Terminator:
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
– The Complete Second Season (Blu-ray + DVD-Video/Warner Home Video)
Picture:
B+/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras:
B+ Episodes: B-
Terminator:
The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns
to Blu-ray and DVD with The Complete Second
Season. Viewers were stunned by the visuals, acting, and
superb story arches of the First
Season (reviewed elsewhere on this site) and the Second Season delivered that same
enthusiasm. Sadly for the series, however, even with rave reviews from
fans and critics alike the show (suffering from poor viewership) received the
same fate as many great FOX series that came before it; being sent off to
that molten metal pit were great series go to die.
The new Terminator
series picks up where Season One left
off; with the events taking place shortly after the events of Terminator 2 as Sarah
Connor (Lena Headey) and her clandestine
hero son John (Thomas Dekker) attempting to establish some normalcy in
their creepy lives. The series takes elements from T2 (like the
T1000) and adds in a deeper storyline where each action has a reaction that
impacts the following episodes. I can
say the series is extremely well played.
Terminator:
The Sarah Connor Chronicles – The Complete Second Season delivered the same thrills as Season One, while continuing to add
layers to the science-fiction mythos. The interesting blend of issues
focusing on humanity mixed with a heavy dose of creative
science fiction felt all too right as each episode evolved. I was
very worried that the series would not be able to produce enough material to
keep viewers’ interest, but it once again proved that science
fiction is an endless bag of tricks. It is sad that the series has
been canceled, because it truly was amazing; especially for a series that was
based on a film sequel. The chemistry of the cast continued to be a
strong point for the series. As stated previously, the actors had
the ability to feed off each others emotions and take the good elements of the
characters from the film series and blend them
with a new, creative force to make it their own.
I really
thought Terminator: Sarah Connor
Chronicles had a chance; but once again FOX crushed my dreams. The series builds upon all the great elements
of Season 1 and takes full advantage
of every moment. Maybe they will be able
to cap off the series with a direct to Blu-ray film, but I wouldn’t hold my
breath as I am still waiting for FOX to greenlight Arrested Development.
The
Blu-ray release of this great series is presented very similarly to The First Season's release and the
DVD remains an average release at best. The picture on the Blu-Ray is
again presented in a 1080p High Definition,
1.78 X 1 Widescreen that is enhanced for 16 X 9 televisions retains all
the great colors, pristine contrast, crisp image, and solid blacks that
were seen with the first release; if not even, perhaps, a bit better. The
DVD once again floats on by in its 1.78 X 1 Widescreen, not quite demonstrating
the vibrant colors or the sharpness that the Blu-Ray has and leaves the viewer
wishing they had a Blu-ray player. The sound on the Blu-Ray release is
once again presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround (the special features are only in stereo) that booms, bangs and blasts
its way across the soundscape with ease. Overall, delivering a great
audio experience that will offer fans a movie quality experience for the
admission price of your (HD)TV set. The DVD again is a Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround that oddly enough does not live up to the Blu-ray; it sounds somewhat
weaker and less full, leaving the soundscape a tad 'blah' [again, for whatever
reason I don't know].
The
extras are filled to brim with fun and interesting features that many (still on
the air) series never get treated to; the extras include the following
features:
- Exclusive to Blu-ray;
Collision with the Future – Deconstructing the Hunter Kill Attack; a
4-Part Multiple Viewpoint Experience on the Season Finale Action Sequence
- Commentaries on 4 Key
Episodes by Executive Producer Josh Friedman and Cast/Crew
- The Continuing Chronicles:
Terminator- 8 Part Featurette Gallery
- Terminated Scenes: Unaired
Moments
- The Storyboard Process:
Cameron Goes Bad; illustrates how key scenes are mapped
- Cameron vs. Rosie Fight
Rehearsal
- Gag Reel
Overall I
have to say it is a great set that is worth owning. Sure the series is canceled and it had its
problems here and there; but any Terminator enthusiast will enjoy the series
thoroughly from beginning to end. As
they say, it was fun while it lasted.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
