Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

After two years in one spot Sarah Connor feels the need to move on before they get too comfortable. They move to a new city where John starts school and meets a mysterious girl. However, danger strikes, and Sarah and John are caught in another struggle for their survival. Can they possibly overcome the overwhelming odds they face and fight for the spirit of humanity?moreless
9.1
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
959 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
Amazon Prime
Free Trial/Subsc...

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (60)

See All

  • very good beginning.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By teambff, Dec 27, 2011 Report Abuse
    i haven't see the terminator movies in years, i just recently watched this first season and liked it so much that i felt i needed to go back and watch the movies... and so i just got done watching the first 2 terminator movies (which this pilot follows after) and now starting to rewatch the first season again.

    upon first viewing with the terminator films a distant memory the first season was good, but after viewing the movies it is alot better i think... they did a really good job of transitioning the story after the second terminator movie.

    i would highly recommend anyone who is starting their journey into this series to go back and watch the first 2 terminator films as a warm up.. although not essential, even without ever seeing those movies it is still great and reveals enough info to follow the storylines.

    the soundtrack in this episode (and throughout the series) is amazing! constantly i found myself drifting into the story as if it was a dream because i was being lulled by the sounds like falling into a trance... hard to explain but it really brings you into the series with such an amazing score. (i wear headphones so that maybe has more of an impact then without headphones.. especially a pair of headphones with a soundstage like the ones i have athad700)

    if you watch this pilot and you're not pumped up to get into the rest of the series and go on the journey then you must not have a pulse.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 1

  • Two years after T2 Sarah feels the need to move on again.

    9.4
    "Superb"
    By Igarka, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    The show starts out with a terminator killing John and Sarah begging him to kill her aswell. Then Sarah wakes up, and know they have to move on again. John takes this rather as he does not want to change school. The new start does not go off so well as a terminator soon finds them and the hunt is on. I like the mother son chemistry. Lena and Thomas make for a touching pair that I gladly will follow. The story is exiting and I like both the reason for, and the way the story is moved to the present day.

    Finally Im happy to see Summer Glau on the screen again, as Im a big fan since Firefly, and she does not disapoint.

    All in all a good pilot to a good show that I look forward to follow for a long time.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    3 1

  • The start of something great...

    10
    "Perfect"
    By KingDavid365, Sep 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    I've just recently starting watching the series for the first time (thanks to www.thewb.com) and the pilot did not disappoint. As a fan of the Terminator franchise (imagine my excitement when I realized this is an alternate timeline from the mess that was Terminator 3), this series is a worthy installment to the franchise and despite the fact that this series met a tragic end, I'm still exciting to see what's in store for the next 2 seasons.

    Lena Headey does an admirable job of stepping into the big shoes Linda Hamilton once wore in T1 and T2. Sarah Connor is one of my favorite movie heroines and Lena Headey nails the role, without having to do a Lind Hamilton impersonation. Thomas Dekker as John Connor = BRILLIANT CASTING CHOICE. This is a John Connor that is likeable, believable, and human. Nick Stahl's John Connor in T3 was hard to root for and Christian Bale's John Connor in T4 lacks the humanity that Dekker brings to the role. As for Summer Glau as Cameron, it's nice to see a new protector for John OTHER than the "Governator" and she perfectly adds a human side to Cameron while completely reminding us that under that beautiful facade, she's (or it, if you prefer) is a machine.

    The pilot successfully tells a fresh and compelling story and introduced characters that we can care about (Sarah, John, and Cameron) as well as characters we love to hate (Cromartie). If the series continues to be this good, then I'm beyond pumped.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 1

  • This is easily one of the best episodes of the entire series, which it needed to be since it was the first. Understandably, it operated with a bigger budget and had a faster pace than what would come to characterize a mostly drama/character-based series.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By iltarion, Aug 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    The main accomplishment of the pilot was the introduction of the three characters that would be the heart of the series: Sarah, John and Cameron, with some important auxiliary characters thrown in as well- Charley, Ellison and Cromartie.
    Unlike other series where the actors often start slow, needing to settle into their characters, the greatest strength of TSCC is shown right from the pilot episode- the tremendous casting. Lena Headey is on par with Linda Hamilton in T1. She is not as physical as Linda from T2, but she brings a more human, more thoughtful and yet still tough Sarah Connor to the screen. Thomas Dekker is fabulous as a constantly conflicted 16 year old John. He is realistic and imminently likable. Summer Glau practically steals the show as the mysterious female terminator who seems equally built to protect John and steal his heart. Her character alone, her secrets, her motivations, and her future relationship with John are all intriguing enough to bring viewers back to watch.
    Lastly, only by watching it a 2nd time is it possible to catch that John's first scene shows him waking up on his bed with Sarah sitting over him. John is unhappy with her habit of doing that. This is repeated in the very last episode of the series, except this time Cameron is the one sitting over him. John wakes up and tells her how his mother always did that and he hated it. Does this symbolize a cycle completed? John has now passed from Sarah's protection to Cameron's?moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0

  • *** Spoiler-free *** Decent cast and great protagonists but stereotyped secondary characters, some rotten cheesy Terminator scenes, good visual effects but disappointing action, intriguing and twisted but predictable story

    6.0
    "Fair"
    By goa103, Jul 01, 2010 Report Abuse
    I recently found a F* word parody of the show funny enough to check out its pilot. So far I had decided to ignore it even if I'm a fan of the Terminator franchise. Indeed I thought the cast wasn't convincing enough and worried that the story would turn into a bad episodic B-production. Now that I've seen it I'm not disappointed that I changed my mind because it was an entertaining popcorn experience. Indeed even if it's not as dark and fascinating as the first two films there were plenty of elements to appeal the demanding viewer.

