The People
A couple weeks ago, I started viewing Person of Interest as analogous to the Wizard of Oz: a book featuring a cowardly man afraid to do the right thing; a robotic-seeming figure lacking a heart; a wizard whose only power came from technology and the young woman whose caring united them. Sure, Wizard of Oz’s surface surrounded Dorothy’s recurring adventures in Oz, but its core surrounded friends, family and heart. I watched Person of Interest to see when the man of tin, Reese, filled his emptiness and the wizard, Finch, stop hiding behind a curtain. I wanted to see Dorothy, aka Carter, a woman introduced to a new world, and the cowardly figure, Fusco, realize that the power to do good existed within them. They didn’t need Finch or Reese to prevent crime. As cops, they had the tools themselves.
But, in the past couple weeks the show slowly distanced itself from the human connection, while making the writing even tighter and action-oriented. This evening proved no exception. While I wanted to see the lighthearted friendship between Finch and Reese (even with the ongoing danger) or the intensity between Reese and Carter, we didn’t get any of that. But … it was well-written and tightly-plotted, so, I can’t really complain. I sense that CBS wanting to include Carter more forced Nolan to move up his timeline with the “Get Carter”-centric episodes. But, now he returned to his original game plan: The Machine.
Surprisingly, I’m more interested in The Machine now through Amy Acker’s Root character. In the computer science world, the root is the core and the key to everything. There’s the root user, who typically has access to all accounts; the root directory, which is the top-level to all files; and then the concept of a root login, or “superuser,” for a system or database. “Root” in the tech world is the root to all evil — because anyone with access to root can destroy from within — and it can mean so many things. So, creating an actual, tangible antagonist with a meaningful name, as opposed to a binary series of zeroes and ones, made me leap for joy. We even watch her “root” around in John’s brain as a faux-therapist.
Amy Acker rocked the house as this week’s guest star. I still remember when Angel featured her as Fred. I feared that people might overlook her amazing talent. But, hey, look at her this season, killing every show she guest stars in from Once Upon a Time to Grimm, to this week’s Person of Interest. She kicked butt as the naive victim, but her amazing insight made me partially see her as a Mary Sue until the final scene. I’ve read a couple well-written fan-fics where a victim of the week, seemingly unfamiliar with The Machine, inexplicably knows the Reese, Finch, and Carter hearts. Acker’s character felt like that, but considering we FINALLY had a character speaking truth directly to Reese (rather than circuitously), I wanted to high five her.
All the same, I mourn the absence of the Reese and Carter friendship. Even if their characters never hook up, Cavaziel and Henson created something special on-screen. They’re like the new Mulder and Scully. Despite the overarching mysteries, paranoia and distance, the two form an amazing, indefinable connection. Despite her small part, Carter/Henson brought so much light to the show, I couldn’t look away. But, either due to pro-CaReese or anti-CaReese fan boards, the last few episodes steadily destroyed any connection that we previously witnessed. In terms of Reese’s interactions with Carter, he traveled from protective to snarky to ice cold. And, now, the two barely talk.
Part of me imagines that rehearsals went something like this, creating the script-based distance:
Even though they’re killing the Reese-Carter intimacy, I loved how genuinely Reese trusted Carter’s texts 157%. Their trust even transcends electronic communication. I hope the show continues to build on it. Even if it isn’t interested in emotions, when you have something strong, you don’t bury it. You nurture it. Learn from Chris Carter.
I’m glad that Fusco and Carter regained their friendship. But, seriously, I would double-pimp-slap Reese and Finch if I was her. She sacrificed her life, her son, her job, her reputation and her army contact’s trust for them. But, what have they given her in return? Yes, Reese saved her life, but she’s also saved his many times since then.
If Donnelly is corrupt, then I misjudged him. All the same, he never appeared to need Carter for anything save as a witness. So, maybe he suspected Carter’s connection, as well. I like the Zoe character, but I hope they didn’t bring her back just to stop Carter-Reese speculation. I’d love to see Reese treat Carter like a partner, similar to Zoe. You see, Reese, Zoe, a civilian is an asset, not two cops with the authority to arrest your illegal self.
I’ll return for next season; but, I hope the show returns to the intoxicating balance of human and machine. While we’ll probably never see Reese and Carter holed up in a hotel room, any guesses for the return episode? Is it just me, or does anyone get the feeling the showrunners decided to torpedo existing storylines to focus on a bigger on? It looks like they dropped Cara, Snow and Reese’s girlfriend’s storylines. Instead of Carter working with Reese and Finch, now Fusco and Carter will team up. Plus, I’m sorry that Alicia died, because I thought she had so much to share with the characters.
Thanks to Keith and Carla for their assistance (and offers thereof) in the LiveClack.
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on May 18, 2012 @ 08:22 EST5EDT
About the machine. One problem with the machine that Reese and Finch keep running into is the fact that the POI could be the good guy or the bad guy. They have no way of knowing. Clearly they’ve been burned by this flaw in the machine more than once. Given that I’m wondering will Finch and Reese alter the way they approach this POI process.
Maybe research the POI more to determine which before they get directly involved.
Yeah, I agree with you. It’s like they made a u-turn on the direction of certain storylines and even the storylines themselves. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. I heard recently that CBS bought the show. I wonder if tv executives are pushing the creative team to do certain things? Like kill dynamic between Reese and Carter and insert Zoe. If so…see this is how tv shows die…because some tv executive writer producer wanna be starts sticking their nose in a show. TV exec in charge of ABC’s daytime got really involved with the show, characters, storylines, etc and singlehandedly killed two soaps on daytime tv. I truly pray this isn’t the case. Cuz if it is you can count on viewers dropping off like flies.
*POST AUTHOR*
Ironically, the writer who wrote the finale is the same person who wrote “Get Carter.” If CBS hadn’t pushed Nolan to include Henson moreso in season one, we wouldn’t have “Get Carter.”
From the interviews I read with Henson and Nolan, Nolan marketed the show to Henson as three people solving crime together, but Henson’s character wouldn’t get fully sucked in until the season finale. Now, it looks like they’re doing a 180 and the character getting sucked in is Zoe.
If I were a film star, who hated TV, and the creator/showrunner signed me with the promise that my character would have a larger role in the second season (while my role in the first season kept getting smaller), I probably wouldn’t stick around.
I compare Reese and Carter with Mulder and Scully because Chris Carter initially had no interest in an MS match-up. Additionally, off screen, the actors were just co-workers. However, on-screen the two had such natural chemistry (even in the last movie), that I, as a viewer, wanted more. Although I like the actress playing Zoe and the Zoe character, Turco and Cavaziel don’t have that special spark on-screen. And, her character doesn’t pull me in.
Considering Henson hasn’t dropped any hints in her twitter feed or recent interviews, I’ll assume she’s returning. But, it just seems odd.
At this point, Person of Interest has a lot of executive producers who’ve all executive produced awesome crime/spy/cop shows in the past. Although I know the show’s direction plot-wise, I don’t know the focus character wise. Considering they dropped John’s obsession over his dead girlfriend and the Finch-Reese bromance, maybe they just decided to become wholly plot focused instead.
Alot of anti-Carter fans love Zoe, they say the pair has mad chemistry and I want to it see so bad…but it doesn’t exist. I do not think the writers tried to force a Zeese connection because if so…they would have written in Reese flirting back. He actually seemed annoyed, when she stated no woman alive can fix you and she commented that she doesn’t know the therapist by design…because the therapist is a woman and she only makes it her business to get to know the opposite sex. I really do not like that depiction the writers were trying to make about Zoe’s character. From my understanding of the show, Reese has never called Zoe for help…Finch does, probably because he knows she fancy Reese and taking advantage of this fact. I read that Taraji said that Finch and Reese backstory will take a little break, because more about Carter will be revealed in the 2nd season. I have seen other characters matched together with no chemistry, but at least the writers wrote flirty and romance into the scene…it just didn’t crossover. I do not see the writers writing it in…they may just be making more of a point to the Zeese shippers–sorry, its not happening. Until he smiles at a woman the way he smile(d) at Carter, I am not buying it. I want that smile to come back if not for Carter, for someone.
Also back to Fusco, you guys think the HR guy was highjacking the FBI monitors feed…but how did HR know to find Reese and the psycho therapist in the garage, so why didn’t FBI make it there around the same time…plus the monitors were turned off thanks to the HR cop. Reese said thanks Carter, when the coast was clear…the psycho therapist heard Carter’s name and hopefully, thats not another situation she can use to her advantage. Also Finch only called on Carter to help Reese not Fusco…did you notice how he enunciated “HE WILL DEFINITELY NEED YOUR HELP.” Finch is a user; he loves Reese though.
I decided to not to be offended with how Reese and sometimes Finch treats Carter. She doesn’t seem to mind and its probably because she is dumb or not emotionally invested in a potential romance with Reese and/or Finch. It may be just about saving lives and she is down in whatever capacity available…but if she mistreated Reese he would give her one of those I can’t believe you are treating me like this look…ie, number crunch before he got shot and after he got shot sitting in the back seat of the car and baby blues when Carter stated she will not work with him anymore. If they talked to Zoe that way, she would go off the handle…I do think their interaction with Carter will improve, I mean she will eventually start demanding it because if she doesnt the fans will start demanding it.
I will say this…the one thing I think that this creative team suffers from is someone with a vision. When you have someone that is leading the writers that has a vision for where the show should go you don’t have these issues.
I am a sci-fi geek and long ago there was this show Babylon 5. It was created by a writer that later went on to be the head writer of Murder She Wrote. Anyway, that guy had a 5 year vision for the show. He wrote every epi and each episode played into his 5 year outline. There were no one offs. Everything fit. It all made sense. He guided the show so you could see the consistency in the storytelling.
Now this show seems to have three different directions. The first is from the pilot to Number Crunch. Then there was a change as you see Carter make a decision to change and help Reese. The second is from Super to Baby Blue where she’s helping Reese and in the process risking more and more with her job. She pulls out for Identity Crisis but is back in with Flesh and Blood. Then after that episode we see things change between Carter and Reese.
At first I thought the subtle flirtation and emotional connection between the two was taking on a cat and mouse back and forth. I didnt see the overwhelming need to have Zoe involved. The fact that they forced her into the season finale and separated Reese and Carter says to me that once again and I dont know what they’re doing.
But I have to say this…like you I don’t see Henson, an Oscar nominated actress allowing them to push her aside for this. If they go down this road…I dont see her in a S3.
Harper, I know you are disappointed with the finale…but I encourage you to watch the show again maybe a week later. Carter presumed mistreatment may have been overstated because we seen Zoe as a threat to our initial assessment of the pair. I watched it again and I noticed Carter was the only one who got a thank you and he didn’t say it to her…he said it in a omnipresent way–like she is with him even if she is not physically there. It seemed like [to me] when all three of them where in the vehicle, that he spoke directly to Carter when he said, I did it to protect you. It seemed like he was talking directly to Carter…I do not want to read more into the scene, but I thought he was sincere. I am glad it came out that way, because it shows Carter can be one of the guys…someone who looks at the bigger picture–and not go “catching feelings…” plus she was a soldier and they live in a man’s world, with a lot of man’s rules…she had to let it go, she will have her chance. Soldiers do not have a pissy-fit, they wait for the upperhand.
I think that POI is easily one of the most entertaining shows on t.v. However, I do believe that POI is trying to be so many things to so many people that its character development often falls short. The balancing act between the procedural (the weekly person of the week) often gets in the way of the overarching stories (i.e. the machine, the backstories of the main cast, etc.). Reese’s and Finch’s story is barely developed less lone Carter’s or Fusco’s.
