Today is the Day (1)

Season 2, Episode 18, Aired
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Episode Summary

Jesse leaves Serrano Point in 2027 for a new mission aboard a nuclear submarine. Sarah and John suspect Cameron in the death of Riley. Ellison and Weaver must play a game with John Henry to find the missing Savannah.
9.0
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Fan Episode Reviews (9)

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  • Truth and consequences

    8.0
    "Great"
    By entil2001, Sep 10, 2010 Report Abuse
    With this episode, the resolution phase of the season begins in earnest, as Jesse's plan to drive a wedge between John and Cameron comes to its fruition. Riley's death may have been a bit premature and it may have taken place in an unanticipated way, but it still serves Jesse's interests. This episode is about the expected fallout from the news of Riley's death, particularly the suspicion thrown on Cameron and Jesse's psychological issues with her conscience.

    John is willing to trust Cameron at her word, but he does have his doubts. Cameron's recent behavior sets the stage for their assumptions, but her own defense is scattered and inadequate. There were any number of things that Cameron could have said or done to prove her innocence, and even if the Connors were doubtful, it's all circumstantial. All it took was a cursory inspection of Riley's body to convince John that Cameron wasn't involved (at least, that's how I intercept his expression in the morgue).

    In the meantime, Derek is willing to assume that Cameron killed Riley, and that she'll have to be dealt with, but he also seems to realize that Jesse's story doesn't track. One can imagine that Sarah, John, and Derek will have it out regarding Cameron, and Derek will come to the realization that Jesse's comments were a bit too on the nose. This is not particularly surprising, so one can hope that the writers have some twists and turns to bring to the table.

    One might expect that Jesse's "flashbacks" would explain both the differences between her future and Derek's future (since they've all but admitted they come from different timelines) and her obsession with Cameron. While a general distrust of "metal" makes sense, Jesse's actions have always seemed a bit personal. This particular mission could explain quite a bit about Jesse's motivations since her arrival.

    The portions of the episode devoted to the Connors, Cameron, Derek, and Jesse were mostly setup for the second part of this story, so none of it felt particularly out of place. It was the logical extension of what had come before. The scenes with Ellison, Weaver, and John Henry, on the other hand, felt out of left field. This is a continuation of Ellison's mandate to teach John Henry human ethics, which still doesn't quite equate in terms of the development of SkyNet. In proximity with the more portentous plot threads, it must hold some vital importance, but the meaning is somewhat elusive at this point.moreless

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  • At last, The Sarah Connor Chronicles delivers a plot that actually engages its audience.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By screenagedkicks, Sep 10, 2010 Report Abuse
    At last, The Sarah Connor Chronicles delivers a plot that actually engages its audience. While a regrettably large proportion of the contemporary plot is spent chin-stroking about what to do with the supposedly guilty Cameron (surely someone as combat-ready and impulsive as Sarah would just end her?!), there's enough mystery, intrigue and believable tension-filled conflict in the 2027 sequences to keep the episode afloat. It's nice to see Jesse's back story fleshed out a bit and there are some genuine surprises to be found on-board the USS Jimmy Carter. Oh and the hide and seek game between Savannah and John Henry, while pure filler, is at least mildly amusing. Nothing special, you understand, and still guilty of over-egging the 'art house' element (how many times do we need to see Jesse immersing herself in water and curling up into the foetal position? Really, we get the analogy), but a definite turn in the right direction.moreless

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  • Riley is dead, Sarah and Derek are sure that Cameron did it. But John wants to believe that in Cameron and is not so sure. John stands up to his mother when she tries to turn him against Cameron.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By rchginger, Mar 22, 2009 Report Abuse
    I loved this episode, It is one of my favorites of the series so far. If you watch it just for action then you would be disappointed with this episode. But if you like the intensity of the unknown and watching the characters develop more, like I do, then this is an episode that you will very much enjoy.
    The tension between Sarah and Cameron grew with Sarah finding out that Riley is dead and being for sure that Cameron is the one that killed her, with John standing up to his mother and defending Cameron.
    John began to find his own way, and began to stand on his own two feet in this finally starting the process of becoming John Connor leader of the resistance.moreless

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  • And then there were five...

