Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, 2x03, “The Mousetrap”

Episode Title: The Mousetrap
Writer: John Wirth
Director: Bill Eagles
Originally Aired: 09/22/2008
Grade: A-

The exchange between Cameron and John about the sinking corner of the house was notable because it was funny, as usual, but it also showcases John’s changed attitude toward Cameron. In the past, he was friendly and curious about her, and more than willing to be amused by her. This season, he seems to be going for, “If I didn’t know what you are, I’d think you were retarded.” I don’t buy it completely—he was way too infatuated with Cameron to just turn it off—but he’s definitely trying to pull away. The most obvious reason would be that her admission of love (and insistence that he loved her, too) freaked him the hell out, but there’s also the fact that she malfunctioned and tried to kill him, and for all he knows, could do so again at any time. He’s wise to be more wary of her and try to squash his emotional attachment.

It’s surprisingly easy to miss the fact that most of the dire events in this episode were not John’s fault. The writers have hit on the "John mucks things up by being a bratty teenager" angle so hard that sometimes it’s easy to go to that place even when he didn't actually do much wrong. The events on his end were pretty separate from what was going on out in the desert with the grown-ups. The whole thing was a trap for John, yes, but it was Sarah who fell for it.

John's own storyline in this episode was a direct result of Cameron's "I love you and you love me" speech. He wasn't running away from Cameron because he didn't want protection. He was running away from her because he needs to believe he can form a relationship with a real, warm, human girl, and having Cameron around watching that, given his disturbing feelings for her, would be, well, disturbing. It was stupid of him given that there are Terminators out to kill him, but I can also completely understand him wanting to get away from his robot crush, and wanting his robot crush nowhere in the vicinity when he's interacting with Riley.

Of course, just because he didn't actually screw things up through his own actions doesn't mean he can't learn from what happened. It should be a wake-up call, whether any of it was his fault or not. Maybe he’ll snap out of his whiny funk if he takes it to heart that while he was off flirting with a girl, Charley's wife was dying in the desert.

Also, what was up with John being semi-oblivious to Riley’s boobage in that silly dress? He did look down with a weird little smile at the end of the scene, but with the way it was all written and edited, it was hard to tell if it was appreciative, or if he was just looking down in embarrassment about his weird sister/weird mother. I wish he'd been directed to have the "Woah" look when she first came out, mom on the phone or not, just so it was a bit more obvious. (For some reason, I like seeing him try to figure out how to act around girls and being a little awkward at it. It's bittersweet.)

I also really didn't like the melodrama of Charley asking Michelle, in front of Sarah, where they first made love. That was really the best he could do?! I felt like I was watching bad writing rather than real people at that moment. On the other hand, I loved the scene where Charley first called John on the phone. That was well-acted and deeply sad, seeing him have to "take a break" so John wouldn't hear him cry.

Charley’s wife dying was a pretty obvious possibility even in the first season, so I’ve made my peace with it.

Other Thoughts

-Loved John hanging out with the neighbor and talking to his mom about babies, thereby subtly calling her on the fact that he isn’t one anymore.

-Riley gets points for calling John “Cat Fancy.” I’m not sure how I feel about the magazine title conversation overall—it was maybe a little too cutesy—but that bit was excellent.

-There were a lot of small bits of ridiculous plotting in this episode, which is why it's getting an A- from me rather than an A. For example, despite the elaborate plan, Chromartie is a very stupid cybernetic organism. I mean really, he tells John to go to the pier? With water on all sides? Did he not know he can’t swim?