Ben Mark Holzberg/Syfy
"Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better, but there is still hope," Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett tell THR.
[Warning: This story contains spoilers from the season one finale of Syfy's 12 Monkeys.]
The journey to save the world using time travel was hijacked during Friday's freshman season finale of 12 Monkeys.
"Arms of Mine" saw Deacon (Todd Stashwick) and 12 hooded members of the Army of the 12 Monkeys sieging control of the Temporal Facility in 2043 to use for their own purposes. Jones (Barbara Sukowa), who has stopped believing that the past can be changed because of all the failures they've encountered, offers the facility without much of a fight.
While Jones' belief in changing the past to save humanity has been shaken, new showrunner Terry Matalas says the character "is about to be proven wrong."
"Jones above all else is a scientist," fellow showrunner Travis Fickett explained. "She's going to take evidence into account and that will change her assumptions about things. She's going to get some new evidence, but the mission for her next season will become even more personal."
Meanwhile, Cole (Aaron Stanford) and Cassie (Amanda Schull) finally come face-to-face with Ramse (Kirk Acevedo) at the Temporal Facility in 2015. Ramse tries to explain that he is not The Witness — the mysterious leader of the 12 Monkeys — during a standoff, but Cassie doesn't buy a word he's saying. That results in a firefight that ends with both Cassie and Ramse shot.
In order to save Cassie's life, Ramse then offers Cole the time travel serum he planned on using to return to 2043. Cole injects Cassie with the serum and sends her to Jones in 2043. Cole leaves Ramse to bleed out, but in a change of heart returns to save his former best friend.
"He's still his brother. Ultimately everything that has transpired between these guys doesn't undo the bond they have and share," Matalas explained. "Even the Striking Woman's last line in the finale is, 'There is nothing more powerful than fate,' and Cole proves there is something more powerful than fate and that's love. He goes back to save his brother."
But don't expect everything to be patched up. "They have a whole lot to sort out in season two," Fickett adds.
The relationship between Cole and Ramse isn't the only one the showrunners are aiming to explore in season two.
"We're going to lean a lot more into the relationships" Matalas says. "Season one was more about setting the dynamics between Cole and Ramse, Cole and Cassie, Jones and Ramse, Jones and Cole, Jennifer and Cole. We're going to spend a lot more exploring those relationships and delving a lot deeper. We plan on taking a breath or two next season to sit with our characters more and let them talk."
"Having established them in this season we can do that now. The scenes will be more effective because of it," Fickett added.
Time traveling will also see a change of scenery next season. Matalas noted the Syfy series will explore new time periods as well "an exploration into a deeper past."
When it comes to the identity of The Witness, Fickett assures fans will learn the truth of who is behind the mask next season along with more about the mysterious Red Forest. "You'll know exactly what the Red Forest is and what it means for the whole world in season two."
"The second season is definitely a more emotional season," Matalas noted, with Fickett adding: "And maybe a bit scarier. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better, but there is still hope."
What did you think of the 12 Monkeys season finale? Sound off in the comments below.
