Person of Interest S4E20 - Terra Incognita

This week on Person of Interest, what the hell was that?? I was not ready and I don't know what to make of this because I'm in tears. Goddamn this show...


I was really confused during the first half of the episode. I knew Carter was going to be back, and seeing John go after a case Carter could not solve alone, while the others determined if the Machine was functioning properly was great. But I could not figure out what the purpose of the "flashbacks" was. Until I realised that they were not real. It seems they were based on an actual stakeout, which explains the presence of Harold and Fusco, but in the end they were John's hallucinations while he was dying. And once that was revealed this episode got too real, too heartbreaking, and I am not okay.

I have to say I was not expecting this show to delve deeper into the mind of John Reese. This show has established his character by nature as very quiet and closed off, so it was surprising to see the show examine that and the reasons for it. And to show that this was/is what is going to kill him.

For John himself it is devastating to realise that he never opened up to anyone after Jessica. He may have thought his relationship with Carter as a close one, but he even shut her out, even though her experiences made her understand his situation the best. It is sad that it took a near death experience for him to realise what not trusting anyone might cost him.

I was almost convinced by the end that John was going to die. To be fair, it would have been a beautiful way for him to go, so I would not have even been that mad about it. And, to be quite honest, John is the most expendable member of the team. There is another ex-CIA killer in the team, you know, if/when Shaw returns. Root has her special connection with the Machine, Harold is the brains of the operation, Fusco their proper police contact and Shaw brings much needed female energy, so technically if someone dies, John would be the "logical" choice. Not that I want him to die! I'd prefer no one dies, but let's face it, that's not gonna happen. But I was still very happy to see Fusco (at least I'm guessing it was him, maybe it was all three of them) arrive in time to save John. Sure, he might not be out of the water yet, but looks like John's going to make it.

I loved the moment Harold sees Root in a wedding dress. "...Congratulations?" That was awesome. And also Carter commenting on John's new role as a detective was great. "Even got you a partner. Poor Fusco.."

I don't quite know what else to say about this episode since it is so heavy. Looking forward to the final episodes of this season!