Episode 10 of 12 Monkeys, “Divine Move,” is the only episode that I feel stretched the story like a piece of stiff taffy to cover the hour slot. It felt like a lot of filler was included to try to expand upon Cassie and Aaron while the most of the business happened in the last 20 minutes or so of the episode.
Cassie and Aaron try to fill the void left by Cole and trying to save the world. They believe that the Plague has been destroyed before anyone could fall ill and they will never see Cole again.
But then, POOF! Cole magically appears!
Aaron, who has really sacrificed the least and put the smallest amount of work into helping save the world, is the main complainer. I still don’t trust him, but I think at his core, he really does love Cassie and wants to help. I think he will ultimately sacrifice the world for Cassie and end up helping the Plague along. The idea of sacrificing one to save the many or vice versa is the lesson behind this week’s episode. Aaron comes across the lady with the calm voice from the “Red Forest” episode. She asks Aaron what he will do to make sure Cassie stays alive. I am prepared for Aaron to cross over to the dark side, but with the best of intentions.
Since Ramse has found out that he is a dad and has been reunited with Elena, he no longer wants to prevent the Plague from happening. If the Plague never happens, then he never meets Elena, and his son is never born. Ramse would rather millions die and the world become a dystopia than prevent his son from being born. However noble and loving his intent is, it is still pretty selfish. Ramse does not even seem torn about his decision. Once he found out that he had a son, just add water and he becomes instant dad. Ramse not only steals the syringes the contain the mysterious chemical that Jones injects in Cole before each splinter (apparently a chemical Flux Capacitor making time travel possible?), he also destroys much of the research he, Cole, and Jones have collected along the way as they piece together the history of the Plague. Whitley is sent to collect the syringes and Ramse, but Elena manages to get shot in a standoff.
One nice aspect of this episode is that it really showcases Ramse. It is a payoff for Ramse for playing second fiddle to Cole and supporting him all this time. Ramse also shows off his trained killer skills as he infiltrates the science facility. The most shocking part of the episode occurs when Ramse injects himself with the serum and forces one of the scientists to send him back in time. Ramse splinters back to 1987, a trip originally programmed for Cole harking back to an earlier episode in which Leland Goines recognizes Cole from 1987.
Whew!
Moments after Rames splinters, Cole is not far behind. But because he does not have a transponder, Ramse is stuck in the past. Cole is becoming increasingly sicker with each splinter and this may very well be his last trip. The next episode is going to be a must-see because Cole is in 1987 where it all began. He seemingly will encounter Goines, possibly the Pallid Man, and the Army of the 12 Monkeys. As if he did not have enough to contend with, he has to go up against Ramse who is trying to ruin the mission.
Ramse is not the only character who experiences a drastic change in this episode. Through everything she has remained loyal and faithful to the mission and to Cole. When she discovered that the Plague had not been prevented, Cassie seems to have lost all of her faith in saving the world. She still helps Cole, but she seems to be just going through the motions. She is even bitter towards Cole and resents the fact that he pops in, gives information, and pops back to the future, leaving her and Aaron to do the detective work. This time, she must locate Oliver Peters, a doctor who was present when the virus was handed off.
By episode 10, I feel a little bitter, just like Cassie. Everything seems a little too easy for Cassie. Of course she is struggling and risking her life and career, but she is able to figure out everything a little too quickly. She also seems to have an unlimited supply of funds, information, and even finds time for a roll in the hay on a couple episodes. She is just too perfect. Maybe by having her grow bitter and angry, the writers are showing us that even Cassie is human after all. She still is able to locate Peters’ laboratory, discover his dead husband, and locate his secret journal detailing the origin of the Plague.
By using CDC information to track lab animals Peters likely used in his development of the Plague, Cassie is able to locate a makeshift laboratory in a cargo trailer. Peters had been blackmailed by the Pallid Man and the Army of the 12 Monkeys to develop the Plague or else they would kill his husband. Once again, the theme of sacrificing one to save many is reinforced. Peters, however, chose to sell out the human race in order to save his husband.
My favorite part of this episode was when we see an older Jennifer Goines hiding out with The Daughters in 2043. She has calmed down considerably, but she is dressed in full Rayden from Mortal Kombat gear. She and Ramse discuss the Apocalypse and she is ominous, but merely hints to Ramse at his importance and his future. She gives him the necklace that she stole from the Pallid Man back in 2015 when she and Cole were in the Night Room.
Of course, just when the episode was getting good, the end credits pop up. I truly cannot wait for episode 11!