I do believe that they underuse the goldmine that is Taraji Henson, but they also underuse Kevin Chapman. Time and time again, Henson and Chapman shine on this show but often get less air time than the guest star portraying the “person of interest.” I trust that Carter will have more screen time next season. It appears that she has a strong following as evidenced by POI often marketing her during promos on CBS. I’ve also notice that Carter centric episodes tend to do better in the ratings than shows where she has little or no screen time.
I would also love to see the four main characters interact with one another without Reese always being the focus point that connects everyone. Carter is simply on fire with Reese, Fusco, and even Finch whenever they share a scene. Hell, she even has chemistry with Snow and the FBI guy. Snow really seems to enjoy harassing Carter and the FBI guy seem to just want her to watch him catch Reese. I know it was a vehicle to move the plot, but it was weird to have Carter and Fusco just standing around and watch the FBI operate.
I really enjoy the action, but it would be nice to see more actual in-depth conversation between the four main characters other than snarky one liners. I think the episode regarding Reese’s birthday was a nice balance between action and character interaction. (i.e. Finch and Carter and Carter and Jessica’s Mother, etc.). While I don’t want a soap opera, POI needs more main character interaction if it aspires to be more than a procedural action flick, in my opinion.
I don’t think that POI has dropped the stories regarding Snow, Stanton, and the CIA. They’re just on the burner until next season. For instance, Root was introduced back in the first week of February and the audience is just now hearing any mention of Root once again. The show has a lot of villains to balance and juggle.
In regards to Carter/Reese, I think they’re a possibility but it would be during a third or fourth season to wind POI down. It doesn’t seem that romance is a forte of these producers. Additionally, I’ve notice that the show runners appear to tease various demographics. For instance, I think POI gave the Reese/Finch and Finch/Nathan shippers just enough tidbits to imply a possible romantic interest and then pretty much killed any notions of that in the last two episodes before “Firewall.” They also tease Carter/Reese and then withdraw it. They tease Reese/Zoe by having Zoe blatantly pursue Reese but yet Reese never says yea or nay. Personally, I think Carter and Reese have a ton of more sexual chemistry than Reese and Zoe. To me, it appears that Reese merely tolerates Zoe. He’s kind of cold around her but yet he doesn’t tell her to buzz off so who knows.
Reese was such a jerk in the chase scene with Carter and Fusco that I was actually thinking that Carter would be better off without him. It really concerns me that the show doesn’t reveal more of Carter’s motivation for continuing to work with Reese and Finch. We know why Fusco works with them – he has no choice. They’re making her look stupid because she is risking so much and the persons of interest are turning out more and more to be the culprit so what is she and they really accomplishing.
More importantly, she’s not enough of a partner with them. Personally, if I was going to risk my life, liberty, career, and reputation to help virtual strangers purportedly save lives, I would need a boat load of information of who, what, why, where, and how. Hopefully the show will soon address this.
Two questions: did Reese kill and hence murder the HR policemen when he blew up the car and who was the police mole feeding info to HR? I’m not sure that Fusco is redeemed.
“Two questions: did Reese kill and hence murder the HR policemen when he blew up the car and who was the police mole feeding info to HR? I’m not sure that Fusco is redeemed.”
It looked like the top HR policeman was not in the car. I thought the person feeding info to HR was Root. She was alone out on the hotel room balcony for a few minutes. She didn’t know about the FBI chasing Reese and she needed HR to keep the chase going until she got to Finch. I like Fusco but I agree it isn’t as clear – as it is with Carter – where his loyalty lies.
As usual, you all have some very interesting points to consider. I was also disappointed with the lack of Carter’s role in the finale, but you have to remember that the writers are now juggling a lot of information in this show. How to include that has to be a monumental task. I trust the writers and they always seem to come through. It may not be what I want at the time being, but eventually, they will come back to a story that was started.
I was “okay” with Zoe in this episode because I felt that she was needed as an additional helper while Carter and Fusco were preoccupied. And, Reese could have chemistry with a paper bag, so yes, he is going to be all flirty with her. I see Carter and Zoe as Reese’s female interests in the future. I’m calling it now, and you all can laugh at me if I’m wrong, but eventually, Carter and Zoe will have a showdown over Reese. I also see the writers bringing Carter back to Reese in season 2 because she saved his picture with Jessica. I felt like that was foreshadowing for something coming up. One of the things I love about this show is how much foreshadowing it has.
I am eager to find out what happened to her husband and how it will effect her relationship with Reese. She is such a strong character in that she is a single parent raising her son while maintaining her job as a detective. I do worry about how Reese and Finch have corrupted her into breaking the law and what will happen once Agent Donnelly finds out that she helped Reese escape multiple times.
Lastly, I want to bring up something that the writers have not addressed lately, and that is how Reese pines for a more conventional life. It was brought up multiple times. The last few episodes have dropped that storyline, but I feel that it too will resurface in season 2. How the writers choose to address it will be interesting.
I mean clearly the path is set for Carter to completely join the hero club…she had Reese service record, so she may know as much about Reese as Finch knows. Also, Finch has a relationship with the machine and Nathan and other people…Fusco has a relationship with HR not just Reese. Carter has a relationship with Reese and no one else. Her relationship with the FBI, CIA, Fusco, and Finch is all because of her relationship with Reese. She has no identity on the show of her own…Yes, Fusco had a relationship with HR before Reese was on the scene. I am just saying; I stated earlier in a different post concerning the scene in Carter’s car, where it was just them 3. He said he was being careful because Fusco tried to kill him and Carter chased him for 6 months…If he really wanted to hurt Carter, he could have brought up she almost got him killed–he stuck to want Fusco knew about their interactions…which is she was chasing him. But he completely trusts her even if he act like an ass sometimes.
As others have mentioned, I don’t see Ms. Henson sticking with POI if her character is no longer the female lead on the show. That was what she was promised when she signed on. Since she’s already said in interviews that she’d like for Carter’s backstory and life to be fleshed out more in season 2 hopefully we’ll see that.
