12 Monkeys second episode, “Mentally Divergent,” was written by showrunner Natalie Chaidez and directed by David Grossman whose many credits include Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Lost, and like almost everyone else on the show, Nikita. Chaidez is the showrunner, so I think this episode gives us a good idea of how the series is going to play out, and that’s very much like the “Pilot.”
The action picks up right where we left off. Like the first episode, the action and the twists and turns just keep on coming. There are a couple of time jumps, but I think the action is easier to follow than in the first, mainly because there isn’t the need to fill us in on quite so much backstory.
One of the things that I really like about the show is its tone. There’s lots of black humor, but it’s also really creepy and atmospheric. It’s the type of show that makes you pay attention, and that’s not a bad thing. What will be really interesting is whether or not they can keep a handle on the intricacies of the timeline – I’d love to see the whiteboard in the writer’s room because you know that has to be spectacular!
This episode gives us a little more of Kirk Acevedo’s character Ramse, and I love him! We also meet Tom Noonan’s character, and as you’d expect, he’s just incredibly creepy. The episode sees Cassie (Amanda Schull) and Cole (Aaron Stanford) mostly working on their own, but it brings them back to the same trajectory really satisfactorily by the end of the episode. We get a lot more of Jennifer (Emily Hampshire) in this episode and she’s fantastic. There’s one flashback with her that really brings home how good her performance is of Jennifer in the 2015 timeline.
What did you think of the “Pilot”? You can read my review
here. You can read about the ratings for the first episode
here - it's good news! Are you excited for this next episode? It’s definitely one you won’t want to miss!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
