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Andy Goode rebuilds his computer system and enters into a chess competition; Cameron is forced into grief counseling at school; John makes a new friend; Agent Ellison investigates another crime scene left behind by a Terminator.

Episode Info

Episode number: 1x5
Production Number: 3T6853
Airdate: Monday February 11th, 2008

Alternate Airdates:

UK (channel one) Mar 20, 2008
Finland Dec 08, 2008
DE (Pro7) Feb 09, 2009
NL (Veronica) Aug 27, 2009

  • Currently 8.2/10
8.2/10 (32 Votes cast)
Guest Stars
Brendan HinesBrendan Hines
As Andy Goode
Brian Austin GreenBrian Austin Green
As Derek Reese
Dean WintersDean Winters
As Charley Dixon
Garret DillahuntGarret Dillahunt
As George Laszlo
Kristina ApgarKristina Apgar
As Cheri Westin
Mark IvanirMark Ivanir
As Dimitri Shipkoff
Matt McColmMatt McColm
As Vick Chamberlain
Neil HopkinsNeil Hopkins
As Mr. Harris
Sonya WalgerSonya Walger
As Michelle Dixon

Co-Guest Stars
Luis ChávezLuis Chávez
As Morris
John De VitoJohn De Vito
As Young John
Troy CephersTroy Cephers
As Guard
Ray ChavezRay Chavez
As Old Rebel Soldier
Ally MakiAlly Maki
As Student
Jacob WitkinJacob Witkin
As Announcer
Main Cast
Lena HeadeyLena Headey
As Sarah Connor
Thomas DekkerThomas Dekker
As John Connor
Summer GlauSummer Glau
As Cameron Phillips
Richard T. JonesRichard T. Jones
As James Ellison


The episode begins with a flashback to when Sarah and John lived in the jungles of Central America, and John learned to play chess. Sarah receives a phone call from Andy Goode, who is entering a computer chess tournament...

Read the full recap
Episode Notes
A robotic dog barks at Cameron at the chess competition. Real dogs are often used to detect Terminators.

Episode Quotes
John: You're really good at math.
Cameron: Yes.
John: You want to do mine?
Cameron: Yes.

Cameron: What are they doing?
John: They're writing notes... for Jordon.
Cameron: She's dead.
John: Yeah, I remember watching her fall.
Cameron: Me too. How will she get the notes?
John: She won't.
Cameron: But you said...
John: Sometimes things happen and they are so bad... that people don't know how to deal with their sadness, so they write it in a note.
Cameron: But I thought people cried when they are sad.
John: Sometimes it's not enough.

Mr. Harris: What did she say when you did talk to her? I mean, was it something upsetting for you to hear?
Cameron: She said... You saw it right? Right? You saw it?! It's so freaking big and right out there! (speaking in the same manner as Jordon)
Mr. Harris: She was talking about the graffiti?
Cameron: It's freaking big.
Mr. Harris: Yes. Yes it is.
Cameron: And no.
Mr. Harris: No?
Cameron: No, it was not upsetting for me to hear it.

Sarah: Field trip.
John: I call shotgun.
Cameron: I call nine millimeter.

Cultural References
Sarah Connor is doing pullups during the opening scene using a metal bar on a swing set. This is similar to the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day, where she did pullups while imprisoned in Pescadero State Hospital.

Episode References
The T-888 trying to kill Derek Reese is the same one that hid in the safe house, posing as a dead resistance fighter in episode 1x02, Gnothi Seauton.

The title of this episode, "Queen's Gambit" is a classic opening move in chess. It involves sacrificing your queen in order to capture the opponents king. Vick employed a similar strategy by allowing himself to be captured and jailed in the same location as Derek.

Other Episode Crew

Executive ProducerAndrew Vajna  |  Mario Kassar  |  Joel Michaels  |  John Wirth  |  Josh Friedman (1)
Co-Executive ProducerToni Graphia
ProducerJohn Enbom  |  Jill Lopez Danton
Consulting ProducerJames Middleton  |  Natalie Chaidez
Associate ProducerAaron Miller (2)
Production DesignerMichael Novotny
EditorScott Gamzon
CastingBonnie Zane  |  Gayle Pillsbury
Unit Production ManagerHilton Smith
First Assistant DirectorGlenn Steelman
Second Assistant DirectorAdam Ben Frank
MusicBear McCreary
Music EditorMichael Baber
Costume DesignerAmanda Friedland
HairstylistJosée Normand
Set DecoratorBryan Thetford
Location ManagerMichael Paolillo
Property MasterScott A. Buckwald
Re-Recording MixerPeter Sullivan (3)  |  Rick Norman
Director of PhotographyBill Roe
Stunt CoordinatorJoel Kramer
Sound MixerCharles Kelly
Executive Story EditorZack Stentz  |  Ashley Edward Miller
Special Makeup Effects ArtistRobert Hall (1)
Visual Effects SupervisorJames Lima
Special Effects SupervisorSteve Galich
Original CastingLisa Beach  |  Sarah Katzman
Visual EffectsZoic Studios
Second Unit DirectorJoel Kramer
Based On Characters Created ByJames Cameron  |  Gail Anne Hurd
Makeup ArtistHarriette Landau
DeveloperJosh Friedman (1)
Warning: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles season 1 episode 5 guide may contain spoilers
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