Now i will say this. when i first came out that this episode was going to be based around carters return to the show in flashback form and everything, there was a lot of rightful concern at first given that season 4 is in its final four episode leg of the season when the major story line of Samaritan should be ramping up and taking center stage. but when we really think this isn't the first time an episode that isn't nearly connected to the main Arch's is placed at a certain point of the season where you think it wouldn't be. so with that said Terra Incognita was an heartbreaking but amazing episode in the way it was acted by the wonderful Taraji P Henson and Jim Caviezal, the way it was shot which was a style of cinematography i have not seen the show really use before, to the soundtrack which was breathtaking in its right moments. I won't post spoilers but this episode was really great and might be one of the best of the season thats not connected to the main story. i can't ranking it higher then If-Then-Else or Prophets or Control-Alt-Delete, but its at least top five or six ( we must wait to see the last two episodes ). This is a emotional feel trip like no other.
11 Reviews
A script for the record books
A_Different_Drummer11 November 2015
An unexpected treat, a near-perfect example of what happens when a really superb writer takes an existing team into a new direction ... and surprises everyone, including the audience. Especially the audience.
The other IMDb members have reworked the elements of the story. I like the subtle touches. The riff off the name "cold case." The transition between what appears to be a flashback to real time is perfectly crafted, a work of art. I think they give awards for that. The way the travails of John Reese seem specific, but are in fact universal and most viewers with a little life experience will be able to see themselves in the character .. which, I suspect, for the whole point of the story.
The other IMDb members have reworked the elements of the story. I like the subtle touches. The riff off the name "cold case." The transition between what appears to be a flashback to real time is perfectly crafted, a work of art. I think they give awards for that. The way the travails of John Reese seem specific, but are in fact universal and most viewers with a little life experience will be able to see themselves in the character .. which, I suspect, for the whole point of the story.
best episode of the season
mehmetoney17 August 2015
maybe the mystery and tension was not at its peak at this episode, but telling about death, picturing the last moments of a person from his eyes, could not be served better than this.
a truly artistic work, I wanted to thank personally, whoever got involved of creating this episode from writing it to make it happen..
an overwhelming masterpiece..
salute..
I had to write the these lines after my salute, just to make my review got accepted.. Cause I really wrote more than necessary, to describe this episode already.
a truly artistic work, I wanted to thank personally, whoever got involved of creating this episode from writing it to make it happen..
an overwhelming masterpiece..
salute..
I had to write the these lines after my salute, just to make my review got accepted.. Cause I really wrote more than necessary, to describe this episode already.
Cannot get much better than this episode
jason-knowlton-249-41981516 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
A little doubtful or worrisome about how they would pull the return of Detective Carter off. Again the Person of Interest team have pulled off a masterpiece of cinematography.
This is the second episode this season that has been completely different than anything in their previous episodes in the series. "If-Then-Else" was its own masterpiece, but "Terra Incognita" proved once again that the writers and directors have a master plan and continues to operate on many different levels than most shows on TV today or ever.
This could be considered a stand alone episode since the over arcing theme plays very little into the theme of this episode (there is a tie-in), but where the episode shines is digging into REESE and his character development. We found out the true reason why he left Jessica and how he is becoming aware (through visions of Carter)that is he closed off to others and constantly has a wall up and that is causes issue for him when he really needs the help.
I have no doubt that the creators will once again wow us during the final episodes of the season.
Advice: Watch the episode. Then re-watch again. The opening scenes were not flashbacks, they were memories of what Reese thought had happened that comes full around towards the end of the episode.
This is the second episode this season that has been completely different than anything in their previous episodes in the series. "If-Then-Else" was its own masterpiece, but "Terra Incognita" proved once again that the writers and directors have a master plan and continues to operate on many different levels than most shows on TV today or ever.
This could be considered a stand alone episode since the over arcing theme plays very little into the theme of this episode (there is a tie-in), but where the episode shines is digging into REESE and his character development. We found out the true reason why he left Jessica and how he is becoming aware (through visions of Carter)that is he closed off to others and constantly has a wall up and that is causes issue for him when he really needs the help.
I have no doubt that the creators will once again wow us during the final episodes of the season.
Advice: Watch the episode. Then re-watch again. The opening scenes were not flashbacks, they were memories of what Reese thought had happened that comes full around towards the end of the episode.
The "different" episode we all needed
danielrko15 December 2020
Beautiful episode
bstam-085514 January 2016
It was so wonderful to see Tariji Henson back. I really miss her on this show. I would love to see Netflix pick up this series and have her back. She brings a lot of warmth to the show. I can't wait to watch Season 5.
The supporting actors on this show are much better than supporting actors on other shows, from Control to the police shrink to each guest character each week, they are a cut above. They are written with depth even if they only appear for three to four episodes. Netflix or Amazon, please revive this show.
