Rittenhouse interferes with the Civil War and ups the stakes with an undercover sleeper agent!

In the season two finale of NBC’s Timeless, the Time Team follows Rittenhouse to South Carolina in 1863 to a critical turning point in the Civil War. Rufus (Malcolm Barrett) and Wyatt (Matt Lanter) team up with Harriet Tubman (Christine Horn) to turn the tide of Rittenhouse’s interference. Meanwhile, Lucy (Abigail Spencer) and Flynn (Goran Višnjić) go to recruit more troops. Things rarely go as planned and their mission to the Civil War is no exception. The Time Team has a few hiccups, but their perseverance and adaptability are crucial to the mission. In the present, Jiya (Claudia Doumit) confronts Connor (Paterson Joseph) about another pilot that suffers from delusions. She thinks they’re visions and seeks guidance to master her own visions. Denise (Sakina Jaffrey) and Connor break the news of Jessica’s (Tonya Glanz) surveillance by Rittenhouse, as Wyatt reveals her pregnancy, and the team is rightfully suspicious. In a shocking move, Jessica kidnaps Jiya and takes her with the Lifeboat to Rittenhouse!

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In the second half of the two-hour season finale, the Time Team deals with the shocking knowledge that Jessica is a sleeper agent. They have to work together to get Jiya back–all without a time machine! Luckily, Jiya is smart and leaves them clues with an ominous warning to not come after her. The Time Team tracks down the Lifeboat with 130 years of neglect and tries to work a miracle to get it to run. The team follows Rittenhouse to 1888 San Francisco to prevent them from capturing Jiya a second time. Emma (Annie Wersching) takes drastic measures within Rittenhouse’s leadership and Jiya refuses to leave because that’s how Rufus dies in her vision. Can they change her visions, or are they destined to happen? Then Timeless dropped a bombshell of a cliffhanger in the very last scene!

Here to discuss Emma’s ruthless move against the Preston family, Jiya mastering her visions to change what happens to Rufus, and thoughts on that shocking cliffhanger is our Timeless roundtable:

Catherine (@Cat_grl6) – Researcher by day, TV addict by night.

Micheale (@highlandgirl65) – Mom, grad student, writer, and sci-fi/fantasy geek.

Mark (@RenewTimeless) – Husband, dad, businessman, and fanboy.

Robin (@robinrobinson24) – Concert-going, road-trippin’ mountain mama, Timeless fanatic.

Kalena (@kalenahenden) – Fantasy/sci-fi fangirl, time travel junkie, moderator of RittenhouseTL, and keeper of Where To Watch Timeless Worldwide Masterlist.

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1. The Time Team used the divide and conquer strategy in the Civil War. What did you think of the team-ups between Wyatt and Rufus, and Lucy and Flynn?

Catherine (@Cat_grl6): The team-ups between Wyatt and Rufus and Lucy and Flynn worked very well. I love it when they mix things up because you get to see the chemistry between the actors in different ways. I will admit I didn’t like or trust Flynn at the beginning of the season, but now I love Flynn!

Micheale (@highlandgirl65): I thought the team-ups were logical and worked to the strengths of the pair-ups. Rufus and Wyatt know military and Civil War history, so having them team-up to find the sleeper made sense. Rufus’ knowledge of Harriet Tubman made him a logical choice to work alongside her. Lucy’s knowledge of Civil War history and the protection Flynn provides made them a logical team to ride out to the Union camp. It never gets old watching Time Team members fangirling/fanboying, so watching Rufus with Harriet was great!

Mark (@RenewTimeless): Lucy decided the team-ups and probably chose how she did for a couple of reasons. First, splitting Wyatt and Flynn provided the “muscle” for both teams in case they got into problems. Secondly, Lucy may have wanted to keep herself and Wyatt separate because of their personal relationship issues. She told Wyatt that he and Rufus were a better team but I think this was just an excuse.

Robin (@robinrobinson24): It was the only way to split up, in my opinion. It’s not as though Flynn and Wyatt are good buddies. We’ve seen Lucy and Flynn getting closer since Jessica came to the bunker, so it made perfect sense for them to head out together. It was interesting to see Wyatt’s reaction to Lucy going with Flynn.

