12 Monkeys Episode 11 Review: I Know Who The Witness Is

And the award for most splinters in one episode goes to "Shonin". We visited 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2043 and back to 2015. Wow. I'm tired and I didnt even go anywhere.

Ramse splintering last week and ended up in 1987 Tokyo. Cole is in hot pursuit. This is where Cole first meets Leland (who now has hair) at the White Dragon. Remember at the beginning of the season Leland said they first met in 1987 (but Cole then had no memory of the event). We see the old dead guy that is used in the future to make the virus. Leland refers to it as "Himalayan road kill" and decides it's not worth the cost. He's trying to find something old to clone It is precisely Cole's interest in "the Origin" that causes Leland to want it. So in summary, by trying to prevent the plague, Cole has inadvertently caused the plague. Geez.

Dont Hate Me Because I Have Groovy Hair

Ramse and Cole fight in front of Leland. Ramse stabs Cole. Jones can see in the future that his vitals are fading. A guy is ready to shoot Cole in the back of the head as "Virus Meat Man" is hauled away for Leland and Markridge.

Next up Ramse is in a Japanese prison in 1988. He tries to prove he is a US citizen but has no social security card. He receives a letter from a mysterious woman named Olivia (previously known as "the Striking Woman"). Over the years she continues to write. She cannot intervene but sends books (such as Sun Tzu's "The Art of War").

My Name Is Olivia & I Will Be Your Creepy Companion

Ramse is finally released from prison to meet Olivia and the Pallid Man. She takes the necklace from Ramse (the one that Jen gave him in the future) and combines it with the Pale Dude's. We know what happens when the same object from two different periods is in the vicinity of each other. There is something akin to a nuclear reaction and everything turns red.

3 Monkeys & 2 Necklaces

In 2011 it turns out Olivia and Ramse were the silent partners in Markridge. They make themselves known to Leland. When Leland opens the door we see Jennifer (pre mental hospital). Later Leland visits Jen at the asylum. She wants to leave. He has no plans of letting her. He hugs her and says they should never discuss secrets...E-V-E-R. Me thinks he's talking about more than just the Night Room.

Olivia and the Pallid Man review everything that has happened up to this point. She tells him nothing must change or the Traveler will not come. We see the end of last week's episode. Olivia approached Aaron outside while Cassie was busy with Dr Peters (who had been forced to recreate the virus). We did not see exactly what Olivia said to him.

Ramse tells Olivia that they dont need to worry about Cole. Ramse killed him in 87 and that was his last jump. Ramse asks what's next? She says "the plague and the coming of the 12".

I Dont Trust You Aaron...At All

Aaron and Cassie are at home. He wants them to hide underground until the plague has passed. She says there is still hope. Cassie tells Aaron to stay on Senator Royce and convince him something needs to be done. We later see Aaron in Royce's office. When he leaves, Olivia enters the room. Uh oh.

Why Am I Always Surrounded By Crazies?

In 2015 a kidnapped Jennifer is being drug through a mansion. She is finally able to bathe. Afterwards she is approached by Olivia. Olivia acts all creepy and touches Jen's hair. She makes Jen cry reminding her that she was abandoned by her father (who locked her mother in an asylum). Olivia says she will be Jen's mother. What kind of power does that woman have over people?

Whitley & Jones Before Their Falling Out

Back in 2043, Jones and crew sends a seriously ill Cole back to 2015. Jones says "Good luck James". Whitley brings a drink to Jones. Cole is gone and the mission is over. There's no reason for him to stay. Whitley says they cant guard the facility. It is in danger of being overrun at any time. In a powerful scene, Whitley says "I left my father for you. I killed for you. I believed in you." He leaves in disgust. Whitley and some other men leave the base.

And in the last scene, Cassie (in 2015) finds a seriously injured Cole. He says "They were ahead us one step the whole way and now I know why. I know who the Witness is". And end scene.

Points To Ponder:

Why does Olivia never age?
Who was Olivia's father? She references him several times.
Does anyone else feel sorry for Jennifer. Poor thing. She needs a hug.
Does Jennifer's mother play into the story at all? She has been mentioned a few times. We know Jennifer late goes on to found the "Daughters".
Is there any chance Cole and Ramse will become friends again or is it way too late?

Favorite Quotes:

"Join me traveler. You are important, valued, loved."- Olivia to Ramse in prison.
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting"- Ramse to his fellow prisoners about the guy who's been beating him up for years.
"You are the key to our next cycle."- Olivia to Ramse.
"Everything is changing green to red"- Jennifer.
"The period of interference has begun."- Olivia to Ramse.
"Jailbreak, freedom, Rita Hayworth with a tiny hammer?"- Jen on when she can leave the hospital.
"Secrets, Jennifer, are not be said out loud. Not anywhere. Not even with me. Understand?"- Leland to Jen. That guy is super creepy.
"The cycle must happen exactly as it has. Otherwise the traveler will never come."- Olivia to Pale Dude.
"He's not a concern. I killed him in 87 and that was his last jump."- Ramse to Olivia.
"I can protect you now. You can be a daughter again."- Olivia to Jennifer.
"I am the clock."- Jones to Whitely
"I left my father for you. I killed for you. I believed in you."- An upset Whitley to Jones.
"Hope is the luxury of those unburdened by fate. I will take my last breath here."- Jones.
"They were ahead us one step the whole way and now I know why. I know who the Witness is"- Cole to Cassie.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). An excellent episode that provides lots of answers. This would have been a great season finale. I cant wait to see what happens in the final two episodes. Thank goodness the show has been renewed for a season 2.