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« Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Episode recap: "The Demon Hand"
In an episode that is chock full of references to the previous films, the main theme appears to be nature and duality of good and evil or rather, the soulful, feeling human versus the heartless, cold machine, and how each can mimic the other but never can truly be the same.
Cameron acquires a police uniform and motorcycle, disables a portion of the city's power grid then uses the power outage and her disguise to easily enter the police station that is supposed to have the missing Terminator hand (from the episode, “Queen's Gambit”). Cameron discovers that the hand is not in the evidence room but in the possession of Agent Ellison. Sarah takes matters into her own hands (heh) by tracking down Agent Ellison. It seems that Ellison has not been just twiddling his thumbs (heh) as he has been continuing to piece everything together. He studies the video taped sessions of Sarah while she was in Pescadero State Hospital and even visits the institution, including her old room there. Sarah returns the favor by breaking into Ellison's home looking for the robot hand, and instead discovering the video tapes. A doctor at Pescadero informs Ellison that the physician that cared for Sarah, Doctor Silverman (Bruce Davison), is now a recluse and of course, Ellison decides to pay him a visit. At first the meeting seems to be going along without any issues until Ellison passes out from being drugged by Silverman, who binds Ellison and then stabs him in the leg in attempt to verify that Ellison is not a machine. As it turns out, Silverman has been affected by the previous encounter with Sarah and the Terminators so much so that he now believes, religiously, that Sarah's story is true and attempts to kill Ellison by burning down his own house. Sarah intervenes at the last minute, knocks out Silverman, reacquires the cyborg hand (that Ellison brought with him) and saves Ellison. Later, Ellison has Dr. Silverman committed to Pescadero.
Cameron is assigned the task of finding Dimitri, the person who actually programmed the chess algorithms into Andy Goode's Turk computer, via his sister, Maria. Cameron signs up for ballet classes taught by Maria and eventually gains her confidence. After a brief visit with Dimitri, Cameron is given the name of the person the Turk computer was sold and as she leaves the apartment, both Dimitri and his sister are gunned down by Russian mobsters.
Finally, John finds one of the video tapes that Sarah removes from Ellison's home. In that particular video, Sarah signs away parental rights to John, which upsets him until Sarah explains her actions.
Commentary:
I think these references to the previous films need to stop. OK, maybe not stop completely as I do find them very interesting; however, in this episode it was like major overkill. Seriously, if you do not believe me, here's my list (I'm sure there are more that I missed):
—Cameron wearing the cop outfit, sunglasses and the police motorcycle
—Sarah's video taped sessions
—Sarah's room at Pescadero
—Doctor Silverman returns
—References to the Sarah's breakout from Pescadero
—References to John's foster parents, Todd and Janelle, who were killed by the T1000 in the second film.
Aren't they supposed to keep us wanting more rather than showing us the entire shark? That being said, it's interesting to finally confirm that the events of T2 are canon (or at least the ones referenced in this episode).
Nothing against Lena's performance to date (as I have liked it) but I thought Linda Hamilton played a better psycho Sarah; although I could never picture Linda cooking breakfast like Lena.
Nice way of getting Summer to dance in the episode! Did Cameron inform the mobsters of her meeting with Dimtri or was it just coincidence (as they seemed not to care that she was walking past them)? Summer looked very robotic as she stood there with her back to Sarah at the end. Did she have a cold at the end of the episode?
Why exactly is John upset as Sarah's past should had already been known to him? Unnecessary subplot to an episode that was already overburdened with plot.
So Ellison finally has something to do! Does he believe Sarah's story or is he like Mulder in that he wants to believe but just doesn't have the proof? One would figure the robot hand would be all the proof he needs.
Let's revisit my initial thoughts of the episode dealing with the themes of man versus machine, God versus man and their nature/duality and juxtapositions While I am extremely pleased at thought provoking themes like this is being handled in this television series (as opposed to an Ingmar Bergman film), as with the references to the previous films in this episode, I really felt that it was just too heavy handed. Maybe I shouldn't criticize the show for trying, so you tell me if you think they went overboard or not. Here's my list:
—Sarah walking past all the mausoleum, past all the people interred there until she finds Andy Goode's grave. Cameron walking past all the boxed evidence, looking for the one that contains the cyborg hand.