At first I was upset that they left the library but now I understand the need to change and keep the show fresh. I love Bear as well.
The supporting actors on this show are much better than supporting actors on other shows, from Control to the police shrink to each guest character each week, they are a cut above. They are written with depth even if they only appear for three to four episodes. Netflix or Amazon, please revive this show.
At first I was upset that they left the library but now I understand the need to change and keep the show fresh. I love Bear as well.
About the composition of Terra Incognita
bi-azh10 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Instead of the usual intro we see only a black screen at the beginning, we hear a shot, labored walking and the sound of howling wind. And like the beginning of a stage play when the curtain opens, the scenery is static with frontal view into the stake out car of Reese. The wordy complaint of Finch about Bear eating his books is funny and so like Finch! He has to water the beast - I like that! So this must be around the beginning of season two - right? Carter comes and joins the friendly bantering. By second watching and knowing of what is to come one realizes that John is pushing the heat button of his car and is obviously somehow in pain when he touches his shoulder.
Then Carter drops that sentence that is a big clue: "I am homicide. Usually when your spending time with me you're already dead." And then this: "I've seen a lot of dead bodies. Know what they had in common? Not one of the looked like they saw it coming?" The image that popped up immediately in my mind was the shot out of nowhere that killed Carter. So this is a hint of what is in her future seen from somewhere in the past? Of course not!
The viewers are by now used to the flashback scenes, they are usually in a different light, some blue filter is an easy indication. So when the light is clear again and we find Reese and Fusco at work this seems to be going the normal way of a PoI episode. There are some things for Root, Finch and Fusco to do with the gang war between Dominic and Elias and Reese picks up the case file from the number of the day - Chase Patterson which is in Carters effects box. Why this is so I don't understand, because it was a case of seven years ago - clearly a plot hole.
Then there is that moment when John finds his and Jessica's picture, which obviously affects him, even Fusco notices that there is something wrong with his partner. The middle part of the episode shows how Carter and John investigate the murder of Chase' family, going the same ways and ending up both in that cabin in the Catskills. This is nicely done with different light, Carters scenes all with blue filter. The interrogation of Chase by Joss is really like we remember her, skilled, intelligent and with a lot of emotional understanding of the relationship between him and his mother. John's interrogation blends in nicely but it is not going so well, he cannot connect to Chase, he acts more aggressive and mistrusting than Carter.
There are some things that are a bit over the top, like Root showing up with a scalpel for the interrogation of Carlo or that the murderer of Chase family cut their throats. I cannot relate to stuff like that, it is somehow too much and too unlikely. When the scenery changes back to the stakeout car we see that Carter really tries to get John to speak to her. She is telling about herself, about her son and she dreams of a beach. But John is still reluctant and then there is this: "There is no after for people like us, no beach for you and no retirement for me." So now we should have known how it would end for John, he wasn't going to survive, right? He told us himself! When the light of the bar turns off I got a strong feeling of melancholy and sadness, that scene was perfect like the scenery of a stage play.
By close watching one can see that the background sometimes changes to a dark white - even before we know that John will be sitting in the car in the snowy Catskills later. Joss and John pick up their talk, that they already had when she was interrogating him in Prisoners dilemma.
One path or another - this is the same topic of Caviezel's earlier film Frequency where the fate of his character changed several times according to changing circumstances. And John is still struggling with his own choices and how it changed his fate and that of Jessica. But Carter wants to know more and pushes him until she gets the truth, which is exactly what Jessica said at the airport: "The real reason you left was that it was easier for you to be alone." This must be a painful insight for him that it was not some honorable motive, like wanting her to find someone better than him. And shortly before Fusco shows up with "dinner" he says that: "I'll get where I'm going soon enough". Carter doesn't understand and neither do we at this point. He finally opens up and talks about Jessica. Joss the detective knows better when he still is not honest about his motive and even mentions "his police shrink" - but how does she know about Iris?!
That is the point when the situation is getting weird. Carter wants to know why he ended up here and she tells him that time is running out. That look of confusion and fear on his face and her expression of compassion when she tells him - You're dying, John - was perfect - actingwise and storywise. Shayamalan couldn't have done this better. Reality kicks in, the broken car window, the dead guy in the snow, the empty seat beside John and his bloody shirt. The following back and forth between him and Carter about what to do now is now clearly something that John is discussing with himself in his mind, still putting the words into the mouth of his imagination of Carter. She is even his drill sergeant when he is crawling through the snow to get the keys. He is really suffering now, not only because of the wound and the cold, but of the look back on his life and the mistakes. But Joss has also hopeful words for him, she tells him what he often said to her - you are not alone, there are people who care for you. In the small scenes with Harold, Root and Fusco that are now truly worried, we see that this is true. With some silent tears rolling down, John finally accepts his fate and Jim Caviezel chose the right song to underline the feeling of the last scenes: Nat Coles Happy New Year: "I love the time we spent together before the last year lost it's shine. I'll keep that memory locked within my heart, that happy new year you were mine."
