on the inside.
September 23, 2008 – 2:57 pmLast week’s “Look Closer” facts proved popular, so here’s some insider info on last night’s The Mousetrap straight from the, er, horse’s mouth.
Our opening montage was accompanied by the song “Safe Within Your Arms” by Greg Garing. It was shot on location in Palmdale (about an hour and a half outside of Los Angeles) and you should recognize two of the locations. The gas station where Cromartie kidnaps Michelle is actually the same gas station where they shot Sarah at the end of the first Terminator film. Thomas spills more details on this location in this week’s official podcast.
And another special location this week? How about the fruit stand where Charley Dixon waited for Sarah and Derek? It’s a fictional fruit stand right next to a small little “church” set — most prominently remembered for the massive shootout in the film Kill Bill. It’s not actually used as a real church.
George Laszlo’s Beast Wizard VII was inspired by the cult film The Beastmaster, starring Marc Singer and Rip Torn. Our scenes were shot in that infamous Warner Bros. jungle which we’ve shot for, amongst other things, Nicaragua in Queen’s Gambit and will be featured prominently in the fifth episode this season.
John not only faced down Cromartie on the Santa Monica Pier, he was also shocked by a big earthquake! Our production day was interrupted by the great quake back at the end of July. Just another day trying to stop the robots…
Did you notice Catherine Weaver during her meeting with Ellison? She was drinking a glass of water. Why would a Terminator drink? Was in a rouse or does this T-1001 actually need to hydrate?
The Mousetrap was actually the fifth episode we shot this season in order to accommodate the tough production schedule and various locations. We even celebrated Summer’s birthday with a gigantic chocolate cake on the day Cameron stalked John and Riley on the promenade.
16 Responses to “on the inside.”
I suspected that was the same gas station from T1! Total coolness guys.
And…
Another great episode. You guys rock. Truly the best show on TV.
By allergygal on Sep 23, 2008
I agree with allergygal. My favorite show on TV. All these little details tell me you guys really care about the quality of the product. Every show leaves me with questions, like Catherine’s drink of water, Cameron overriding her primary programing to terminate John (did she do that on her own, or was it programmed?) and so many others. Thanks for the fun!
P.S. I’m a total Cameron and John fan. I would love to see them end up together some way, some how!!
By John on Sep 23, 2008
Love all the tidbits you guys leave every week! Keep them coming! I was wondering the same thing about Catherine Weaver - why would a T-1001 drink, especially being a liquid metal Terminator?
And I thought I recognized that ‘church’ set from the Kill Bill films!
Another week, another fantastic episode! Thanks for continuing to kick ass in season 2!
P.S. I had the episode blaring on all three household TVs last night - doing my best to help the ratings!
By Annie on Sep 23, 2008
Awesome stuff. Loved the locations–especially since I’m from the LA area and have been to most of ‘em!
Can’t wait for next week and to find out more about Cameron’s origins and Weaver’s agenda (who exactly does she want to help Ellison track down)? Cromartie, Cameron, John, none of these?
Keep up the great work!
By Michael on Sep 23, 2008
The Beast Wizard was hilarious! Excellent way to add some humor! This is the best show on TV! I look forward to it every week!
I did wonder about her drinking water. I’ll give it a guess. I’m guessing a T-1001 does not actually need to hydrate. However I’m thinking it can use water to facilitate appearing human by having sweat, tears, spit, and adding humidity to its breath. The sweating could also be an efficient way for it to dissipate heat to maintain a human body temperature.
I’m a big Cameron fan. I’m really looking forward to finding out more about Cameron in the next episode. I really enjoy the inside and behind the scenes information post, photos, and videos. Your hard work is appreciated!
By Jim on Sep 24, 2008
Please force FOX managers to move the show to a different day. Move it to Tuesday or Wednesday and ratings will improve.
By Joerg on Sep 24, 2008
Annie - unless you’ve been selected by Nielsen, you can watch the show on a thousand TV’s until you’re blue in the face. It makes no difference. Ratings aren’t calculated simply by you turning on TV’s in your house. The only numbers you’re raising are those on your electric bill.
By David on Sep 24, 2008
Of course, I love the show. We Tivo everything in our house and this the only show I watch live. Thanks for keeping up the Terminator story-telling style that made the movies interesting.
I think the drink was a rouse and it looked to me like Ellison noticed it… or at least that something seemed strange to his highly trained FBI eye.
I also enjoy how Cameron encounters some kind of robot every once in a while and looks at it quizzically before moving on.
By Dave on Sep 24, 2008
I loved this episode, I really did, but PLEASE someone teach Brian Green how to clear a building properly. Also, please show Lena (and Brian) how to hold a weapon properly when clearing an area. It was distracting
Cop shows get it right, you guys can too 
Otherwise awesome episode!
By Schmacky on Sep 24, 2008
Even if you are watching the show live, you should still record it on your DVR or Tivo (and play it back within three days.) It’s the second best way you can contribute to the shows ratings.
As far as Catherine Weaver goes…her drinking water wasn’t a clever attempt to fool Ellison. Rather, the T-1001 powers itself by extracting hydrogen out of water. The excess waste can be flushed out through natural means, helping the T-1001 disguise itself as human. A harden fuel cell cannot possibly power a T-1001, since it’s always in a constant state of flux. It’s outward appearance can resemble a solid object; however it’s interior is always flowing like lava.
By Corey (Thecolours) on Sep 24, 2008
Small flaws here and there, but generally, the dark, brooding and melancholic feel of the Terminator series is back!!!
9/10
By steif.kopain on Sep 25, 2008
Oh don’t worry, I have a season pass for this on BOTH Tivos in the house… just in case one freaks (like it did for one episode last year). I usually do go back and watch again for little things and what’s being discussed online.
By Dave on Sep 25, 2008
the best narrative in tele.just like in 19,20 centurury sc fi narratives.including einstein narrative on two coordinates systems in wich,time goes more slowly…
By victor on Sep 25, 2008
David - thanks for the tip on ratings. Yeah, I know I’m not selected by Nielsen but if having SCC on multiple TVs gets my dad to watch the show, I’m all for it. Wish the networks would find a more updated way of rating numbers though - hope FOX is paying attention to the DVR/downloading numbers.
Schmacky - Even to my untrained eye, it seemed like Brian was whipping that gun around way too much/quickly when clearing the building - that would make me nervous if I was near Derek!
By Annie on Sep 25, 2008
I think the Terminators are acting TOO human in the show. I always liked that, when watching T1 and T2, there was always something of the ‘other’ about them that made them stand out from the humans.
Jeff Dawn, the make-up artist from the movies, said he put some ’special’ make up on Arnold to give his appearance that sense of ‘other’. Plus, in the dialogue and actions, they did stand out from regular people.
Thought the scene with Cromartie chasing John could have been more tense, but the show is great and I can’t wait for the next episode!
By Colin Rice on Sep 25, 2008