Person of Interest Review: Closer to Corruption

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At first, "Blue Code" felt like your run of the mill episode about an undercover cop.

The police officer, Cahill, was a family man with a personal vendetta and of course, the group he's infiltrated soon realized one of them wasn't as trustworthy as they once thought. Cue a few similarities to The Departed in trying to maintain the cover for as long as possible and avoid the dirty cops from blowing his identity into the open.

Standard stuff, right?

Carter and Reese Together

And, naturally, Finch was behind his computer the whole time clicking away and Reese did all the handy work in the field.

Although Reese did manage to get pretty beat up. Call it taking one for the team, but I wouldn't want to get shot or lit on fire, especially for a guy I don't know. But that's Reese, he's out to save people, even at the cost of his own life.

However, it was the ending that turned everything upside down and ramped up the drama, taking this episode into unfamiliar territory.

And if there's one thing I've noticed, it's that Person of Interest drives home powerful endings. There's always a sense of conclusion without complete cheesiness, and the greater story bleeds through giving a dramatic solid feel for the plot and characters.

Sure, Reese saved Cahill and Cahill was able to arrest the mysterious L.O.S. (I wonder if he is working with Elias?). Reese even saved Fusco from what seemed like certain death. But the victories were rather bittersweet.

Not only did we learn that the CIA is tied up in drug trafficking, clearly reaping the benefits, and so well connected that an arrest doesn't have any effect. The corruption rises higher than the local police, and when one of them makes a mistake, it costs them their life. Reese's former company isn't forgiving and that's scary.

But the worst was seeing lovably loyal Fusco standing up for the good, willing to die for cleaning his dirty hands, only to have Reese tell him he can't.

Reese would rather Fusco take the fall for the murder, so he can get closer to the dirty cops. It's understandable to want to remain close to the corruption, but forcing Fusco to go the opposite direction is disappointing.

Fusco has come closer and closer to joining the ranks of the good guys, but Reese's necessity for his cause throws a horrible wrench in his character.

Not only is Fusco reluctantly required to travel down the road he wanted to escape, but he's becoming indebted to another person. This guy can't catch a break and I feel bad. As much as I'm a fan of Reese, I'm not a fan of what he's willing to do to Fusco. Will the ends justify the means?

It was that somber ending overlapped with Reese and Finch's "victory" that made the episode more than standard. That's how to make some compelling TV.

And while the flashbacks did illustrate Reese's longing for his loved one and difficulties in completely giving himself to his job, they and subsequent flashbacks haven't been as interesting as the present focus. Still, unraveling the mystery of the characters in small doses gives the series more than just the procedural aspects.

Once again, Person of Interest delivers and it looks like the show is only going to get better.

Blue Code Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 (249 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 15 Quotes

Let me guess, you need another favor.

Fusco

Fusco: Anything else I should know?
Finch: Don't get caught.