Person of Interest Review: Breaking Good

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Get your running shoes out - because this episode of Person of Interest was on the move. Was anyone else tired from all of the sprinting and dodging bullets?

Interestingly enough, "Triggerman" called in a moral dilemma when the number that came up belonged to a stone cold killer for the Irish mob named Riley. To save or not to save, that was the question.

Reese Confronts a Mob Enforcer

Played by Jonathan Tucker, who already had a bit of experience acting in the Irish Mob in the canceled series The Black Donnellys, his dark and dangerous side was apparent from the get-go. Riley was not someone to be messed with.

That personality worked nicely in clashing with Reese and straight up shooting him, while even giving him something of a challenge when the two went into hand-to-hand combat.

Although I have to say ,Reese's fight in the alley and saying "Wrong way, guys" was the more hilarious of the two.

At the same time, because Riley was a professional, he was a help in not only protecting Annie, but working with Reese in taking down the mob boss. I did predict that he wouldn't make it it out alive, in a way almost wanting to sacrifice himself for the girl he loved, but I thought it would simply be the boss that took him out.

And what worked well, apart from the fast-paced action, was how the episode took some time to slow down for some great character scenes.

Riley had a chance to be more than just the "bad guy" that Reese had to protect and it was good to see him show off a more emotional and caring side on the roof top. His story was rather tragic (and reminded me of a bit of the movie The Town) but captured the general idea of people being able to change.

Finch even got some time out of the office and sat down with the still fantastically menacing Elias. I love those callbacks and his short screen time worked perfectly with the mob based story. The way he enunciated his words and smiled behind those glasses established that even locked up, his presence remains vigilant and strong.

But bottom line, after the action, drama and humor that surrounds the story, this show knows how to nail those endings.

Of course Reese saved the day, but rehashing Root and her idea that people are bad code was a nice touch to the overall theme of the episode. Clearly, Finch hasn't completely gotten over his kidnapping experience, but it's obvious he's learning to grow from it and recognize that people aren't black and white. They can have the chance to change. Look at Reese for the most foremost proof. Look at Riley.

I still question if Elias falls under that category, but it was great seeing his demand simply be a battle of the minds in a game of chess. He may have complied with Finch's request, but I still don't trust him and am waiting for him to bust out of prison or something.

And, finally, Reese standing at the door of the bounty hunter with that slick grin and saying, "I'm not here for the money." Bam! Cut to black.

What a way to close everything up.

This was definitely a fun episode that continued to keep the show running on all gears. And obviously having Fusco spend his time switching drinks with the drunk next to him was another one of those small moments in a show full of big ones, that added to the enjoyment of the hour.

In the end, it's that solid pacing and story, while giving the characters a chance to grow that keeps Person of Interest going and me looking forward to whatever is in store for next week.

Triggerman Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 (222 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 2 Episode 4 Quotes

She just became his next target... and he just became mine.

Reese

Reese: I'm going in.
Finch: Something happening?
Reese: Yeah, lunch.