Not Quite Human II (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Vogel wants to reprogram Chip for military use. He claims ownership over the android because his former defense company originally funded the project and alleges Carson failed to honor a contract. Vogel plans to take Chip to Washington, D.C. to secure a patent and turn him into a combat-ready weapon.

• vogel
• chip
• military
• reprogram
• weapon
• contract

Carson built Chip with a self-destruct mechanism to protect him from unauthorized reprogramming. The password prevents anyone from altering Chip's programming without Carson's consent, acting as a safeguard against people like Vogel who want to take control of Chip for their own purposes.

• self-destruct
• password
• carson
• protection
• reprogram

When Derks begins the reprogramming process, Chip's built-in safety system activates and triggers his self-destruct mechanism, putting Chip's life in immediate danger. Becky implores her father to give up the password to override the safeguard and prevent Chip from being destroyed. Carson reluctantly complies to save Chip's life.

• becky
• password
• carson
• chip
• safety
• save

Vogel and Derks plan to ship Chip to Washington, D.C. in a wooden crate to secure the patent. Chip convinces Vogel to climb into the crate first by pretending to need help getting in. Once Vogel is inside, Chip slams the lid shut and traps him, forcing Derks to flee.

• crate
• vogel
• trap
• chip
• escape
• patent

During the confrontation at the junkyard, a car-crushing machine threatens to kill Jonas and Becky. Chip pulls the power wires and short-circuits the device, disabling it and saving his family from harm. This act demonstrates Chip's willingness to risk himself to protect the people he loves.

• chip
• rescue
• car-crushing
• machine
• junkyard
• save

After being revived, Chip asks "Am I a real human now?" because his entire journey has been about proving his humanity despite being an android. The question represents his deepest desire for acceptance and belonging within the family. Jonas affirms that Chip is "as human as they get," confirming that humanity comes from love and family bonds, not biology.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Chip struggling with his identity and being treated as different from humans.

• chip
• human
• real
• identity
• family
• love
• acceptance

Vogel claims that Carson originally worked with his defense company to develop Chip and that a contract was violated. Vogel asserts ownership over Chip based on his company's initial funding and involvement in the project. Carson disagrees with this claim, leading to the conflict where Vogel attempts to take Chip by force.

• vogel
• carson
• contract
• ownership
• dispute
• chip

When Derks attempts to reprogram Chip without Carson's authorization, Chip's built-in safety systems detect the unauthorized access and trigger his self-destruct mechanism as a protective measure. This was Carson's design to prevent anyone from altering Chip's core programming against his will, essentially making Chip destroy himself rather than be controlled by others.

• chip
• self-destruct
• reprogram
• safety
• protect
• activate

After the confrontation at the junkyard where Chip rescues his family, he appears defeated and lifeless. Jonas and Becky bring Chip home and work to revive him. While the movie doesn't show the technical details, the family's love and Jonas's expertise successfully restore Chip, allowing him to wake up and rejoin his family.

• chip
• revive
• damage
• survive
• carson
• family

Erin is a fellow student at the high school who becomes intrigued by Chip's android mind and his unconventional way of navigating school life. Her interest represents how some humans are fascinated by Chip rather than threatened by him, contrasting with the fear Vogel represents.

• erin
• student
• chip
• interest
• school
• android