I understand why Fusco & Carter needed to know they were both working for Reese and Finch but it begs the question, “Why will both Fusco & Carter be needed in Season 2?” Unless Fusco remains an HR mole then both Carter and Fusco could provide the same police support to Reese and Finch. While I may not be a proponent of a straight-up romance between Carter and Reese, Carter’s continued role in POI will have to bring something to the team that Fusco won’t/can’t. It is significant that Carter kept the photograph of Reese and Jessica, that Finch trusts Carter (remember he questioned Reese sometime ago about continuing to keep Carter & Fusco in the dark about each other) and that Carter let Reese know she knew about New Rochelle. So I am looking forward to seeing how the writers balance the evolving backstories of Carter and Fusco with Reese’s & Finch’s while continuing the procedural aspect of the show.
I mean taraji wasn’t the actor/actress out of work…she was probably the only one out of the four who was actually working–long hours on the set can interfere with her film career. I think thats why she isn’t shown alot. Also, the difference is Reese and Finch trusts Carter, Reese more than Finch…eventually someone else will have to know about the machine, so its a good chance it will not be moonlighter Fusco, so it will have to be Carter because Finch sucks in the field so they need another foot soldier. Its not Fusco because like in the episiode with the wife beater is doesn’t care about who is guilty or innocent…He doesnt didnt want to follow the POI around and lost her.
Don’t sell Fusco short. ;) In addition to his actions last week, he’s saved Reese’s life twice – from the German assassin and his HR boss – in earlier episodes and he’s saved Finch’s life too. And Fusco did catch a bullet saving the teenager who was the POI. The show is good is showing all the lead characters – even my favorite Carter – in shades of grey where none of the 4 is morally right or wrong all of the time. I agree with rmoore79 that actions stemming from these moral ambiguities can place both Carter and Fusco in jeopardy in season 2.
klj, No I see Fusco clearly. It is a different situation to do something that is illegal for the right reasons. Fusco works by force, Carter works by choice. If Fusco highjacks the FBI investigation about Reese, then why was Carter doing all of the helping. Fusco could have text Reese while he was in the alley with the psycho therapist to warn him, but he didn’t. But HR knew all of a sudden to get to the hotel were Reese was hiding, because the HR cop knew the FBI had Reese on surveillance. Plus, on episode 20, when Fusco had to ask Reese what to do with the payout from the HR…dirty money!!! A good cop, hell, a good person would have not taken dirty money–he had no problem taking the money buying his kid something with it. I did not say Fusco isnt a major player in this series; I have said before he is very much a major player who will play for the winning team.
I didn’t get the feeling that Fusco and Carter had taken all of HR down yet. I saw that The Mole had been outed and arrested, but the other HR cop walked away and that could be real trouble for Fusco, and maybe even Carter if he saw them rescue Reese.
As I noted before, I feel that Carter could be in some real trouble if Donnelly ever finds out that she rescued Reese more than one time. The crap is about to hit the fan for both Carter and Fusco.
There will be plenty of material to flesh out in season 2. I can’t wait! Gah!
September, where are you????
I get the feeling that these writers really do not like cops and especially the FBI and CIA. I mean seriously, the FBI isnt that stupid…I watch Criminal Minds–lol! Anyway, if the FBI agent hadnt forcefully called Carter to come with him…she would have been caught because she would have been on the surveillance too. The best possible place she could have been to help out Reese was where she was. Don’t give up on Careese yet, I mean Zoe has no chemistry with Reese…I do not see it and I want to because I like her. I like Carter too and she doesnt have to be with Reese to remain on the show, but they are on fire when they are together. Carter has something that the others do not have beside for Finch and Reese and that is she can be trusted completely.
I agree. This show make all authorities look bad and pretty much incompetent including CIA, FBI, NYPD Taskforce, and even Carter and Fusco at times.
LOL. What did NY do before Reese/Finch? : )
Regarding demographics…
Okay, I understanding trying to appease a certain demo. And I have no issue with same sex storyline but I dont see any kinda evidence that there is anything like that with Finch and Reese. Where are people getting that idea from.
I read that in a post and I was like…ah that is way outta left field.
I disagree with some of the author’s views in this article. She said that she felt there was a loss of human connection in the last few episodes of the season. Finch was clearly trying to protect Reese when he didn’t want him working on a POI whose situation mirrored what happened to Jessica. Through flashbacks we see that Finch was actually at the hospital when John went to find Jessica. This to me shows that Finch has been emotionally invested in Reese long before Reese even knew of Finch’s existence. We caught a small glimpse of this in previous episodes where Reese’s life was in danger. We also learned that Finch actually had a fiance which makes him seem more human because we realize the sacrifices he has made in order to keep her safe. While we haven’t learned more about Carter’s background, we continue to get to know Fusco. I feel like his character has gone through the greatest transition in the first season. When we met Fusco he was a dirty cop on the take and now he actually realizes that he wants to be a good guy an make his son proud. While we haven’t learned why Fusco was dirty to begin with, I believe that if the writers choose to address that, we will learn that his reasoning was probably related to being able to provide for his son.
It is well known that Nolan originally wanted to postpone Carter’s involvement with Reese and Finch and that CBS forced him to push it up. It may be lesser known that Person of Interest was not renewed for a second season until late March. I am sure that the possibility of cancellation caused the writers to re-evaluate Nolan’s original vision which may have been more Machine oriented. The revelation that Reese didn’t kill Stanton and that she is alive seems like something they would’ve held onto until the second season. In fact, the discovery of Root also seems like it could have been addressed in season 2. However, these things may have been revealed this season due to the uncertainity of a second season. I personally thought Root was going to be Stanton, and I would’ve been happy with that, but I wouldn’t have been so sure that Stanton was Root and as shocked that she wasn’t if they had not told us that she was still alive a few episodes back. Stanton, Snow, and the rest of the “CIA” people are on the back burner until next season which is fine with me. Elias was also wrapped up in a nice little package and put away for next season. The season finale for me opened up entirely new and exciting possibilities for season 2 while disposing of a character I really didn’t care about (Corwin).
