Is The Sarah Connor Chronicles Canon? How The Terminator TV Show Fits In The Franchise's Timeline

The Canon Debate

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles occupies a unique position within the Terminator franchise, leading to debates about its canonicity and placement in the franchise's timeline. The show's continuity is a subject of discussion, much like other installments in the franchise that have faced similar scrutiny. The complexities arise from the time-travel elements and attempts at reboots and sequels that have altered the franchise's timeline.

Lena Headey as Sarah and her group pointing guns in The Sarah Connor Chronicles

The Terminator viewing order and timeline have become increasingly convoluted due to the time-travel elements and the introduction of new storylines. The departure of James Cameron from the franchise after Terminator 2: Judgment Day led to the release of subsequent movies that were considered canon at the time. However, The Sarah Connor Chronicles introduced changes to the Terminator universe's timeline, partly due to Cameron's disengagement from the franchise.

Linda Hamilton Sarah Connor in the desert with an assault rifle in Terminator 2 Judgment Day

Timeline Alterations

The Sarah Connor Chronicles is set after the events of Terminator 2 and disregards Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, offering a different path for the continuation of the story. This decision was made to reinstate the original timeline and maintain the relevant threats, aligning the show with the events of Terminator 2 and disregarding the alternate future presented in Terminator 3. As a result, the show serves as a direct sequel to Terminator 2 and ignores the subsequent events introduced in Rise of the Machines.

Lena Headey as Sarah Connor in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

The lack of acknowledgment of The Sarah Connor Chronicles in subsequent Terminator movies, including Terminator 3 and Terminator Salvation, created a divergence in the franchise's continuity. The show's cancellation in 2009 and the absence of any references to its events in later movies further emphasized the disconnection between the two storylines. The diverging timelines and the lack of integration of the show's events into the movies added complexity to the Terminator franchise's overarching timeline.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as the T-800 carrying a coffin in Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines

Separate Entity

Despite being intended as a follow-up to Terminator 2, The Sarah Connor Chronicles can be enjoyed as a standalone series, independent of the first two Terminator movies. The show effectively operates without relying on the broader franchise, incorporating key plot elements and themes from the original films. It pays homage to the earlier movies and features familiar story points, such as John's mission to protect himself by sending a Terminator back in time and the objective to prevent the development of Skynet. These aspects contribute to the show's self-contained nature and its ability to be watched without prior knowledge of the franchise.

Thomas Dekker as John Connor leaning against a car in The Sarah Connor Chronicles

The ongoing conflict between humanity and Cyberdyne Systems, the manipulation of timelines, and the uncertainty of the 'real' timeline are central themes in the Terminator franchise, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles aligns with these themes. The show's ability to fit seamlessly within the franchise, despite ending on a cliffhanger, adds to its appeal and makes it accessible to viewers unfamiliar with its parent property.

Lena Headey as Sarah Connor aiming a gun in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles