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The casting of Lena Headey as Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles has been criticized, harshly at times. Readers of this blog know that I've had my misgivings as well. Moreover, those who pooh-pooh such criticism are simply being disingenuous, for they almost certainly wouldn't react the same way if people were, say, complaining about the selection of a scrawny male actor to take over an iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger role.

Nevertheless, Monday's season finale was, in a word, excellent. And as long as they don't force the issue (which, alas, they have done at times), Lena's Sarah Connor works, only not in the same way that Linda Hamilton's did. The difference has been made up by Summer Glau, though she has been underutilized thus far. Summer's transcendent athleticism—much like Jennifer Garner's, largely the result of years of ballet training—lends a convincing quality to her movement that shows up in action scenes and in how she carries herself generally. This, when it has been used effectively, has given the show the muscle it needs. Overall, acting, writing, and production have been superb.

Let's hope Monday wasn't the series finale as well—no word yet on whether SCC has been picked up for another season.