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by Des Andrews
The episode tagline “Cole travels to Tokyo in 1987, where startling truths about all the events thus far come to light”, is no exaggeration. In fact, it’s really an understatement to all that unfolds in a short, exciting hour.
An enraged and grief stricken Ramse splinters to 1987 Tokyo, Japan with the intention of saving the future for his son. He plans to stop Cole from completing his mission. Cole is determined to pursue Ramse and eliminate him.
A clubbin’ they go.
Arrogant, drunk, and high, Goines is a perfect picture of 1980s excess. He has no idea what he is really brokering a deal for. That is, until Cole has an exquisitely stupid moment. While he has Goines threateningly up against the wall he proceeds to say out loud the virus starts with the corpse. ARE YOU F**KING SERIOUS?! Discretion, man, have you heard of it? Is Cole the catalyst for the plague he is trying to stop?
That these best friends have become bitter enemies is evident in the dialogue exchange. “Max is dead. I should have killed you when Deacon told me to,” Cole says to Ramse. And Ramse answers, “I should have killed you when we were kids.” The fight sequence that follows is well choreographed and realistic. The use of any item in reach including poles, bottles, glasses, and the downed velvet rope is quite entertaining.
The fight is temporarily stopped by Nakano, who then throws a knife in between them creating a true death match. After Cole was stabbed by Ramse, I yelled, “No, Cole cannot go out this way!” at the same moment in 2047 Dr. Jones yells, “No we cannot lose him!” The writers created a synergistic moment.
Ramse goes to prison for stabbing Cole. He is beaten repeatedly by another inmate, yet never fights back. One day a mysterious letter arrives with intriguing and promising words. “We’ve known of you a long time, Traveler. You were born Jose Ramse. You had a child. You are now separated from him by distance. Join me, Traveler. And forever he will be safe from those who seek to erase him. You are not alone, Traveler. You are important. Valuable. Loved. Peace awaits you, Traveler. With love, Olivia.” Over the next seven years books, journals, and more letters arrive from Olivia assuring Ramse there is a better way. For him to be patient. Though this sequence of events seemed too long, the payout came as the conclusion played out effortlessly. He killed the bully without lifting a finger. “The supreme art of war is…. To subdue the enemy without fighting.” Flawless really.
His time in the desert is over as clothing, a passport, and his amulet he brought with him into the past arrive in his cell. Who are the mysterious benefactors? In a fantastic twist, Striking Woman and Pallid Man, her sidekick brother, welcome Ramse. To verify Ramse is who they have been waiting for, his amulet from the future and Pallid Man’s amulet from the present timeline are placed in a bowl in the center of the pool. Wonder twin amulets activate an explosion turning the trees red. The truths are falling into place. Ramse is definitely a key.
Stepping ahead 16 years, into 2011, Ramse remembers Goines’ company Markridge is manufacturing the virus. He and Striking Woman invest in the company. Goines swears he remembers Ramse from 1987 Tokyo. In an eerie shot we hear before seeing, Jennifer Goines saying “Everything’s changing green to red” repetitively then she says, “Daddy everything’s changing.”
A quick peek at the 2013 slaughter of the crew Jennifer Goines is wrongly accused of killing doesn’t fit very well as a segue into the 2014 exchange between Striking Woman and Pallid Man except to offer up the inability to find the night room regardless of failed attempts.
Most interesting is reference to “the period of interference” by Striking Woman. This is the beginning of Cole appearing in different timelines from the future on his mission to stop the plague outbreak. More questions than truths here pondering why they can do nothing to stop Cole in this timeline, or they can alter the future they want.
Still in 2014 Jennifer is locked up in the mental health facility for murders she did not commit. She is desperate to be free, but her father refuses after seeing her many drawings of monkeys. Does Jennifer have some sort of foresight? Why does she draw the monkeys?
2015 has sordid messed-up truths to be seen.
Striking Woman convinces her brother Pallid man that they must maintain the cycle of interference by Cole or The Traveler (Ramse) never came. They must carry on because of “the plague and the coming of the twelve.” Ouch! My time traveling brain hurts just a little bit juggling what can be altered and what cannot.
Aaron Marker sells out the future to Striking Woman in order to save Cassie Raley. Just like Ramse wanting the plague to happen to save his son. People are people it would seem doing terrible things to assume a positive end.
We move into a very uncomfortable yet bonding exchange between escaped and recaptured Jennifer Goines and Striking Woman. Assuring protection, Striking Woman says, “You can be a daughter again.” Jennifer replies, “I want to be a daughter again.” Has Jennifer really joined forces with Striking Woman, Pallid Man, and Ramse? I think yes and it is brilliant writing to do so.
Is Cole dead or alive? Ramse insists he is. He has not been seen the entire episode except in flashback/flash forward. He is still in 1987 bleeding to death in the night club about to be shot by the seller of the corpse, Nakano. At that moment in 2047, Dr. Jones insists on sending him into 2015 even if it means losing the tether to him. She succeeds. Raley finds him hemorrhaging all over her floor. “I know who The Witness is.”, say Cole. Camera fades to Ramse.
An enjoyably uncomfortable and eye opening ride with truths revealed and questions to ponder.
By night Des indulges her creative side as a blogger and podcaster (adramofOutlander.com). By day and night she is what some would call a superhero. A lover of alt music, books, and most things science fiction/fantasy. She cut her teeth on the original Star Trek series. Forever hooked, she has seen every episode of every ST series. X-Files enraptured her. Today her faves include: 12 Monkeys, Helix, Outlander, GoT, Falling Skies, The Librarians, the defunct Warehouse 13, Doctor Who….
Follow me on Twitter: @TheOneDes and @Threeifbyspace
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12 Monkeys airs on Syfy, Fridays at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central
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