Question: Has it ever been explained how the Resistance knew that Skynet was sending a Terminator to go back in time to kill Sarah? If so, how did they know?
The_Iceman
25th Apr 2025
The Terminator (1984)
Answer: Reece explained it when telling Sarah. The Resistance fought and entered somewhere (can't remember where) and realised Skynet had already sent a Terminator back to 1984.
28th Jun 2009
The Terminator (1984)
Question: I've always wondered, what's the significance of the kid pointing a wooden gun and making 'pew pew' noises at Reese when he enters the human hideout? Is it meant to be purely a bit of comical play between the two, or a subtle inference that mankind will never be able to abolish its inherent desire to destroy itself, even in the face of total extinction?
Answer: Its simply a child being a child and playing, but more than anything, showing the innocence of the children that inspite of the near death of the human race all around them, there's still time to play and be... human.
Answer: I think it refers more to the irony fact the kids innocently playing soldiers, would soon become real soldiers in a fight for their lives.
Answer: I've always thought it was to show that these children didn't know anything else. They hadn't had a childhood due to the war against the machines and all they knew was to shoot guns because that's all they've seen people do.
Answer: I agree with the playing and innocence aspects, as well as some comic relief. Toddlers/children prepare for possible future roles in life by mimicking adults' behaviors. What the child lacks is a sense of danger, showing no fear (or guilt) "shooting" a much larger person who knows how to kill. The child also lacks an understanding of consequences of behavior and meaning/permanence of death.
Answer: It's a time loop. When Reese was sent back, he told Sarah everything. She told her son, John, everything. He knew the day was coming; that's why he and Reese were close friends and why John gave Reese a picture of Sarah.