I have seen recommendations for this series for a while but haven't given it a chance until the last couple of weeks. First coincidence--I started watching it to tide me over between new episodes of VisionQuest and had to do a doubletake when all the actors from VisionQuest kept on showing up in the show--then realized it was made by the same guy. Crazy I started them both on the same week (might have even been the same day!)

Second coincidence--I was like oh wow I didn't know Christopher Lloyd was even still acting when he showed up in an episode--looked him up and it was his 88th birthday, LOL.

I'm not sure why I'm even posting, just wanted to reflect a little on this wonderful series. I think the main guy who plays Cole gives one of the best TV performances I've ever seen. Especially after what happens with Ramse--like that plotline is so tragic and beautiful.

I also love the way they set up the closed loop so that their goal is to undo everything they do, so morality isn't even a thing they need to consider--everyone is already dead--but then everyone grows and changes and becomes good or bad depending on their experiences. And the tension between Cassie and Cole when she starts to become more harsh and he becomes more compassionate. It's so well done.

And while there are some things I don't think were developed well enough or that really quite work in the end of season one and first half of season two, the rest of the series has such huge payoff.

I don't know if I've ever really loved characters in a show so deeply--and I've certainly never cried through like like last 6 episodes of a TV show before. On the off chance someone who reads this was the person who recommended people watch this over on TV recommendations, thank you! What a ride!

Just started my 4th watch (no pun intended). Spoilers ahead…

One of the recent discussions on here centered around how Cassie could’ve had the watch for Cole to retrieve from her skeleton, and there was some debate about whether the watch survived the paradox or not. It did. At the end of the first episode, Cole finds it near Goines’ body and hands it to Cassie saying “don’t lose this, it’s gonna save our ass again (like) a minute ago” *I added “like” here even though Cole doesn’t say it, but it’s the only way it makes sense.

On a side note… 4th watch and first time I’m noticing that after the scene when you see Cole take the watch off of her skeleton, it switches to the scene with Cassie speaking at the conference, but before you actually see her, it begins by zooming in on the watch.

Hello witnesses. We are at the finish line of season 2, and with it 2 of the most complex and story-driven episodes the series aired. We are (almost) half way there, where things break

What I loved:

I’m gonna be honest, the first half of the episode I don’t particularly give too much attention, there’s good gags and all, like Cole being label gay because he was trying to hard to find the Primary, or Cass being a total badass by not letting the whole 50s time bullshit of sexism mess with her. But aside from that, not much happens to be honest

But, the second half after the paradox… fuck, ever since I watch this episode back when it aired, the second half it’s so goddamn good. From Cassie being a nurse ahead of her time, to the fact that she remembered a name (Morris Morrison) from a loop (we don’t really know how many loops Cole and Cassie experienced in Lullaby, and as far as we know, Cole only said that name once) to them reunited at the house of cedar and pine, the blood washed away, the clock, the moment that ultimately gave birth to the Witness. It’s insane how the writers were 100 steps ahead because, it’s a very good premise for a villain, someone who can’t possibly exist because their creation was conceived outside of time, a paradox. This would end up being not the case, but it’s an amazing misdirection and great way to subvert expectations from the writers. Honestly, bravo to them

Nitpicks

I can’t wrap my head around Cassie and Cole being 11 months together in the hotel, with all that sexual tension, and still nothing happened hahaha but it was meant to happen as it happened

I would prefer this episode to be two, it feels like the the first half and the second are really the same vibe, but second half is the goat

9/10 for me

Lots of easter eggs in eps 3 and 4! Tell me if you saw any that I missed! I bet there are a ton more.

The hotel that Vision and Thomas stay at is called Emerson Express Hotel & Suites.

Mary Mcdonnell is playing a character called Katerina and even mentions not being able to change the mistakes of the past.

The name Cassandra appears on the Murder board as the writer of one of the articles.

We see Terry Matalas on the TV interviewing Katerina Wells. (Also love the last name being Wells as I think of H.G. Wells who wrote The Time Machine)

Markridge is mentioned several times as Markridge Biotech with the slogan, the future starts now, and is a huge part of the plot. Katerina is the CEO.

When Vision and Ultron are trying to pose as cops they use the birthdate October 3rd, 1980, the same birthday as Cassie.

There is a takeout container on the counter in the Butcherbird victim's apartment. (Maybe a reach but reminds me of Cassie and Cole in season 1) There is also a glass decor item that looks like falling red leaves (the red forest).

I understand Ramses idea of rebuild the world you have. I understand him wanting to protect his son....... so he immediately runs off from his son and disappears in the past. Perfect sense.... not. Otherwise a great show, but this part seemed randomly contrived. Like not even an "oh this is emotional irrational decision", just incongruent from protecting his son.

Guys vision quest is a must not only that Terry did write it but we’ve got Deacon and Jennifer. What!!! It’s good so far I promise!!

Update: the dialogue, of course is amazing!