Then Carter drops that sentence that is a big clue: "I am homicide. Usually when your spending time with me you're already dead." And then this: "I've seen a lot of dead bodies. Know what they had in common? Not one of the looked like they saw it coming?" The image that popped up immediately in my mind was the shot out of nowhere that killed Carter. So this is a hint of what is in her future seen from somewhere in the past? Of course not!
The viewers are by now used to the flashback scenes, they are usually in a different light, some blue filter is an easy indication. So when the light is clear again and we find Reese and Fusco at work this seems to be going the normal way of a PoI episode. There are some things for Root, Finch and Fusco to do with the gang war between Dominic and Elias and Reese picks up the case file from the number of the day - Chase Patterson which is in Carters effects box. Why this is so I don't understand, because it was a case of seven years ago - clearly a plot hole.
Then there is that moment when John finds his and Jessica's picture, which obviously affects him, even Fusco notices that there is something wrong with his partner. The middle part of the episode shows how Carter and John investigate the murder of Chase' family, going the same ways and ending up both in that cabin in the Catskills. This is nicely done with different light, Carters scenes all with blue filter. The interrogation of Chase by Joss is really like we remember her, skilled, intelligent and with a lot of emotional understanding of the relationship between him and his mother. John's interrogation blends in nicely but it is not going so well, he cannot connect to Chase, he acts more aggressive and mistrusting than Carter.
There are some things that are a bit over the top, like Root showing up with a scalpel for the interrogation of Carlo or that the murderer of Chase family cut their throats. I cannot relate to stuff like that, it is somehow too much and too unlikely. When the scenery changes back to the stakeout car we see that Carter really tries to get John to speak to her. She is telling about herself, about her son and she dreams of a beach. But John is still reluctant and then there is this: "There is no after for people like us, no beach for you and no retirement for me." So now we should have known how it would end for John, he wasn't going to survive, right? He told us himself! When the light of the bar turns off I got a strong feeling of melancholy and sadness, that scene was perfect like the scenery of a stage play.
By close watching one can see that the background sometimes changes to a dark white - even before we know that John will be sitting in the car in the snowy Catskills later. Joss and John pick up their talk, that they already had when she was interrogating him in Prisoners dilemma.
One path or another - this is the same topic of Caviezel's earlier film Frequency where the fate of his character changed several times according to changing circumstances. And John is still struggling with his own choices and how it changed his fate and that of Jessica. But Carter wants to know more and pushes him until she gets the truth, which is exactly what Jessica said at the airport: "The real reason you left was that it was easier for you to be alone." This must be a painful insight for him that it was not some honorable motive, like wanting her to find someone better than him. And shortly before Fusco shows up with "dinner" he says that: "I'll get where I'm going soon enough". Carter doesn't understand and neither do we at this point. He finally opens up and talks about Jessica. Joss the detective knows better when he still is not honest about his motive and even mentions "his police shrink" - but how does she know about Iris?!
That is the point when the situation is getting weird. Carter wants to know why he ended up here and she tells him that time is running out. That look of confusion and fear on his face and her expression of compassion when she tells him - You're dying, John - was perfect - actingwise and storywise. Shayamalan couldn't have done this better. Reality kicks in, the broken car window, the dead guy in the snow, the empty seat beside John and his bloody shirt. The following back and forth between him and Carter about what to do now is now clearly something that John is discussing with himself in his mind, still putting the words into the mouth of his imagination of Carter. She is even his drill sergeant when he is crawling through the snow to get the keys. He is really suffering now, not only because of the wound and the cold, but of the look back on his life and the mistakes. But Joss has also hopeful words for him, she tells him what he often said to her - you are not alone, there are people who care for you. In the small scenes with Harold, Root and Fusco that are now truly worried, we see that this is true. With some silent tears rolling down, John finally accepts his fate and Jim Caviezel chose the right song to underline the feeling of the last scenes: Nat Coles Happy New Year: "I love the time we spent together before the last year lost it's shine. I'll keep that memory locked within my heart, that happy new year you were mine."
Carter visiting
michalklebs27 June 2017
Underrated episode - Carter's reappearance (apart from pleasing the audience) is well thought of, gives new dimension to John's personal evolution, introduces concept of "digital immortality" later exploited by Root and fantastic flow between reality, imagination and memories where Machines lives and Shaw gets trapped. Another masterpiece.
