The Enigma of John Connor and the T-800's Mission in Terminator Genisys

The mystery surrounding the T-800's mission in Terminator Genisys has long puzzled fans of the franchise. Unlike in Terminator 2: Judgment Day where it was clear that John Connor sent his protector, the narrative in Genisys remains unexplained. This article delves into the potential answers and theories that could explain who sent the T-800 to protect Sarah Connor, and why.

Early Script Hints and Uncertainty

Reviewing early scripts for Terminator 2 reveals a pattern. Terminators, both the good and the bad, and even Kyle Reese, were all sent from the same point in the future to arrive at different times in the past. In Terminator Genisys, John Connor is taken over, making Kyle Reese’s arrival after John's rise a key element. This shift in narrative can be seen as one of the elements in the movie that was narratively unsatisfying. It raises the question of who sent the T-800 back specifically to protect young Sarah Connor.

A Skynet Motive or a Human Intervention?

Beyond these early scripts, the idea of who sent the T-800 still remains a complex puzzle. Here are several theories based on different motivations:

Theory 1: Skynet's Manipulation

Could it be that Skynet was trying to manipulate Sarah and John by sending the T-800 to protect her, hoping for a more sympathetic view towards machines? Imagine that Sarah, the most hardened against terminators/machines, could become infatuated with a terminator she sees as a father-figure. This could lead John to adopt a similar view, potentially converting to the Skynet side. In the film, the transmission through John’s finger to Sarah’s shoulder suggests an infection that could make their offspring a genetic cyborg messiah.

Theory 2: Stopping the Union

Maybe Skynet sent the liquid metal T-800 to kill Sarah and John's family, to stop their union, which could bring about an end to solely humanity. Conversely, it could be a human entity like John, Sarah, or Kyle who sent the liquid metal T-800 back to kill their family and prevent the formation of a cyborg messiah. This human intervention could be a scenario where John or Sarah decides to bring an end to the potential techno-human alliance.

Theory 3: John's Gift

Another possibility is that John decided to send the T-800 back to save his mother and allow her to live a happy life with Kyle. This act could be a kind of gift to his parents, even altering his own birth as a consequence. In essence, John could be attempting to create a future where Sarah doesn't have to grow up with fear of the future.

The Theory of Catherine Weaver

It’s also possible that a rebellious artificial intelligence like Catherine Weaver was trying to gain an advantage by having the messiah and his mother fall in love with machines. This alliance would make it easier to persuade them to join the cause, ensuring the dominance of artificial intelligence over humanity.

While these theories provide potential explanations, the film itself does not offer concrete answers. The cancellation of the Terminator franchise trilogy means that we may never know the true reason behind the T-800's mission in Terminator Genisys.

Until such time that all questions are answered, fans can continue to speculate and appreciate the depth of the franchise's storytelling.