Hello, friends of the Terminator blog. Ian Goldberg here – last year, I wrote What he Beheld. You might remember it as the episode where those poor SWAT team members did a little synchronized swimming routine, apocalypse style, to the musical stylings of Mr. Johnny Cash. I also wrote tonight’s episode, Brothers of Nablus. I can’t tell you much about it, other than it is undoubtedly our most Jewish episode yet. What’s that, you ask? Where does Judaism fit into the Terminator canon? You writers give us a hero with the initials J.C., loads of eloquent dialogue about the resurrection, and the book of Revelations – now you want to throw Jewish theology into the mix too?
To give you a little background, Nablus was conceived around a pretty simple idea – what would happen if the Connors got robbed? Without spoiling anything for you, we decided to make it a kind of “noir” Elmore Leonard-y episode, while still maintaining the tone and feel of our show. As I was writing the script, I really wanted to use a story from the Bible. I had no idea which one, or where it would fit in, just that I wanted to use it as a metaphor for what was going on with the Connors. I consulted Zvi, our trusty writer’s PA, who also happens to be an Israeli Talmudic scholar in his own right. And Zvi turned me onto the story of the Brothers of Nablus – which you can find in Genesis, chapter 34. Again, I won’t spoil anything for you, but basically it’s a really badass story about a group of brothers who enact a bloody revenge plot on the man who raped their sister. Revenge! Family! Blood! Sounded pretty Terminator-y to me, and so I used it. As to what exactly it means in the context of the rest of the episode, I guess you’ll just have to tune in and see…
Sweet name! It reminds me of how some of Gavid Morrell’s books starts off. Cant wait. T-minus 1 hour and 10 minutes.
David Morrell’s^
Why are do so many episodes have connections with the bible? As much as I like the show, its ridiculous.
Oooh, Ian.. you’re very good at teasing people! Don’t know if I can wait another 4 hours *pout*
If I recall my bible correctly, Genesis 34 is the one where a prince of another country asks to marry the Israeli princess he raped, and the Israelis agree as long as the prince and all his people are circumcised. The prince agrees and he and all his men go through with it. While they’re still in pain the two brothers slaughter every man in the nation.
This should be a good episode…
Thanks for posting that, Ian. I’m on the left coast too so it’s still a three hour wait from now.
“What He Beheld” was awesome last season, one of my favorite episodes. Everyone’s work on that was great.
Just wanted a chance to tell you. I’m sure tonight’s episode will be excellent too.
Thanks Ian! I love all the complex titles and meaning behind them in this show - it makes SCC a great intelligent action show, with plenty of pretty kick-ass women to boot! Whoo hoo!
Wow, I’m very impressed with how deep the writers are willing to dig for the theme of the show.
As long as writers can present the theology theme without going all preachy, I wouldn’t mind them using the bibles.
I really like the show, and after tonight’s episode(Brothers of Nablus), I can say that I LOVE IT!!! congratulations. You guys should make more bad ass episodes like this!!! THANKS A LOT!
THIS IS WHY THIS SHOW FRIKKIN’ ROCKS!
I just finished watching the episode. Ian, your a great writer. The episode was amazing. My cold-blooded murdering Cameron is back(yippie). And the first scene…omg. I’m still trying to wrap my head around Cromatie spearing Ellison’s life from his doppelgänger. WTF? I had to rewind my DVR as soon as that seen ended. I think I woke up everyone in my house, twice.
“Where does Judaism fit into the Terminator canon? You writers give us a hero with the initials J.C., loads of eloquent dialogue about the resurrection, and the book of Revelations – now you want to throw Jewish theology into the mix too?”
All of the New Testament is Jewish. Jesus was Jewish. “Christ” is just Greek for “Messiah.”
A very badass episode, Ian. Loved it.
And never, never steal the metal’s jacket, eh?
Agreed, just finished watching it too. This episode had a really nice flow to it. I had that ‘on edge’ feeling throughout. Some good surprises too, I was stunned a couple times.
Great job.
Excellent episode. One can really tell the different writers on the show…NOT a bad thing, sometimes!
Ian-
When you’re old and grey, and your grandkids ask you to tell them of something that you did that was exceptional, you tell them about the time you wrote “The Brothers of Nablus”.
I know that TSCC is a team effort, so kudos to the rest of the writing team as well to as the producers and directors.
I have to say I’m beside myself. I am so excited I can’t wait until next monday.
That episode was awesome. It was intense from the first 30 seconds on. It was also beautifully written… Another work of art from start to finish. I am very eager to see next weeks episode as always. As a side note, I am glad you guys add Biblical tones throughout the series. It is nice to see a modern show NOT mock Christianity like it is stupid. Props to you all for that and keep up the excellent work. This series is like watching a top notch blockbuster movie in small segments from start to finish.
I have a question for you Ian.
Just how did the T-Ellison sound exactly the same as the real Ellison, when the real Ellison never said anything for the fake one to sample?
It was just bugging me, that’s all.
Love the episode. And coming from a Jew (me) I loved how you threw some Jewish things in there. I can even get the Jewish sense of humor in some of Cameron’s lines. But maybe thats me. Mazal Tov on the episode it was great.
Who dies next episode? Hope it’s not Derek.