Kalena (@kalenahenden): Lucy’s powers of persuasion are amazing! With all the personal craziness going on, Flynn has the least amount of drama at the moment and has become a friend. It allowed her to just focus on her mission to bring the Union troops back. I loved Rufus and Wyatt having a real talk about what’s going on, yet still able to laugh at some of the surreal things they experience, and on top of all that to stay on mission. Their friendship is one of the highlights of the show for me.

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2. It turns out that Jessica is a member of Rittenhouse and she wasn’t even forced into helping them! What was your reaction to the deal her family made with Rittenhouse for Kevin’s life-saving treatment?

Catherine: I was pretty sure from the beginning that Jessica was involved with Rittenhouse somehow. So I wasn’t surprised.

Micheale: I wrote a tweet last night about poor, brainwashed Jessica. Wow, did she ever drink the Rittenhouse Kool-Aid! If she was raised by Emma and Carol, then she didn’t stand much of a chance, especially since she had a greater purpose than just being a bartender. I do wonder about her parents, who were so desperate to save their son that they were willing to allow Jessica to be raised by benevolent strangers.

Mark: In addition to the fact that they were offering to save their son’s life, I suspect that Rittenhouse did a very good job of persuading Jessica’s parents that she would be brought up in a caring, nurturing environment and given opportunities that they would not be able to give her themselves. Jessica would also have been very young herself so it would not have been as traumatic for her as it would have been if she had been in her teens, for example.

Robin: We all know she was involved with Rittenhouse, but just not to what extent. It was a bit shocking to find out that she said Rittenhouse was her family and Wyatt wasn’t. Even when she told him she was wasn’t able to kill him when the time came, so some part of her still loves him.

Kalena: I’ve said this before but I’ve always thought that if Jessica was ever brought back from the dead, she would be Rittenhouse. It doesn’t shock me at all that Jessica liked being a part of it and was proud of the purpose and meaning it gave her life. We’ve seen many Rittenhouse devotees. She felt that Carol and Emma were wonderful mentors to her, to an extent even saviors. When people are good to you and explain things in a logical and inspiring way, especially at such a young age, it’s not surprising how loyal they are to the cause. We are really seeing a black mirror to who Lucy could have been if her sister had been saved by Rittenhouse at a young age and her mother had told her the truth.

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3. Jiya was able to change her vision and save Rufus’s life from the cowboy, but he still met the same end. Were you surprised by that plot twist?

Catherine: I wasn’t really surprised by that plot twist. I thought Rufus would get shot somehow no matter what, but I thought he would just be injured and not killed. Or that he would live and someone else would die instead.

Micheale: I was shocked by Rufus’ death. When Jiya shot the Rittenhouse goon who was supposed to kill Rufus, I let out a yell of joy only to watch Rufus die after being shot by Emma. Fate vs. free will has been an overarching theme this season, which made Rufus’ death even more emotional for me. He is the heart of the team and his death would do more to tear them apart than Jessica’s presence in the bunker.

Mark: I have to say I was not. I had a strong feeling that Rufus would die in the finale, perhaps with some of the details differing from Jiya’s visions, since this was how events transpired in the Salem Witch Hunt episode with the death of the scar-faced man. If we get a season 3, I have just as strong a feeling that the writers will have a trick up their sleeve for bringing Rufus back to life!

Robin: It was a bumpy ride that’s for sure! Jiya’s vision shifting, while the outcome stayed the same was brilliant on the writers part. Although this made me a bit crazy! When she reached for the gun and was able to shoot the guy I was briefly relieved, only to be shocked that someone else kills him.

Kalena: No, this was the exact same thing that happened in Salem to the man whom Rufus originally shot and killed, and instead Flynn ended up shooting the man. But with Jessica coming back from the grave, I’m not worried that they will eventually find a way to bring Rufus back as well. To be honest, you haven’t really made it on a Kripke show until you’ve died and been brought back to life.

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4. Emma turned on the Preston family and took out Carol and Nicholas when she had the chance. Do you think she’ll be a greater threat to the Time Team than Nicholas? Why or why not?

Catherine: I think Emma is now a HUGE threat to the Time Team. Emma will want to destroy Lucy at all costs since she sees Lucy as a threat to her Rittenhouse plans. And she will stop at nothing to get to Lucy.

Micheale: Emma has proved that she will do whatever it takes to come out on top and for that reason, I think she’s much more dangerous than Nicholas both for the Time Team and for the world. I watched in disbelief as Jessica just blindly followed her after she killed Carol and Nicholas. Emma will play anyone to get what she wants, making her a very dangerous villain.

