The Terminator saga is an icon of science fiction. The vision of James Cameron , director of the first two films, marked a before and after in action and sci-fi cinema. Over the years, the franchise grew and evolved, exploring new directions and delving deeper into its complex universe. Now, Netflix has taken a bold step by expanding the story with the new series Terminator Zero (90%) , an anime that takes the Terminator mythology to new heights.
Terminator Zero is different from the films and the previous series in that it is an animated project, something that has never been seen in the franchise. The plot follows the classic premise of the saga: a Resistance soldier and a Terminator are sent back in time with specific missions. However, what sets Terminator Zero apart is its focus on explaining the rules of time travel within this universe.
The series takes the time to unravel how time travel actually works, something the films barely explain, even confusing many fans. This innovation not only offers greater insight into the complex ‘Terminator’ timeline, but also introduces new narrative elements. Spoilers ahead:
How is the chronology of ‘Terminator Zero’ organized?
The Terminator Zero timeline is not a simple one, spanning three different timelines that intertwine through time travel. The series primarily follows the story of Eiko, a version of a character sent from 2022 to 1997, and Malcolm, her son in another timeline, who travels back in time to create Kokoro, an artificial intelligence rival to Skynet. In the original timeline, Judgment Day occurs in 1997, Malcolm is born in 2024, and Misaki is created in 2040, at which point they both go back in time to try to change the course of history.
In a second timeline, also set in 1997, Kokoro travels to confront Skynet, and Eiko is sent from 2022 to stop Kokoro. Finally, in a third timeline, Eiko and a Terminator get in Kokoro’s way, resulting in Malcolm’s death and Kokoro being activated, saving Japan from the familiar destruction of Judgment Day. This chronological structure allows Terminator Zero to explore new possibilities and resolve many of the inconsistencies that had plagued the franchise since its earliest installments.
What does ‘Terminator Zero’ bring to the future of the saga?
Not only does Terminator Zero offer a coherent explanation of time travel, but it also introduces the idea that every change in the past creates a new timeline. This is key to understanding the show’s narrative, as it suggests that the characters aren’t necessarily saving their future, but creating a new one.
This approach resolves many of the plot holes that had arisen in the previous films and lays a solid foundation for future installments. By assuming the existence of multiple timelines, the series reinterprets past events and gives rise to a larger, more complex universe.
Despite the criticism the franchise has faced in its last few films, ‘Terminator Zero’ proves that the saga is still alive and with great promise for the future. The series leaves many questions unanswered, suggesting that there is much more to discover in this universe. Netflix has managed to maintain interest in the brand and has opened the door to new explorations in this fascinating world of machines and humans in conflict.
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