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Rquest, Mar 19, 2009 Report Abuse
    I really hope I am wrong and Terminator will have a third season. I hope anyway. Since we won't know for a little while longer I've been treating every episode like this will be the last season, and that the series is moving towards an end. I still have no idea where that end is, but thats part of what makes this show so great. I can't say Im disappointed about seeing Riley go. Actually I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier, but as always the show adds some sort of twist to events. Cameron is believed to be the one to have killed her. The bigger question is what is John going to do about it? The two had some really akward momements in this episode, including a very weird phone call. Cameron is clearly broken and how well this will play into the remainin episodes it is hard to say. I have no idea why Jesse's story of the future is important. Granted the submarine was pretty cool and all, but I still have no idea what Jesse is up to and that puzzles me. I thought her plan was brilliant to use Riley like that, but if John won't destroy Cameron, then what is her next move? Fortunately the episode is a two part affair, so we might find out more about the sub next week. The moment that I liked the most in this episode was when Cameron told Sarah that everyone is a threat to John. To this point, everyone has made at least one mistake that has put John in danger. Future John appearently can't put his trust into anyone and remains alone. This trait was greatly expressed by John visiting the morgue to see Riley's body at the end of the episode. Im still wondering about how it will make him change though as he still doesn't know about Jesse and Derek's involvement with her.

    Cromartie/John Henry little game was very amusing, but Im starting to lose my patience with Weaver and Ellison too for that matter. Why isn't any of this sounding alarm bells in Ellison's head? He already know enough about robots from the future so the fact that he continues to be involved in this bugs me. Weaver also is starting to bug me as well. I've been asking questions about her motives for a long while. I really hope we get an answer to some of these questions very soon. The season is almost over.moreless

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  • The show picks up momentum while closing the Riley sub-plot and also explaining why Connor is going solo by the time of Terminator 3.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By BlueKnight13, Mar 15, 2009 Report Abuse
    The Good:
    -- Jessie continues to develop as a character. While not a sympathetic character, she is interesting to watch.
    -- Young John is going to have to continue growing up and figure out his way more than just not accepting his mother or uncle's world views.
    -- An interesting question is whether Cameron is actually supposed to be 'feeling' or is she telling John what she thinks he needs to hear to ensure his survival.
    -- The future storyline with Jessie was more compelling than the one from the present.

    The Not So Good:
    -- Derek just doesn't seem to be the sharpest knife.
    -- How long will it take for Agent Ellison to figure out there is something seriously askew with the female T-1000?

    Good ep all in all.
    Until next week, BK13moreless

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    7 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Nitpick: Cameron is a highly sophisticated futuristic Terminator. Doesn't it cross John's mind even for a second that she wouldn't leave evidence if she had killed Riley. She'd destroy the body, not leave it laying around for people to find it. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Original International Air Dates: Norway: October 17th, 2009 on TVNorge Sweden: November 12th, 2009 on TV6 Finland: December 27th, 2009 on Sub Czech Republic: December 31st, 2009 on Prima COOL Slovakia: October 8th, 2010 on Markiza Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Derek: You're stuck in a can under the ocean, with one of those things … Jesse: Don't worry about Queeg, all right? He's a good bloke. Derek: He's not a bloke. Jesse, he's not on our side, don't ever think that. Aim for the chip. (he touches her head) Aim for the chip, they don't get up. Edit
    • (John finds Cameron sorting Terminator parts) John: Great. It looks like a robot serial killer lives here. Oh, I guess one does. Edit
    • Pilot: What happened to your face? Jesse: You ask a lot of questions for a guy that wants to get in my pants. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Caine Mutiny: In the future, the cyborg captain of the ship is named Queeg, notably the same name as the ship captain in Herman Wouk's Caine Mutiny. Edit

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