Mark: Yes, I do think Emma will be a greater threat. Although Nicholas was certainly a formidable foe, and arguably a psychopath, he was disadvantaged by the gaps in his knowledge that existed due to him being from the past. Emma also knows far more about the specific strengths and weaknesses of the Time Team members since she has spent so much time around and even amongst them.

Robin: Yes, I do! We really have no idea what Emma’s motives are. I did not see this plot twist happening, and that she would kill them both. It did not sit well with Emma when Carol said that Nicholas and Lucy were family and Rittenhouse was about legacy. With them both gone, who knows how this will change Rittenhouse. (They need to announce a season 3 already!)

Kalena: I love Emma’s journey from lost-in-time sleeper agent pilot to ladder-climbing, taking-care-of-business badass to crowning herself queen and holding the entire evil organization hostage since she’s the only one who can work the time machine. She will absolutely be the biggest threat to the Time Team, especially with her personal vendetta against Lucy rejecting the ‘privileged’ life she’s always wanted. As much as she likes being apart of an elite group, her true loyalty is to herself. I’m sure she’ll have no resistance from anyone about issuing a kill order for the whole Time Team since the only reason their deaths weren’t a priority was because Carol was trying to keep Lucy alive long enough so she would willingly join the fold. However, Emma keeping a tight leash on the blood elites of Rittenhouse will be trickier than she anticipated. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a coup attempt.

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5. The season finale was packed with relationship developments, new or previously established. Which relationship (romantic or platonic) did you enjoy most this episode, and why?

Catherine: My favorite relationship for these two episodes was Jiya and Rufus (Riya forever)! Her leaving them a message in Klingon was so smart, knowing that Rufus would figure that out. Then when the team went back to the 1880’s for her and they saw each other and hugged — they are so truly in love.

Micheale: One of my favorites was Rufus and Jiya, it was also the most heartbreaking. Jiya being willing to stay in the past to protect Rufus, while Rufus being willing to die to save Jiya demonstrated the strength of their love for each other and their individual strengths. Also, after his encounter with Harriet Tubman, Rufus was willing to consider that Jiya’s visions could be related to a higher power. We saw so much character and couple’s development with them this season and in this episode!

Mark: I loved the scene between Agent Christopher and Mason where Christopher revealed knitting was her way of dealing with stress and Mason opened up about how he felt he was “wearing his heart on the outside”. The relationship between these two has been terse at best for most of the series and it was awesome to see them reveal their vulnerabilities to each other in this way.

Robin: I would have to say Lucy and Flynn. We’ve seen them getting closer this season. In the finale, we see a shift. Flynn looked very worried when he saw her beaten and laying on the floor next to her mother and great-grandfather. It was also bittersweet to see Lucy with her mother talking about mistakes made and unfinished plans as she lay there dying.

Kalena: I’m going to cheat a bit on this one and say my favorite found family is the new expanded Time Team– consisting of our original time trio (Lucy, Wyatt, Rufus), the mom (Denise), the spunky sister (Jiya), the dad (Connor) and their crazy uncle (Flynn). Flynn’s still a bit on the outside since his only loyalty at this point is to Lucy. Though he has provided some good insight and advice. The rest of the team is ride or die. They fight, they make up, they will save each other at any cost, they mourn together, and they will never give up. Time Team Forever!

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6. We have to talk about that ending! What was your reaction to future Lucy and future Wyatt traveling back to their own timeline? And any theories on how they accomplish traveling to your own timeline?

Catherine: When I saw the second ship I was really hoping Rufus would be on it! But that it was future Lucy and future Wyatt was jaw-dropping!! I mean, WHAT?! I wasn’t expecting that at all.

Micheale: I loved seeing the badass future Lucy and Wyatt show up and ask the team if they were ready to go back and save Rufus! I wish I was smart enough to figure out how they could travel back to their own timeline, but we know future Lucy has already done it once to give Flynn her journal. My working assumption is that Jiya and Connor work together and figure out a way to make this type of time travel possible, probably driven by their grief over the loss of Rufus.

Mark: First of all, to the writers–BRILLIANT ENDING! It definitely had the “tingle” factor. The reaction on Twitter when future Wyatt and Lucy appeared at the Lifeboat door was something to behold! What’s clear is that somebody in the near future (I say near because the future Wyatt and Lucy only looked a little older than present day) has come up with a way to travel back to a time when you already existed. If I knew how I’d have my own island somewhere but perhaps it involves the travelers from the future wiping the memories of their present-day selves before they head back to the future. Or maybe future Wyatt and Lucy are prevented from interacting with present-day Wyatt and Lucy somehow.

