POI 02x11: 2 Pi R
Well we’ve gone from the total high of Shadow Box to … this one. I think when deprived of the “Finch and Reese help a number” format, the show kind of lost its way and that’s reflected most in how they used Carter. So here’s some thoughts. Not so much with the GIFs this time.
1. I liked the dynamic between Fusco and Finch. Fusco had useful stuff to do. He and Finch worked well together. Fusco was kind of protective of Finch.
As much as I adore Finch and Reese, I think they’ve been disdainful and dismissive of Fusco to the point where he doesn’t feel like he can go to them for help with HR. (Oh I guess I’m doing the mini version of my Fusco rant here…) I’m hoping this episode starts to build a little more trust.
2. Let’s take a moment to appreciate Carter bringing the glam and being absolutely stunning.
Original
Appreciated? Good, cause now I’m going to rain on the parade. When I first saw the glow up, I was like “oh, this series has never before made this gorgeous woman wear a tight dress. That’s kind of neat.” But the more I thought about it the more I asked why exactly she had to do it at all. This felt like The Show saying “hey, don’t forget she’s conventionally sexy too!” instead of something that flowed naturally for the character or the story. Which brings me to…
3. Everything that Carter did after that was, in my opinion, a disservice to her character. She said early in the episode that she crossed the line a long time ago, but did she? Look I don’t have the best memory for this stuff, so I warmly welcome people telling me I’m wrong about this, but I think Carter’s work with Team Machine has largely consisted of turning a blind eye at strategic times, taking actions that lead directly to keeping innocent people safe or bringing bad people to justice, and providing information to people who she believed were doing good.
What she does in this episode is way the hell over the Rubicon from that. There’s the breaking and entering and tampering with evidence and impeding a federal investigation. I could probably get over that (though where the hell did she learn to pick a lock?).
But she straight up roofies a completely innocent dude!! I guess they were trying to establish that she asked him about his medical history to make sure she wouldn’t kill him or something but that doesn’t change the fact that drugging someone unconscious is felony assault in NY! (Yes, I looked it up.) This wasn’t to save someone’s life. This was to get John out of jail. You mean to tell me that brilliant Harold couldn’t come up with some way to get John out that didn’t involve Carter - who previously had a firm moral compass - assaulting a totally innocent person? Heck, they couldn’t get Zoe, a more morally flexible character who already dresses like that, to do that part?
Ok the more I think about this the more annoyed I get. Let’s move on.
4. Michael Emerson is a great actor. It was great to see him get to flex a bit here.
5. I could be getting this wrong (again, please correct me) but I think this is the first time since season 1 episode 2 that Harold’s disability is discussed in any way.
In the earlier episode Harold tells the number that if she runs he can’t keep up with her. Here…
Harold: May I remind you that of the many things I’m equipped to do, pursuit would not be chief among them.
I think it’s interesting that there’s been so little on this so far. I know the broad strokes of the back story so I know they’re going to get to it, but having this line in this episode highlighted how absent this kind of discussion has been so far. I’m not really sure what I think about that, other than it seems notable to me. Do we think Harold is uncomfortable speaking about this with John but doesn’t mind this time cause he’s talking to Fusco? Or do we think that this was a kind of OOC thing like other stuff this episode? OR am I overthinking this like I do with lots of stuff????
Music notes: I didn’t pick up on any notable music this episode. Did I miss something? But I still have Gimme Shelter stuck in my head from watching Shadow Box and then listening to it a bunch of times after that. Of things that could be stuck in my head (mostly songs from Blue’s Clues, tbh, i have a 5 year old) this is pretty great.
Side note: An episode without Bear is kinda sad.
