is there a relationship in the future for john and Cam? Absolutely but whether it is sexual or platonic is not the issue. Cameron will be the one constant in an older John's life. Sarah, Reese, Derek will be long gone. He will have refined her programming to meet all his needs whatever they may be.
Isn't the question the show should answer whether or not a machine can have feelings? Can Cameron evolve to be human.?Afterall, what makes us human? Is it flesh and blood or our ability to feel emotions and have compassion?
I have always wondered about the comment weaver made early in season 2 when she said something about machines that would cross against the red light. I took that to mean there would be machines in the future that even the machines lose control of. I took that to be a direct reference to Cameron. We also know Cameron is the only model of her type therefore she very well could be a hybrid the machines created that turned against them.We know she thinks for herself or is beginnning to think. If I'm not mistaken when John reactivated her after she went bad we saw her recognize him as her target but then she over rode the command to destroy. Doesn't that suggest a thinking being?
We were always told John sent her back to the past to protect his younger self. Perhaps there is more to her assignment. Perhaps it is these years where she learns what it is to be human. She learns to value life or more accurately flesh and blood life. In a sense, Cameron could be a new lifeform. Again, intelligent life has been unique to humanbeings but perhaps the older John is the first to accept that a new lifeform with intelligence exists and his solution is to be friends.
Finally should they give in to the shippers ? Not necessary. It would play better if they don't. Unfortunately, it may not matter given the ratings. What a shame the age market they aimed for isn't patient enough for good storytelling.

 out of  found this valuable. Do you find this valuable?