Monday night’s episode of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles might have been the best one yet. “Mr. Ferguson is Ill Today” proved yet again that this show is the best thing on television. In addition to some of the best action sequences this show has seen, the plot was deeply thought-provoking and the characters continued to exhibit a broad range of emotions.

The majority of the episode takes place in a small town in Mexico where John lived as a child. He and Riley sneak off for a night and all goes awry when Cromartie breaks into the Conner house and kidnaps Sarah. John gets into trouble and calls Sarah, but realizes that she is in trouble herself when she doesn’t respond correctly to the phone code. Cromartie grabs Sarah and takes off after John. John then sends a distress call to Reese, who also takes off to Mexico with Cameron. But the party isn’t over yet. A friend of Ellison’s finds out about John’s arrest and gives him a call. Ellison too makes his way down South.

I though it was really awesome they way the plot brought everyone together for one big confrontation. Ellison arrives first, right before Cromartie and helps John and Riley avoid being killed. They steal his car, only to realize that there is someone in the trunk: Sarah. The four of them evade Cromartie and hook up with Reese and Cameron. Together they plan the take down and pin Cromartie down in a crossfire in a church. Amazing scene. Very well done.

Fox revealed that one major character would be killed in this episode and I guess the title was a bit of a clue. Cromartie first appeared in Season One posing as substitute teacher in John’s class. His first words were “Mr. Ferguson is ill today.”

The weirdest part of the show was the whole “seduction” scene. Early in the episode, Cameron goes to talk to John, but decides to add a new variable to the mix: sex. Cameron leaves her sweater at the door and lies down on the bed (a nice little twin-size), next to John while she talks to him. It was definitely a little creepy, but at the same time…well, I won’t go there…it’s just not right.

I really like they way this episode played out. I think it was possibly the best yet. I think it was good timing to kill Cromartie. With him out of the way, the show can begin to focus on the real villain: Catherine Weaver.