Written by David Morgan

 

Comingsoon.net is my source on two articles about the upcoming Terminator spinoff series. The first article reveals that a scene from the pilot has had to be changed in the wake of the Virginia Tech Massacre. As you might have guessed, the scene involved some shootings on a campus (though a high school one). Executive producer Josh Friedman explained the the scene was crucial, but understood immediately that the scene would have to be changed. How extensively the scene needed to be altered is not clear. I understand wanting to be sensitive, but at the same time I'm of the persuasion that it's never too soon for art to imitate life. I'd certainly rather have a movie or a TV show depict a school shooting than have another actual school shooting (not to imply that it's a one-or-the-other type situation, just that censorship based on current events can be somewhat pointless). 

 

The second article reveals details about the plot and characters, including who the new terminator will be played by. The cast includes Lena Headey (300) as Sarah Connor, Thomas Dekker (Heroes) as John Connor, and Summer Glau (Firefly) as Cameron (nice reference) the new, good, emotional, teenage girl terminator. I'm not sure how I feel about a terminator that's in touch with her emotions. This is just going to lead to teenage human-robot sex. Not that that won't be a fact of life in fifty years anyway. The series takes place between the second and third movie, as Sarah tries to protect her teenage son from their enemies. 

 

As far as whether or not Arnold will be making a cameo, "We've talked a lot about it," says Friedman. "But the reality is, as governor, he's incredibly busy. And as a star, he's incredibly expensive."  Fair enough. Except for one thing: He IS the Terminator. It would be ill-advised to leave him out completely.

 

The show is expected to debut midseason on Fox.