Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Episode 2.5 Review

The fifth episode of the second season of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles aired on October 6, 2008. The episode is titled Goodbye to All That and centers around John and Derek's attempt at keeping a future resistance fighter alive. Warning: my episode review contains plot spoilers.

Goodbye to All That is another great episode in the Terminator series. Brian Austin Green gets an opportunity to shine as Derek Reese, John's uncle and future resistance fighter. In past episodes, Derek's role was very small but this episode almost entirely focuses on Derek. I really enjoyed learning more about Derek and why is he is the determined brooding man that he has come to be. I have never really been a fan of Brain Austin Green but this episode has changed my opinion of him. I think he is a really great actor, much better now then his 90210 days.

Goodbye to All That find a terminator sent to kill Martin Bedell, a future resistance fighter and future John's right hand man. As like in the first Terminator movie, the terminator kills anyone with his target's name. This strikes a cord with Sarah who still feels guilty that two other "Sarah Connor's" were killed before the terminator found her. Sarah and Cameron protect a young boy names "Martin Bedell" with Derek and John off to protect the real "Martin Bedell."

The director does a great job of running their two stories together and with a parallel theme, especially towards the end of the episode. Sarah is helping little Marty with a book report on the Wizard of Oz while John and Derek try to kill the terminator. As Marty and Sarah read the Wizard of Oz out loud, their story is used as voiceover for the scenes of John and Derek with the terminator. The story matches perfectly and the scenes are very impressive.

Catherine and Agent Ellison storyline continues throughout the episode with Agent Ellison investigating the power plant meltdown from a couple of episodes ago. He shares his findings with Catherine. He has come to the conclusion that two robots fought at the plant. Catherine is intrigued and calls Agent Ellison "an avenging angel." She also kills the plant manager because he is asking too many questions.

Goodbye to All That is my new favorite episode of the series. I was impressed with Brian Austin Green's acting and I loved the comparison between the Wizard of Oz and the fight with the terminator. I give the episode 5 out of 5 stars.