The photograph from Terminator 2 showing Linda Hamilton
A snapshot of Sarah Connor was taken at a gas station with a Kodachrome 960 instant camera by a Mexican boy[1] on November 10, 1984 and sold to her for $4. The photograph shows Sarah Connor, six months pregnant in a jeep near the Mexican border. Behind her is an Alsatian dog (German Shepherd) that she has with her, presumably because of their ability to detect the Terminators.
Sarah gave the snapshot to her son John Connor, who carried it with him in his wallet in a plastic sleeve.[2] John would carry it with him for 30 years, before giving it to one of his subordinates, Sergeant Kyle Reese.[1][3]
Kyle carried the photo with him for years, falling in love with Sarah. After he traveled back in time, he described his feelings for the photo to Sarah, and confessed that he often wondered what she was thinking of when it was taken. The photo is actually taken when Sarah is thinking of Reese, describing him to their unborn son, John Connor.[1]
The photo was shown having been destroyed by fire during a flashback showing a Terminator attack on Kyle Reese's base sometime after Judgment Day, but before Kyle travels through time to save Sarah.[1][4]
In a new timeline, Kyle Reese still has the snapshot during Operation Chrono. He is unable to bring it with him to the past.[5]
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Polaroid from TSCC 1x06 Dungeons and Dragons
As John Connor travels through time "Pilot", only organic material or things contained in organic material can be moved through time, he does not take the photograph with him to 2007. Later, it is revealed that Agent Ellison obtained it and kept it at his place, where John finds it and takes it back. "Complications"
Derek Reese sees his brother carrying the photo and mentions it to Sarah Connor after he travels back in time. As a result, she realizes that Derek was the brother of the father of her child. "Queen's Gambit"
When John time travels forward with Catherine Weaver, John does not carry the photo with him as he has kept the photo in his wallet, left with his other personal belongings before attempting to free his mother Sarah from jail. "Born to Run"
Notes
- As the taking of the photograph occurs before any major timeline alterations, presumably both props used in the movies and series are meant to be the same photo from the same original timeline.
Behind the Scenes
Sarah's photo in Terminator Salvation
- The same location was used for the gas station that Cromartie kidnaps Michelle Dixon from in "The Mousetrap".
- The original photo (Linda Hamilton) is taken from a downward angle (by a taller photographer). However, the photo was supposedly taken by a small child, which makes the photo prop a little inaccurate.
- A scene cut from Terminator Salvation would involve Kyle Reese finding the Sarah Connor snapshot in the jacket he was wearing, gave by John, shortly after burying Marcus Wright; however, these scenes were cut from the final product.[6] However, the scene can be seen in the Maximum Movie Mode while McG is commenting within Terminator Salvation Blu-ray Disc.
- Both the snapshots in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Terminator Salvation are different to the original as seen in the first two films.
- The snapshot in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles looks slightly different to the original: The only parts of the jeep visible are Sarah's seat and the roll bar. Also, the background shows an open sky over a desert mountain ridge in the background, and the picture is taken from a slightly lower angle, more in line with the height of the boy that took it.
Sarah's photo in Terminator Genisys.
- The snapshot in Terminator Genisys is a fairly accurate recreation of the original picture with Emilia Clarke replacing Linda Hamilton. Only the color of Sarah's clothing is slightly different.
- A flashback during The Terminator shows the Sarah Connor snapshot being destroyed by a fire as the Future Terminator attacks Kyle Reese's base. However, during both The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Genisys, the snapshot is still intact and in Kyle's possession.
Appearances
- Films
- Comics
- Novels
- Television series
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
- "Queen's Gambit" (Mentioned only)
- "Dungeons & Dragons"
- "Complications"
- "The Good Wound"
Quotes
Sarah's picture all faded and old
- Kyle: (talking to Sarah Connor) John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn't know why at the time. It was very old. Torn...faded. You were young, like you are now. You seemed just... a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve... (turns to look at Sarah) I came across time for you, Sarah. I love you. I always have. (Sarah looks quietly overwhelmed and Kyle looks away). I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.
- The Terminator
- John Connor: (John opens his wallet to put away his share of the money he stole from an ATM)
- Tim: (noticing a picture in a plastic sleeve) That her?
- John Connor: (reluctantly shows Tim the Polaroid of Sarah pregnant, in a jeep near the Mexican border) Yes.
- Tim: So she's pretty cool, huh?
- John Connor: No, she's a complete psycho. That's why she's up at Pescadero. It's a mental hospital, okay. She tried to blow up a computer factory but she got shot and arrested.
- Tim: No shit...
- John Connor: She's a total loser.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day
- Derek: You're prettier than your picture.
- Sarah: Picture?
- Derek: Yeah, it's actually how I clocked you. My brother carried your snap for luck.
- Sarah: Who's your brother?
- Derek: What does it matter? You don't know the Reese boys and you never will.
- Sarah Connor Chronicles, "Queen's Gambit"
- Kyle: What?
- Derek: I hate that thing.
- Kyle: It's just a picture.
- Derek: It's Connor's mother. I don't get why he'd give you that.
- Kyle: She's my lucky charm.
- Derek: That's what makes me nervous.
- Sarah Connor Chronicles, "Dungeons & Dragons"
References
