I’ve had The Terminator on the brain lately. And why not? With the new TV series underway, this is a great time to reflect upon the "Terminator mythos". I’ve only watched the pilot and first episode, but the Sarah Connor Chronicles has reawakened new appreciation for the original movies. That’s not to say that the new series is bad. I think that remains to be seen. At the very least, it’s off to a much better start than Bionic Woman, which, incidentally, I’ve endured for four episodes now.
To me, the Sarah Connor Chronicles is an interesting academic exercise, but nothing more. You see, to me the aftermath of T2 has already been written, and no I’m not talking about that embarrassment T3: Rise of the Machines. No, to me the Terminator timeline goes thusly:
- The Terminator
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day
- The T2 books by S.M. Stirling (Infiltrator, Rising Storm, and Future War)
Stirling is a top-notch author, and to me his version of events after T2 are canon. The books were published before the 3rd movie, and are far superior to it. Like the Sarah Connor Chronicles, the books tell the tale of Sarah rearing her son, learning that the Skynet is still a threat, and dealing with the fallout. The books start with Sarah as the focus, but over time John starts sharing more and more of the limelight as he grows into the leader we know he will be. The series would have been an excellent source for the TV series, but for one problem. They also prominently feature someone who looks like the original Terminator. If you at all enjoyed Terminator 2, I highly recommend picking up these books. They certainly raise the bar for any other retellings of the Terminator saga.
Incidentally, there are other Terminator books out there I haven’t read. Aaron Allston, an author whom I like and respect, wrote a pair of books (Terminator Dreams, Terminator Hunt) that pick up the story after the T3 movie during the days of the Skynet war and the human resistance. I suppose if you’re going to buy into the T3 timeline, you could do a lot worse than enjoy a pair of books by Allston. If anyone out there has read them, I’d love to get your feedback. I’m sure the books themselves are fine, but as far as I’m concerned he was working from flawed source material.
Speaking of other material, did you know that someone bought the rights to the Terminator? I’m guessing that’s who we have to thank for the new TV series. They also have a new trilogy of movies planned. What’s interesting is that these seem to be set during the period of open war with Skynet. If true, these will have a much different feel than the movies (and TV) we’ve seen so far in the Terminator timeline. These will likely be much more sci-fish. They have the potential to kick mighty ass, or plumb new depths of sucktitude. Only time will tell.
All of these thoughts about the Terminator timeline has gotten me thinking about, and more greatly appreciating, the second movie. I might need to have a Terminator film fest sometime in the near future. When I think about Linda Hamilton’s character in the first movie versus her character in the second movie, I find myself almost in awe. It would have been sooooo much easier for the studio to play it safe and make another "damsel in distress" sequel. Instead, they took a huge risk that Linda Hamilton could convince audiences that Sarah Connor had become a tough, menacing, cunning warrior. And she totally nailed it. Sarah Connor came across as tough, smart, and–while not as crazy as society labeled her–you could tell that her experience had driven her a little bit off the deep end. She not only bought into everything Kyle Reese told her, but she threw herself into her new role with every ounce of her being.
When I look at it from a storytelling perspective, I see a great, surprising turn of events. When I look at it from a movie production perspective, I see an amazing "perfect storm" of top-notch script, an actress who probably surpassed everyone’s expectations, and a director who knew how to pull it all together. Lena Headley doesn’t immediately strike me as a bad choice to pick up the mantle of Sarah Connor, but she still hasn’t sold me on the role like Linda Hamilton did. To me, she’s still acting. Hopefully the producers will give her a script that allows her to rise to the occasion. (Regardless, there’s always Summer Glau.)
Incidentally, I’m not the only one who has spent entirely too much time thinking about Terminators. Hellinahandbasket has an excellent post about the weapons used in the new TV series and talks about what one would really use for self defense should a Terminator come a-knockin’. Also, Popular Mechanics has an article profiling the different types of Terminators.
Popularity: 20% [?]
I agree! I’ve been thinking that I need to see T2 again, because I haven’t since it first came out.
… whoa, just realized how long ago that was and had a moment of vertigo there. ‘
But yeah, in hindsight it was more brilliant than I gave it credit for at the time.
Might have to try the Stirling books. Watching John become his future self is the reason I’m tuning in. Well, that and it’s fun seeing Summer Glau kick ass again.
Don’t expect high art, but they are perfectly fine thrillers. I felt like he nailed the characters dead-on, which made his plot that much easier to swallow. Let’s put it this way: reading passages of the books (especially the first two) kept invoking the movie soundtrack in my mind. My only complaint is that he had to accelerate the pacing in the last book in order to wrap things up.
I loved the chick terminator in T3 but other than that it was pretty much a hack film. I watched the Pilot for the series but was considerably underwhelmed….it was a bad rehash of the same old, seen that, been there. The star is not near as good an actress as the original, but I do love River in the role of terminator protectress. Please, please settle the writer’s strike! I need better entertainment. Commercials say, “Conner Chronicles” a hit…umm…ONLY new show on tele that is not Reality TV. and the Return of AMerican Gladiators….UUUUHGGGGGGGHHHHH……
I’m buying old series on dvd and playing more PS 2 games than ever before! Now that football season’s almost over, and no new Supernaturals……TELEVISION in 2008 SUCKETHS!!!!!
If I had a dollar, I might give them a penny.
Anything more is a waste.
Ed
T2 set the bar pretty high. I think we’d all like to pretend T3 didn’t happen. However, yes, TV this spring does suck. Consequently, a mediocre show like “Chronicles” actually has a chance to find its legs and improve before getting canceled. Under normal circumstances, it would have about 4 episodes to find an audience before getting canned. I would like a good Terminator series, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed that this one will take the unique opportunity to grow into one.
And hey, you can always turn down the volume and just watch Summer “River” Glau.
My only complaint is that he had to accelerate the pacing in the last book in order to wrap things up.
That is a problem with all of Stirling’s work.
The standard in the speculative fiction field is trilogies. Stretch the story out over three volumes and, hopefully, you will have a certain amount of sales locked in since anyone who enjoyed the first book will have to buy the rest.
I have found that Stirling has fantastic first volumes in his trilogies, mainly because he explores the big idea anchoring the plot in thoughtful and interesting ways. The second is entertaining, but not as good as the first. The third always disappoints because it seems rushed.
For a really good example, check out the trilogy that starts with Island in the Sea of Time. In the third volume, the big problem that has driven the plot for the entire series is resolved in five pages, and the solution comes out of left field. Real letdown.
To be fair, Stirling takes a great deal of pride in that the first book in any of his series is a stand alone story, and the next two simply advance the plot for those who are interested. Still a letdown, though.
James
I certainly can’t fault your example. The Island in the Sea of Time was a great stand-alone book. The second was okay. The third… meh. He tried to drop in foreshadowing, but it still felt rushed. However, he did not have those kinds of pacing problems in his General series. (Then again, that series went on longer than a trilogy.)
The last book in the Terminator series primarily deals with life after Skynet declares war. It starts off with the same steady pacing as the previous two books. Then it hits a point where it starts skipping ahead years at a time. He got the job done, but it’s a shame he wasn’t given one more book with which to even out the pacing.