Robin: Shock and awe! I don’t know what to think about the HUGE cliffhanger, how do we explain traveling back to your own timeline? Maybe in the future, they figure out how to go back to your own timeline without adverse reactions. With all the twists and turns it was hard to keep my head on straight. The brilliance of the writers is unparalleled to any other show on TV in my opinion.

Kalena: EXCITED! It was like if Terminator 2 Sarah Connor was able to go back and meet The Terminator Sarah Connor. I’m looking at you badass Lucy! We’ve always known this was possible since future Lucy brought Flynn the journal which was during her own timeline. Technology keeps improving. They’ll find a way.

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7. Timeless dropped a huge cliffhanger on us. If and when it gets picked up for another season, what would you most like to see in season 3?

Catherine: Obviously, the first thing I would want to see is that they go back for Rufus, and explain how they are “crossing” timelines. I would also like to find out more about Lucy’s journal and Jiya’s visions, and see what happens with Jessica and Wyatt’s baby.

Micheale: The first thing I want in Season 3 is the safe return of Rufus to the Time Team. There just can’t be a team without him. I’m a shameless Lyatt shipper, so I do want to see the relationship between Lucy and Wyatt grow and deepen next season. There is still so much growth and development that can happen with each character and the team, plus there are so many stories left to tell. I hope Timeless gets more seasons to tell these important stories.

Mark: Firstly, I want to see Rufus safe and alive again! After that, I would like to see a continuation of the central theme of the fight against Rittenhouse and how it impacts different key moments in history. There is still so much of history to be explored I could never see a lack of storylines in that regard being a problem. I would also like to find out more about the backstory of how Lucy came to give Flynn the journal. We have been told the bare bones but there has to be such more to tell. And what about what Flynn was going to say to Lucy in 1888 San Francisco just before Wyatt walked in the room? I also want to see how #Lyatt develops. Most of all I just want to see season 3 happen!

Robin: More, more and more of the same! More history lessons each week, more love triangles, more Rittenhouse twists. Bring on season 3! The Clockblockers are on the edge of our seats.

Kalena: Multiple doppelgangers working together! When it’s done well, it’s one of my favorite storylines. It shows you who you are or who you were or who you might become or who you’ll never be. So many possibilities!

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Final Verdict: Timeless dropped a huge cliffhanger that only has us wanting more!

If you thought Timeless went bigger and better this season, they took the cake in the season finale. Not only did the writers deliver an educational and entertaining history lesson with Harriet Tubman and the Civil War, they also delivered an action-packed, emotional ride for the Time Team as well as the audience! The Time Team was able to keep history from changing in the Civil War, only to have the Lifeboat stolen right underneath their noses in the present. Jiya doesn’t accept her fate as a Rittenhouse prisoner and orchestrates her escape in the Lifeboat. She is unable to stick the landing and ends up lost in history! Rittenhouse and the Time Team follow Jiya to 1888 San Francisco. Emma kills both Carol (Susanna Thompson) and Nicholas (Michael Rady) as they prevent her from taking out Lucy for the last time. Jiya is able to change her vision and prevent Rufus’ death, only for him to die moments later in a different manner. The Time Team returns to the present, distraught and broken. Inspired by Rufus’ selflessness towards Jiya, Wyatt finally admits he loves Lucy! When all hope is lost for the team, a mysterious second Lifeboat jumps to their bunker with a future version of Wyatt and Lucy, intent on traveling back to when Rufus was shot!

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Timeless delivered a jaw-dropping season finale that perfectly balanced mystery, intrigue, humor, romance, and heartbreak. We were hoping that Jiya’s vision could be altered to save Rufus, and it did, for a brief minute. Rufus died a few moments later, leaving the characters and the audience heartbroken. But is anything set in stone when you have a time machine? The cliffhanger opens up to so many possibilities and asks so many questions. How did they engineer the Lifeboat to allow traveling back to your own timeline? Is this the first mission that the future versions of Lucy and Wyatt have gone on? Can they really go back to 1888 and save Rufus? And what will Emma be planning now that’s she’s the leader of Rittenhouse? We hope all these questions will be answered with a season three renewal!