As far as the Reese/Carter relationship I feel like that was solidified in Flesh and Blood and also slightly put on the back burner until next season. While I would have enjoyed more scenes of them together, I get why they couldn’t do that. Carter took us on the journey to New Rochelle and we learned through her that Reese was not a cold blooded murderer. I agree that there is going to be some significance to her saving the photo of John and Jessica and I look forward to the moment when John finds out she has the picture and the questions that will follow. I think that Carter could be the link to humanity that John lost when Jessica died. The scene in the episode where Carter has Don Morretti in hiding and John calls Finch after she says “thanks for the backup” was so telling for me of how much Reese cares for her. The sing song quality of his voice when he says “Hi ya Finch, how’s it going,” was very enlightening in my opinion that their relationship is not one of strictly friendship. I am eagerly looking forward to season 2!
Cathryn W., I agree with you, though Finch bored me…right up until his last scene in the car. I seen him as a man who cared deeply for his machine and its ability to help people. He is a man with a purpose and cares deeply about his purpose. I “think” Carter brings something different to the show is what ANN was saying. Yes, Finch and Reese brings humanity to the show, because they are humans…but Carter brings a relatable humanity. She is the librarian, 2nd grade teacher, the church-lady that brings you peppermint, the aunt that backs you up when you get into trouble…her humanity shines brighter than theres. What woman want to hear a man nearly cry about a fiancee who he gave up for a machine? Yes, I am smart enough to know he gave her up for the greater good…an opportunity to save lives to make a greater impact in the world…but that can be considered selfish. Reese humanity is that he had this great love for his ex-girlfriend, a brief romance and treated her like shit to push her away and half his guilt is he was an ass that couldn’t save her because he chose the greater good…which, also can be considered selfish. They both hurt women and two women that I like…Zoe and Carter, they are using them and they are standing in line waiting to be summoned again. I like Fusco, Reese, Finch, Carter, and Zoe for different reasons…but I have the ability to see all sides equally and the characterization shortfalls.
It would be funny to see Carter and Zoe say no to the “boys” once in while.
It is a shame that Taraji thought she could be a better showrunner than the creator, Jonah Nolan, and went over his head to CBS to get her screen time increased before it was planned. That clearly caused some continuity issues for Season 1. She doesn’t have a kind word to say about the show, so why keep her around? She tweets about her movies and her boyfriend’s TV show, but not a peep about POI.
As for all the other comments on here about no character development, I believe it’s just the “I want it now” syndrome talking. If they revealed everything about everyone in Season 1, it would take all the fun out of it.
And to the person who said that they “dropped” Reese’s obsession with Jessica and the Finch/Reese bromance… clearly you haven’t been watching. Root even brings up “the one” [Jessica] he couldn’t save while they’re running upstairs. Finch is ready to jump out of his skin to guide Reese out of the HR and FBI crews closing in on him. He doesn’t want to leave Reese either, but he will get the doctor to safety and go back for him. Did you see Reese hit the chair in the library? He’s worried about Finch and just a little lost without him.
I can’t wait for September!
Rebel Kah. Taranji didn’t go over Nolan’s head. It was CBS who went to Nolan. I haven’t seen her tweet anything negative about the show. A majority of her tweets re-tweet POI comments or are directed to her co-star, K. Chapman aka Fusco.
And, yes, it seemed like they dropped Jessica. Although Root “rooted” around in Reese’s brain, we didn’t have the same emotional flashback replay to Jessica as previous epiodes.
Welcome to the fray. As you can tell we all enjoy a positive commenting environment.
There’s info out there that says Taraji herself went to CBS and asked them to make Nolan speed up his time-table for bringing her into the Finch/Reese fold. I’ve also seen two interviews where she blew off a POI question in favor of bringing up another project.
As far as press and Caviezel – I think that was a strategic move. Jim is very uncomfortable in interviews. Interviewers always bring up THE PASSION and it’s time they move on from that. He finally did a few interviews at the end of the season – and PASSION was brought up in all of them.
The role of Jessica: Considering Jessica is the reason he’s the way he is and even WHERE he is, it’ll never be completely dropped; however, now that we know what happened, do we really need to see more Jessica flashbacks? There is, after all, more to his history than Jessica. His guilt is our reminder of her.
https://www.cbs.com/shows/grammys//video/?pid=uhaKlW_J_y91ahC__FwQHs2BcXfIYtii
Rebel, Kah…I found this site where she, Taraji, was interviewed and had alot of positive comments about the show. If you can provide me the site to where she had the power to convince the CBS bosses to increase her role, I will appreciate it. I am pretty good at researching,even better with the truth, and not so bad with honesty. I like to be informed. Research the actress when she is being herself at interviews, she is a sweet, corney, girl and even if she did complain about the writer’s lack of creativity concerning Carter…I bet she was woman enough to go to them first and its no shame to speak up for yourself.
Rebel Kah, proof or you are making it up. Seriously, I’m all about having different opinions because that makes the world go around, but you seem to have an agenda when it comes to Taraji P. Henson. She is a fine actress and if you hate the Carter character, then just say so and don’t blame it on the actress. It is a fact that right now she is working on a movie in Atlanta and she has not had time to do the media stuff like Emerson, Caviezel, and Chapman have. Also, she was probably told to keep tight lipped when it came to tweeting about Person of Interest before the finale. She isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I suspect you are “icanseeformiles” on the twop forum. You say the same thing that lamebrain does about TPH, almost word for word. Did you start that silly petition to get the Carter character off the show?
I don’t start petitions to get stars removed from shows. They have a right to make a living like everyone else. Plus, if you can’t stand an actor you should just not watch the show, rather than cruise the internet looking for new places to complain and cause an uproar.
I happily blamed CBS for interfering with Nolan’s vision and forcing him to re-work season 1 to bring Carter on board earlier. Another Irrelevant posted that Taraji herself went to CBS to force the issue. The perpetrator of the interference could’ve been Caviezel and I still would’ve disagreed with the tactic.