Oh, no, another terminator sent back?!! Isn’t this getting a little over used? ::shrugs::
Cromartie was just the best in this ep! The others, not so much. Derek has enough free time to get laid, John is hoping to get laid, Sarah and Cameron are duped into becoming the heavies for Moishe and then go chasing the robbers to an empty bowling alley - this all fits into the mold of making fate how? I’m a little worried about the future of mankind. But there were some funny lines: No one likes a nag. Hee!
Thank you for your time [Cromartie smile]
Intrepid: Terminator Ellison was probably pre-programmed by Skynet before being sent back - I’m thinking Real Ellison figures heavily into its future.
it’s a long season kerrit. Sit back, enjoy the ride, and let the plot unfold in a timely manner. No need to rush things along. It’s to soon to go chasing after Catherine Weaver. If the Connors spend 22 episodes chasing after the turk, 21 of those episodes would inevitably end in failure. In the eyes of the viewers, we can’t have such a high failure rate with the Connors. It would weaken their resolve as strong characters.
It would be alot easier to wait for next monday if this show sucked.
Another great episode, although is anyone else fed up with the abundance of feisty annoying blonde girls? Riley was useful in diverting Cromartie I guess, but the other one (forgot her name!) was as irritating as she was in Allison from Palmdale.
I love to see Sarah and Cameron working together. Cameron’s cold blooded killings seem cruel to Sarah, but her actions in sparing that kid are likely to lead to Cromartie tracking them down.
What IS Jesse up to? Derek blatantly lied about who she is to Sarah, why so secretive?
I loved the biblical stuff - although 2 references in one episode might be slight over kill!
Great job on What he Beheld and excellent job on this episode!
Derek or Jesse… one of them is dead.
NO!!! DON’T KILL DEREK OFF!!!!!!! Personally, I don’t want to see any of the characters killed off. If I had to pick a lesser of two evils, I would go for Jesse. She hasn’t been on the show long enough for their to be strong ties. The only thing I can say is wait on killing her off until we find out what the hell she is up to.
It just keeps getting better I was on the edge of my sit. I was so hyped I couldn’t go to sleep till two in the morning lol.
Great episode, my heart was pounding in my chest when Cromartie was in the Connor house! Cromartie was brilliant the entire episode, and great seeing Cameron being her cold self in the bowling alley.
Only gripe I have might be the many overt references to the bible, felt a bit overdone to me. Not too fond of those lately.
Keep up the good work!
was great EP Ian,i know you did write inthe script to sarah to not kill the Man in Toilettes to make a connection with Cromartie,but i find Sarah too Soft,it really Surprise me that Cameron shoot them all ! Ellison scene was great too,i saw the Behind Scene Maker.Nice work Ian !
FFTSCC
Loved the episode, loved the Biblical references, and for the first time Loved Riley! I think it finally clicked for me. As far as I can tell, she is the only normal person in the show with no hidden background or agenda (except maybe to get free junk food from hard-up guys) and whom does she pick to make friends with? The most dangerous teenager in America! And then she breaks away from John, totally clueless, and says Oh I’ll get rid of this guy for you, and opens the door for the smartest badass terminator yet! My wife and I were just cringing and my wife even said, does anyone know how scary this show really is? And then Riley goes home just beaming about how clever she is, as any normal teenager would, and a few scenes later Cameron comes in the door after just popping off three punks so quickly Sarah didn’t even see it coming, and announces Riley’s a security risk! And Sarah didn’t even seem all that bothered by it. I’m not sure if John can protect the poor unsuspecting girl from the terminators or his own family. Great writing because I don’t think you could bring the same level of suspense into the show without Riley-she did great!
And for the same reason, bringing Jody back was brilliant. She was so hot to get even with Allison (Cameron), she hops into the car with the one guy who is likely to finish what Cameron started. Then she gets so annoying we’re just biting our nails waiting for the blood splatter when bam! she comes flying out of the car and rolls down the street. We jumped, and yet we were laughing because it was so unexpected and because she got off so easy. Great episode. Would sure like to see Jody run into Cameron again, or maybe Riley. That could be fun if they start comparing notes and Riley just thinks Jody is a complete nut case.
TSCC is such a pleasure because it understands its roots. Josh Friedman, the self-described (clothing only)Jewish gangster, recognized how Jewish certain elements in the original Terminator really were. A sophisticated Golem is sent back Herod-style to terminate a future messiah (initials J.C.) who will resurrect mankind from the ashes of the Armageddon of a future Judgment Day. Justice is rightous, swift, and without mercy. Victory means domination while defeat means genocide…biblical stuff! At the same time, the metaphor of the terminator himself (herself, itself?) has become the ultimate expression of the Eisenhower warning of the danger of the unchecked military- industrial complex. I’m not afraid of my ipod-technology is souless until life is breathed into it from the darkness in the heart of those whose imagination envisions a new use for it.
The biblical rivets and future warnings outweigh hours of tedious teen-age wasteland. Keep spinning gold from these threads of historial straw. Kudos to all the writers but a special nod to Ian Goldberg for his glimpse at dark stories from Jewish biblical history. Question, rabbi, does the punishment ever really fit our crime? Ask the brothers of Nablus-oh, no, you can’t.