The fallout of a character’s death isn’t something easy to handle, but Person of Interest deals with Carter’s in a creative, moving, and flat out brilliant way that serves as a thrilling capper to a wonderful half season.
It would be fairly simple to descend into the overly melodramatic, but the show instead opts to use its stylistic flair and its intimate knowledge of each character to evoke an even stronger sense of loss. For example, the opening credits are missing here, instead having the fantastic, mood setting montage of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” (fantastic song choice, by the way) cut to a black screen for a few seconds. Much like the lack of a “Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode” last week, the show is paying homage to its fallen character.
As for the intimate knowledge, the episode is structured around a series of flashbacks that delineate how exactly various characters used to deal with loss compared to how they do it now. They each strove for something greater, but they couldn’t shake the doubts burrowed in their minds. The flashbacks provide insight into the pasts of each person while drawing myriad parallels between them, unifying them under the presence of Carter. In fact, usually the person sitting across from them would be a Carter-type figure, helping set them straight and attempting to connect on a deeper level; the difference here is that Carter would actually succeed, and this is a very clever way of conveying that sense of loss.
That sense of loss permeates the present day as well; instead of focusing on Carter’s funeral, we get to see how each character is affected by it, none more so than Reese. It’s a striking change to see him so unhinged and raw, and he’s a very different man than he was in that flashback. Yet, it’s completely realistic; sometimes we forget that Reese is a human being with real feelings, and Caviezel does a marvelous job of portraying a man essentially killing himself over his partner’s death, willing to do anything it takes to serve cold, hard justice. I like that he slips up and ends up trying to shoot Quinn; although the gun doesn’t go off, it reminds us just how far Reese is willing to go, and it’s, quite frankly, an inherently human decision.
Of course, it isn’t just Reese that’s affected. Every other character wears some type of metaphorical mask, attempting to cover up the grief, guilt, and frustration that each is feeling. However, they’re still able to make sensible decisions; Shaw and Finch realize how useful Root is and the necessity to put aside their differences, so they do so. They’re not going to lose someone else.
Oh, and how awesome is Root in this episode? Really. Freaking. Awesome. Kinda hot, too, according to Shaw.
At the end, Fusco gets his moral victory by electing to arrest Simmons instead of killing him. It’s a thrilling moment because even now, he’s paying his respects to Carter by honoring her wishes. In fact, that fight scene draws parallels to Reese’s fistfight with Simmons, and both men had similar attitudes toward killing: some people deserve it. It’s a very interesting aspect to explore, and that’s only strengthened by Elias’s final lines. He respects Carter and he values civilized actions, and Simmons deserves what’s coming to him; Elias won’t get his hands dirty, but sometimes, justice needs to be swift and permanent. People are going to die, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end all be all for a person’s legacy; Carter’s character was all about how she affected others, and we continue to see her live on today. She’s not going away anytime soon.
GRADE: A
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-Fusco’s face when Root’s telling him everything she knows about him. Hilarious.
-“Tall, dark, and deranged.”
-“He lost a lot of blood. I’m gonna steal some more from Manhattan General.”
-Powerful acting from everyone tonight. They conveyed so much through just their facial expressions.
-I have to say, I was at first inclined to write a review that went like this: HOLY SHIT THIS WAS AWESOME. I MEAN, YOU HAD REESE JUST ACTING BADASS AND DISPATCHING A BUNCH OF BAD GUYS, AND THEN ROOT WITH HER TWO GUNS JUST BLASTING IT UP, AND AN AWESOME FISTFIGHT, AND THEN OH MAN ELIAS THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT.
Credit to CBS and Person of Interest for all pictures. I own nothing.
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Reblogged this on carmillaweirdlove and commented:
Yessss!!!!!!
Watched two episode on OnDemand, and I really like it so far. It’s especially nice seeing Amy Acker in a regular capacity, and she plays crazy well(see also Dollhouse).
Good to hear! Which two?
5-and-a-half years later, this is still one of the best constructed, most impactful episodes of one of the best television shows I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch. I have to tip my hat to you for covering this show so faithfully.