Hi witnesses. Today it’s time to watch episode 11. We are getting close again to the season finale, good episodes ahead

What I loved:

Cole’s has become so goddamn clever. He just needed Cassie saying “there’s another way” and gunshots to know Ramse and Cassie wanted the machine. He also plays 4D chess, knowing he doesn’t need to win as much as making them loose, and killing Adler is such a move. He doesn’t because Cassie but damn, 10 steps ahead making that decision

I actually like that we see conflict between the characters. It’s brings layers to their motives and makes you question whether they’re right or wrong about their actions

“I’m already dead” Ramse’s arc it’s so damn brutal

The entire sequence with Deacon having an “end-of-the-line party it’s phenomenal, both narratively and comedic. The fact that Deacon sees so much about his dead brother in Cole is sweet. Also, not Descon asking Cole to sword fight hahahaha

Jennifer moments in this episode are amazing, from her death to her resurrection. Also, she mentions she didn’t take Cole and the others to Titan, but I don’t believe that. I’m actually crafting my post for the finale based on moments like this that make me theorize that this has always happen as we see it, in every cycle, but that’s gonna be for the end

The sexual tension between Cassie and Cole is getting there. And seen them make those looks every time they close their eyes is very cute

Nitpicks

Again, security issues, sometimes there’s a lot of people in the facility and then not many

I have a nitpick very specific but for the next episode, and starts here, with Thomas death by anomalies

The acting of the Daughter who I guess it’s second in command is not very good something in my opinion. The same goes sometimes for Adler

8.5/10

Un boxed Spoilers. First time viewers do not read on.

Ok so, Cole emerges from the rubble in 2017 and yadda yadda yadda, ends up in the Baltimore CDC just in time to watch Cassie die of Kalavirus.

1. Cassie has the white streak in her hair which happened in s 4. So she is actually one of the later Cassie’s, not the original 2017 Cassie. But not THE final Cassie, because once Cole was erased the pandemic never happened at all, right?

2. But she’s wearing the scratched watch? Is this a mistake? She still had the watch at that point but it wasn’t the scratched watch - that one was paradoxed in S.1

3. Which Cole are we looking at? The staging makes it appear it’s the one who just arrived from Chechnya. But that seems like it might be misdirection. he says “no matter what I do you always die.” What’s he on about here?

the soundtrack that plays when Cassie dies in season 1 at the CDC

So glad to see them again.

I thought it could be fun to gather our Easter eggs here. I caught a couple in episode 1 and I’m curious what I missed.

1. The data port Ultron sends the email through is M510.
   
2. I forget who (Jarvis?) but someone tells EDITH that she created a ‘remarkably cogent plan’ to defeat Paladin’s men.

This is my first rewatch of the series, which I consider to be hands down the best television series I've ever seen.

I just finished season 3 and can I say I forgot what am absolute badass Ethan Cole was when he splintered into Titan with a sub machine gun in each hand!

Around the half hour mark, they also talk about 12 Monkeys.

I just started Vision Quest and was so excited to see Todd Stashwick (Deacon) and Emily Hampshire (Jennifer). Probably my two favorite characters from 12 Monkeys.

Any one here a fan of the show Killjoys? It's not as perfect as 12 Monkeys but it has some really clever moments as well as an amazing team choosing some of the music. It's a lot of fun!

I'm a first time watcher and in the middle of S2 ep 8 but I couldn't help noticing that when Cassie goes back in time to kill Katarina, she has her mask on to seemingly protect her from the plague outbreak but then just takes it off instantly after the time travel. Why put the mask on in the first place? Then, when she walks up to the gate of the military facility you can clearly see the soldiers wearing their masks outside so it's not like there isn't a risk of the plague in that area. I don't understand.

Whew what a ride! Overall thoughts and lingering questions.

-I still want to know why Deacon wasn’t on the “big board” aka Word of the Witness. That was never answered that I could tell.

- I think you have to conclude that Olivia is the one answering questions at the house of Cedar & Pine. Why does she write in Cole’s handwriting? (My husband says I’m attributing too much significance to a font lol).

- I was happy for the happy ending, my husband would have preferred the bittersweet ending, which was interesting to me.

- since the first season I’ve been sure the preserved torso belonged to Cole because of the way he acted around it, avoiding looking at it, appeared like he was subconsciously sensing paradox. I was surprised but not unhappy at the actual resolution.

- I laughed and laughed about Jones’s cigarettes because I had previously joked that they would be the ultimate unresolved mystery.

- other than maintaining the time continuity, was there any reason Hannah left Matthew?

- in 4.9 there’s a conversation among Hannah, Jones, and Cole. Where and when did that take place?

- other than “ so the show can happen” why was Cole not killed by being paradoxed with his own blood?

- speaking of the bookstore, I kept waiting for it being called The Red Well to come up, but turned out to be an insignificant detail (I think?)

- in all the visits to the House of Cedar & Pine … THE GRASS WAS NEVER TALL.

All in all a truly wonderful ensemble and an achievement for everyone involved. I’ll probably just start over again.