In anticipation of our big return on Friday night, we’re going to do a series of catch-me-ups to bring you up to speed with where we last left our favorite characters…
His fate was written before he was born — John Connor, the future leader of mankind. But this John Connor’s only sixteen years old and just now beginning to understand the sacrifices it will take to become the man he needs to be. Now he’s dealing with the reality of a mother who couldn’t protect him from thug Sarkissian, an intimacy with his robotic protector who may or may not have his best interest at heart, and the effects of a romantic relationship with his new, seemingly normal girlfriend, Riley.
Following Sarkissian’s murder, John’s been haunted by PTSD and grasping for the life he knows he can’t have. His relationship with Riley evolving despite his better instincts, we last saw John clutching her body after her apparent attempted suicide. It’s all complicated by the fact that he’s been haunted by Cameron’s (manipulative?) claim that she loves him and he loves her, and questions uncle Derek as to his own decision making capability in the future. But has the line become too blurred between alter-ego John Baum and the real John Connor? Or is John actually learning the things he needs to become the humane, brave man that will lead mankind?
Thomas Dekker is John Connor in The Good Wound
Double Feature Friday - 8PM/7PMc
FOX
This is most definitely a controversial topic, and I don’t expect too many to agree with me, but how would you define murder? And it may seem a somewhat mute topic but the taking of human life always played a role in the Terminator universe.
James Cameron brought up repeatedly the notion of taking life again and again in the movie Terminator 2. Recall John ordering the terminator then (Arnold) not to kill anyone. At the gas station we see an in depth conversation about young John and the terminator about why “humans aren’t going to make it.” Later we see Sarah attempting to kill Miles Dyson but failing when she see’s his family And finally (if those weren’t enough) Sarah Connor’s closing words in the movie are: “If a terminator, a mcahine, can learn the value of human life - then maybe we can too.”.
Now in the show we see it being brought up again when John tries to, but unsuccessfuly, order Cameron not to kill anyone. James Ellison is trying to teach the values of human life to John Henry. Derek commenting to John that even though his mother has “murder in her eyes” she has still never killed before. And, taking it a step further, we see the issue of suicide and how much it affects Sarah and John to see someone take their own life when they are trying so hard to save lives.
My main point is, and please try to keep an open mind, can what John or Sarah did be considered murder or was it more along the lines of self-defense? Either way it’s a given the two wish they could’ve resolved the situation differently and the choice to kill will haunt them - such is the morality of all heroes.
But how about it, murder? Or self-defense?
I like the point John is as now. While I get a little testy and frustrated, I stop and think about the strain he’s had to live with his whole life. And of course I love how you put “an intimacy with his robotic protector who may or may not have his best interest at heart” (I think she does) and “It’s all complicated by the fact that he’s been haunted by Cameron’s (manipulative?) claim that she loves him and he loves her,” (Yes, I like the John/Cameron friend/relationship) She did use it to stop herself from being destroyed, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t true =)
& nick85 - Self-defense. All the way.
I’ve wonder about the same thing - but then I always wondered why Kal-el would just “the American way” when he could have flown off to some other part of the world and protected their values.
The Conners know Jday is coming, and half the ppl on earth will lose their lives. So what IS the big deal trying to save a few now? Shouldn’t they be either rallying the (future) troops or robbing and stealling and hording supplies to make ready for the future battles to come? Should the ends justify the means? How far should they go?
Well, Derek has a dif “take” on this issue, but for the Conners, they hold to higher moral code - and we don’t know why. We know that Ellison has a moral code - althought it isn’t fair to say that just because he is a Christian is the total reason: I believe him to be a good, upstanding man.
But some values underly Sarah’s actions, and are inherited by her son.
I can’t say I’d not be affected by knowing that Jday will come, and view human life the same way. But the Conners stick to their rules. Maybe they should write them down for other people to live by (Pres. Bush - BOTH of them!)
I loved this: “…he’s been haunted by Cameron’s (manipulative?) claim that she loves him and he loves her”
I think it was murder… in self defence.
All I want to see from John Connor in the back nine is actually doing something then just standing around and creating problems for everybody else. Just give me that and I will be happy. John needs more actions scenes like everybody else on the cast.
I wanted to know if the show will ever have Arnold in it I also wish that I could join the cast and be either a director on the set or a cast member I think I would give the show great credit and more fans of Arnold would like the show I should play an important Charactor in the show I have been with the Terminator ever since I was 2 yrs old I am 20 yrs old now and beg everyday for Arnold to return to the new Movie and the show. I just think about the Terminator almost everyday and my parents think I am crazy and need help. I watch the movies and the show almost everyday I even made it to where I can download and watch the show I can read every word from every movie word for word without looking and the same wit the show. I have a fan site and I just updated it to give it a better Sarah Connor Chronicles feel to it. my site is http://terminatorfate.ning.com it is about all things and everything Terminator. I tried to get on to to talk to Josh and Dekker but I had problems getting on I did not know how and I wanted to talk about my involvement in the show would work. I am a computer geek and I know a lot about computers. I really wish if some way I could be on the show.
I can’t wait to see how John’s character turns out in the back nine. I certainly look forward to seeing him “smarten” up. Maybe John Baum will get shot! >.<
I think despite John Connor wanting to be John Baum, Connor is learning from Baum. All his experiences will shape the John Connor persona eventually will indeed make him a better human being. …Thomas just came on Chelsea, he and Chelsea are so funny…just love it!…ok it’s over, that was brief. Anyway as with Sarah his journey will not be at all pleasant but crucial to what will be his destiny.
Well allthough I am greatly annoyed by the stupid mistakes he makes, I can understand he will not become the saviour of the human race overnight. I do hope he will get some developments towards that during the back nine though. I love the little moments where he shows some leadership!