8.5 stars. In this episode, the newly decompressed machine is stuck in R-Day mode and cannot see a progression of events over time. Cannot see that people can change with time and experience. This means she also cannot see shades of gray in people. Finch must teach her otherwise, but first he must gain her trust.
Based on their documented past actions, the machine labels Root and even Finch as threats. She labels Reese a terrorist. Now the machine is their enemy — as if good old Samaritan weren't enough to contend with!
How the three characters deal with a distrustful machine — and how the machine responds to them — makes up the core of the episode, but Fusco "The Fuscinator" and Reese do have some irrelevant numbers to track down. About 30 of them! Funny graveyard scene.
The ending nearly brought a tear. Once again, these brilliant writers have personified a machine, with our valiant ASI becoming increasingly human. At the same time, we see how context is everything to higher-level comprehension. Cold facts devoid of "story" can only create distance and the type of confusion the machine experienced here. Thank goodness, she also experienced several moments of Grace. Literally.
Despite some minor plot contrivance, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and commend the writers for moving the final season along at a good clip. Never a dull moment, yet time for heartwarming — and humorous — moments with the machine, the team, and Bear. Now all we need is Shaw!
The episode ended on an ominous note. A portent of the things to come (probably involving the police department, I'd guess).
Based on their documented past actions, the machine labels Root and even Finch as threats. She labels Reese a terrorist. Now the machine is their enemy — as if good old Samaritan weren't enough to contend with!
How the three characters deal with a distrustful machine — and how the machine responds to them — makes up the core of the episode, but Fusco "The Fuscinator" and Reese do have some irrelevant numbers to track down. About 30 of them! Funny graveyard scene.
The ending nearly brought a tear. Once again, these brilliant writers have personified a machine, with our valiant ASI becoming increasingly human. At the same time, we see how context is everything to higher-level comprehension. Cold facts devoid of "story" can only create distance and the type of confusion the machine experienced here. Thank goodness, she also experienced several moments of Grace. Literally.
Despite some minor plot contrivance, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and commend the writers for moving the final season along at a good clip. Never a dull moment, yet time for heartwarming — and humorous — moments with the machine, the team, and Bear. Now all we need is Shaw!
The episode ended on an ominous note. A portent of the things to come (probably involving the police department, I'd guess).