Heavy Metal (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles)

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“Heavy Metal”
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 4
Written by John Enbom
Directed by Sergio Mimica Gezzan
Guest stars Lee Thompson Young
Photographed by Bill Roe
Production no. 104
Original airdate February 4, 2008 (2008-02-04)
Episode chronology
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"The Turk" "Queen's Gambit"
List of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles episodes

"Heavy Metal" is the fourth episode of the American television series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It aired on February 4, 2008 in the United States.

Contents

[edit] Plot

In this episode Sarah, John, and Cameron pursue a mysterious shipment of coltan, a key metal needed to construct Terminators, as Cromartie obtains plastic surgery to create his new disguise.[1] Although the trio had thought they destroyed Cromartie in the pilot episode, Cameron reviews video footage of their arrival in 2007 and realizes that Cromartie's severed metal skull followed them through time. She knows it would be able to reconnect with the body, and believes Cromartie had something to do with a shipment of refined coltan rerouted from Oakland to Los Angeles after an arson. Sarah proposes fleeing south across the border, but John insists on a more aggressive approach – to hunt down Cromartie. To their surprise, the coltan shipment is not being handled by Cromartie but by a different Terminator, named Carter. Carter even manages several human employees (before murdering them), but has no other mission besides securing the coltan in a fallout shelter, where it will be available for Skynet after Judgment Day. The shelter will later become a factory for producing Terminators, including Cameron herself.

The plot-line of this episode generates tension between Sarah, who prefers a cautious approach, and John, who is willing to take risks to destroy the coltan stockpile. Paradoxically, Sarah's efforts to protect John could make him too sheltered to lead humanity in the future.[2] Frustrated, John breaks away from her, risking his life in pursuit of the coltan. After John is locked in the fallout shelter with Carter, he discovers an idle Terminator will go into standby mode to save power, and he dares to remove a key from around Carter's neck so he can open the door. With Cameron's assistance they ultimately liberate the truckload of coltan from Carter, and Cameron drives it off a cliff into the ocean after locking Carter in the shelter. It is later shown that Cameron kept a bar of coltan for herself.

Meanwhile, as Cromartie rebuilds his identity he leaves a trail of bodies behind, piquing the interest of Agent Ellison. Ellison discerns that Cromartie has assumed the identity of an unemployed actor, George Lazlo, a client of the plastic surgeon, but to what end Ellison cannot fathom.

[edit] Reception

"Heavy Metal" was seen by 8.65 million American viewers, making it the twenty-sixth most watched program of the week.[3] The episode received a 3.5/8 in the key adults 18–49 demographic.

Steven Kotler of the New York Post felt that John Connor getting over his "why can't I be a normal teenager" and instead "getting his Rambo on" was good news. John's moping previous to "Heavy Metal" was "beginning to grate" and that John learning to be a hero was an improvement.[4]

Brad Trechak of TV Squad felt that "Heavy Metal" was better than the previous episode when one of John Connor's classmates committed suicide. According to Trechak, the suicide was meaningless plot-wise, other than allowing John to show his teenage angst by "going emo." He also commented on the use of a shaky camera in a scene where it was used to convey uneasiness.[5]

Travis Fickett at IGN favorably reviewed the episode, praising Richard T. Jones's portrayal of Ellison as "smart, pragmatic and sympathetic."[2] Vince Leo at Qwipster was less favorable about the episode, suggesting it was more a "solitary entry" that lacked plot development, despite having more action than the previous one.[6].

However, Sarah Stegall at SF Scope thought the episode widened the perspective of the series, showing how Skynet had an active program trying to alter history for its benefit, beyond simply trying to assassinate John. Her review concurred with others above in praising the episode for its character development, although, similar to Brad Techak's comment, Stegall complained of John's "emo hair."[7]

[edit] Cast

[edit] References

  1. ^ FOX Broadcasting Company: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. FOX. Retrieved on 2008-05-02.
  2. ^ a b Fickett, Travis (February 6, 2008). Terminator: "Heavy Metal" Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-05-02.
  3. ^ Nielsen Ratings for week of Feb. 4-10
  4. ^ 'Terminator' Takes a Queen's Gambit
  5. ^ The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Heavy Metal
  6. ^ Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles review (2008) Heavy Metal - Qwipster's Movie Reviews
  7. ^ Like Mother Like Son Review at SF Scope

[edit] External links

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