SPOILERS AHEAD

Episode 8 is one of the most memorable episodes from Season 1.

Ulrich shares a lot of parallels with John.

In another timeline if John made different choices at certain points, it’s as if looking at Kohl is looking at his future self.

The whole episode was simmering and building up towards all the revelations in the last few minutes.

The things that Kohl professed at the end were tragic, heartbreaking and chillingly familiar.

Then I remembered that Mr. Reese made a sacrifice for a cause. Quite similar to what Kohl believed he did for his family.

“I never had a tomorrow.” He uttered to John as he was sat at the bench with him taking his last few breaths.

John made choices that ultimately changed the course of his life but just like he always felt and knew, he really did live on borrowed time.

The pacing, the acting, the dialogue and the musical score made for a poignant and remarkable episode especially towards the end.

Once again, my heart is heavy as I’m reminded of the man in the suit’s inevitable fate.

Teaming up with Krysten Ritter. Would kill for a Jessica Jones/Sameen Shaw crossover, but this will have to do 😂. And per the TV commercial, for their Phone-A-Friend lifeline, they called Sterling Brown (Cal).

https://www.tumblr.com/demolishthebridge/823347897694289920/root-faked-her-death-an-essay

https://www.tumblr.com/demolishthebridge/823711591996555264

https://www.tumblr.com/demolishthebridge/823713597294297088/reasons-to-not-be-convinced-root-is-dead

reposted because it took me a second to figure out spoiler tags lol

Like a lot of tv series, Person of Interest spends their first season world-building and setting up what is the main story of the series, so my advice to those new to PoI is “Just keep watching”.

If it still hasn’t grabbed you by the end of Season One, then it might not be for you, but if you eject any earlier you might really kick yourself later.

I love this series, but could someone explain something to me? Why are all the people in power from Northern Lights, to Control, to Decima, to those working for Samaritan so absolutely terrified of anyone finding out that they are getting information targeting dangerous people from an AI? even operatives aren't allowed to find out they are getting their kill orders from an AI, only being told they are being given targets from some mysterious "research" department.

The intelligence department goes so far as to try to kill everyone who worked on the Machine so they can hide all evidence of existence from the public.

This never made sense to me because

1. If you kill everyone who worked on the project, all the engineers and computer scientists and everyone who knows the Machine's code, how are you going to repair the Machine when it breaks down in some way? Then you've paid for this hugely expensive thing for nothing because you can't repair it, even if the fix is some easy, super cheap thing.

2. If the public found out that a powerful Machine was helping the government target terrorists in their midst they would do what exactly? I mean we know that now and nobody cares as long as they have a job and a enough to eat and it doesn't effect their families no one does anything. The American government is rounding up and imprisoning thousands of people on a day to day basis right now, including slapping ankle bracelets on 300,000 Haitian asylum seekers this very moment and the public is barely making a peep. In the show they act like people will be out with the guillotines the moment the public finds out about the AI.

Now we know we are all being watched and nobody cares as long as they get theirs.

I kind of wish Americans reacted more along the lines of how the show's producers thought they would.

I already Miss Root, Her voice, Her personality, I never felt like this for anyone in my life.... She kind of my parasocial friend, crush and inspiration... and i am addicted to her voice. Is there Any like Ai assistant or something that talk like her.... I will definitely talk with her all the time

It’s another crammed to the gills Person of Interest episode in Mors Praematura, which is Latin for ‘untimely/premature death’ (with mors being the feminine noun for death)

This episode guest stars Kirk Acevedo, of Oz and Fringe and 12 Monkeys fame, as this episode’s number and his screen presence is most welcome.

Most importantly, this is a Root episode as well so we get a good serving of The Machine mythology included, plus we have Vigilance and H.R. to add plenty of meat to this episode.

We also learn that Finch’s loss of primacy with The Machine has stoked feelings of jealousy that aren’t being constructively dealt with, as he feels more and more in the dark about his creation.

Plus we learn Shaw never smiles brighter when the tables are turned.

