12 Monkeys Episode 5 Review: Attention Night Room Shoppers

"The Night Room" was another trippy hour. As with it's sister show "Helix", I have no idea what's going on but the journey is still fun.

We open in 2011 when Jennifer was first being taken to the Night Room under heavy security. She is the only one that has the password to the vault. Jennifer warns Ivan (the tech working there) about what will happen if the virus falls into enemy hands. It's the end of the world as we know it.

You Have To Take A Drink Every Times Jones Says "Mission"

Next over in 2043 Cole, Ramse and Max (that girl is a plant as sure as I'm sitting here) are celebrating Cole's return to the past to destroy the virus (thus wiping out their existence). They are joined by Jones who brings the good booze and opens up a bit. Katarina says her maiden name was Werner. Yes she is German. She was only married to her husband for a few days. Talking about it saddens her and she excuses herself.

It's 2015. Cole and Cassie enter Mr Bee's Restaurant Supply (ie the Night Room) but guess who's also there? Its the Pale Man and his stormtroopers. He first tries to get Ivan to open the vault but of course he cant (so he shoots him in the back of the head and laughs).

In 2043 Max says she doesnt trust Jones. Well I dont trust you Max! The West Seven calls her Doctor Grimm. Ramse later sneaks into Jones' room and see photos of the previous time traveler trials (which were horrifying failures). Hey give the woman a break! She's trying to save mankind here. Ramse also finds a baby blanket with the name Hannah and a music box in Jones' possession. It looks like she had a baby that died too.

You Are A Very Strange Pale Man

Pale Dude is blabbing on about the natural order of things, extinction and "the Witness" (whoever that is). He also spills the beans about Cole killing Henri back in Haiti. Uh oh, it's going to be an uncomfortable ride back to town. He mentions the Ouroboros (the snake that eats it's own tail). I'm sure that's a clue. And the award for most cringe inducing scene goes to the Pallid Man inserting bamboo shoots under Cole's fingernails. Ouch. That hurt me through the TV!

This Is Some Weird Shit

We learn that the "origin" of the virus is some decayed body from the future. What if it's Cole's body? Remember Jennifer was going on about Cole's eyes and that "thing's" eyes. Also when Cole is near the body he is effected. I suspect due to the "paradox" of two versions of the same person being in proximity. Cole is immune to the virus but could he be the carrier and have brought it back?

Also Jennifer and Cole have more of a relationship than we originally thought. She seems to have feelings for Cole. She says she promised she would only open for vault for him and no one else. This should be interesting.

Crazy Jen Is One Of The Best Parts Of This Show

Pale Dude tortures Jennifer but of course she's still completely bonkers. She will only share her secrets with Cole. Pallid tells her Cole killed her Daddy but it doesnt have the desired effect. She laughs. She didnt like daddy. If you're afraid of rodents, this scene was probably rough on you. They tried to shove a rat down Jennifer's throat. I like rodents personally but dont want to be that close to them.

At the episodes end, Cole and Cassie had irradiated the virus by activating the burn room. Cole and Jennifer escape the building. Jennifer is running wild so who knows what kinds of trouble she'll get into. Cassie is in the custody of the monkey brigade. Cole returns to 2043. He still exists so the mission was NOT accomplished. Cole sees the West Seven have taken over the facility. What time is it? Did Cole's actions in 2015 cause this? If so, I need to lay down cause my brain hurts.

Favorite Quotes:

"This thing falls into the wrong hands... brimstone, horsemen, zombies, crazy clowns, party's over."- Jennifer to Ivan.
"The core is running out of juice."- stray scientist to Jones about the time machine.
"I'm from the apocalypse, everything looks weird to me."- Cole's response to Cassie asking if the Night Room building looks strange.
"This is an important moment. When you open that door for us, we're going to set things right."- Pallid Man right before he kills Ivan.
"Attention Night Room Shoppers"- Jennifer.
"What is the lives of a few people compared to the whole of human history?"- Jones to Ramse.
Jennifer: "I cannot tell a lie so I told you a half truth". Pallid: "And the other half." Jennifer: Buried. Desert island. Palm trees and coconuts, desert island".
"Inside that old meat is a centuries old virus."- Pallid Man.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). An action packed episode with a great reveal of the cause of the outbreak. I'm hooked "12 Monkeys" and cant wait to see more.