At the beginning of the season, I thought the role of Carter was horribly written and Taraji did just about everything she could to inject life into it. They improved a bit on the writing, but had to make her part of the team to do it. I liked the idea of her chasing Reese all the time. She has far more tricks up her sleeve than Snow, for sure. A cat and mouse game that includes a slow burn to her realization that Reese isn’t quite what she thought would’ve been a great story for Taraji to sink her teeth into if someone could’ve written it properly. Maybe she needs to hook up with a writing partner who can fix some of the crap she’s given. Maybe someone could even write a scene for her so we can hear her sing!
Weird that I have to reply to my own post instead of rebel kha, but here goes.
You seem to be contradicting yourself when at first you complained about TPH, but then in another post, you complained about her character. Which is it?
As far as changing her role in the story, that was up to CBS and the showrunners. No amount of complaining will change it now. Actually, I think they did a world of good because the ratings went up with Get Carter and Number Crunch and pretty much stayed that way until the angsty episode with Reese and Jessica, if I have my numbers correct. Carter continuing to chase Reese would have gotten old and stale. I feel that CBS made the right decision to change her role a bit early.
Rebel Kah, what are you getting your information from. I will like to read where it stated that Taraji complained to the CBS bosses, because I have been looking for it to converse with people like you. Actors and Actresses are on a contract; they have to agree to do some many different interviews and publicity shows…you do not know whats in her contract and Jim rarely speaks about the show too, so he must be waiting on a film career comeback… if I apply your logic. The reason she can twitter about other shows, because she has other shows to twitter about. Moves the writers were making with this show regarding Taraji could have killed it…I know there are some people who enjoy a homogeneous cast, but the whole fact that Taraji is in the show doesn’t mean you will also reap the benefit of having a certain group of people watching the show if you do not know what to do to the character. The bottom line is the writers do not know how to write for her and that’s their limitation because if you have seen her in interviews…she is a cornball. When you have men trying to write for women, then you get a maneater like Zoe and someone like Carter who is naturally too feminine to be just one of the guys…but Zoe could have played that part.
I’ve personally read positive tweets of Taraji Henson regarding POI. Rebel Kah, it sounds like you have an agenda when you make blatantly false statements.
https://collider.com/nina-tassler-person-of-interest-season-2-broke-girls-interview/137168/
I have a feeling that the characters Root and Zoe benefited from Nina Tassler’s input just as much as Carter did. In the few videoclips and interviews of Ms. Henson I’ve seen recently she has spoken positively about POI and in one she mentioned the great writers on the show. Henson speaks up for her character to be better written (i.e. more backstory), which is what all good actors and actresses do.
Henson’s professionalism always impressed me, including her realistic advice on Wendy Williams to young actresses regarding dating co-workers as a career killer.
However, unless the actor has an EP credit, a longstanding history with the show/network or is a major headliner, going over the production staff’s head is usually a career killer. Considering Nolan directly offered her the role and her friendship with Greg Plageman, I doubt she complained to the big boss.
Although Cavaziel no longer uses his twitter account and Henson is currently filming with Idris Elba during the POI 30-day hiatus, all actors have made a valiant attempt to publicize the show since the final episode wrapped. Henson and Chapman through twitter (possibly Emerson, but I don’t follow his feed) as well as Cavaziel, Chapman and Emerson through interviews.
Although I referenced Henson’s film career earlier, I am impressed that she and Cavaziel managed to release films despite the Person of Interest schedule. So, at least their names remain on the film world’s lips.
I’ve noticed on a couple CBS action-oriented shows, Hawaii 5-0, NCIS:LA and Criminal Minds, the female characters typically start out in marginal or less-fleshed out roles, until fan outcry forces them to better develop and integrate them. Good on the network staff for noticing in advance. CliqueClack writers are going to SDCC (and a couple other cons). If POI attends, I hope one of our writers can squeeze into one of the press rooms.
I saw an interview on the Talk with Jim Caviezel. One of the hosts stated that it would be great to see Reese and Carter hook up. JC actually blushed. I thought that was interesting.
I just want to add–great POI finale. There is absolutely no chemistry between Reese and Zoe. All Reese said was ” hi Zoe”. He did not even look at her. And after that it was all business. He never even thanked her when she gave him the information on Root. Yet he took the time to thank Carter in a very serious situation. And just the way he said it with such emotion. I now strongly believe that the writers have plans for a Carter/Reese relationship but not until much later. Carter and Reese have a lot in common and she still has that photo in her possession. Zoe was also a “person of interest” and so was Carter. Yet Reese is definitely more concerned about Carter’s well being and not Zoe. I like Zoe’s character, but adding one more to POI will take away from the show. Just my opinion.
Thank you Taber, for making me feel better! I kept seeing a lot of Zoe love on different message boards and started getting depressed about where things might go next season. Seriously, I do feel that Carter and Fusco are an integral part of the now 4 person team. I sensed that the finale solidified that. They had to find out about each other in order for Reese to be able to find Finch. It may take a few episodes to do that. Surely, he will need their help either finding Finch, or with solving the number of the week mystery. At any rate, I don’t see TPH going away anytime soon.
I wouldn’ be overly concerned about Zoe’s character. As I mentioned in a discussion regarding an earlier episode/discussion, you can’t put too much sway in a message board when it comes to discerning what the POI masses like. Most simply watch the show and don’t post their likes/dislikes. For instance, the episode in which Zoe was the person of interest was one of the lowest rated episodes for POI, but you wouldn’t know that from reading boards.
Carter and Fusco is an integral part of POI. None of the recurring guest stars is going to threaten that. Additionally, it made sense to have Zoe in this episode since she was in the episode which introduced us to Root.
