Prisoner's Dilemma

A little piece of history and one of my faves. We now know this is one of the top-rated series of all time. However, back in S02 the writing team, as good as they were, still had not figured out the key to turbo-charging the show, which of course turned out to be a double dose of estrogen. So in this 2-parter they put everything but the kitchen sink into the script, and viewers got it, and appreciated it. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I have been binge watching POI over the past week, and I have got to say that I am continually impressed, as it's one of those rare shows that manages to be consistently good across an entire 22 episode season, and it's episodes like this one which show just how good a show Person of Interest is and can be.

In a divergence from the usual weekly case format, the writers, actors and crew show that they can maintain a high level of intensity and focus even if the episode is less about bang bang action and more about storytelling. This episode doesn't just give a (part) resolution to the "Man in a Suit" storyline, but also gives the audience an even deeper insight into the minds of the main characters, and shows us just how talented each of the main characters is; Reese in his ability to respond under pressure, Carter in her loyalty to people that she (quite honestly) barely knows, and the intelligence of Finch, who is the mastermind behind the whole extraction operation.

It's also great to see that the show can also inject an element of humour into such an intense episode, with Fusco's side-mission proving to be one of the most amusing moments in the series so far!

An amazing and refreshing episode. 10/10 Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to see what happens next!

Everything about this episode is PERFECT. The flashbacks, the ending, the genius of Donnely, the hilarious scenes of Lionel with the POI, 40 minutes of perfection.

I am bingeing my way through POI, and basically, it is a fantastic show. And this episode is just perfect entertainment. Every single thing about it. Kudos to the writers for coming up with all the twists and turns, and even the fun little jaunt with Fusco. 10/10 A++

In Rikers, Carter is interrogating Reese under the supervision of Donnelly. Meanwhile, The Machine delivers the number of Karolina Kurkova in Brooklyn and Finch asks Fusco to follow her. Fusco protects her from a gang and is rewarded in the end. The Special Counsel asks Hersh to kill the four suspects in Rikers and he shoots his gun to the air in Times Square to be arrested by the police and sent to Rikers. Reese answers Carter posing of his alias John Warren while Finch updates the profile of his cover and Donnelly checks the information. Donnelly wants to go to John Warren's office in Wall Street, but Finch has already prepared the place to cover his story. One man of Elias protects Reese from the Aryans and Elias invites him to join his gang, but Reese tells him that they cannot be seen together. Reese asks Elias to send a picture of Hersh to Finch, and Fusco identifies him as a spy from the government. Hersh kills the suspect Brian Kelly simulating a suicide by hanging. Another suspect, Charles McAvoy, asks for immunity to denounce who the man in the suit is, but Finch steals his account, and he is forced to lie. Donnelly submits Reese to a last test in the yard, and he is beaten by the Aryans. Carter reprehends Donnelly telling him that he crossed the line. Reese is finally released and when he meets Carter during the night, something happens.

"Prisoner's Dilemma" is among the best episodes of "Person of Interest". Reese in Rikers, interrogated by Carter with Donnelly supervising and giving directions to Carter is engaging. The segment of Fusco with the gorgeous and hot Karolina Kurkova is funny and entertaining. The past of Reese and Stanton shows a little more about the development of Reese. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "Prisoner's Dilemma"