Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe)’s Timeline and Summary
- In 1990, Dr. Kathryn Railly is called to analyze a homeless man who roughed up five police officers. It's none other than James Cole. She swears she's seen him somewhere before, believing he has been institutionalized previously.
- She diagnosis him as mentally ill and has him transferred to a mental hospital where she heads his treatment.
- Cole attempts to escape the institution, and Railly is rebuked for her leniency concerning such a dangerous patient.
- Although fully restrained, Cole manages to escape anyway. We're wondering how hard she threw his Houdini act in her boss' face. Pretty hard, we're guessing.
- Six years later, we find Railly is a popular author giving a lecture at a university.
- After a book signing, she's kidnapped by Cole, who has returned from the future. He forces her to drive him to Philadelphia to investigate the Army of the 12 Monkeys.
- During the road trip, they are constantly being updated on a news story about Ricky Neuman, a kid who is said to have fallen down a well. Cole claims it is a prank.
- In Philadelphia, they learn from the Freedom for Animals Association that Jeffery Goines is the founder of the Army of the 12 Monkeys.
- Cole locks her in the trunk while he goes to confront Goines. After he fails to get the necessary information, he lets her out.
- The police arrive to free her, but Cole disappears before he can be apprehended.
- At her home, she watches a news report. It seems that Ricky Neuman kid really did pull a prank. He'd been hiding in a barn the whole time. She starts to think Cole may have been right.
- Railly goes the Freedom for Animals Association to ask them more questions. At their headquarters, she reunites with Cole.
- Finally believing Cole's story, she decides to run away with him to Key West.
- On the way to the airport, they learn the Army of the 12 Monkeys released the animals from the zoo. She and Cole are both relieved to learn that the Army's plan was a silly prank.
- At the airport, Railly recognizes Dr. Peters as the apocalypse fanboy she met at her book signing. She also discovers he's Dr. Goines' assistant and realizes he is the one who actually releases the virus.
- Railly and Cole attempt to stop Dr. Peters from boarding the airplane. Cole breaks past airport security and tries to shoot Dr. Peters, but the police gun Cole down before he is successful.
- Railly stays by Cole's side during his final moments. As she is being taken away by the police, she spies a young boy who witnessed the event.
- Realizing this is a young James Cole, she smiles sadly at him.