12 Monkeys Season 1 Review – Is This the Most Underrated Sci-Fi Show Ever
📊 QUICK STATS
- Created by: Terry Matalas & Travis Fickett
- Based on: 1995 film 12 Monkeys by Terry Gilliam
- Starring: Aaron Stanford, Amanda Schull, Kirk Acevedo, Barbara Sukowa, Emily Hampshire
- Original Run: 2015 (Season 1)
- Episodes: 13
- Genre: Sci-fi, Time Travel, Drama
- Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
- Rotten Tomatoes (S1): 75% (critics), 88% (audience)
🚀 12 Monkeys Season 1 Review
In this 12 Monkeys Season 1 Review I lay it all out no bs just how it is. The show grabbed my attention from the very first second—it has an amazing track at the beginning and jumps straight into the action, showing scenes of a derelict future. As far as sci-fi series go, this one stands out fast, and 12 Monkeys Season 1 wastes no time proving it’s got something special. I love anything time travel, and this doesn’t disappoint. The hero of this story is Cole, a man sent back from the year 2043 to stop a virus that kills humanity. Now if that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will. His mission is to stop the virus, but to do that, he’ll need the help of Dr. Rayleigh.
Cole answers to a woman called Jones—she’s the one running things in 2043.
And yes, if you’re wondering whether 12 Monkeys Season 1 is worth watching—absolutely. It’s one of the most underrated sci-fi shows out there, packed with smart writing, emotional moments, and some seriously bold time travel twists.
🧠 Plot Recap (Spoiler-Free)
We’re following a two-pronged timeline: Cole jumps from a brutal, war-torn future to our present (his past) to stop a deadly virus. Alongside virologist Dr. Cassandra Rayleigh, he tracks shadowy villains, dodges bureaucracy, and splinters across decades to save what’s left of humanity. And yeah—there’s way more to it than that. It’s a twisty web.
🎮 What I Like
This show hooked me from the first second. It kicks off with an epic track and dives straight into the chaos—showing us a derelict, bleak future that feels all too possible. I’m a sucker for time travel, and 12 Monkeys delivers it in style.
I love how the show seamlessly blends two timelines: the brutal future of 2043 and our recognizable present. The way the past and future play off each other is clever and keeps you constantly guessing. The future tech—like “splintering,” which lets them zap Cole anywhere in time—is just plain cool.
What really grabs me is how they’re not just stopping a virus; they’re chasing down the people responsible for releasing it. That plot hits even harder now, especially with the rise of AI and AGI. It makes the show’s threat feel eerily real. This isn’t just fiction—it feels like a warning.
I love how time works in this series—out of order, layered, always a few steps ahead. You know something’s coming, you just don’t know when or how, and that suspense is addictive. It’s not just about big twists either; it’s the emotional weight that builds with each jump.
Cole isn’t your perfect hero. He’s a survivor from a dying world, rough around the edges, but you see how much he’s grown. Watching him eat a cheeseburger in the past and talk about how he’d eat one every day? That cracked me up—and reminded me how much we take for granted.
He’s clearly burdened by past choices, trying to do right now. In his present, there’s not just the virus—there’s an entire war. So yeah, the man deserves a break.
The villains are chilling—whether you’re talking about past or future threats. One old-school baddie seriously needs a nose hair trimmer, though. Just saying.
Amanda Schull is fantastic as Dr. Railly. If you’ve seen Suits or Pretty Little Liars, you already know she can command a scene. Watching her confidence grow across Season 1 is satisfying—she transforms into a total force.
Jennifer Goines… where do I even begin? She’s bonkers, chaotic, and absolutely brilliant. The Joker would be jealous. Her wild energy brings a whole new dimension to the show.
Then there’s Ramse—Cole’s ride-or-die best friend. One of my favorite scenes has him, Cole, and Jones sipping whiskey and swapping jokes. It’s proof this show isn’t just doom and gloom. It’s got heart and humor.
Speaking of humor: Aaron. Man’s supposed to help save the world but forgets a gun in the car. And the Back to the Future reference? Cole doesn’t know who Marty McFly is—perfect.
There’s a beautiful moment where Cole, in the middle of a mission, just listens to These Arms of Mine by Otis Redding. In his world, music is gone. That scene hit me.
What makes this show stand out is how relatable it is. People ignore warnings, laugh off danger—even when it’s staring them in the face. That’s not just sci-fi, that’s society.
Watching Jones push the mission with cold precision while secretly caring about Cole? That dynamic adds so much depth. And as the season goes on, you understand why she is the way she is.
Also… small thing, but how is Ramse living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland and still maintaining a crisp buzzcut? Priorities, man.
The show makes you feel like people never learn. Even in 2043, everyone’s still arguing, still divided. That hopeless realism? Weirdly comforting and terrifying all at once.
And let’s be real—12 Monkeys is anything but predictable. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, it swerves. It keeps you thinking, feeling, guessing. That’s rare.
The themes hit close: virus wipes out humanity in the show, and now we’ve got AI and AGI looming over us. It’s the same fear, just wearing a new mask. Martial law, safe zones, no music, no freedom—it’s not far-fetched.
I loved the moments where characters reveal who they were and who they’ve become. A virus changes people. Trauma does too.
The plot doesn’t hand you every puzzle piece up front—but trust me, it all comes full circle. You just have to hang in there.
Seeing the time travel machine for the first time? Magic. Between the music and the cinematic framing, it gave me chills.
And those little moments—like questioning if things feel right or wondering if you really know someone—those hit hard.
Every time period feels lived in. Not just a costume change or fancy set—it feels like time is alive.
