12 Monkeys - Casuality & Nature & Nurture - Advance Previews

The 12 Monkeys binge event continues tonight on Syfy at 8pm. Look for three more terrific episodes. Any complaints or misgivings I might have had in the first four episodes were completely blown away by the careful writing and attention to detail in these three episodes! I love that I want this show to go on forever at the same time that I want happy endings for all of these characters. I have no idea how there can be a happy ending for any of them though if their time travelling does come to an end… But let’s get to tonight’s episodes.

“Casuality” was written by Kristen Reidel and directed by David Greene. Cassie (Amanda Schull) and Cole (Aaron Stanford) are reunited, and the episode picks up right where we left off. The episode is a great example of how adaptable this show is. We transition from some truly heart-wrenching moments into a pretty light-hearted episode – at least in the sense that there are some truly hilarious moments in this one.

Cassie doesn’t tell the whole truth. Jennifer (Emily Hampshire) has a plan and Deacon (Todd Stashwick) is excited to hear it and desperately wants in. The team is going to have to go back to the 1980s! Look for ridiculously funny fashion, and in another blast-from-the-past, you won’t want to miss the vintage cell phones!

There’s a terrific sequence in which we get to see Olivia (Alisen Down) channel Jennifer. It’s hilarious, and it’s nice to see Down really get to show off her range in this episode as we see her in the past as well.

Deacon has suspicions and has also developed a bit of claustrophobia. Jones (Barbara Sukowa) has some good advice for Jennifer, and for once, Jennifer is the more sensible one of the team!

There are some terrific scenes between Cole and Cassie as they work together and try to get back on the same page. Cassie wants to know if she hadn’t remembered on her own, would Cole have told her what they lost?

In the future, Jones refuses to leave her home. There is also a nice scene between Jones and Whitley (Demore Barnes). We learn a bit of Whitley’s backstory. I’m always happy when we get more Demore Barnes, and my only quibble with the show is that I don’t feel they’ve ever really utilized him to his full potential.

Jennifer is not happy to run into someone she knows. It’s not her father – but she does run into him too! Yeah for any episode that features a guest appearance by Zeljko Ivanek! I’m so happy that they were able to borrow him from Madam Secretary – where he’s also doing tremendous work btw.

Deacon channels Pulp Fiction. Deacon gives Jennifer a present. Jennifer figures out the truth. Cole and Cassie prepare for the future. And finally, look for legendary Christopher Lloyd to join the cast as the Missionary!

And of course, some dialogue teases – and yes. Some of them are meant to be funny!

The Witness also kept a diary.
Ramse was not a good guy.
These are my steps.
Miss Scarlett with the candlestick.
She’s so focused on the past, she never thinks about the future.
Why not go down fighting?
You shouldn’t have let Jennifer dress you.
Your Dad is an asshole.
Scooby-doo tip toe style through the storage area.
He likes to collect things. Keep them locked up.
We need a Trojan horse.
You’re already working on another bat-shit crazy plan.
We’ve been in tighter spaces before.

“Nature” was written by the team of Ian Sobel and Matt Morgan and was directed by Kat Candler, whose other credits include Queen Sugar and Being Mary Jane. In this episode the team travels back to 1953, and yes, they just happen to run into Agent Gale (Jay Karnes).

There’s a terrific scene to begin the episode as Gale and his partner are called to the Emerson Hotel and Gale is sure that it’s Cole… but it really isn’t. It’s a little shocking to discover what happens in room 608! Close enough to 607 for Gale… But then he does run into Cassie and Cole, and he’s more than ready to help.

Back in 2016, Deacon is curious about what Jones is up to. Deacon wonders what his purpose is, and has an interesting conversation with Olivia. Jennifer smuggles a friend into the Bunker. Cole brings Jones a Christmas present.

Cassie wants to break out of the loop and save someone. Cole is sure that he can do what Cassie can’t. People are dying and disappearing in 1953. Cassie uses the truth as a more convincing lie, and Cassie is made a tempting offer.

Cassie and Gale discuss fate – just one of the many conversations that make this show so fascinating!

The Missionary is joined by the Messenger – who we already know. But I’m not giving this one away! The show returns to a plot point I thought had been abandoned! LOVE the careful writing on this show.

And a few dialogue teasers:

Winter of ash and blood.
Does it make a difference?
People want to believe they have control over their own fate.
I guess Santa brought me coal (COLE!!!)  for Christmas after all…
We are what we need to be.
Time was our enemy.
Because of time, everything dies.
I’m not a god-damned red shirt!
That’s not fate. That’s dumb luck.
Call me a douchebag and hang up.
There is a reason clocks are round.
To take them down from the inside, we need to be on the inside.
They tell us time heals all wounds..
She is 12.

The teleplay for “Nurture” was written by the team of Adam Sussman and Christopher Monfette based on a story by Sussman, who has also written for The Blacklist, The Return and Night Stalker, and was directed by Steven A Adelson.

The episode begins hopefully enough with Jones delivering an inspiring speech about time to rally the troops.

Cassie tells Cole about her mother’s death. Almost the entire team joins Cole on the central mission, including Whitley, and Hannah (Brooke Williams), back to 1953. Cassie goes on her own mission to 1990, and Jones goes on a solo trip (sort of) too.

Deacon asks after Jones’ dog and they share a drink.  Deacon proves he’s observant and points out what Jones has been missing. They’ll share another drink by the end of the episode.

Cole tells Jennifer she looks adorable – and he’s not wrong! Jennifer has to do something distasteful. There’s some awesome witty, geek banter.

This episode features many conversations between mothers. But by the end of the episode the team is torn apart.

And some final dialogue teasers to ponder:

Our sins proceed us.
Wrong for the sake of right.
We have ended once again where we began.
We don’t get to change the past and keep the future.
Forever is composed entirely of nows.
You can make a bad thing and still be good.
You fight. Win or lose. It’s what mother’s do.
I think that one day, you will be the best of us all.
The eyes are the only part of a person that can’t lie.
He’s exceptional and damaged and aware of both.

Don’t forget to tune in tonight to Syfy at 8 to see all three episodes. The season wraps up tomorrow night with the three final episodes of season three – seems like some kind of crazy time travel scheme, doesn’t it?! I will be reviewing the season at a much more leisurely pace. Look for episode reviews to post following the airing of 12 Monkeys in Canada (on Showcase) starting May 24.