Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Complete First Season

Reviewed by:
Gene Newman

The Skinny: The robot saga that just won't die gets new life is this highly imaginative Fox series that properly extends this franchise's lifeline and made us thinks: Arnold who?

New Sarah, New John, New Hotbot: Rather than try to make it conform to the movies, they cast MILF-rific Lena Headey (300) as Sarah, Thomas Dekker as John (he's good, and let's face it, anyone is better than the screechy Edward Furlong), and sexy stunner Summer Glau as Cameron Phillips, a.k.a. the Terminatrix.

The Good: We always thought the more times they added new chapters to the Terminator story, like they keep doing with Star Wars, the more it would fall apart. We were wrong. This allows them to delve into all the cool details that couldn't fit into a two-hour movie. They manage to strike a balance between the story seeming familiar but not repetitive, and the action is psycho-intense for a TV show. Did we mention how friggin' adorable Summer Glau is? She can protect us anytime!

The Bad: This season only has nine episodes (cut short due to that assy writers' strike), making us wonder if they can keep it this great for a second season. Then again, we've doubted them before, so we're tuning in so they can prove us wrong again. Same goes for the first of three new Terminator movies starring Christian Bale coming out next summer.

Best Extra: We're playing it safe and going for the three-part behind-the-scenes documentary ("Creating the Chronicles"), but there's also a few commentaries, an extended cut of Episode 7, cast audition tapes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel.