Real People in an Action Story

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns tonight on its new night. It’s funny that I’m more a fan of the series than I am of the movies. I didn’t hate the movies, but I didn’t really get into them like most people who watch this show. I think I care more for the characters that Josh Friedman is creating more. I care about the mother/son relationship between Sarah and John. The challenge of being a single mom, though a bit extreme, are represented so well. Sarah makes the same sacrifices for John that every mother makes, single or not. She protects him with just as much severity all mothers do. She fears for him, hurts for him, takes pride in him. And when the time comes to put away the mothering, she’ll do it, even though it will cost her everything she’s been used to throughout his life so far. Because there comes a time in every mother’s life, when she has to step back and let her child go, to fly or fall, whatever may happen.

John, is headed for manhood. It hasn’t been easy for him. He hasn’t had a normal boys life, and he’s expected to become a man and lead an army. We’ve been watching him grow from depending on Sarah’s protection, to rebelling against that protection and against growing up, to reluctantly realizing that he needs to step up to the plate now, and take on the responsibility of leadership.

The Terminator movies focused more on the story about action, and that’s not a bad thing. I prefer this story about the people inside the action, and I like the way Josh is telling the story.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles can be seen tonight at 8/7 central on FOX.