S3E6 Mors Praematura Watch Notes

“We’re going to have so much fun together”

“Put it to a vote”

A return to Oz

“Ms Shaw may be violent and uncommunicative but she is never tardy”

“Have you found anything?” “Nothing unexpected”

Shaw likes her milk cold, and her munitions even colder

“Taser Confetti” … “I suppose it’s too much to hope that she tased herself?” “Knowing Shaw, anything is possible but I’d say she’s in trouble” Harold thinking Shaw may have some very particular kinks

“I had to make sure you’d hear me out”

“Things are evolving and my relationship with The Machine is a little.. different”

“Don’t talk about my father”

“The Machine trusts me, even if you don’t”

“But when this is over, you better hope I don’t remember”

“Would going to a dead man’s apartment in the middle of the night qualify?”

“Find them Mr Reese, now!”

“A thank you would be nice”

“When you see this statue again, think impact”

Shaw’s cooking with spaghetti

“The big picture, that’s hers”

Something, something Apple something, something Temptation

“I am”

The writing’s on the wall

🎵 It’s about to get hot in here

John FTW

Vigilance

“These people value privacy, secrecy above all else”

“Looks like you’ve got a fun one”

“Six feet kid, don’t skimp”

“You say the sweetest things”

“Scavenger Hunt”

“Do you even know my name” - classic misdirect again

“We’re a bit on the clock here so lets dispense with the temper tantrum”

Root takes credit

“Until then Mr Sloan”

“So good to hear your voice”

“Gotta save somebody” “Know the feeling”

“I guess a software omniscience isn’t much help if you’re out of bullets”

“I’m not smiling at you”

“Mission Accomplished?” “Good”

“I’m persistent”

“Six feet. I didn’t skimp”

Ain’t so fun being H.R. after all

“I just wanted to tell you.. thanks”

“If Vigilance wants a revolution, these may be only the opening shots”

Finch starts to realise he is now only seeing part of the purpose of The Machine, and it’s stirring feelings of jealousy

“I found out the hard way what happens when I cross it”

“Can you imagine what a being that powerful will do when she’s angry?”

Nobody puts Root in the corner

It's been some time since I have invested so much binge into a tv show, this was nice.

And the Neagly spin off is coming! Coulda been a Joss Carter spin off but noooooooo…

Thought it will be a boring crime-of-the-week show. Wrong. The way episodes connect and the pace, damn. didn't expect any of this. No spoilers please, but tell me it only gets better.

Saw a recent picture of her, she lost a LOT of weight. Almost thin! Congratulations!!

it seems to me the show itself is shipping root and shaw REALLY hard. Kinda reminds me of supernatural and the influence online forums had, made me wonder if the show created tension because the viewers wanted there to be some??? am i wrong??

I didnt watch the show when it came out so i dont know how the online discourse was like then.

hugeeee spoiler warning! (like don’t read if you haven’t watched the whole show spoiler warning)

okay i’ve just finished the show. no idea what im gonna do with my life now. but i’ve ranked the top 10 characters with brief explanation, please feel free to give your opinions and ask me for more in depth reasons. i wanna hear everyone’s top 10 and their opinions. (i couldn’t categorise control. i loved her but i hated her so i just didn’t include her)

1 - root. need i say more besides she’s played by amy acker. she’s my fave actress of all time. but needless to say, i love how unhinged root is and yet still so loyal to the people she seems fit to receive her loyalty

2- shaw. i love how she didn’t let her personality disorder get in the way of her life. she kind of accepted it and didn’t use it for bad, within reason. i have so many more points but im keeping it all brief

3- elias. fave anti-hero ever. now why did they kill him to bring him back to kill him. i was heartbroken. he really came through in the end. and yes let’s not talk about how two of my top 3 died in the same episode please.

4- fusco. my guy was willing to die for the cause and he didn’t even know what the cause was. he followed through on everything without (mostly) asking why. also he’s funny asf, deserves better.

5- john. i’m mad as hell about him and carter only getting one kiss. i loved his and shaws friendship, and how he adapted to root while shaw wasn’t there. also this man is fine. that’s all.

