If there is a show that needs Arnold Schwarzenegger, this is it.

FOX's new show, "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," centers on Sarah Connor (Lena Headey, "The Brothers Grimm") and her son John (Thomas Dekker, "Heroes") as they pick up their lives and run from both the FBI and futuristic robots. The show takes place between the second and third "Terminator" movies. Since the franchise's only storyline is fairly complex and "Chronicles" feeds off the movies, it requires some previous knowledge of the "Terminator" universe.

The core details are provided - it's 1999, robots from the future are after John (a future rebel leader) and the FBI are chasing Sarah for murdering one of the inventors of Skynet, a world-domineering computer program - but the less significant details are supposed to be inferred by the viewer.

In every "Terminator" movie there's a robot from the future sent to either protect or kill someone, and "Chronicles" is no exception. Cameron (Summer Glau, "The 4400") is a Terminator disguised as an attractive teenager with the personality of an acorn. Along with Sarah and John, the three travel to the future - in this case, 2007 - to prevent the creation of Skynet.

If there's one thing "Chronicles" brings to the table, it's action. The Connors travel the country with huge guns and create havoc along the way. While the fighting may not be as good as a big-budget film, the show makes up for it with suspense and intense dialogue.

The acting in "Chronicles" can be laughable at times, but it delivers the ferocity the actors are so desperately striving for; especially Headey, whose character, Sarah, is full of crazy-eyed looks and sudden aggressive movements. Although the dialogue is almost a second thought ("Chronicles" lets the guns speak for themselves), the show is somewhat self-aware, and isn't afraid to throw in the occasional over-the-top line. As Cameron saves John from an enemy Terminator, she deadpans, "Come with me if you want to live." Obviously, originality isn't included in a Terminator's software.

It's difficult to guess where the show will go, because Connor can't succeed in her mission to destroy Skynet, as the plot has to gel with "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," where Skynet is still thriving in the future. While the endless barrage of guns, explosives and super-cool future gizmos is undoubtedly entertaining, there seemingly isn't anywhere for the storyline to go. The show's concept is nearly begging for hundreds of thousands of pages of disgruntled blogs by "Terminator" fanboys.

If there's one way to give the show a boost, it would be to bring Arnold Schwarzenegger in for a multi-episode cameo. What a great way to give him a break from his boring illegal immigration and health care worries in California. There's also something right about Arnold donning the glowing eyes again. They were made for him.

In the world of sci-fi television programs, "Chronicles" can't compete with other shows like "Heroes," but it's at least enough to tide us all over until the next movie.

Ratings: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
Monday at 9 p.m.
FOX