Its for my media coursework, if your wondering why ive posted such a strange review. I just need other people's views on what they think. So if you could help me out, it would be gr8! thnks!
I saw it as her being (before the events unfold in T1) as being a clutsy average 20 something who is slightly unsure of herself, not strong willed at all (at least not aware of it). Probably how 80% of women are when they are plodding along through life unaware of the big bad world.
Obviously after the Kyle turns up and helps her escape the Terminator, her character starts to alter (probably due to adrenaline, shock and the desire to live).
In T2, she is really aware that world isn't so innocent and is kinda the opposite, hard nosed, tough, but in a twist of her previous character has a deep hidden emotion of being caring.
So to answer your question. Vulnerable character in T1 (but strong willed and unaware of it yet), and in T2 very strong willed, yet a hidden or masked vulnerability
The first one she's not a strong character - just an average 20-something, not completely aware of herself. In T2 she comes back and is....wow. Don't mess with her in the second film.
Linda Hamilton made an excellent decision to have nothing to do with the third. As it was crap.