“B.S.O.D.” — Reese and Finch attempt to rescue the Machine’s source code before it deteriorates beyond repair. Also, Root fights for her life against an onslaught of Samaritan’s agents and Fusco is faced with hard questions following the deaths of Dominic and Elias, on the fifth season premiere of PERSON OF INTEREST, Tuesday, May 3 (10:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured L-R: Jim Caviezel as John Reese and Michael Emerson as Harold Finch Photo: John Paul Filo/CBS ©2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
This week has particularly been a bummer for me. Another CBS show that I have grown to love over the years, The Good Wife, just aired the penultimate episode of its last season, and in less than a week, that series will be history. And, now, beginning tomorrow night, we head into the final stretch of the quirky, futuristic crime drama that I immediately fell in love with at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011. It was a series like none I had ever seen — very compelling but also unique and original, which is a rarity these days in television. At the time, I thought it was going to be CBS’ next blockbuster — the new “NCIS” — and so, it seems almost surreal that it’s ending just 5 short years later.
Obviously, I can’t help but be sad, as I’m sure the rest of the fans can’t. In fact, the fandom has been in a perpetual state of mourning since the show’s official cancellation was announced almost 2 months ago. However… even though Person of Interest and The Good Wife share a common fate, there is one big difference, and one that none of us should forget — POI’s cancellation wasn’t dropped mid-season, and so that the writers had more than enough time to give the series the proper send-off that it most certainly deserves. We got a final season. We got 13 more chances to hear that familiar opening theme, and 13 more chances to see all of our favorite characters. That’s something — in fact, it’s ALOT. I’m a glass half-full kind of girl, and the way I see it, we should all be thankful.
And, that thankfulness should all begin with tomorrow’s season 5 premiere. Wow. Wow. Wow times 10! Get those snacks ready, hit the John, do whatever you need to do because you won’t want to leave that couch the entire hour. The episode begins pretty much where it left off in the season 4 finale with our heroes facing 2 major challenges — getting Finch and the Machine back to the subway before the suitcase’s battery runs out of juice and evading all of the Samaritan operatives who appear to be emerging in exponentially-growing numbers. It’s one dangerous situation and emergency right after another, with Root (Amy Acker) taking the brunt of it after being separated from Finch (Michael Emerson) and Reese (Jim Caviezel).
As an added bonus and as all of the action unfolds, we are also treated to several wonderful flashbacks, which in my opinion, is one of the best things about the series, especially in the earlier seasons. Honestly, one of my favorite characters on the show is Nathan Ingram, and I wasn’t really sure if we’d ever see the guy again, but yes, everyone, Brett Cullen is back reprising the role — and in this particular flashback, being the voice of reason. Now that Finch clearly see the error of his ways by tying the Machine’s hands and inhibiting her growth, we go back to see how Finch struggled with this decision and how Ingram played the devil’s advocate, arguing that regardless of what Finch does, **somebody** will come along and build an AI that is, indeed, uninhibited. The question is, as Ingram points out, does Finch trust that person to build something that is friendly towards humankind?
We also get another fantastic flashback but this one with Grace (Carrie Preston) and also a very, very special guest star — Michael Emerson and Carrie’s Preston little dog, Chumley! If you are a true fan, you’ve probably seen the photos of Michael and Carrie walking that precious little dog, and now, he’s officially a television star. Move over Bear!
Lastly, what about our dear Fusco (Kevin Chapman)? Truth be told, of all the characters on the show, he’s the one whose life I am honestly fearing the most for. The rest of our characters get shot at, electrocuted, and nearly beaten to death in the premiere episode, but Fusco is still the one who is making me nervous as hell. Why? Because he just can’t leave it all alone. He knows something’s up, and as he puts it himself, it’s like he’s stepped into the middle of “The Twilight Zone.” Remember, Samaritan is watching, and his sniffing around ultimately causes her to label him as a potential “disruptor” to her “correction action” but with a status of “Monitoring.” We can only hope that “Monitoring” won’t flip to “Eliminate.”
And, now for a little fun game of “Who said what.” Below are a handful of quotes from the premiere — can you guess who said them and their context? Good luck!
The season 5 premiere of Person of Interest airs tomorrow night at 10/9c on CBS. And, be sure to check back with the site for a full review and recap after the episode’s east-coast airing.
VIDEO
Person of Interest “B.S.O.D.” — Behind The Scenes:
Sneak Peek #1:
Sneak Peek #2:
