Person of Interest Review: Dirty Sexy Money

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This was my favorite episode yet.

All the wheels of Person of Interest are seemingly coming together and the fluidity and pace of "Judgment" kept me actually interested in what was happening. That's right, I wasn't bored by the case or the story itself.

Maybe it was because it felt a lot like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, and I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and style of those films. The tone of Person of Interest is certainly darker than most, as vigilante justice is key in taking down the bad guys that the police and FBI cannot.

Breakfast of Champions

Reese has been growing on me and it's because he seems to be developing and growing as a character. Or Jim Caviezel is becoming more comfortable with his portrayal. Either way, I'm a fan of this primetime hero.

He's definitely amped up his ass-kicking abilities. There was more than one fight scene of quick punching, blocking and arm breaking. I love that finally a bad guy actually decides to use his gun during a fist fight, even if it really doesn't do anything to Reese. I swear, he's like a Terminator.

Even the notch on his voice level was turned up to where you could actually hear most of the clever or short things he was saying. He may not say a lot, but sometimes there's a lot of meaning behind his words. It's all about reading between those lines. Or recognizing that he's not messing around.

Also, the way Reese glides in and out of places when he pleases adds to his mysterious edge. One minute he was talking to Fusco, and the next, Fusco was talking to himself. Reese remains in control of his situations and that confidence makes him just as dangerous.

Someone must have told him that his personality needed a check, though, because he was coming up with more quippy lines and that growing small smirk that screamed "I'm bad ass."  Driving around the Russians in his car trunk and playing "two cats in a bag" continued to show that he means business. The bad guys go down whether its a bullet to the body or a fist to the face.

In the end, Reese wins. I'm surprised no one has given him a nickname yet.

It was fantastic that "Judgment" was bookended by the opening and closing scenes of the diner. They were small moments but gave just that tiny bit of insight into Finch and Reese. Only when one lets their guard down slightly will the other do the same. Their own mistrust and attempts to learn about one another make for an interesting, dynamic team.

Even the plot about the Russians kidnapping the son was rather intriguing. There was no twist that the victim was actually the perpetrator or vice versa. Rather, there was plenty of mystery behind the gang, their leader (who looked a lot like he belonged in the world of Fringe. Guess J.J. Abrams shows really do collide sometimes), and their end goal. Could they be back to face off against Reese again? He certainly left that option open by handing the group members over to the police.

Unfortunately, the episode wasn't without its faults, either.

Finch fell short for me this week. Aside from the opening and closing, he felt like a secondary character that stated the obvious. Yes, we know the Machine picks up numbers connected to malice and violence. Yes, we know you need to find a way to save the Judge. You don't have to spoon feed the audience. Simply show us. We're smart enough.

And for some reason, I'm still having a hard time liking Detective Carter. I just don't understand why she's so determined to catch "the man in the suit." Doesn't she have other cases that don't involve Reese? I'd almost rather see Fusco go head to head with Reese (which would never be possible). Carter lacks any dimensionality or background yet for me to see her as an equal opponent. She adds very little to her scenes. Maybe down the road? Just don't wait too long.

Overall, the episode was filled with a sense of closure, cool moments, the good guy winning and some great concluding music to bring it all together. The score featured a simple rhythm, but it complemented the emotions and tone of the show. It was upbeat and triumphant, as well as dark and mysterious.

This series is on a gradual upswing and I like what it's becoming. Let's just hope it's own number doesn't eventually come up.

Judgment Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 (237 Votes)

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.

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Person of Interest Season 1 Episode 5 Quotes

It's time we go for a little ride.

Reese

Reese: Thank you.
Finch: I beg your pardon?
Reese: For giving me a job.
Finch: Try the eggs benedict, Mr. Reese. I've had them many times.