The Tower Is Tall But the Fall Is Short (20 Oct. 2008)

A woman from Derek's past surprises him and elsewhere, Sarah, John and Cameron wonder what a T-1001 would need with a doctor.

Director:

Tawnia McKiernan

Writers:

Josh Friedman (developed for television by), Denise Thé,

Stars:

Lena Headey, Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Lena Headey	...	Sarah Connor
Thomas Dekker	...	John Connor
Summer Glau	...	Cameron Phillips
Brian Austin Green	...	Derek Reese
Shirley Manson	...	Catherine Weaver / Catherine Weaver
Richard T. Jones	...	James Ellison
Dorian Harewood	...	Dr. Boyd Sherman
Shane Edelman	...	Matt Murch
Mackenzie Brooke Smith	...	Savannah Weaver (as Mackenzie Smith)
Derek Riddell	...	Lachlan Weaver
Stephanie Jacobsen	...	Jesse Flores
Christopher DeMaci	...	Photographer
Jennifer Chang	...	Receptionist
Kit Pongetti	...	Victoria
Preston James Hillier	...	Security Guard

Storyline

Sarah, John, and Cameron investigate Dr. Sherman, a therapist who may have a connection to Skynet's construction, while Catherine Weaver, revealed to be a T-1001 liquid metal Terminator impersonating the real late Catherine Weaver, also pays a visit to Dr. Sherman for his help to control her daughter Savannah, living in constant fear of her "mother". Meanwhile, a mysterious woman from Derek's past, named Jesse, suddenly shows up having time-traveled back after going AWOL. Also, another mysterious female terminator arrives in the present to target another individual.

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Plot Keywords:

awol | black bra | domineering mother | sports bra | spontaneous sex | 

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 2008 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bartleby Company, C-2 Pictures, Halcyon Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

44 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

At about 8:20 Derek enters, sweaty from running. Moments later the sweaty shirt is nearly dry.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sarah Connor: My father slept with a gun under his pillow. There was no pill for his sickness, no medicine to ease his mind. He left blood and sweat and part of his soul in a foreign land. My father never talked to me about the war he fought. He never talked to anyone. Ever vigilant, ever silent. I never thought I'd follow in his footsteps.

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Connections

Features Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Samson & Delilah (2008)

User Reviews

Somebody to talk to

Psychiatrist Dr. Boyd Sherman's name appears on a list of people that Skynet is interested in but The Connors have no idea why; is he somebody they wish to protect because he is needed for Skynet's development or is he somebody they wish to eliminate? Until they find out they can't act so Sarah, John and Cameron pay him a visit posing as a family needing therapy… he quickly spots that they really do need to talk to somebody; especially John. The Connors aren't the only familiar characters to seek his help; Catherine Weaver seeks his assistance to determine what is wrong with her 'daughter' Savannah. She also tells him about a problem she is having with the AI program she is developing and he suggests a reason for it that none of her computer experts recognised… because the program is acting more like a child than a piece of software. Meanwhile Derek bumps into a familiar face; Jesse Flores a fellow soldier from the future… she is different from others we've seen though; she isn't on a mission she is AWOL.

This episode involves far more talking than action; much of it in Dr. Sherman's office as he tries to help both the Connors and the Weavers. Dorian Harewood does a decent job as the doctor although the real stars of the episode are Shirley Manson and Mackenzie Brooke Smith who play Catherine and Savannah Weaver; it was a fine bit of casting as they look enough alike to pass for mother and child. It was interesting to see Catherine, who we know is a machine, trying to understand her 'daughter' as well as her AI which is effectively another child. Catherine certainly seems to be the most human of the terminators making her an interesting character whose motives are still a mystery. The subplot involving Derek and Jesse didn't really go anywhere but it was a good introduction to a character I'm sure will be more important in future episodes. The episode isn't totally without action; they is an impressive fight between Cameron and another female terminator; this is both exciting and humorous as they take a brief break when other people enter the lift they were fighting in.