12 Monkeys, “Shonin,” was written by Sean Tretta and was directed by Mark Tonderai, whose other credits include
House at the End of the Street and
Hush. This episode felt like it could have been the second last episode, so I can only imagine how much they are going to ramp up the action in the next episode.
This episode spans 1987 to 1943, and we get to see a different ordering of events and those events given a bit of a different focus. The show finds yet another really interesting way to treat time and the unfolding of events. We get to see Zeljko Ivanek back! And he delivers his usual terrific performance. I’m pretty sure he’s appearing in a way not many if any have seen before!
The episode fills in what happens primarily to Ramse (Kirk Acevedo). Acevedo delivers a terrific performance. Many allegiances change during this episode. Aaron (Noah Bean) gets a new boss. And Ramse finds himself in need of a social security number.
We get a bit of a dose of the 80s – though not a whole lot. There is a terrific fight in a Tokyo bar. There isn’t a lot of action in 2043. The big reveal in this episode is who the Witness is.
Here are just a few dialogue teasers:
“You people use too much laxative in your Coke!”
“How can you burden me with this and expect me to sit on my hands.”
“The period of interference has begun.”
“Do you think I have forgotten about you?”
“I was a thing in a box with instructions.”
“I thought my future was my own.”
“I am the clock.”
Things are definitely heating up going into the final two episodes of the season. Don’t forget to tune in to
12 Monkeys, March 27 on Syfy at 9/8c.
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.
Excellent, I am loving everything this show has done so far, and this episode looks great. All the gripes everyone else has mentioned are no issue with me, I love all their choices both with pacing and with characters. I actually adore the way everything is going wrong and everyone is splitting apart, it suits the show completely I think. Can't wait for the new episode tonight! (well, tomorrow for me, but near enough)
ReplyDeleteI actually find the second half better.
ReplyDeleteThey reveal the Witness! Yay! So great!
ReplyDeleteI'm really sad to see the split between Ramse and Cole - but then that means they did a good job building the relationship between the two, right? I adore the clever writing and pacing on the show - every episode just flies by for me!
ReplyDeleteIt's been renewed for a 2nd season, so the whole premise is they aren't going to stop it - otherwise time would re-set and the show would be done...
ReplyDeleteThat's the only thing that I got upset over with this show as of yet - their friendship being torn apart.
ReplyDeleteEverything else has been great for me.
they reveal The Witness tonight?! already?! WHOA!!! did not expect that, will our jaws be on the floor? how's Cole and Cassie?
ReplyDeletethey WILL stop it, other it's hopeless and who wants to watch a hopeless show?
ReplyDeletesame and of course the whole Cassie and Aaron thing ugh!
ReplyDeleteso tonight we find out if the theories are true or if it's someone we DON'T know
ReplyDeleteSo excited to have Zeljko Ivanek back. I love him as an actor, but am also really interested to know more about his character.
ReplyDeletecan´t wait to see who the Witness is. Is is somebody we already know?
I didn't mind all the time jumps and them not knowing where the virus source that caused the plague was. It made sense. I think though we'll be getting a bit of a break at least with Cole time jumping. Also, an interview with one of the writers suggested that next season with have another problem besides the plague, so it won't get too "rinse, repeat".
ReplyDeleteI think in order for this show to work (at least for me) they eventually have to be able to stop it. It just won't be until the end of the series. As ivan said, I don't want to watch a completely hopeless show.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of torn. I don't think I have a favorite half of the season. It's more about favorite episodes and scenes for me.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, and for me the characters are really following the path they should follow. Ramse has such a good heart, and he's tried very hard for a long time to stop Cole turning into something awful. He's stood by him even when Cole nearly followed an order to kill him, Ramse stuck with him and persuaded him to leave, even after seeing Cole kill innocent people for no real reason. He's forgiven a lot I think. And only now when he has a son does he decide to fight a little for what he thinks is worth protecting. And Cole understands that, he knows Ramse is just protecting his son, he has said so. So they both understand each other, they don't hate, they just have to do what they have to do. Everyone is fighting desperately in this universe, fighting for a little desperate piece of happiness.
ReplyDeleteSorry, babbling - but I love these characters and I love how they are inevitably nothing can work out here. Love how tragic it all is! (At the same time I can't bear it, causes me pain to see Cole and Ramse fighting!)
I love this show. Best sci-fi in recent years (probably since Fringe.) But I'm WORRIED. So much has happened that I'm afraid the show is going to burn out quickly. Not to mention I have no idea how things could possibly continue past this season since they seem to be closing in on the virus
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteaw i REALLY REALLY miss Fringe!!!