Dying
claudio_carvalho9 March 2024
The Machine delivers the number of Chase Patterson, a young man that was the prime suspect of murdering his family that fled to Paris seven years ago. Reese assumes the investigation and surprisingly he finds that it was a cold case from Carter. Patterson as accused of slaughtering his family searching for money for drugs, but Carter believed he was not the criminal. Reese follows the tracks thinking of Carter all the time. Meanwhile, Finch, Root and Fusco question whether The Machine is working well, since two men from Domenic's gang were murdered and a man from Elias' gang has survived a shootout and The Machine has not delivered any number.
"Terra Incognita" is boring and talkative episode of "Person of Interest". Developed in a slow pace, The metaphysics plot is totally different from any other episode, and not every viewer will appreciate. I personally took a nap along the episode and needed to see it again. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Terra Incognita"
"Terra Incognita" is boring and talkative episode of "Person of Interest". Developed in a slow pace, The metaphysics plot is totally different from any other episode, and not every viewer will appreciate. I personally took a nap along the episode and needed to see it again. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Terra Incognita"
Slow, confusing, messy and unnecessary
stefancole18 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
It seems that unlike the majority of viewers and fans, that I was not impressed by this plodding episode that seemed to go nowhere.
Yes, it was great to see Detective Joss Carter, albeit appearing as a dying man's hallucination, but the episode felt contrived, just so that she could appear in this form. John heard a creaking floor in the room he was shot from, so he was aware that someone may be in there, yet turned his back on it - he's better trained than that.
The whole episode plods along, mostly just a conversation in a car, and felt like they didn't have enough budget left for any sets. While the conversation revealed a lot of John's back-story, it was delivered in soft, soporific tones which meant much of my concentration was taken up with staying awake, rather than with listening to what was actually said.
There were also 'unexplained' bits. Why was Root wearing that dress? It was utterly unconnected to anything. One second John is pointing a gun at the perpetrator, the next, he's sat in a car with the perp on the ground outside, and it seems that even John doesn't know how that happened. Where did the 'brother' go? He took pills that left him with 8 hours to live. Did he die? Did he go to hospital, or even call an ambulance? Is he still in the house, dying of an overdose? The whole story felt incomplete and cobbled together, just to get Carter in it.
I am a big fan of the whole PoI series', but I think this has to be my least- favourite episode, out of all 88 episodes so far.
Yes, it was great to see Detective Joss Carter, albeit appearing as a dying man's hallucination, but the episode felt contrived, just so that she could appear in this form. John heard a creaking floor in the room he was shot from, so he was aware that someone may be in there, yet turned his back on it - he's better trained than that.
The whole episode plods along, mostly just a conversation in a car, and felt like they didn't have enough budget left for any sets. While the conversation revealed a lot of John's back-story, it was delivered in soft, soporific tones which meant much of my concentration was taken up with staying awake, rather than with listening to what was actually said.
There were also 'unexplained' bits. Why was Root wearing that dress? It was utterly unconnected to anything. One second John is pointing a gun at the perpetrator, the next, he's sat in a car with the perp on the ground outside, and it seems that even John doesn't know how that happened. Where did the 'brother' go? He took pills that left him with 8 hours to live. Did he die? Did he go to hospital, or even call an ambulance? Is he still in the house, dying of an overdose? The whole story felt incomplete and cobbled together, just to get Carter in it.
I am a big fan of the whole PoI series', but I think this has to be my least- favourite episode, out of all 88 episodes so far.
They must be really running out of material
truebatmantd23 January 2023
Looks like writers of this show are running out of fresh material so they decided to rehash old stuff and build another episode that centers around painfully boring side stories that don't matter for the main story. This episode was so boring that it hurt to watch. The entire episode consists of Reese and Carter sitting in a car and chitchatting in slow motion for 45 minutes.
I don't blame them for running out of material since it's been 88 episodes but why turn a perfectly good show into a CSI wannabee show just to boost episode numbers? This would have been much better if they went for fewer episodes but packed them with better content instead of making so many filler episodes like this.
Overall this episode doesn't flow, it moves too slowly, too much filler dialogue and too much drama. It's more like a procedural police show than POI. It's also very confusing because storytelling was sacrificed for the sake of shock value. There was no reason for this pitifully terrible episode to exist.
I don't blame them for running out of material since it's been 88 episodes but why turn a perfectly good show into a CSI wannabee show just to boost episode numbers? This would have been much better if they went for fewer episodes but packed them with better content instead of making so many filler episodes like this.
Overall this episode doesn't flow, it moves too slowly, too much filler dialogue and too much drama. It's more like a procedural police show than POI. It's also very confusing because storytelling was sacrificed for the sake of shock value. There was no reason for this pitifully terrible episode to exist.
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