Even Jennifer, who starts out looking totally unhinged, turns out to be way more layered and likable than you expect.
Oh—and shoutout to Mark Margolis popping up! If you’re a Breaking Bad fan, you’ll recognize him as Hector Salamanca.
Bottom line? Season 1 is a wild, thought-provoking ride that left me desperate for more.
❌ What I Don’t Like
Some scenes are frustrating. It’s like—Cole, do something! Don’t just stand there, lol.
👩🎓 Cast & Performances – MVPs & Misfires
Aaron Stanford nails the gruff yet wounded vibe of Cole. He’s the perfect balance of tough guy and tragic time traveller.
Amanda Schull is brilliant as Dr. Cassandra Railly. Watching her shift from cautious professional to full-blown ride-or-die is one of the most satisfying arcs of the season. She brings intelligence and vulnerability without ever being a damsel.
Barbara Sukowa as Jones might be one of the most underrated sci-fi characters ever. Cold as steel on the surface, but quietly layered.
Emily Hampshire steals the damn show as Jennifer Goines. Completely unhinged, yes—but with such chaotic charm you can’t help but love her.
No weak links in this cast. Even the smaller roles, like the villainous Leland Goines, are cast with punch.
🎞️ Visuals & Direction
Bleak but never boring. The show’s gritty post-apocalyptic aesthetic is on point without looking cheap. The 2043 timeline feels like it’s actually lived in—brutal, dark, but grounded.
The direction balances emotional character work with slick time jumps, and somehow it all makes sense. That’s no easy feat with a show this twisty.
12 Monkeys Season 1 Review Guardian – Why That Take Misses the Mark
Oh man, The Guardian’s review of 12 Monkeys Season 1 is basically a time loop of missed potential. Brian Moylan comes in hot with: “I hate time travel. There, I said it.”
Mate, if you hate time travel, why are you reviewing a time travel show?
That’s like sending a cat-hater to review a kitten café. You’re not critiquing the show — you’re venting your own genre fatigue. And it shows.
He calls the cinematography murky (it’s meant to be bleak), shrugs off the characters too early (Jones becomes iconic), and complains about the twisty timeline (which is kind of the whole point). It reads less like a review and more like someone annoyed the show didn’t behave like NCIS.
Sure, he gives a little nod to the Cole/Cassandra dynamic, but then tells people to “wait and see.”
Bad take. This show only gets better — smarter, bolder, deeper. The review didn’t get that. At all.
Verdict:
📉 More snark than substance. Not the review you want if you’re actually curious about what makes 12 Monkeys special.
🎵 Sound & Mood (with Track Highlights)
The score is moody, minimal, and haunting. Perfect for the themes of loss, paranoia, and unraveling reality. And yes, Otis Redding – These Arms Of Mine is a moment. That needle drop is time travel storytelling gold.
✅ What Works / ❌ What Falls Flat
✅ What Works:
- Complex time travel rules that actually pay off
- Strong chemistry between Cole and Cassandra
- Jennifer Goines being gloriously unhinged
- Characters evolve in real ways
- Gritty aesthetic that doesn’t feel overdone
- Real-world parallels that hit hard
❌ What Falls Flat:
- A few scenes where Cole just stands around like a confused NPC
- Occasional pacing dips in exposition-heavy episodes
💬 Fan Buzz & Critical Noise
Fans of the original film were skeptical, but the show quickly found its own identity and cult following. Hardcore sci-fi lovers adore its complexity, and casual viewers get hooked by the emotional arcs.
Critics were mostly positive, but some brushed it off too soon. This is a rare case where the audience absolutely got it more than the critics did.
🤯 Pub-Worthy Trivia for 12 Monkeys Fans
- Jennifer Goines is gender-flipped from the movie’s Jeffrey Goines (played by Brad Pitt)
- The showrunner Terry Matalas named Jones after real-life German virologist Beate Jahnke
- The splintering effect was inspired by Event Horizon and The Fly
- Mark Margolis (Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad) makes a cameo—blink and you’ll miss it
🤔 Should You Stream It? My Honest Review
Absolutely. If you like intelligent sci-fi, morally grey heroes, and plots that demand your attention, 12 Monkeys is essential viewing. Season 1 builds a strong emotional core and hints at even crazier twists to come.
📺 Where to Watch 12 Monkeys Season 1
❓ FAQ – 12 Monkeys Season 1
Is 12 Monkeys based on a true story?
Nope, it’s based on the 1995 film, which was inspired by a 1962 French short film, La Jetée.
Is it better than the movie?
Depends who you ask, but if you’re into deeper worldbuilding and character arcs, the show wins.
Is it confusing?
Yes—but in a good way. If you like Dark, Primer, or LOST, you’ll be fine.
Does it end on a cliffhanger?
Season 1 sets up major arcs, but still delivers a satisfying punch.
🔊 Best Scenes & Moments (Spoiler-Light)
- Cole appreciating These Arms Of Mine mid-mission
- Jennifer’s first meltdown monologue
- The whiskey-and-jokes moment with Cole, Ramse, and Jones
- Every time Aaron fails at being helpful
- That Back to the Future reference
🎞️ Check Out the Trailer
⭐ The Hub Score – Should You Stream It?
9/10 – Stream It, You Time-Travel Nerd.
Smart, bold, unpredictable. And somehow still emotional. It’s everything I want in sci-fi.
💬 Let’s Chat
What would you do if you knew a virus was coming and no one would believe you? Would you splinter through time to save us—or just grab a burger and let it ride? Drop your thoughts below, time travelers. Let’s get weird.
Check out my other review
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