On a lighter note, has anyone else noticed how no one says goodbye before hanging up on a phone conversation on POI? : )
Lol. Being a spy, means never having to say goodbye :)
I like Zoe and Carter. I also think Zoe is a no issue concerning her ability to threatened the ideal relationship of Careese. Someone posted, that Reese did not look at Zoe the whole time. No eye contact and I wished I’ve seen Jim blush when the talk show lady mentioned him hooking up with Taraji, but the clip I continue to see is that they cut to Taraji’s picture and not show a reaction from Jim. When they cut back to him, he was still smiling. They haven’t even put Carter in a dress and Carter would be fierce in a dress, because Taraji is fierce in a dress. I can’t wait until September…I think we are all in agreement. I haven’t agreed with everything posted, but I definitely have enjoyed everything…happy posting.
Hey pseudo, I think Fusco is Loyal that is why Reese picked him in the first place, there was this conversation in the pilot episode when Reese mentioned so in Fusco’s car, and Fusco showed his loyalty many times by saving Reese’s and Finch’s lives, and I like to see Carter getting more involved in future cases, she showed loyalty too, I really loved it when she shredded John’s file, and I like Detective Szymanski, he seemed nice and even he likes Carter , I do not see the necessity of love relationship between Reese and Carter, they are working great as a team, they really trust each other, and that is great.
And Reese never say thanks to Fusco.
He isn’t nice too Fusco, thats why I do not think Fusco can remain loyal to him. He isn’t always nice to Carter, but he told Fusco…Don’t call me, I’ll call you in the finale. Fusco was doing the job he was asked, which is to be a mole in HR. What!? If you notice when Reese showed up late, Finch was annoyed that he was with Fusco…Finch doesn’t trust Fusco, which may explain why he wasn’t called on to help Reese. I like Fusco and I’m going to hate it when he betrays Reese, but I got to say Reese has it coming. This is my opinion and it is consistent with how shows normally play out, but at times the writer exceed expectation. You can’t run over people. For the 2nd season, I hope to see Carter and Fusco work more together. I want to see Carter in a fight scene, not just a gun fight…but a fist fight. I want Carter to demand more about the machine and more given…and more to be revealed about Finch background and who he really is. I want Carter to get a romantic interest, it can be Reese or some other attractive guy…I am not picky and put her on a dress sometimes. I am sure there is more I want to see, but I can adjust as the 2nd season progresses.
I agree Reagan. Don’t pay any attention to the message boards about Zoe. Nolan contacted Naraji and asked her to be a part of POI. Nolan in an interview also said he always wanted to write for Naraji. Carter is going to continue to get major coverage on POI because she is just that good of an actress. I am starting to really like Fusco. He doesn’t seem intimidated by Reese as much and hits him back with great “one liners.”
This finale episode really caught me by surprise. I did not suspect the psychologist at all. I was also surprised to see Reese talking to “the machine.” And then the phone rang. I think it’s “Root”–but I’m only guessing. Others have said it’s the machine calling Reese; now that would be scary almost sciFi, but I strongly doubt it. Who do you think is on the phone?
What a finale, BRAVOOOO, really beyond words, marvelous ending for such an awesome show.
Fusco is really getting better, I liked Zoe’s comeback too, she is a lovely addition to our Machine team. I love the Cast of show, all of them are wisely chosen, Hope to see more of Cara in season 2, and cannot wait to see who is on the phone.
ok…Mary, I agree to disagree.
you can watch POI episodes at Project Free TV. I have watched “get Carter” and the Finale episodes a couple of times. And there are no commercials.
Im new to this site. And agree with most of the assessments of the finale. In response to Taber. Ugh were we watching the same finale. Reese is so into Zoe. He was very happy to see her and it brought a smile to that handsome face. Zoe will definitely be his love interest. Carter is a good actress and she is part of the team along with Fusco to help Finch and Reese, and that’s all. There is no chemistry between Reese and Carter. He only paid attention to get her on board. Zoe and Reese would make a great coupe and it just makes sense.
Hi, Debbie, welcome. So why do you think John is into Zoe? Not only did he not make eye contact, but acted kind of stiff when she sat down and he just stood there. He smiled and showed teeth once because she was flirting and insulting him at the same time…she reminds me of myself. When she said its no woman alive who can fix him…I understand her making that statement because she was jealous Reese was looking at the psycho therapist and not focusing on her and she basically told him to his face he is screwed up emotionally. I agree with the latter assessment. Take a look when Zoe sits down, Reese seems confused about what to do next…I mean once someone sits down then the person you are with sits down too so you guys can face each other. He kept cutting his eyes at her when they talked, that’s not eye contact. Rule one in attraction is eye contact! Go back to see how Reese looks at Jess in the airport before he became cold…Now, I do not want to argue about if he is into Carter or not…but he looks at her with so much emotion. A lot of people say that Carter and Reese should be just friend, I do not care as long as her character continues to develop…but a good friendship is basis for a good relationship. When Zoe and Reese start going through emotional situations like he and Carter then I can call it–if it happens without those emotional links then its just a physical release and the show has been so meaningful, I hope the writers do not just start writing in scenes to just have a meaningless romance. Now Carter is attracted to Reese, I went back and looked at some more episodes…at first I missed it–the first time she met him in the diner, she was checking him out…the second time I heard attraction was when the woman beater was taken to Mexico and she talked to the warden and described Reese as tall, dark, and in a suit–Handsome? She said everything except handsome and the reason she hasn’t called him handsome speaks volumes, because its obvious…ask Zoe and the world. I think a lot of people differ on reading people is because of our personal experience with reading people. In a relationship I would be interested in, Carter and Reese has all of the ingredients. They already know so much about each other, so they have accepted the strengths and shortcomings. They trust each other so much and did you see the look Carter gave the NYPD officer who said Reese kidnapped the psycho therapist…if looks could cut. I can easily ship for Zoe and Reese but I do not see a foundation for a relationsip yet…but it can still happen in a meaninful way. Zoe and Reese would interrupt Reese and Carter; Zoe doesn’t share time or anything else with another woman…I mean its by design. :-)
also, take a closer look at Carter’s personality and character…she can give a damn about Reese’s attention. If she cared about his attention, she would have called him on it when things appeared to change. I think viewers are putting the wrong attributes on Carter’s character…Reese did not need Carter’s help, he would have happily forced Fusco to do things. Carter is not going to date Fusco, so the people who are wanting it to happen to make sure Reese gets with a chick they can identify with…will have to come up with another strategy. Reese wasn’t interested into adding Carter to the team until she became the POI…so he calls on her to do things Finch can do. They had manage to save all of the POIs before Carter. Why? In no good deeds, he called on her to ask if the POI had a drug problem…Finch was already looking into that. After Carter told him the POI did not have a drug problem, he allowed Finch to come right in after his investigation and say the POI does not have a drug problem…as if he didn’t just hold a conversation with Carter about the no-drug problem situation. He didn’t even mention to Finch that Carter had just talked to him; he acted like he was hearing it for the first time. Why did he call Carter? He cares for her and she cares for him and it may not be in a romantic way…but to downplay Carter and Reese relationship to enhance Reese and Zoe relationship is not accurate…happy posting.
