12 Monkeys “One Hundred Years” was written by Michael Sussman and directed by David Grossman. Sussman has a long history in SF that includes writing for
Star Trek: Voyager and
Star Trek: Enterprise as well as
Threshold – a one season wonder that I adored and that also happened to star Peter Dinklage (Tyrion on
Game of Thrones) and Rob Benedict (Chuck/God on
Supernatural).
The 100 years of the title refers to the difference between the future timeline and 1944 where Cole (Aaron Stanford) and Cassie (Amanda Schull) must go to stop the Messengers. The Messengers are determined to kill Thomas Crawford (Jay Karnes) at a military presentation ceremony being held at Columbia University. I loved the costumes and music – though I’m not sure that the wardrobe is completely authentic. But then, it may not be the timeline that we are familiar with!
I also loved the contrast in music in the past – which Vivian (Scottie Thompson) really seems to connect with – and the music in the future which Eckland (Michael Hogan) delights in blasting until Jones (Barbara Sukowa) tells him to turn it down. And then he winks at her! Love him!
Cole is not happy with how Ramse (Kirk Acevedo) is being treated and is happy to punch it out with Deacon (Todd Stashwick) over it. Cassie once again has to break it up. It was a particularly interesting moment when Cole shouted at her about them continuing to torture Ramse, and Deacon yells at Cole not to raise his voice to her! The two have clearly grown close, and Deacon delights in rubbing Cole’s face in it – “Are you sore about us? I trained her to survive!”
The team meets to discuss strategy and Ramse is able to help. He tells them that he knows that the group dug Crawford’s dead body up at one point. They determine that Crawford was working on a bio-weapons project – though it would seem too early to have anything to do with the virus. I loved how after all the debate, they all go silent and wait for Jones alone to make the call. She determines they should go.
Cassie does not want to go on the mission with Cole. She declares that he can barely navigate 2016, let alone 1944! Cole says, “I’m standing right here” – which he is. She seems determined to go out of her way to hurt him – or push him away? Ramse just smiles as Cassie and Cole’s relationship seems to be over. Jones, however, tells Cassie that Cassie needs Cole to help her – if Cole fails, we all fail.
The timeline indicates that Crawford was murdered during the medal ceremony – by a man and a woman – and I knew as soon as he said it that it would be Cassie and Cole who would be blamed for the murder even if circumstances didn’t lead them to do it.
Cassie points out that they’ll need money and Jones produces a jewelry box full of jewels for them to sell – or wear – or use as bribes! Cole suggests the Emerson Hotel as the rendez vous spot. Cole looks at Cassie going to Deacon and says to Jones, “He’s done a number on her” to which Jones replies, “Sure it’s not the other way around?” Cole can’t see it, but Cassie has had as much of a positive effect on Deacon as Deacon has had a negative effect on her.
Jones tells Cole that she needs Deacon for security, but she says she’ll speak to him about Ramse and even allows Ramse to see his son as a reward for helping them. Unfortunately, once Cole is gone, Jones proves to be worse than Deacon. I loved the scene between Ramse and Sam (Peter DaCunha) – Acevedo brings so many dimensions to the character.
Jones can’t forgive Ramse or see that they are very similar. She tells him that his presence is affecting the balance of power in the facility, but it’s really personal revenge. Ramse tells her that she created the machine to change time to save her daughter. But Jones insists that her selfishness will result in saving billions of lives while his will result in destruction. Jones absolves herself by telling Ramse there’s a difference between what she chooses to do and what she’s helpless to prevent. She’s going to allow Deacon to do what he wants with Ramse.
Meanwhile, Cole makes it back to 1944 2 weeks ahead of Cassie and buys the apartment at the Emerson. Cassie is the subject of stares in her utterly time inappropriate clothing. She’s not pleased that Cole has registered them as husband and wife, so she quickly turns the tables at the event telling everyone that they are brother and sister.
Cole has sold the jewelry and used it to “bribe” their way into the event by giving a necklace to Janice Thompson (Carlyn Burchell). Cole has bought the dress from the photo, and he’s clearly upset when Cassie rips it up – but she has to make sure they don’t cause a paradox. Later, they have the picture taken. I did love that the guy at the bar finally gave Cole grief for his scruffy beard – totally not time appropriate! I also loved Cassie stepping in and saving Cole by coming up with a believable war story for him – and cutting his balls off at the same time!
The Messengers get to Crawford first and stab him with a piece of bone. We see the flower ritual again from last season, so we know that the Pallid man is linked to the Messengers for sure – was he one of them? Wasp (Mitchell Verigin) wants to know why it didn’t work. Vivian realizes that Crawford wasn’t primary – it’s the right name but the wrong man!
Cassie and Cole arrive to find the petals – Cole recognizes the smell of lavender and jasmine. Cassie notices a 12 Monkey’s picture of a monkey in a frame and they take it with them. It was drawn by Crawford’s son, Thomas Crawford Jr (Erik Knudsen), who just happens to be crazy. Cole immediately sees the connection to Jennifer and it’s like seeing a male version of her – Knudsen does a great job.
Cassie is not happy to be pursuing another Jennifer. Cole accuses her of not liking Jennifer and letting it get in the way. Cassie tells Cole that it isn’t that she doesn’t like Jennifer, it’s that she doesn’t trust Cole. She tells him she doesn’t think he can get the job done, and he tells her that you can’t just kill everyone. And then she says it worked for Aaron – and that’s her problem in a nutshell. She blames Cole for Aaron’s death – but she also blames herself because Aaron died trying to protect her from Cole. Cole tells her he knows what he cost her.
Cassie and Cole are once again playing catch up when the Messengers beat them to Crawford at the Mission Cross Mental Asylum. He’s in room 313 – a primary number of course! Cole begins to think that the plague is only part of the plan.
The Messengers manage to take Cole and Cassie prisoner. Cassie kills Wasp but Vivian gets the drop on Cole. Cole tells Cassie to take the shot, but she doesn’t. Crawford recognizes Cassie. Vivian shocks Cole to flush out Cassie and get to Crawford. Vivian asks Cole if he knows how important he is. Tommy also knows Jennifer, and he tells Cassie that they keep the lines straight. Tommy also believes in fate, but Cassie tries to convince him that there is no such thing.
They agree to an exchange – Tommy for Cole. Cassie tries to tell Tommy to drop when she says so that she can shoot Vivian, but he inevitably doesn’t. On his way past Cole, Tommy tells Cole, “The only failure is giving up!” Vivian uses the bone they took when they dug Tommy up in the future and uses it to paradox him.
The timeline goes crazy. They lose Cole and Cassie’s tether, stranding them in 1944 and the agents come upon them unconscious after the paradox. In the forest, Ramse is spared when the Red Forest starts taking it over completely. Ramse actually stops to help Deacon! Is the Red Forest related to the plague or is it the other thing that the 12 Monkeys are trying to create? And what was with the guy who dissolved in it? This was another great special effect too.
What did you think of the episode? How do you think they will get Cole and Cassie back? Are you buying Deacon as a changed man? Did you like the shift to 1944? Is there a time period that you’d really like them to visit? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