—Derek's constant warnings about Cameron and later him watching Cameron's graceful dance.
—The exchange between Cameron and Derek:
Cameron: “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
Derek: “First you have to have a soul.”
—The cold nature of Sarah's hospital sessions and John's emotional reaction to them.
—Cameron watching Maria dance (and her students) then mimicking them at the end of the episode, earlier coldly allowing her and Dimitri to get murdered.
—Silverman's religious description of the incident between the two Terminators from the second film
—Silverman's recollection of the T101's 'hand of God' and Sarah's hand as she reaches out to save Ellison from the fire (the episode title itself).
—Sarah's possible prophetic voice over at the end: “They cannot appreciate beauty. They cannot create art. If they ever learn these things, they won't have to destroy us. They will be us.”
On that note, it's time to sign off. There are no quotes/nitpicking subsections this week as I have buried some into my commentary above. Until next week's two-hour season finale (here's to hoping it blows us all away!)... I'll be back!
Check out more of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles in our Online Video Guide.
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Feb 26, 2008 2:20 AM
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I enjoyed all the nods to T2 and this episode as a whole. A question though. Was the song that Cameron was dancing to the same one coming from the basement in last weeks episode?
EDIT: OK, I verified my own suspicions. It was the same song. Perhaps that explains the look of fear(IMO) on Derek's face.
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Feb 26, 2008 2:48 AM
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I thought Derek's look was more of confusion than of fear. I mean, he's already afraid of the machines, but now one seems to be dancing for no good reason whatsoever (while also listening to what is likely the same music used when he was in the room).
For me, every time Derek complained about having a machine around, I wanted either of the Connors nee Baums to relate how the last T101 bodyguard gave it's "life" for John.
That said, this has to be a tough series to do. You try for the cinema-quality effects, but you only have a TV budget. Sometimes you just have to do a heavy-handed exposition-laden low-effect episode. I'm more annoyed at how things concerning Ellison are coming together a little quickly. I'm just wondering how this show will evolve.
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Feb 26, 2008 3:37 AM
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The reviewer missed the whole entire ending. The music she was dancing to was the music Derek heard in the basement where he was held capture. Remember how she said sometimes previous experience "bleeds though" to the Terminators even after they have their memory wiped... This could explain his hatred of her and how he "knows her" and reacted so violently to her when he saw her in the future. You have to watch the show carefully to catch everything.
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Feb 26, 2008 7:04 AM
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I really liked this episode. It has action, and it had heart. Unlike the reviewer, I enjoyed the references to T2 and I thought it was able to provide continuity with the movie in a credible way. I am enjoying Brian Austen Green's role. The last scene that showed his look of horror (?) and fear, juxtaposed with Cameron's grace and beauty in dance was pure delight; it captured visually the elements that make this show so wonderful for me to watch. I really do hope that it is picked up by FOX. I want to see how the series would evolve. In the meantime, I look forward to next week's two-parter, while also saddened that it might be a series finale.
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Feb 26, 2008 7:46 AM
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Great episode and great way to tie up many elements from T2 with the doctor. The look of horror on Derek's face was awesome. It's like everything he believed about the machines just met a reality that he couldn't comprehend. I'd say he just took an insanity point. Was that really Summer dancing? I take it that Ellison now believes Sarah? I wonder why he was asking the doctor about the hand when Sarah pulled him out of the fire. I guess just to confirm that she took it? Looking so forward to next week, but I'm bummed that it's the finale. I sure hope that they bring this show back.
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Feb 26, 2008 8:40 AM
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Yes, that was Summer dancing. She's been a ballerina for most of her life.
I liked the references to T2, but the religious references were way too heavy handed for my taste. I don't like when things are spelled out for me, so it would have been better if they were a little more subtle. Showing Ellison at bible study was just over the top for me.
