Terminator Zero’ Episode Two Review

In episode two of Netflix’s new anime series ‘Terminator Zero’, the show drops more references to past movies, and delivers plenty of action scenes.

Episode one ended with Skynet sending a Terminator back to 1997 to kill Malcolm Lee who’s developing a new AI, so in time honored fashion, the resistance choose to send a single fighter back as well, to stop the cyborg from completing its mission. Malcolm, meanwhile, is grappling with the visions he’s had of the future, the reason he had for creating the AI in the first place, and whether it will be humanity’s enemy or ally. With less than 24 hours left until Skynet becomes self-aware, he needs to decide whether to bring the AI online or not.

This is where the series gets into very familiar territory for the ‘Terminator’ franchise, which has used the ticking clock element before, as well as the ever-present feature of a single human who’s instrumental in the Earth’s future. The similarities don’t end there, as there are more references to other Terminator projects, such as an explosive fight on a public highway. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the series will be bringing anything new to the franchise, unless it changes course in future episodes.

One big question is what effect this show has on the rest of the franchise. The ‘Terminator’ timeline is already a mess thanks to constant revisions, such as the apparent deaths of John and Sarah Connor, the fact that Judgment Day never happened, and the emergence of a new malign AI known as Legion, shown in ‘Dark Fate’. Now, this show is taking place in Tokyo, so there’s no reason for any of the original characters to show up, but the inclusion of Skynet suggests yet another revision to the events that led to the rise of the machines.

Outside of its effects on the ‘Terminator’ franchise, the show has got an interesting story going on, more so in the characters of Misaki and Malcolm’s children than in Eiko, the resistance fighter. There’s also the dilemma Malcolm is going through with his own creation, though this raises the question of why Skynet wants to kill him. If he was successful, and Kokoro stopped Skynet, then how could they have sent back a Terminator? Yet clearly they did, so how can he have any effect on the future, regardless of whether or not Kokoro turns out to be friend or foe?

Hopefully the show will have some decent answers and stick the landing when it comes to deliver them. For now, ‘Terminator Zero’ has enough going on to keep you hooked until the next episode.