The T-1000 Plot Hole in Terminator 2

There are a few plot holes in the theatrical release of Terminator 2 that are resolved in the special edition of the film. How did John know which version of his mother was real, and which was fake?
Terminator 2 stars:
Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator (T-800)
Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor
Edward Furlong as John Connor
Robert Patrick as the T-1000
Earl Boen as Dr. Silberman
Joe Morton as Miles Bennett Dyson

[@roquefanego2863]

I’ve always thought John recognized that his mother will never ask for help like that, Sarah is the most badass character ever

[@prettypuff1]

I assumed John knew that his mother would never risk John’s life, not even for her. She says it when he rescues her from the hospital

[@seamusoneill5765]

To be fair, she also says “get out of the way, John” as an expression of concern for his safety and well-being, which the T1000 probably wouldn’t have done

[@NSatisfaction]

The T-800 did mention to John that the T-1000 is not like him, an "advanced prototype," insinuating that it wasn't yet a fully fledged concept.

[@timlee1794]

that's not much of a plot hole....

[@thejen24]

That's not a plot hole. That's editing. His malfunctions don't alter the plot at all. Cameron just cut them because they didn't make a difference. John would've known anyway because Sarah would die before calling for him to help her.

[@patrickflanagan3762]

This is not a plot hole. John just made a judgment call.

[@eeman1335]

That T1000 was one of the scariest robots to ever hit the green screen.

[@Exeedra]

A bigger plot hole is why Skynet didn't send the T-1000 back to the point it originally sent the Terminator to try and kill Sarah. No way Kyle Reese would've destroyed that thing.

[@EP3mentalist]

She literally says "get out of the way John" so she doesn't hurt him. Thats how he knows its her.

[@karlgustov9648]

The real Sarah told him to "get out of the way, John."

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

It was able to be cut because of clever foreshadowing. 👍😉 What foreshadowing?

[@andrewcuestas9393]

The fact that Sarah Connor is telling John to get out of the way is evidence enough that she's trying to protect him. The T1000 would just unload if in that position.

[@AceMcshred]

I like how when T-1000 has Sarah cornered, he tried to get her to call out to John first instead of just killing her and taking her place. He's smart enough to know that he probably couldn't be as convincing as someone's own mother.

[@garydonnelly5030]

They didn't want the T-1000 to start breaking down in order to maintain an indestructible image

[@joesteel7409]

The theatrical is way better, it shows his intuition and judgment, noticing the small differences in behaviour and recognising his mother. It’s not a mistake or a plot hole.

[@vahidmirkhani]

Fact: John's other mom, was her twin sister, for real.

[@robleeuknhl3345]

T2 isn't the type of movie to be worrying about plot holes

[@warrenlondon2426]

👏👏 This is hands down one of the greatest movies EVER made!

[@mrblahbah2522]

Theirs also a plot hole with the whole shapeshifting thing where it tried to get Sarah to call out to John when it could just do it itself