ReplyDeleteLol, agreed :D
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased with the story-telling so far, I'm just going to trust that they have a plan. It does feel like they need to find the virus at this point... but I agree, then what? Can't wait to find out!
ReplyDeleteZeljko is great! I don't want to say yes or no to your question though... I think it's pretty obvious early on though the reveal isn't until late in the episode...
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense and if you're paying attention is obvious early on. Cole and Cassie? Not so good...
ReplyDeleteIt's really well done...
ReplyDeleteI'm still hoping that they will find a way to come back together....
ReplyDeleteI loved the discussion in the last episode about whether you would sacrifice the world for one person. Is Cole sacrificing a world for Cassie? For himself? Would he make a sacrifice for Ramse? or vice versa? Love a show that makes you think!
ReplyDeleteOf course, now part of me is pulling for Sam - after all, saving the others likely kills him - so then it almost becomes hopeless either way... As long as they can keep trying, I don't find it hopeless though...
ReplyDeletehonestly i think Cole WOULD
ReplyDeleteDAMN IT TO HELL!!!!!!!!! there's hints toward The Witness? huh cool
ReplyDeletedo you mean "not so good" because they don't share a lot of scenes or is Cassie still being cold?
ReplyDeleteMaybe in another timeline.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I see the plight for all those born after the plague, there are a lot more kids who died during the plague. All that suffering. And the future isn't all that bright for Sam either way. Especially without either of his parents and Deacon's scav crew.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how happy the writers could/would end things (or how depressing) but saving the world still would give Sam a chance of a better life, though slim.
I've been known to watch a tragedy here and there. I watch some shows and movies that could be considered dark. I can handle depressing stuff that makes me cry my eyes out.
ReplyDeleteBut for me the ending of a show, in particular, needs to have some hope/happiness. I can't invest days worth of episode watching only for it to end with everybody dead.
Saying that, some of my shows in the past have killed off my favorite characters and/or main cast members and I still loved the ending (looking at you, Syfy's Being Human). Bittersweet works.
I think that little conversation was a nod to Ramse and maybe possibly Aaron's future, because I think after the last episode he has the potential of giving information to the 12 Monkeys in order to save Cassie.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Cole would sacrifice the world for himself. He believes saving the world is what will save himself. As for Cassie, since she dies of the plague, everything so far says saving the world saves her.
It is possible at some point Cole might be in a position where he has to choose between saving her or going after the virus or something. In that case I don't know what he'd do. I do know saving her would only delay her death (since the plague's release ultimately kills her). So the smart move would be to not save her. The chances of her surviving are higher, in this case, than her not dying from the plague.
At this point I'm like I don't care I just want to get to the next episode. It will make everything better. lol
ReplyDeleteAgain, it depends on which "world" he's sacrificing. From Ramse's perspective Cole is sacrificing Sam's world for his own soul. But, I agree, Cole is motivated to "do the right thing" - I just like how they are complicating what that is.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not an easy choice. But saving the world before the plague has numbers on its side. Add to that many of the people in the future already born before the plague would have a lot better lives.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's not like the plague was an accident or natural. It was a group of extremists that released it.
Strangely I actually avoid shows like this like the plague! (No pun intended) This is the only show I have watched with this kind of atmosphere, and all my friends are surprised I am watching it. I think I got pulled in by Cole who I am kinda in love with, and he keeps me watching so that I am finding I kind of love the rest of it in a terrible sort of way. I have to watch comedy shows after each episode! Endings don't matter to me too much in shows though, I just need to enjoy each episode, that's all that matters to me. If I don't enjoy each episode then I stop watching. I hope you get a hopeful ending or a hint at one though, I can sympathise with wanting that! And it doesn't bother me either way, so I'll hope you get one so you can continue enjoying :)
ReplyDeleteThe time travel and saving the world stuff is in the type of shows I watch, but not plague stuff, so I was kind of unsure gong into it. I checked it out because of the time travel (which boggles my mind but I love) and all the Nikita actors. Yeah I love Cole too. If I didn't it would be hard to watch this show since he's the main character (when it comes down to it).
ReplyDeleteOh enjoying episodes is important to me too. And if I really love a show I can ignore the ending if I hate it. That's what I did for ABC Family's show Kyle XY. I've tried wiping Season 3 completely out of my mind, but I own Season 1 and 2.