights the bigger & bad Terminators, but only for the first time she blocks the first blow effortlessly. One of the biggest draws to the original Terminator flicks is how Arnie gets torn apart, but regardless of his visual appearance he keeps working relentlessly trying to fullfill his mission. The TV series tries to make this point as well, she gets pushed out of windows and run over by cars...but she only sustains few superficial scratches and they are not even carried over conistently from scene-to-scene. Sarah is too "pretty", doesn't feel like a tough women at all and John is a regular 18-year-old-do-no-good. In the end I didn't buy into either of the three main characters, but John probably gets the closest to his intended role. The biggest dissapointment for me is the story-line though, instead of coming up with something creative, they just add to the time travel confusion. Also there's no suspense at all related to who's good or bad here...I am almost afraid that the big surprise during the season finale will be the "friendly" Terminator turning bad. Watch out, this is not worth your time!… Expand
  26. TonyB.
    Jan 15, 2008
    9
    Surprisingly intelligent sci-fi
  27. BillC
    Jan 16, 2008
    6
    Story was actually pretty good, including the unexpected ending, but the acting was borderline awful.....making the show almost a wash in the end.
  28. EricE.
    Jan 18, 2008
    7
    I liked the first two episodes. I am not really sure about Headey as Sarah Conner. I just don't see that determination and toughness in her that I saw in Linda Hamilton. This is certainly going to go on my to watch list and hope that Fox doesn't cancel it like they do with all Sci-Fi shows.
  29. DaveS
    Feb 19, 2008
    9
    Subtle acting and scripting is not what you expect when you turn on the TV for prime-time SciFi, but it's exactly what you get from this show. Complaints about the characters being "flat" are unfounded. These are actors who, while not delivering Oscar-worthy performances, are playing their parts nearly perfectly. If you want the hysterical giddiness of Buffy, well those are out on Subtle acting and scripting is not what you expect when you turn on the TV for prime-time SciFi, but it's exactly what you get from this show. Complaints about the characters being "flat" are unfounded. These are actors who, while not delivering Oscar-worthy performances, are playing their parts nearly perfectly. If you want the hysterical giddiness of Buffy, well those are out on DVD. This show is about thoughtful science fiction: the examination of what one reviewer called "adolescent exceptionalism"; time travel; a mother's love. Most interesting, however, is the push and pull between John Connor and the Glau-minator, as the first is hardened to the realities of a possible, brutal future and the latter is softened to daily life with the Connors. There are plenty of one liners for the proles and lots of explosions for the More Cowbell set, but underneath is a show that is smart and confident.… Expand
  30. michaelT
    Feb 20, 2008
    9
    After watching the first show i was pretty much hooked . The acting is very good , story lines keep you wanting more , and the special effects are good . What is also nice is how they use references to the terminator movies ( i am talking about the first 2 ) and expand on it into the story of the show . Again , thats credit to great writing team . Lets hope they can keep this up and its After watching the first show i was pretty much hooked . The acting is very good , story lines keep you wanting more , and the special effects are good . What is also nice is how they use references to the terminator movies ( i am talking about the first 2 ) and expand on it into the story of the show . Again , thats credit to great writing team . Lets hope they can keep this up and its on for a while . I find you can always tell you like a show , when you cant wait till the next week when it continues .… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best TV Season of 2008
13
#13 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
32
#32 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    88
    The Sarah Connor Chronicles" begins as an intense, thoughtful, exciting, fun spectacle. The first episode will kick your ass.
    Read full review
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    80
    Humans vs. cyborgs in a movie spin-off that's surprisingly effective for fans of both action and character drama.
    Read full review
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    70
    Some die-hards may be frustrated by inconsistencies in the timeline with "Terminator 3," but unless you get overly wrapped up in the details of time travel, tonight's pilot is an intense adventure.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »