Person of Interest 5×05: “ShotSeeker” Review

John Reese delivers the punches as Person of Interest hits a minor snag

Person of Interest returned to their number of the week formula with its latest episode, “ShotSeeker.” John Reese (Jim Caviezel) is sent to investigate and follow Ethan Garvin (Will Connolly), who works in the NYPD’s Real Time Crime Center. Garvin is in charge of a program named ShotSeeker, which listens for gun shots in the city using surveillance systems that are already in place. The catch? Garvin has to identify whether these shots are real or fake. When it’s found that Garvin tampers with results at times, we’re led to believe he must be the perpetrator.

After hearing shots in an apartment building a few nights prior, Garvin sets out to find out the truth.Reese tails him and finds him taking matters of a possible real shooting into his own hands because no one else will. Garvin tells Reese that he won’t stop until he figures out whether Krupa Kaik, who is now missing from that apartment, is alive or dead.

POI stuck to it’s main plot this season when Root and Finch argued over the best way to handle the machine. They both want different things when it comes to what information she should be allowed to have and how she should be able to defend herself.

Meanwhile, Fusco (Kevin Chapman) is none to pleased (he used his angry voice guys) when he is met by Bruce Moran (James Le Gros), a childhood friend of Elias (Enrico Colantoni) who is searching for answers about his death. Moran threatens Fusco’s son and immediately realizes that it’s Reese he should be talking to. After a phone call to Reese, it’s decided that Fusco should handle Garvin while Reese takes on Moran. After Fusco and Garvin visit the man who reported Krupa missing (the head of a not for profit), they find out she’s pretty much a saint who is trying to solve world hunger. Who would want her dead? As they’re leaving, we have a moment of pure panic as it looks like Fusco may get caught in the cross-hairs when ShotSeeker reports a shooter at that location. Reported by none other than Samaritan.

After finding one of Krupa’s friends shot, Reese sets off on a chase. The man escapes (John Blackwell (Joshua Close) from SNAFU) and Reese is knocked out and taken by a different group. Root (Amy Acker) and Finch (Michael Emerson) are desperate to find him as the machine can’t display his whereabouts. Root finds Blackwell at the apartment of the woman who friends with Krupa. They’re both searching for the hard drive of Krupa’s work. After a stand off, Root and Blackwell part ways. Root and Finch release the work for the masses, thereby taking Garvin’s number off Samaritans radar.

Bruce has captured Reese and after Reese shows him that fan favorite Elias is still very much alive thanks to him and Fusco, he leaves. Not without a few words from Elias about letting it go and staying in the shadows.

Love or hate it?

The numbers. The staple of Person of Interest and the initial premise for the entire show. While they are always so unique and entertaining, it seems as though they’re losing their place in this final season. In “ShotSeeker,” the best choice was to make Garvin’s number come up because of Samaritan. He was a threat to Samaritan and therefore, they wanted him dead. It was also a good excuse to have Root encounter one of Samaritans latest operatives. The story line of The Machine vs. Samaritan is the main reason this show has become the intense powerhouse it is now. This episode, while still filled with great moments, seemed dull in a final season that should have one main focus. The story did bring some funny moments in the form of Fusco. Sick of being left out of the loop in regards to the numbers time and time again, he decided to do something about it.

“There’s something going on, and I’m going to investigate it with or without the nerd herd.”

The number of the week will always be relevant to Person of Interest, and of course to the team, but with so few episodes remaining, we need to get back to the action.

Return of a fan favorite

Elias. What an interesting character. Love him or hate him, he will always have a place in the story that is Person of Interest. While it appeared as though Elias had met his end after being shot in season 4, in “ShotSeeker” we learned that Fusco got him out of the car in time to save his life. Elias has been both a foe and a friend to Team Machine over the past 5 seasons. When it was discovered that he was alive, there was actually a sigh of relief. He’s a man who respects loyalty, honesty, and tradition. He’s much like a collection of all of the personalities that make up the team. Hopefully Elias comes back for a few more episodes before the end of the series. It would be nice to see him work with the team on something.

Mommy and daddy are fighting..

There’s a moral storm brewing between Root and Finch and I am here for it. Root wants to give The Machine power to make her own choices and be able to defend herself in any way necessary. While Finch wants to close the system and keep some power over her capabilities. The banter back and forth between Root and Finch is always welcome. These two characters have such a strong bond and respect for each other that when they fight, you know it’s going to blow the roof off. Finch tells Root:

“If you want me to do whatever it takes, it has to be on my terms.”

Finch refuses to allow The machine to run without his influence, no matter how small it may be. On the other hand, Root wants and trusts The Machine to do what has to be done. She likens The Machine to a child who should be able to defend themselves on a playground if they’re pushed. As Finch tries to explain why that theory can’t always hold up, Root says:

“Don’t worry. If there’s trouble on the playground, I’ll push first.”

Root and Finch are in for a moral battle. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? Is there even an answer for that? All we know? We hate when mommy and daddy fight.

Final Verdict: In a season of highs, this may be a low

Person of Interest couldn’t deliver a bad episode if it tried. Between the action and character development, it continues to shine. While there were moments of greatness and AH HA moments, overall the episode felt flat. “6,741” was one of if not the best episode of Person of Interest and to follow it up with “ShotSeeker” just felt disappointing. Obviously not every episode has to be jam packed to be good, but in the final shortened season it should be all over nothing. The acting was on par as always, and the integration of the Samaritan story was there, I just needed more. There were however some important notes and moments to remember for moving forward. Overall, Root and Finch’s moments were by far the stand outs of the episode. Anytime they’re on screen, I’m all in.

Questions/Comments:

• Fusco continuously shines in the most understated way
• Cannot wait to see Root and Finch scenes in upcoming episodes
• Shaw will be back (for real!) next week!
• Production design and direction is incredible week after week