The Sarah Connor Charm School

So, what's your excuse?

When the issue of the "new Sarah Connor" having no muscle and that some of us were horrified and offended by this there were many excuses made for this. Some based on the "limitations" of any actress, which is to say that an actress working on a series could never maintain muscle. This is easily seen as ridiculous for actresses have managed to do so, just go watch LOST and is, as all these things, said by people who do not exercise and therefore think it takes several hours a day everyday to gain and maintain muscle.

Others excuses they make are based on the character. That she'd not be as obsessively prepared, which also makes no sense, unless you 're stupid enough to believe that she'd also live in the US instead of with her colleagues south of the border, use as an "alias" the name of a known associate and have her son in public school; which, of course, the makers also do seem to think. Those of us at the SCCS know that survivalism is not something that goes away just because MAYBE you stopped TEOTWAWKI; because you can't know that you did. Ever. Delay maybe so even it not happening when it's supposed to means nothing. And, well, they did have her have guns stored in the house. Nice touch, but didn't work with the rest of the premises.

One character based excuse was seen coming from both fans and at least one writer, is the most ridiculous thing I've heard claimed in all of this. That is that the T2 Sarah had the ADVANTAGE of being in an institution for the criminally insane giving her hours with nothing to do but exercise, while the TSCC "Sarah" has to work and take care of her son, obviously leaving her without all those hours these couch potatoes imagine it takes. <sarcasm> Of course, we all know that mental hospitals, especially those holding violent, convicted inmates, are filled with all fancy equipment, offer well balanced diets with lots of protein, plenty of good natural undrugged sleep, total lack of any substance which would kill motivation and energy, ability to center one's life around one's own designs. </sarcasm>

The truth is, I have to suspend my disbelief quite a bit to buy that she actually maintained that body in the actual conditions of such an institution. Certain amount of strength, yes, pull-ups, push-ups, crunches and other body weight exercises do work for that. IF you have the freedom and energy to do them, but we'll get to that. That kind of cut and those kind of shoulders? That would be hard to keep. Getting them? No way..can't suspend my disbelief THAT much ever. So any idea that she actually got like that in there, no way...a hard sell on her staying that way for more than a few months. Because, unlike some prisons, psychiatric hospitals do not tend to have any weights handy so body weight would, indeed, be what you would have to resort to should you have the freedom and desire to do so. Of course, you'd probably find the bed was bolted and welded to the floor.

That's before we get other factors of incarceration in a place like Pescadero. We we know she was being given Thorazine which is an anti-psychotic drug that it would be a major understatement to say that it has an extreme sedative affect.. As one SCCS grad noted, they don't call it the "thorazine shuffle" for nothing. Even if by some amazing power she got out of some doses, not likely and trying got her beat-up and tasered (if you watch the extended version), there wouldn't be a lot of ambition there. Even the most violent psychotics would find much inspiration to work out while dosed, even if managing to miss doses.

There is also just the simple fact that in real psychiatric institutions, especially for violent criminals, there would not be a lot of free time. The likelihood of Sarah actually being alone in her cell for more than a few minutes at a time other than when sleeping is very slim. And even at those times there would likely be no privacy what so ever; nor would her keepers be likely to think "oh, how nice, the violent crazy woman is making herself stronger, we'll just leave her be..in fact, let's skip today's Thorazine."

So, if we do take that leap, and believe she was so motivated, so focused, so obsessed that she managed to stay fit and ready DESPITE being in Pescadero, not because of it, do any of us have any excuse not to stay fit and ready too? If she could do that while on Thorazine then how is being tired and dragged out* an excuse? Don't have much time? Well, how about trying to fit it in between when people might look in on you, which they can at any time, then beat the shit out of you and drug you when they see you've been "disrupting your room like that?" And that's only if you've been allowed to stay in your room except when in a drugged sleep. Think that it hurts too much? See the aforementioned beating, not to mention that it's unlikely that Thorazine acts as a adaptogen. Tough to stick to a healthy diet? Well, what if all you ever had to choose from was low-protein, overly processed institutional crap to begin with, with no options for anything truly healthy? Don't have a lot of room for equipment? Bed frame and floor, the former only if you're lucky enough to not have it permanently attached to the latter.

This is indeed additional motivation for me! If Sarah could do it while in such a place, I can in my life! I can enjoy my veggies and chicken knowing that I don't need to eat the bleached white flour that will kill my energy. I can lift heavy things in good form. I can dance like no one is going to peek through a little window at me and then beat me and give me downers. I can even get outside and run and no one is going to drug me up if I go psycho on a heavy bag for awhile.

*This, of course, does not include those who might have a medical condition which causes exhaustion and may make strenuous exercise DANGEROUS during the times it flairs up like that. Sometimes it is a reason and not an excuse. Remember that it's always wise to check with your medical professional, not Dr. Silberman, before starting a new exercise program.

And yes, the screen caps stink here, I can't believe I can't find good resolution ones of these or similar shots. This is the scene that supposedly has inspired so many. Right now I can't even get either of my computer to play either of the two versions of T2 DVDS I own so this will have to do unless someone donates to us.

Text and "student" photos copyright © 2007-2008 The Sarah Connor Charm School

Disclaimer: This is a fansite, It is is in no way affiliated with the powers that be that created, produced and own the rights to the Terminator franchise. We do use images of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, said photos are from the movie Terminator 2 and are copyright © 1991 Carolco, with gratitude towards the Resistance fighters who have helped provide them.