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Feb 26, 2008 8:57 AM
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I enjoyed most of the episode's references. I thought at times the good/evil thing was too much in one episode, but yet I understand in the situations for the plot they needed to be addressed. I thought both Thomas Dekker and Brian Austen Green were good this episode, everyone needs to remember that John Connor at this point is apparently not as far removed as we once thought from the events in T2, and is pretty messed up and probably has some abandonment issues, so seeing his mother sign him away (which, mind you, I don't know if it is because I am a lawyer, but I knew what was happening when John watched the tape), and also, while he loves his mother, well, I am curious and might have to watch T2 againt, how long was she ever with him? What I think is the best is just the vaguely hopeful expression on his face when he talks to Derek. I keep hoping that Sarah or John will ask if he is ever capable of going back, and if not, well, why can't they tell him?
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Feb 26, 2008 9:25 AM
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While this show isn't blowing my mind I have to admit that it has been a Godsend (heh) during this otherwise desolate wasteland that is the "Strike of 2008." I'm sure that FOX is relieved that they had this one in the can so the fans of 24 would have some recourse from being forced to watch Esteban sell cheap guitars. I will be interested to see how they wrap things up next Monday and then how they proceed once they've exhausted all references to the first two theatrical films.
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Feb 26, 2008 9:49 AM
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I liked the episode. I do agree that the motorcycle cop thing was a bit much. I loved Derek’s reaction to Cameron dancing at the end of the episode. I recognized the music as the same at the last episode right a way. I also think that it is telling what he said to John, that when you’re locked up in a small room you do things you never thought that you would. I think that a Cameron model was in that room and he gave up the location of his brother and the others. I think that he knows that she knows what he did.
Of course John was upset. He never thought for a second that his mother would give him up and to see that was devastating. He always saw his mother as so strong and someone to never give up and to see her give up on him was heart breaking.
There are a few things about Cameron that I am curious about. Other terminators don’t recognize the model. That just seems weird. Also, why are her robot eyes blue and the other terminators red? I think that there is significance to that.
I am looking forward to next week’s episode. Unfortunately I think that it will be the last.
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Feb 26, 2008 10:26 AM
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Why exactly is John upset as Sarah's past should had already been known to him? Unnecessary subplot to an episode that was already overburdened with plot.
I think this was a vehicle to introduce this to those of us that haven't watched the Terminator movies...
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Feb 26, 2008 10:27 AM
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I like this show, but I would LOVE a spin-off featuring Summer Glau. She's the most interesting character here, surrounded by actors locked into drab, depressed roles. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she's beautiful, but the show comes alive when she's onscreen because of her tough,but often hilarious, performance.
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Feb 26, 2008 10:31 AM
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My favorite quote was:
"And somewhere a cop is bleeding in the street" (or "alley") referring to Sarah seeing Cameron in the cop outfit! HILARIOUS!!!
I enjoyed seeing Cameron in the cop attire and all of the T2 references.
I didn't catch the music being the same as the music played in last weeks episode, so good job to those who caught that. Wasn't there a plastic ballerina doll in that house as well when Derek was held captive? I said last week that I think John was responsible for keeping those guys there, and I am going to stand behind that guess, especially if it was Cameron down there. Maybe he has to test them before he sends them back to the past and have those barcodes put on them.
I am looking forward to seeing Derek's reaction to finding out the truth that he is John's uncle. Hopefully he won't realize that just as he is dying.
I wonder if whoever has the turk is someone we have seen before. I doubt it is Cromartie as he would have just killed for it, not paid someone for it.
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Feb 26, 2008 11:44 AM
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Aren't they supposed to keep us wanting more rather than showing us the entire shark?
No. What rulebook are your reading?
The T2 references were the best thing about this otherwise good episode. Loved that Cameron let the ballerina die. That was unexpected.
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Feb 26, 2008 12:02 PM
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to Stace34: I agree that it's likely that in the basement, Derek (and his comrades?) was forced to give up the resistance hideout's location. But his brother Kyle wasn't there, he'd gone missing during the mission before they were captured, and went back in time while the guys were held captive. I don't remember Sarah C. in T2 giving up parental rights to John, and it seemed totally out of character. She always thought she was the only one who could protect him & (at least I thought) she felt they'd be together again.
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Feb 26, 2008 12:24 PM
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