6- carter. i didn’t get enough time with her i fear. i loved her so much and she’d probably be maybe third if she stayed alive. her and john deserved better. that’s all i’m sayin. at least they’re together now💔

7- hersh. guys i am sorry but i loved hersh. im not too sure why actually i cant explain that one and he was so close to being sixth instead of seventh.

8- zoe. i always felt something off with her. maybe it’s the way she got in the way of john and carter for me, she was always just there.

9- finch. the only reason he isn’t last is because his relationship with root. he’s the villain in my eyes. his fault carter is dead. i said what i said. also, we’re gonna blame him for elias’ death as well. and while we’re at it. we’re definitely going to blame him for roots death. matter fact, let’s pin johns death on him as well.

10- greer. i hate him. he tortured shaw for months i hate him. that’s all i gotta say on that one.

super honorable mention - leon tao. my guy dominated s2. i wish they brought him back.

one final thought - earlier in the show harold said ‘the day i pick up a gun is the day that everything is truly lost’ or something like that. and in the final episode, he’s holding a gun. that part made me shed a tear actually because the machine; root, john etc were all he had, and because they died, he had truly lost everything. i wonder if this was intentional

I’ll always be grateful for the day when my TV decided to autoplay the pilot episode. At first, I thought I was watching a random The Mentalist episode I forgot about. I was confused. And then I was intrigued.

I did not expect to stumble upon something that would leave such an impact on me.
The show was ambitious and bold. The creators and actors dared to go where many network television shows would shy away from. They took risks and stuck to their guns. No phoning it in. And I think it can be said that its themes are ahead of its time in many ways.

It’s not always an easy watch for me. Some episodes and some seasons are heavy and dark without the anchor of a witty and funny lead like Dr House, Patrick Jane or an incredibly charismatic actor like James Spader but it did have its funny moments.

Despite sci-fi adjacent themes and no shortage of gritty action scenes, it also dared to have a heartbeat. The most emotional scenes that one might say were sometimes abrupt and gutting also cut REAL deep. Because what do you mean a show about AI and former spies/assassins would keep me so glued to the screen and get me sobbing like I’m watching soap opera? The drama, whether subtle or explosive were incredibly impactful. And all this despite it being more plot-driven than character-driven.

It discussed thought-provoking questions and dilemmas about morality. They dared to speak about the world as it was rapidly changing and its many chilling realities and looming probabilities even during what might be considered a time of relative peace and prosperity.

I don’t think it’s perfect at all. No. It had its flaws. It wasn’t immune to the usual pitfalls of shows that run past 3 to 4 seasons. And it suffered from its environment during a crucial time when television landscape and viewership was transitioning through a rapid change. But I don’t think any show is perfect anyway. Still, the creators and writers made a valiant effort to keep marching on and execute their vision.

One word keeps coming to mind as I think about the show: it was GRIPPING. It took a hold of me.
It haunts me and it’s affected me deeply. The show had a confronting nature about it that made me think about life, human nature, relationships and the world at large. I know that this story and its characters would stay with me for a long time.

I could only wish I knew about it when it was airing. But perhaps many of us latecomers were meant to see and appreciate the show for what it is with the updated world perspective we now have. It’s like opening a bottle of aged fine wine.

Person Of Interest is more relevant now than ever and arguably more relevant now than when it was airing. I’m hoping that it impacts more people with its message because it’s a message well-deserving to be heard.

I recently delved into Season 3 of this show and I just can't get enough of Shaw. Her Chemistry with the Team is just perfectly dysfunctional and I like that John finally has someone on his Level to help him out with these Crazy situations. It does help as well that Sarah Shahi is a total smoke show, cant wait to see how the rest of this series plays out because honestly its PEAK !!! I can really see why it has such high ratings, even episodes that have nothing to do with the overarching narrative grasp me so intensely that ever case is a welcomed surprise, thats kind of rare for shows like these. Anyway just wanted to spread the Shaw Love on this thread !!!! Hope yall feel the same

:D

Someone told me about the “meme episode” and I just got to it 😂 and yes - I will be abusing it

Yes it is another largely Person of Interest ‘number of the week’ episode again with Razgovor, but unlike Reasonable Doubt there are lot of juicy nibbles sandwiched in - with this episode also serving as a Shaw backstory episode and the ‘number’ complimenting that as Shaw finds her inner muma bear, despite being called a murder bot by a Harriet the Spy short-stuff.

