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'Person of Interest' - 'Pilot': Rage against the machine

What did everybody think of Jesus and Ben Linus teaming up to fight crime?

By Alan SepinwallThursday, Sep 22, 2011 10:00 PM

Reese (Jim Caviezel) and Finch (Michael Emerson) follow a DA (Natalie Zea) who may be in trouble on "Person of Interest."

Credit: CBS

I posted my review of CBS' "Person of Interest" yesterday. Now it's your turn. What did you think of the vigilante drama? Were you okay with Jim Caviezel's energy level? Would you prefer Michael Emerson to stretch himself beyond Ben Linus-type roles? