Summer Glau

The Sarah Connor Chronicles ought to succeed on Fox, because - based on the first two episodes, at least - it’s loaded with images and action sequences that work well in network promos. As for the story, it’s a little murky, and neither as tense nor as funny as its theatrical predecessors - at least not the first two, the ones directed by James Cameron.

It’s no accident that a new character - a young female terminator who’s sent back in time to protect Sarah and her son, the future savior of mankind - is named Cameron, as an obvious salute. What is an accident, probably, is that Cameron, played by Summer Glau from Joss Whedon’s Firefly, steals the show, and easily is the most interesting character in the TV series.

Lena Headey and Thomas Dekker, as mother and son, are good enough, especially Headey, but it’s Glau, impersonating a machine impersonating a woman, who has the most fun here, and imparts that enjoyment to viewers. If you watch and decide to stick around, she’s the main reason why. Otherwise, there’s a lot to forgive, and forget.