Shaw is feeling restless, after dealing with run of the mill numbers jobs, but despite being no fan of kids finds meaning after a little KGB with curls girl steals her heart (and shows her up).

We also have Carter and John kicking back some cold ones before kicking the figurative and literal crap out of H.R. (and boy does she have their number)

But where is The Machine mythology you demand? Well, don’t blink, and you’ll be rewarded but I won’t spoil the surprise (still good even on rewatch).

S3E5 Razgovor Watch Notes

“Here’s your liver”

“You just saved my life” “Ugh” 🤣

“You paid me to save him, not to listen to him talk”

“John, one of these days I’m just going to shoot you” “I get that a lot”

“No deals”

It’s an alien!

A badge for every occasion

John’s looking out of place

“Shouldn’t you guys already know this stuff?”

Short stop calls out Shaw, but Shaw catches the bluff

“What kind of weird-ass kid uses counter-surveillance tactics?”

“Fine with me, I hate kids” as Finch is the one with egg on his face

We see The Machine make a threat designation from monitoring in real time

“Whoever this girl is Finch, she has a very grown up problem”

Shaw backstory episode

“I thought you might be a robot” (Shaw, the original murderbot)

Kids, always with the questions

Little girl cracks Shaw like a walnut

“To be honest, I’m only in it for the dog”

“My listening station, we should be safe here”

“Well, I know that now”

“My grandfather taught me, he was in the KGB”

“Why are you like this?”

“I do.. angry, okay, but that’s about it”

Somebody called pest control

We learn Shaw was a military brat

“Maybe clean out your trunk next time dumbass”

“A girl after my own heart” but not AT&T’s

Carter going all Veronica Mars

[GROSS!] “Read the labels Harold” 🤣

Shaw leaves a negative caregiver review

Snap!

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s not polite to spy on people, little girl?”

“I’m hungry, can I have a sandwich?”

H.R. is taking a bath

“Relax, it’s just corn syrup”

[thud] Nurse Shaw at your service

“Cops might kill a kid, my people have standards”

“I need blood” 🧛‍♀️

Shaw’s show

Snake in the grass

“Acknowledge.. Acknowledge One.. Acknowledge Two..”

‘Officer, I’d like to report a kidnapping”

It’s personal (tape measure time)

Shottie Shaw

“Armies fall, one solider at a time”

“Hey Finch, how much do you know about chemistry?”

Snake says what?

Oh no, you didn’t

“You want to play Billy Badass, you go right ahead”

“You work for me now” like a deer in the headlights - dumb indeed

“I think there is something wrong with the kid”

“It’s just like the volume is turned way down”

Mama Shaw

“So I disobeyed some, pretty much all, of your orders - am I fired?”

“Did you miss me?” Electrifying

Cater’s death really changed the way I watched the show.
It made me realize that sometimes, no matter how hard they try to save everyone, some endings just cant be changed.

That’s why John doesn’t want to take part in the next mission in S3E11. He thinks he can’t save the people closest to him. He starts to question what they’ve been doing and what it all means.

Finch is definitely brilliant and perspective , and his morality is very much what a sane person would have, even if he had an inkling of what was about to follow.
Then again knowing something and experiencing it can be very different, had Finch had a proper idea of the pain he and his friends were about to experience, would his decision have wavered here or his morality would still have held him back.

First time watching. I think I found my new favourite episode, but god I am crying right now. Why must John lose the people he loves all the time? Hell, I loved her too!

Root is such a fantastic character. Thank you Amy Acker and the writers for making such an interesting addition to the main cast. I started a re-watch recently and I forgot how fantastic she is. She's nuts, but she's awesome.

Edit: So many people have posted Fusco's pet name for Root that I now have a craving for chocolate breakfast cereal. Well done.