Expanding The Terminator Mythos

While "Legend Of The Seeker" makes some improvements and "Heroes" struggles to recapture lightning in a bottle, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" continues to be a solid show.

Week after week it deals with the darker emotions and themes you would expect when telling stories about a mother and son constantly trying to escape unstoppable machine assassins.

They are also expanding on the Terminator Mythos in ways that respect the original material. I thought Monday's episode would be a turn in the wrong direction. I was afraid we were about to watch the tired formula of telling a story about the main characer's ancestors, but using the lead actors to play them.

Instead, we learned more about what a terminator is capable of, how long it is able to operate on its internal power source and a little more of who Cameron is.

SPOILERS!

I loved that at the end of the episode, despite Cameron developing a "friendship" with the late night librarian, when he was gone, she went right on to using the person that replaced him, showing no interest in where the previous guy had gone and whether or not he was okay, given his cancer. Cameron is a machine. And just when I'm scared they're going too far in the "does Data have real feelings" direction, they wisely remind the audience that "Nope! She doesn't!" (And let's keep it that way, okay? It's MUCH more interesting when she FOOLS people into thinking she has emotions. We've been the "Data" route too many times already.)

And poor John Connor. Just when it seems he's found a relationship that can give him an escape from the world he's in, she turns out to be from the future as well. Can't wait to see the ep. when he finds out!

I also am curious about the recurring Biblical themes. I'm not sure if the writers are ultimately trying to say something, but they don't seem to be borrowing exclusively from the book of Revelation, an all too common cliche for apocalyptic stories. There are references to other parts of scripture that make me wonder where things are headed. I really doubt any heavy-handed preaching will show up. But the hints continue to keep me interested.

I can't wait for Monday!

How often can any of us say that?