Hey dear POI fans, and WARM welcome to Debbie, happy to see new comments here, I am watching clips and episodes of POI all over again, and to be honest I love doing it ,(in my spare time), and really waiting for the season 2, Well about Zoe, Carter and Reese, I think John is not really in to either of this lovely women, he is more in to what he is doing now, the whole idea of helping people and preventing crime is his priority and is taking much of his time, and I believe John is a sentimental gentleman, the way he was with Dr. Tilmen in E04, with Sara in E21, with real root in E23 and even with Cara showed that he is always protective of women and when it was about saving Carter he was acting as usual, but having said that I know most of thoughtful fans on this site are big fans of Careese, but I have to say I love this show the story line is unique and I love it the way it is.
Just to be clear…Debbie–I am a Carter, Reese, Finch, and Fusco fan as an entity or as individuals. I think if the people who hoping for a connection with Zoe…just need to explain the attraction or what they call attraction…here is the thing when a woman puts herself out there twice and the man doesn’t bite, then how is he attracted to her. I will not ask a person out twice. People who are hoping for a Careese romantic connection has given specific details–some ambiguous in nature but could be perceived as attraction or Reese is just being a good person. Now his madness for protection is different with Carter and has not been paralled…Zoe is in a dangerous line of work, the show hasn’t shown him following her around trying to make sure she is alright or doesn’t get into trouble. In the last couple of episdoes, Carter has magically stayed away from crimes…so badass Reese did not have to follow her. Reese may not be into Zoe or Carter…but only one of these people has showed interest into Reese and that is Zoe. The difference on this site…I believe is that people are new to the site comes in almost always attack Carter or the Careese potential, when a more positive approach would to support why Zoe is more appropriate…most people and not specficially you or the other person thinks that if they take away from Carter’s relationship with Reese–which may be innocent in nature, then Zoe relationship with Reese can have a chance. You do not see Careese fans stating oh Reese is just working with Finch for a purpose, but he works with Carter because he wants her to be a part of his purpose…see thats taking from Reese and Finch connection trying to push the Carter and Reese connection–each and everytime I see fans doing it, I will do my best to bring it to light. I am speaking to you directly because I speak for me…no one else…other than that happy postings! :-)
Hi, Debbie.
I’m curious to as why it “just make sense” that Reese and Zoe would make a great couple because it’s not obvious to me…… especially given that Reese appears to have barely registered Zoe during her last two outings working with Reese and Finch.
In fact, in my opinion, Finch and Zoe appears to have more chemistry.
Dear debbie what show are you watching? I know you defend what you ship but you reserve the roles so strnogly that how can we argue with you. Impossible!
Debbie, you are forgetting the episode when Zoe asked Reese to by her a drink and Reese completely ignored her and basically told her to get the reporters from off the guys front porch. Then Reese watched her get into her limo and drive off. He did not even remind her or bring up the subject. That says to me that he’s not interested.
Reese also talks with a double meaning when responding to Carter as follows:
“Hi detective did you miss me?” When Carter responds that she pictured him in the back of her car in handcuffs; Reese responds “To each his own.”
To Lionel Reese responded “Thanks for being concerned about my ass, but I can “handle” detective Carter.
Reese to Carter–“Carter, are you still with me”.
“Hi detective, I was afraid you had changed your mind.”
Reese to Carter in the coffee shop “I’m tired of you chasing me.” And looking deep into her eyes
Reese to Carter “Carter, I need you to be more careful.” (In Get Carter)
And there are lots more instances that I do not have time to add. He never flirts like that with Zoe or shows that he cares.
Wow, don’t think I could have said it better myself! While I respect Zoe as a formidable partner, I don’t see her as strong as Carter. And, to me, the writers have clearly gone in the direction of Reese bonding with Carter. The double entendres, the stares and looks, and how Reese will do anything to keep Carter on board. Honestly, he could have just ignored her and let her go. Of course, her character would be written off the show and that would be that, but I don’t feel that The Powers That Be are going to just put that on the back burner and push Zoe to the front, so to speak. What they might do is take that story slowly to allow time for healing to occur. I can see some very interesting stories coming up if they allow their relationship to slowly develop.
Oddly enough, months ago, I was totally in favor of Reese and Zoe hooking up. As time went on, I began to see how much Carter and Reese mesh together. Could be onscreen chemistry, but whatever it is, something is there between them. Whatever happens, I look forward to many seasons of POI!
I want to add that I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. And I totally enjoy the banter between Reese and Finch; And the way Reese flirts with Cater and Carter being totally clueless. If the writers bring Carter and Reese together too soon, it could take away from the premise of the show. In my opinion, I would bring them together in the final episode, which will probably be a two hour episode. In the meantime, keep the suspense and the hints coming to the viewers.
One of the great things about this show is how Carter is clueless about how Reese flirts with her. I will like to watch the day that she will make the click on that and “oh, really? yes!!!!”