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So, TV. It’s no secret that I think Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is a worthwhile show. It is further no secret that I think Heroes is a terrible show, abjectly terrible. A show with a pantheon of all-powerful people which then requires them all to act like utter morons in order to move the plot forward. Anyway, whatever, I was reading this interview with Friedman about the beginning of the new Terminator – which many find a little slow. Me, for example.

It’s a good interview – here’s what I found most interesting:

some months ago I determined to steer the show towards its title, towards Sarah Connor. I wanted to explore not simply the idea of chasing Skynet and all that that entails, but also the psychological effects of doing so. It wasn’t enough to just hunt/fight/protect; I wanted to see what was going on inside her head, especially when those around her doubted her. Now some of you find that interesting, some of you don’t, some of you probably would but don’t think I’ve done a good job depicting it. And most of you are just pissed there’s not enough Cameron.

Is it difficult starting up with dark, psychological episodes after being gone for two months? Seems that’s the case. People are worked up about the Friday night thing and the ratings and I probably underestimated that microscope in my desire to explore Sarah and her demons. To be completely honest, the network warned me not to do it but I felt (and still feel) these stories (and I consider the upcoming Some Must Sleep… as the third part of the Sarah triptych) were/are vital parts of the show. But that’s coming from the guy who believes that if you enjoy watching Weaver slaughter thirty people in one episode you’re obligated to go to their funeral in the next.

Here he is simply stating his reasons for starting the season the way he has. It’s a thoughtful response and he stands up for it, problems and all, without seeming defensive at all – simply confident that what he’s done is the right thing for the show. He takes the blame for any problems but suggests that it’s a key part of the show. Agree with him or not. Personally, after reading the interview I liked the episodes more. Mostly I agree – there wasn’t enough Cameron. But, knowing that this isn’t the tone set for the entire season is good – because I didn’t dislike it – I simply didn’t want 13 episodes of it.

Now compare and contrast this with interviews with Kring from his second season. Like this one with Entertainment Weekly. Where he simply apologizes for, more or less, every creative decision made for the second season.

We taught [them] to expect a certain kind of storytelling. They wanted adrenaline. We made a mistake.

We took too long to get to the big-picture story

[New Heroes Monica (Dana Davis), Maya (Dania Ramirez), and Alejandro] shouldn’t have been introduced in separate story lines that felt unattached to the show

[re: Hiro's Japan story] We didn’t give the audience enough story to justify the time we allotted it.

[re: romance] I’ve seen more convincing romances on TV. In retrospect, I don’t think romance is a natural fit for us

Um. What exactly did you do right? Did you not realize all these problems when you were filming them? I mean, what did you think? At least in this interview he’s owning up to the litany of problems that plagued the second season without getting defensive – it’s simply an abject admission of a lack of creative vision.

I won’t even mention the interview where he called the folks who watched Heroes live (instead of via DVR) saps and dipshits.

I’m just saying. Kring simply got lucky with a mediocre first season that had enough backstory to be compelling. The writing was awful and the acting was generally eh. And his inability to followup that success is the proof of that. Moreover, his inability to provide some semblance that he made the decisions for his own creative vision that maybe others didn’t agree with… it’s just sad. Whereas Friedman, with a show that started out weak and got stronger, seems to be confident that he knows what he’s doing and that even the shows that his audience might be frustrated with are all part of a bigger picture that’re going to pay off for everyone.

As I tweeted – if you are watching Heroes and not Terminator (and Dollhouse!) you are missing out. If you’re not watching any of them… well… I guess good for you and your overproductiveness! You’re probably “reading” or “going out with friends” instead of watching TV. Jeez.