T:SCC 2.15 "Desert Cantos"

[hazelk]

Californian funerals are unexpectedly colourful affairs. Flowers, photos, tartan ties. Weaver sports a nouveaux tweed frock which was probably more authentically Scottish than any of the ‘plaid’ on display. It’s about putting on a show because the show is all that’s left. The soul-stealing photograph or the cold-bodied imitation of a mother.

Derek, in effect, called Sarah a murderer and maybe that’s part of why she seems more comfortable calling him Reese. They’re all in that club now although I’m not surprised that Sarah would see it as Derek’s club not John’s. Weirdly it feels like a healthy development, more honesty all round, we happy band of terrorists.

I may not remember death being about flowers but I do remember it being about money. Here money not God was the opium of the people, the addicted townsfolk sleepwalking through their lives in lieu of living them. I’ve always liked that this show has things to say about class. Antagonistic things.

Weaver grows more interesting with each week that passes. Last week reverting to her true form with a savage relish, the revenge of the little mermaid. This week less the Danish fairy tale and more the Scottish stories about selkies, seal women trapped by marriage and forced to learn mortal ways. Although she’s doing this for John Henry who is no more mortal than she is but he’s programmed to learn. Maybe cannot be content until he’s learned everything. In Sarah’s dream last week we learned that Skynet burned away the fruit of the tree of knowledge (although in her version knowledge remained buried at the roots). This could be a matter it regrets with hindsight. Ellison established some time ago that John Henry had no understanding of death. Also where else would a terminator begin its study of humanity? It’s where Cameron began and Weaver follows but there seems to be more urgency to her enquiries. Pity Savannah.

The stuffed cows were surreal.