Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chroniclescreator Josh Friedman has reflected on the sci-fi show’s cancellation 15 years later, revealing the John Connor storyline that would have happened if it was renewed for season 3. The TV show follow-up toTerminator 2: Judgement Daysees Sarah (Lena Heady) and her son John (Thomas Dekker) trying to prevent the rise of SkyNet once again, this time with the help of the Terminator Cameron (Summer Glau), who John sent back in time to protect himself.The Sarah Connor Chroniclesendedon a cliffhanger, with the series getting cancelled after season 2.
Speaking withEmpire, Josh Friedman reflected on howhe wroteTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' season 2 finale as a definitive ending with room for more, fearing it would be cancelled at the time. If season 3 had happened, the creator said an episode would have focused on John after going into the future, meeting Allison Young, the woman who Cameron was modeled after, truly wrestling with his feelings for the Terminator. He laments the cancellation given everything planned, wishing the story could somehow continue. Check out what Friedman had to say below:
I wrote the season two finale, and I thought there was a good chance that that was going to be the end. I wanted to write something that sat astride an ending, emotionally, and yet would allow us something to do if we did get a season three. I wanted to write an episode that was like, ‘Be careful what you wish for’. John loves Cameron, but it’s like Pinocchio, she’s not a real girl. So okay, well, what if he met the real human [that the Cameron Terminator was modelled on]? John never likes being John, he doesn’t like the burden of the mantle. So, what happens if he gets his wish? He shows up in the future, he gets to meet his dad, meet the girl he couldn’t have, but in human flesh. And nobody knows who he is, so he has no pressure. So it felt like itcouldend there, but that it wouldn’t. I was sad that we were cancelled. I wanted to do more, but I also felt satisfied personally. I didn’t want it to just feel like the needle had been pulled off the record suddenly. I wanted it to feel like the song had ended. Even if the album hadn’t.
What Friedman’s Plans Would Have Meant For The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season 3
The Terminator Show Would Have Gone In Wildly New Directions
The final episode ofThe Sarah Connor Chroniclessaw John go to the future, where older versions of Derek Reese (Brian Austin Greene), Kyle Reese (Jonathan Jackson), and Allison Young reside, none recognizing him. This makes him realize his absence in the present day disruptedtheTerminatortimeline, something that would have been a significant issue going into season 3. Based on Friedman’s plans, this would have been a major element of the follow-up episodes, which would have focused on what it meant now that that future resistance leader no longer held that role.
Is The Sarah Connor Chronicles Canon? How The Terminator TV Show Fits In The Franchise’s Timeline
There are often questions about whether The Sarah Connor Chronicles is canon, but the show does fit into one version of the Terminator timeline.
Many intriguing storylines could have transpired from this moment,including the dichotomy between present and future growing more unpredictable thanks to what happened. Instead, the franchise moved on without the show, withTerminator 7being announced, franchise co-creator James Cameron being involved in its development. However, the successful Netflix anime seriesTerminator Zeroshows the franchise can still work in a TV format, although the length of time it’s been sinceThe Sarah Connor Chroniclesmeans its story likely won’t have a definitive conclusion.
Our Take On The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Season 3 Plans
The Show’s Continuation Would Have Been Highly Memorable
Seeing John’s significance stripped away would have been a major difficulty the core cast would need to deal with while trying to stop SkyNet. Their battle through time would have no doubt grown more complex, especially as the young man is forced to find a way to become the resistance leader his future needs in order to save it. AlthoughThe Sarah Connor Chroniclesisn’t ever coming back, Friedman’s ideas would have been perfect for the show’s continuation, making it all the more disappointing it got cancelled.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Cast
This spinoff of the Terminator franchise follows Sarah Connor, her son John, and Cameron, a Terminator reprogrammed to protect John. Pursued by time-traveling Terminator assassins, they must cope with life on the run as well as the impending threat of Skynet.
