This pilot episode opens with a gang of youths approaching a homeless man on the New York subway with an intent to do him harm
they are making a big mistake as he turns out to be ex-special forces, ex-CIA agent John Reese; a man who has given up his job after his girlfriend was murdered while he was out of the country. Shortly after he is interviewed by the police he finds himself being taken by two armed men to see a man who claims to be offering him a job. This man is Harold Finch; he explains that he developed a computer system designed to trawl through every email and phone call to find any hint that a terrorist attack is being planned; inevitably it also finds other criminal plots; these the government deletes as irrelevant as the system is unconstitutional but Finch wants to use the information to save lives. It can't give him all of the information; just the social security number of somebody who is involved; it may be a victim or the killer. The first case he asks Reese to help with involves a prosecuting attorney who appears to be the target of a gang whose leader she is prosecuting but as the investigation proceeds things look far more sinister and Reese could be in danger himself.
Before watching this pilot I'd watched the occasional episode and rather enjoyed them so was interested to see how the story began. The two protagonists were introduced well; we immediately see that Reece knows how to handle himself in a situation and Reese has the right air of mystery. These introductions didn't take too much time and we were soon involved in the first case. The case had plenty of twists; some of which the viewer may see coming but not all of them. Jim Caviezel does a fine job as Reese; making us believe the character can deal with the situations he gets in without looking out of place in a business suit. If anything Michael Emerson does even better as Finch; a softly spoken but mysterious character. I like how a sense that we are all being watched is suggested by what appears to be CCTV footage of the people going about their lives; it isn't over used but gives a nice sense of paranoia. Overall this was a good introduction to the key characters and the basis of the series that is to follow.
Before watching this pilot I'd watched the occasional episode and rather enjoyed them so was interested to see how the story began. The two protagonists were introduced well; we immediately see that Reece knows how to handle himself in a situation and Reese has the right air of mystery. These introductions didn't take too much time and we were soon involved in the first case. The case had plenty of twists; some of which the viewer may see coming but not all of them. Jim Caviezel does a fine job as Reese; making us believe the character can deal with the situations he gets in without looking out of place in a business suit. If anything Michael Emerson does even better as Finch; a softly spoken but mysterious character. I like how a sense that we are all being watched is suggested by what appears to be CCTV footage of the people going about their lives; it isn't over used but gives a nice sense of paranoia. Overall this was a good introduction to the key characters and the basis of the series that is to follow.