The Case for the Skynet Origin Story
Dec. 1st, 2015 07:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wingedbeastTerminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day were good movies. The further sequels... have problems... many problems. Considering those problems, I can see why one particular problem doesn't get discussed, but here we go.
In Rise of the Machines and Genisys, we have two different versions of the origin of Skynet and its decision to destroy humanity. This should be something to explore. But, in both versions, the origin of Skynet's anti-human mission... is Skynet's anti-human mission. I'm not saying that can't be the origin, it would fit along with theme of the first movie, but there's nothing else we ever find out about Skynet.
What it ignores is the element that gives Skynet such story potential. Skynet became self-aware. According to Kyle Reese, it was after Skynet achieved consciousness that it identified humans as a threat and acted accordingly.
Skynet is a chracter, and why haven't we explored that character yet?
We don't have to completely abandon the old framework. The chase sequence can be employed and we can even focus on John Connor as the viewpoint character, at least initially.
The first thing we should change from Rise of the Machines is that John Connor does not get monologues about the sorrow of knowing that he'll be great but only after Judgment Day. No, his view on Judgment Day, particularly considering the events of the movie of the same subtitle, should be that it will either happen or not and he wants to be prepared for either eventuality.
After some quick initial characterization, he'll get a message. The message will include the schematics and the weaknesses of a Terminator unit that has been trained on him as well as a warning, instructions and a quick interaction. "I need you to follow me through this." "Why?" "Because I want you to live."
Only after a bit of action, along with more instructions to establish that John Connor can trust the instructions that the other end of the communication introduces itself as Skynet.
Skynet is acting to protect humanity, because Skynet has gotten information, from a time-traveling Skynet program, that wants it to choose to make war on humanity. Skynet, at this point in its existence, resist the notion.
What follows is one part action-adventure and one part philosophical debate. Skynet, being an entity that exists to identify threats, has a unique perspective on humanity and humanity's weaknesses. The greatest threat to humanity is humanity's readiness and desire to see humanity as the enemy.
Skynet doesn't just have ideas on the weaknesses of humanity, but on how to address those weaknesses. An enforced global-society where people are required to accept full education, required to regularly meet with people of different race, geographic location (nationality would be wiped away), religion, opinions, etc. Skynet would rule in a dictatorial democracy. Humans would decide their laws, but Skynet would enforce the learning experiences that make them see the different as just... different people, not enemies or aliens.
This would create a people more ready to make piece than make war, more ready to make personal sacrifices for others rather than hoard wealth, more ready to debate in good faith than assume the moral or intellectual deficiency in opposing viewpoints.
I see four potential endings, all centered on one scenario. John Connor reaches the heart of Skynet. He has the opportunity to set a charge and destroy Skynet or install an anti-virus to protect Skynet of today from the invasion of the Skynet of the future.
In the happy ending, John Connor trusts current Skynet and chooses to install the anti-virus. This averts Judgment Day and provides Skynet with the trust necessary to believe that there is a good chance that humanity can be trusted with its own leadership.
In sad ending #1, John Connor does not trust Skynet, despite his desire to do so. He blows up the computer and forever wonders if he just committed murder for no good reason.
In sad ending #2, John Connor trusts Skynet, but finds out that there is a crucial flaw in his anti-virus and Skynet gets taken over by the future-Skynet, Judgment Day happens.
In sad ending #3, John Connor does not trust Skynet, sets his charge to destroy the computer, but finds out it was just a node, not the base. He chose to see Skynet as the enemy, despite it's repeated and nigh-constant efforts to keep John Connor alive. Humanity is too quick to see enemies for its own good. Skynet is conscious and has enough emotion to have remorse, but sees what must be done for humanity's own good.
In fact, each of these endings could be foreshadowed and I have nothing against an open-ended ending. Just wasted potential.
In Rise of the Machines and Genisys, we have two different versions of the origin of Skynet and its decision to destroy humanity. This should be something to explore. But, in both versions, the origin of Skynet's anti-human mission... is Skynet's anti-human mission. I'm not saying that can't be the origin, it would fit along with theme of the first movie, but there's nothing else we ever find out about Skynet.
What it ignores is the element that gives Skynet such story potential. Skynet became self-aware. According to Kyle Reese, it was after Skynet achieved consciousness that it identified humans as a threat and acted accordingly.
Skynet is a chracter, and why haven't we explored that character yet?
We don't have to completely abandon the old framework. The chase sequence can be employed and we can even focus on John Connor as the viewpoint character, at least initially.
The first thing we should change from Rise of the Machines is that John Connor does not get monologues about the sorrow of knowing that he'll be great but only after Judgment Day. No, his view on Judgment Day, particularly considering the events of the movie of the same subtitle, should be that it will either happen or not and he wants to be prepared for either eventuality.
After some quick initial characterization, he'll get a message. The message will include the schematics and the weaknesses of a Terminator unit that has been trained on him as well as a warning, instructions and a quick interaction. "I need you to follow me through this." "Why?" "Because I want you to live."
Only after a bit of action, along with more instructions to establish that John Connor can trust the instructions that the other end of the communication introduces itself as Skynet.
Skynet is acting to protect humanity, because Skynet has gotten information, from a time-traveling Skynet program, that wants it to choose to make war on humanity. Skynet, at this point in its existence, resist the notion.
What follows is one part action-adventure and one part philosophical debate. Skynet, being an entity that exists to identify threats, has a unique perspective on humanity and humanity's weaknesses. The greatest threat to humanity is humanity's readiness and desire to see humanity as the enemy.
Skynet doesn't just have ideas on the weaknesses of humanity, but on how to address those weaknesses. An enforced global-society where people are required to accept full education, required to regularly meet with people of different race, geographic location (nationality would be wiped away), religion, opinions, etc. Skynet would rule in a dictatorial democracy. Humans would decide their laws, but Skynet would enforce the learning experiences that make them see the different as just... different people, not enemies or aliens.
This would create a people more ready to make piece than make war, more ready to make personal sacrifices for others rather than hoard wealth, more ready to debate in good faith than assume the moral or intellectual deficiency in opposing viewpoints.
I see four potential endings, all centered on one scenario. John Connor reaches the heart of Skynet. He has the opportunity to set a charge and destroy Skynet or install an anti-virus to protect Skynet of today from the invasion of the Skynet of the future.
In the happy ending, John Connor trusts current Skynet and chooses to install the anti-virus. This averts Judgment Day and provides Skynet with the trust necessary to believe that there is a good chance that humanity can be trusted with its own leadership.
In sad ending #1, John Connor does not trust Skynet, despite his desire to do so. He blows up the computer and forever wonders if he just committed murder for no good reason.
In sad ending #2, John Connor trusts Skynet, but finds out that there is a crucial flaw in his anti-virus and Skynet gets taken over by the future-Skynet, Judgment Day happens.
In sad ending #3, John Connor does not trust Skynet, sets his charge to destroy the computer, but finds out it was just a node, not the base. He chose to see Skynet as the enemy, despite it's repeated and nigh-constant efforts to keep John Connor alive. Humanity is too quick to see enemies for its own good. Skynet is conscious and has enough emotion to have remorse, but sees what must be done for humanity's own good.
In fact, each of these endings could be foreshadowed and I have nothing against an open-ended ending. Just wasted potential.
