History WMG / TheTerminator

* Timeline 4-?: The movie we got, with Kyle-3, Sarah-4 and Arnie-4. There could technically be an infinite number of minor variations on this StableTimeLoop up until the events of ''Terminator 2'', where the heroes destroy Cyberdyne and that results in Skynet either being created much later than even the first timeline, never being created at all, or replaced with Legion.

* Timeline 1: John-1's father is unknown, but since there's no StableTimeLoop, it's certainly not Kyle. Likewise, because there's no Terminator parts, Skynet-1 is made later. What becomes of Sarah-1 is unknown, but she probably never became a hardened badass and may even die during Judgment Day. Connor rises up not because of RetroactivePreparation but his own leadership merits. Kyle-1 volunteers to stop the Terminator-1, without any ulterior motive by John-1. This date may also be later than 2029, as without knowledge of the future, it would make sense that the war lasts longer.

* Timeline 1: John's father is either the guy who stood up Sarah because they made up with no Terminator plot, some other partner or just a one-night stand. Because there's no Terminator parts Skynet is made later. Connor doesn't become the big hero through RetroactivePreparation but because he became interested in the military and technology, and out of the people who survived to the big attack on SKYNET he had the most military and technological know-how. Kyle Reese volunteers to stop the Terminator being sent back in time, but is picked without any ulterior motive by John. The Terminator doesn't have to look like Arnie here but someone else like Creator/JurgenProchnow.
* Timeline 2: Kyle-1 isn't in love with Sarah, but the two eventually fall in love and conceive John. The time that they fall in love and conceive John is malleable; it's possible that it could even happen in the late 80s. Regardless, John is inevitably conceived and Sarah informs John that his father is from the future. What becomes of this Kyle is unknown, but it's possible that he could even live long enough to fight in the Future War under an alias. It's also unlikely that the T-800 was destroyed in the Cyberdyne factory like before, meaning that Skynet's creation came later. This version of John, however, later meets a young Kyle-2 and, realizing that it's his "father", begins grooming him for his future mission. As before, Kyle-2 is sent back to 1984 to stop the Terminator.
* Timeline 3: Basically the events of the film, with Kyle-2 dying in a HeroicSacrifice against the Terminator and the picture of Sarah is taken. Because this Kyle-2 confesses his love to Sarah when he did, and then dies where he does (along with the T-800) Skynet happens in 1997 like the second movie says. Eventually, Kyle-3 and the Arnie Terminator we know go back to create Timeline 4: ie, the one we know.
* Timelines 4-?: The movie we got. There could technically be an infinite number of minor variations on this StableTimeLoop up until the events of ''Terminator 2'', where the heroes destroy Cyberdyne and that results in Skynet either being created much later than even the first timeline, never being created at all, or replaced with Legion.

* Timeline 2: Kyle-1 isn't in love with Sarah, but the two eventually fall in love and conceive John; just a few years later after they've properly developed a relationship (like he's born in 1988). Obviously this means he survives the Terminator, and manages to get rid of the pieces so Skynet is still developed later than 1997. This Kyle possibly lives to fight in the war with Kyle-2, though he'd obviously have to go under an alias, but likely dies early enough that Skynet doesn't get suspicious enough to question using time travel to assassinate Sarah Connor (maybe he pulls a HeroicSacrifice to save John from Judgement Day). John-2 encourages Kyle-2 to be in love with Sarah but because Kyle-1 lived longer minor details like the photo Kyle has don't exist here. Again the Terminator sent back doesn't have to look like Arnie.
* Timeline 3: Basically the events of the film, with Kyle-2 dying in a HeroicSacrifice against the Terminator and the picture of Sarah is taken. This is the timeline the Kyle Reese we know comes from along, and because he died when and where he did he can't collect the remains of the Terminator, so Skynet happens in 1997 like the second Terminator movie says. Eventually the Kyle and Arnie Terminator we know go back to create Timeline 4. Another time travel event like the backstory of the second Terminator movie could happen(assuming Kyle is incorrect about Skynet not having a second time machine) and we could get either two functionally identical versions of Terminator 2, or its Terminator 2 becomes a what if scenario (like maybe it's where the deleted ending of Judgement Day being averted takes place)
* Timelines 4-6: The movie we got. To prevent either Connor or SKYNET from realizing time travel doesn't affect their own timeline, they still follow the script with Kyle-4/the Terminator. Timeline 5 could end up as a repeat of Timelines 3-4, but the butterfly effect could result in a different outcome (either a what if to the original movie [[BadFuture or positive for Skynet]] where changes let it send back a more advanced and successful Terminator). Later the reprogrammed T-800 and T-1000 are sent back, creating Timeline 6 aka the second Terminator movie.

He knew that John Connor's father died before the war, and even if John didn't inform him of his age he knows John doesn't exist yet in 1984. Obviously he wouldn't even conceive of the idea until time travel becomes an option, but once he's back in time and is in love with Sarah he idea he's John's dad becomes a possibility. Once Sarah reciprocates this and they conceive John, him being John's father would be a near-certainty as among other things [[StableTimeLoop it explains why John encouraged his crush on his mom, and mentioning certain details while also leaving things out]]. It also meant that he knew he was going to die relatively young, which'd add an additional layer onto his courage in the last stand against the T-800.