The Film: The Terminator
The Pairing: Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn)
The Moment: Kyle tells Sarah that he came through time for her.
When The Terminator first came to theaters people expected just another action B-movie with a silly title. What they did not expect was a well-written classic Science Fiction film with great characters and a solid bittersweet romance which would become one of the most famous in the genre.
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Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese
Kyle Reese is a soldier sent back in time from a future where machines have achieved sentience and seek to wipe out humankind. He is tasked with the mission of finding and protecting Sarah Connor, legendary warrior, and mother of the last hope for mankind, John Connor. Long before he is sent back, he fell in love with her through John Connor’s stories about her and a picture which her son gave to him. When Kyle reaches the past he finds not the warrior he was expecting but an ordinary woman who has no idea what is to come. He saves her from the terminator sent back to kill her but fails to convince her that he is telling the truth.
The Lead-in
Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese run, pursued by the terminator. They are arrested after managing to escape him for the second time and are taken to a police station. Sarah finally begins to believe him once the terminator marches into the police station killing everyone in his path. While on the run, Kyle explains more to Sarah about his world, the future, her son and relays a message that he was made to memorize. He also reveals that he volunteered for the mission. Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese have several moments of understanding as she begins to warm to him. Finally, they find their way to a motel where they hope to hide for a while.
The Romantic Moment: Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese
Kyle is by the window keeping watch. Sarah is lying on the bed.
Sarah: He’ll find us, won’t he?
Kyle: Probably.
She gets up and walks over to the chair behind him. She sits.
Sarah: It’ll never be over, will it?
He doesn’t answer.
Sarah: Look at me. I’m shaking. Some legend, huh? You must be pretty disappointed.
Kyle shakes his head slightly as he turns to her.
Kyle: No. I’m not.
Sarah nods her head, bolstered. She dismisses her own self-pity, showing a glimpse of the strength she would later be known for.
Sarah: Kyle, the women in your time, what are they like?
Kyle answers quickly, not understanding her question.
Kyle: Good fighters.
She half laughs, exasperated.
Sarah: That’s not what I meant. Was there someone special?
Kyle: Someone?
Sarah: A girl, you know.
Kyle: No. Never.
She is shocked and deeply sympathetic.
Sarah: Never? I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
She reaches out a hand to touch the scars on his back. She has begun to cry.
Sarah: So much pain.
Kyle replies robotically.
Kyle: Pain can be controlled. You just disconnect it.
Sarah: So you feel nothing?
Kyle appears to consider what to say.
Kyle: John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn’t know why at the time.
Kyle smiles as he remembers and looks truly human for the first time.
Kyle: It was very old, torn, faded. You were young like you are now. You seemed just a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve. I came across time for you, Sarah. I love you, I always have.
Sarah is stunned. Kyle quickly stands up and walks over to the table where the bombs are lined up. He begins to put them in a bag roughly, clearly angry with himself. Sarah walks over to him, trying to think of something to say. He doesn’t look at her.
Kyle: Shouldn’t have said that.
She continues trying to get his attention, to move to his other side.
She pulls him around to face her, cupping his cheek in her hand.
Sarah kisses him.
She then pulls back, looks at him silently for a moment before he begins to kiss her in return.
Are you fond of the romance between Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese? Is this your favorite romantic moment in the Terminator series?
Photos: Orion Pictures
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