    First even if I still think the cast is questionable at least it definitely has potential. I found the mother and son relationship between Sarah and John Connor quite inspiring, as much as in Judgment Day. However Lena Headey is no Linda Hamilton and she almost looks like a fragile model. But of course you can't be objective when comparing anyone to such an icon like Hamilton. She was so strong and charismatic in her role ! Headey is too beautiful and obviously trained mentally for the role because her attitude is fierce but she's not physically convincing. As for Thomas Dekker I found his portrayal of John less annoying than the pesky actor from Terminator 2 but it didn't prevent him from growing on me so I have no doubt the same should happen with Dekker. In fact the process can only be smoothed thanks to the third member of the gang : Cameron. She's a pretty young woman played by Summer Glau who gets caught in the whole Connor maelstrom. As expected her performance was good and there was something quite enigmatic about her behavior.

    As for the other characters we have the usual agent obsessed to catch his prey. The first scene he was featured in was obviously staged to make us hate him and I found such a technique pathetic. What a lazy way to develop him ! Why didn't they decide to leave it to the audience ? An other issue was the Terminator. You should really miss Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Patrick ! The actor's primal appearance was ridiculous and his only line just plain dumb. Let's also not forget his brainless attitude towards the authorities ! The visual effects were alright but the action wasn't well choreographed and it was nothing like in Terminator 2 where the T-1000 was just mind blowing and scary. So don't expect to jaw drop before it. However it wasn't a complete disaster because our three heroes saved the day and helped to forget about these annoying and silly decisions. Seriously what were they thinking ? Some scenes are as different as night and day.

    One thing I really enjoyed was the obvious references to the previous installments. From the road trip with Sarah's voice off at the beginning to the numerous elements directly borrowed from T2 the long time fans can only applaud. Some might think that it's a lazy way to exploit a franchise but I consider it was a smart move because it binded the show to the cult films we all know and love. Of course some twists were obvious and the action was quite predictable in general but it should be intense enough to captivate you until the end. And the good thing is that it's actually only the beginning of their epic journey because the story was exciting at times and what happened at the end should intrigue you enough to make you want for more. But I really hope the cheesy Terminator won't be back ! However let's not forget that Brian Austin Green is featured from the third episode and considering how his performance as John Corben was astonishing in Smallville's Metallo it should be the only excuse you need to become a chronicler. More wounded flesh and sexy bones ! More shiny metal and twinkling red eyes !moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    0 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Cameron tells Sarah that she is from the year 2027 and that Skynet goes online in 2011. Edit
    • When Ellison and Deputy Ridge are discussing the school shooting incident both of them mention the shooter and his robot leg. Interestingly, neither of them comment on something else that happened during the incident, such as how did a school bus get turned on its side? Edit

    • In the scene of Agent Ellison first meeting Charley Dixon a wall clock can be seen on the wall several times, albeit briefly. Look closely and you can see that the clock isn't working, as the second hand doesn't move.

      Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Though only seen in photographs, Miles Dyson is portrayed by actor Phil Morris. He takes over the role from Joe Morton who played the role in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Edit

    • Star Richard T. Jones (Agent James Ellison) and guest star Dean Winters (Charley Dixon) will be given "And" billing for their appearances.

      Edit
    • This episode was nominated for two 2008 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Sarah: (narrates) Every family has rules. And we had ours. Keep your head down, keep your eyes up, resist the urge to be seen as important or special. Know your exits. Edit

    • Cameron: When the isotope solution turns red, you can fire.
      Sarah: Isotope? What, is this nuclear?
      Cameron: No, not really.

      Edit
    • Terminator: The future's ours. And it begins now. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Agent James Ellison: (about John) Did he strike you that way? Leader of a scrappy band of rebels—Luke Skywalker type?
      Luke Skywalker is one of the main characters in the Star Wars movie series (Episodes IV to VI). He is a leader in the Rebel Alliance trying to overthrow the evil Empire. Edit
    • Cameron: Come with me if you want to live. This is one of the most famous quotes from the Terminator movies, spoken by Reese (Michael Biehn) in the first film, and the "good" Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) in the second film. Edit
    • Character: "James Ellison"
      This is a nod to Harlan Ellison who had written episodes of The Outer Limits ("Soldier" and "Demon with a Glass Hand") that formed some of the basis of James Cameron's Terminator script—at least according to a lawsuit Ellison brought against Cameron after the first Terminator film was released.

      Edit

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

Season 1 Episodes

See All
Ep 9
What He Beheld
Ep 9
What He Beheld
Ep 8
Vick's Chip
Ep 8
Vick's Chip
Ep 7
The Demon Hand
Ep 6
Dungeons and Dragons
Ep 5
Queen's Gambit
Ep 4
Heavy Metal
Ep 3
The Turk
Ep 2
Gnothi Seauton
Ep 1
Pilot

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use