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I love "12 Monkeys" and have seen it a dozen times. Still I can't figure out if Jeffrey Goines is working in conjunction with redheaded scientist to destroy mankind, or if Jeffrey's only plan was to let all the animals out of the zoo.

At one point Jeffrey's father says he has stepped up security in the lab to prevent any trouble with the virus, and Jeffrey says "too late," suggesting Jeffrey indeed is involved with the virus plot and knows it is already in motion. And earlier, when the psychiatrist spray-paints a question about billions of deaths, Jeffrey seems to know what she is asking about.

Releasing the animals could be a secondary part of the virus plot -- perhaps a distraction or a way to jump-start the return of the animals' dominion over earth. But the movie seems to leave room for the possibility that Jeffrey was only interested in releasing the animals and was unaware of redheaded scientist's actions. Which is it?

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1 Answer

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Jeffrey simply is not involved in the virus outbreak. But because of the spread of Army of 12 Monkey's messages, and their promise to cause some chaos, the virus outbreak [possibly the reason] is linked to them. It was in fact, the lab scientist who propagated the virus to every corner of the world.

In 12 Monkeys, James is introduced to Jeffrey in the mental institution. James is researching the "Army of 12 Monkeys" to find out about the virus outbreak. During their time together, James lets Jeffrey know about the crazy plan to put the virus out over the world. Years later, when James finds out that Jeffrey leads the Army of 12 Monkeys, Jeffrey is surprised to learn that James is accusing of planning the virus outbreak. He exclaims that he has heard such a crazy thing only from James himself (during their time in the mental institution). Jeffrey is simply an anarchist, and lets the zoo animals on street. It is his fathers lab worker who causes the virus outbreak. He has access to the virus, since he works at the lab. When James calls Jeffrey's father, his father assures him that the security at the lab is tight.
There are two possible implications:

  1. The scientist got to know about the plan when James called the lab and let Jeffrey's father know.
  2. He got to know from Jeffrey through unknown means.
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Down-vote because this answer provides no evidence; it is just an opinion. Also, this answer mis-characterizes Jeffrey's response to James's mentioning the virus, which actually suggests Jeffrey IS involved with the virus: "You were all upset about the...desecration of the planet. And you said to me, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a germ or a virus that could wipe out mankind and leave the plants and animals just as they are? ... And that's when I told you my father was this famous virologist and you said, "Hey, he could make a germ and we could steal it!" – Shane Finneran Jun 13 '12 at 20:53
and earlier, in the mental hospital, James never mentioned the plot directly -- it was Jeffrey who appeared to already have had it in mind: JAMES: "Maybe people deserved to be wiped out." JEFFREY (startled, turning): "Wiping out the human race? That's a great idea! But it's more of a long-term thing. Right now we have to focus on more immediate goals." – Shane Finneran Jun 13 '12 at 20:55
Cole kidnaps Railly and sets out in search of Goines, learning that he is the founder of the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. When confronted, however, Goines denies any involvement with the virus and suggests that wiping out humanity was Cole's idea, originally broached at the asylum in 1990. On their way to the airport, they learn that the Army of the Twelve Monkeys is a red herring; all the Army has done is delay traffic by releasing all the animals in the zoo. At the airport, Cole leaves a last message telling the scientists they are on the wrong track following the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. – kicker86 Jun 14 '12 at 8:09
Kicker your answer takes Jeffrey's words as gospel truth when thru the movie his words are untrustworthy. As the quotes in my comments above indicate, Jeffrey seems to have the virus plot in mind even though Cole had never said anything about the virus. – Shane Finneran Jun 14 '12 at 11:40
Well, aren't we both "interpreting" the movie? If you think you have a different answer, be happy to post it as one. If you dont agree with mine, downvote it (I think you have already anyways). Thanks for letting me know the discrepancies though! – kicker86 Jun 14 '12 at 14:34

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