12 Monkeys Season 2, Episode 1
The return of 12 Monkeys comes over a year after the show’s season 1 finale, and anticipation was high for an amped up, knock-your-socks-off season 2 premiere. The cinematic opening with the race through the streets of Budapest certainly helped with this idea, bringing immediate attention to the most impactful moment of the season ender: the fact that Cole had changed the past by rescuing Ramse, who was fated to die. Combined with Cassie’s enjoyable displacement and new character dynamic in the post-apocalyptic future, the first episode back had plenty to love. Despite some muted emotional moments that could have been stronger, the return of the twisted time travel drama is eminently welcome. Maybe that’s why, despite his initial deception in withholding from Cole what he learned about the release of the virus, Ramse does eventually relent, saying, “Are we gonna go to New York or what?” He’s been with the Army of 12 Monkeys since 1987, and he falls back into the brother routine perhaps a bit too easily with only the “old man” nickname to remind viewers that he was actively working against the mission for decades. Still, it’s a relief to have the two back together, however reluctantly, and now viewers are left to wonder who knocked Ramse out at the end of the episode. A more successful reinvention at the start of the new season comes with Cassie’s awakening in the future, not long after the events of the finale. Her acclimation to her surroundings is the most interesting part of the premiere since, as Jones puts it, “Grieving over who we were only gets in the way of who need to become.” And Cassie’s deal with Deacon to help him cure his Wilson’s disease encourages the leader of the West 7 to show the doctor exactly what she needs to become out of necessity rather than malice: a stone-cold killer. But what caused Jennifer to start having doubts? At the end of season 1 she was ready to fly off to the different cities to begin the outbreak. Now she’s wandering through New York, accidentally attending speed dates with men she’s hoping will save the world by putting a bullet in her. The scene was funny, to be sure, especially since her date’s 911 call gives Cassie the clue she needs to arrive in 2016 New York, but the disconnect from last season’s finale is slightly jarring. The smoothest transition from season 1 comes from the twelve Messengers in 2043, who have given no indication as to their purpose in commandeering the time machine, but that’s actually consistent with the established enigma of their existence. Although Jones’ sabotage was a satisfying moment (“So — who’s next?”), the ashen-faced acolytes were able to send six of their number, including a female member of their company, to who knows when? No doubt this will be one of the central mysteries of the coming season. For more discussion of 12 Monkeys, subscribe to the author’s 12 Monkeys Uncaged podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. 12 Monkeys Uncaged Ep. 16 – Year of the Monkey Review
