Some spoilers ahoy. Lots of feels here. I held my breath too long, fearing the worst. Michael Emerson wins the gold for his ability to portray emotion in an understated style, expressed in subtle changes within his eyes, face, etc.
This episode brings big wins for Team Machine on all fronts, interspersed with alternate reality scenes. The Machine calculates how life would most likely have turned out for Root, Shaw, Reese, Fusco, Finch, Nathan, Carter, and even Peck from "No Good Deed" if Harold had never created The Machine. "It's NOT a Wonderful Life."
The episode opens in California and ends in Fort Meade, Maryland, courtesy of a private plane and a stolen semi-autonomous Tesla Car, smoothly chauffeured by the goddess herself. Lol.
Several scenes lack credulity — especially breaking into Fort Meade — but so what? They've got an ASI on their side. And after so many losses since Evil Eye was first activated at the end of season 3, it's good to see Team Machine score a few solid wins. About damn time!
We've got Harold Finch going rogue with the Ice-9 virus he stole from (Vonnegut) Fort Kelly AFB in the last episode. The Machine (through synecdoche representing our lost comrade Root) helps Harold pursue his goal, even though it means her own likely demise. Poignant and heartwarming interactions between Harold and his brainchild.
Reese and Shaw try to guard Finch at Fortress Meade when the Machine gives them a clue embedded within a phone call. A few humorous interactions play out between the two friends, as when Reese echoes Willy Wonka, totally deadpan. We even see them with Bear for a moment — but who has been feeding him for the past week?
Meanwhile, back at the precinct, Fusco deals with a dirty FBI agent. Things get TENSE, with no help from his partner, radio silent in the NSA Shadow Box.
Greer felt too melodramatic in this episode, waxing poetic about The Great Flood and The Great Filter. His actions were fairly stupid — a plot contrivance, because old MI-6 is never stupid. Apparently there's no room on the ark for a moldering old madman who knows too much for Samaritan's comfort (hinted). Samaritan sacrificed him, ultimately a pawn. That's something The Machine would not do to Harold in "Asylum" (4:21). She sacrificed herself instead.
We do learn Greer's alias or possible birth name here. Phillip Hayes.
This episode brings big wins for Team Machine on all fronts, interspersed with alternate reality scenes. The Machine calculates how life would most likely have turned out for Root, Shaw, Reese, Fusco, Finch, Nathan, Carter, and even Peck from "No Good Deed" if Harold had never created The Machine. "It's NOT a Wonderful Life."
The episode opens in California and ends in Fort Meade, Maryland, courtesy of a private plane and a stolen semi-autonomous Tesla Car, smoothly chauffeured by the goddess herself. Lol.
Several scenes lack credulity — especially breaking into Fort Meade — but so what? They've got an ASI on their side. And after so many losses since Evil Eye was first activated at the end of season 3, it's good to see Team Machine score a few solid wins. About damn time!
We've got Harold Finch going rogue with the Ice-9 virus he stole from (Vonnegut) Fort Kelly AFB in the last episode. The Machine (through synecdoche representing our lost comrade Root) helps Harold pursue his goal, even though it means her own likely demise. Poignant and heartwarming interactions between Harold and his brainchild.
Reese and Shaw try to guard Finch at Fortress Meade when the Machine gives them a clue embedded within a phone call. A few humorous interactions play out between the two friends, as when Reese echoes Willy Wonka, totally deadpan. We even see them with Bear for a moment — but who has been feeding him for the past week?
Meanwhile, back at the precinct, Fusco deals with a dirty FBI agent. Things get TENSE, with no help from his partner, radio silent in the NSA Shadow Box.
Greer felt too melodramatic in this episode, waxing poetic about The Great Flood and The Great Filter. His actions were fairly stupid — a plot contrivance, because old MI-6 is never stupid. Apparently there's no room on the ark for a moldering old madman who knows too much for Samaritan's comfort (hinted). Samaritan sacrificed him, ultimately a pawn. That's something The Machine would not do to Harold in "Asylum" (4:21). She sacrificed herself instead.
We do learn Greer's alias or possible birth name here. Phillip Hayes.