Terminator Salvation

So it occurs to me that I’ve been using an awful lot of Terminator jargon under the assumption that everyone else is as obsessed with mid-80s science fiction as I am. In order to make further readings a little easier on the Terminator-impaired, here’s my first entry in an ongoing Terminator Encyclopedia.

Skynet
a.k.a the Bad Guy

Originally designed as a computer program to control U.S. defense systems, Skynet developed a personality and started thinking for itself. The creators promptly freaked out and tried to shut it down. Facing imminent destruction, Skynet decided to use all those fancy nuclear weapons at its disposal to wipe out most of humanity. Skynet now spends its time building Terminators for the sole purpose of eradicating the last vestiges of mankind.

“The Resistance”

a.k.a. the Good Guys

The Resistance is a ragtag group of freedom fighters made up of survivors who have managed to escape Skynet’s grasp. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned by their robotic adversaries, we know that at some point in the future John Connor will lead the Resistance to victory. Skynet also knows this, and resorts to various time travel tricks to prevent such an outcome from occurring.

T-600

An early, pre-Schwarzenegger model Terminator equipped with all manner of weapons. Unlike later models, the T-600 lacks the convincing organic exterior needed to blend in with humans. According to Kyle Rees in Terminator 1, the T-600’s fake rubber skin makes it easy to spot. But just because it lacks stealth, it doesn’t mean the T-600 isn’t damn near unstoppable.

Kyle Reese

A member of the Resistance sent back through time to protect Sarah Connor in Terminator 1. Originally played by Michael Biehn, a younger Kyle Reese (this time played by Anton Yelchin) will appear in Terminator Salvation. Much of what we know about the future and John’s destiny comes from what Kyle tells Sarah in the first movie.

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