AirLockAlpha.com

The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for "Earthlings Welcome Here," an episode of Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

Somehow, writers found a way to weave UFO's into the Terminator universe. How much further can this series possible stray from the original premise?

This episode consisted of four plot lines, only two of which intersected. The first one dealt with John peeling wallpaper off his bedroom wall, Riley coming to visit and Cameron trying to get in the middle of it. Apparently, peeling wallpaper off a wall counts as action in an action series nowadays.

The second storyline used flashbacks to show how Riley and Jesse got here and how they are working together to keep John from getting too close to Cameron. Apparently, Riley taking a shower counts as action in an action series nowadays. These two concluded about three quarters of the way into the episode with Riley slitting her wrists (off camera). It is unclear if she is dead or not. I?m sure if I cared one iota about Riley?s character, this development would matter to me, but I don?t.

The third storyline featured a boring exchange between Catherine Weaver and Agent Ellison who refuses to work with the refurbished Cromartie, but his protests only last a few seconds -- for no clear reason, he decides to work with the new artificial intelligence. Apparently, playing chess counts as action in an action series nowadays.

The primary storyline though of the episode had Sarah show up at a UFO convention to find out what the three dots mean. She meets up with a man dressed as a woman who is in hiding because of some metal alloy that apparently is going to be part of the machines' evolution. There were a few shooting sequences, including the ending, which wasn?t completely clear.

"Earthlings Welcome Here" is simply the most recent example of a weak episode for this series. Sadly, the norm is becoming episodes with a lot of talk, little action, and no clear connection between the various storylines. I'd much rather view one clear, strong plotline than four weak, disconnected ones. Apparently, the writers are only capable of delivering that on rare occasions.

This series is a tremendous disappointment, and I see no way that it can redeem itself. It has strayed way too far way too fast. It lacks literally all of the appeal of the original. With poor ratings, a move to the death slot of Friday night, Judgment Day is fast approaching for this series. As far as I am concerned, it can't come soon enough.

What Worked

I wish I could say something was worth commenting about in a positive fashion, but I can't.

What Didn't Work

What is up with all this psychological visions and hallucinations Sarah keeps having? They make no sense. Nowhere in Terminator lore is Sarah a shown to be psychic. This, like just about everything else in this series, is simply extraneous.

I wonder if there is a cast rift between Thomas Dekker and Lena Heady. They have not been on screen together much the last few episodes.

Another episode without Derek Reese, who is about the only interesting character on the series.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" airs Monday nights on Fox. It stars Lena Heady, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau, and Brian Austin Green. "Earthlings Welcome Here" was written by Natalie Chaidez and was directed by Felix Enriquez Alcala.

Feeling a little horrific? Get your daily dose of horror news straight from The Doll, Rabid Doll that is at www.RabidDoll.com.

Follow Airlock Alpha's headlines as they happen on Twitter! Click here to make it so!

Hear Michael Hinman on SyFy Radio every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SyFyRadio.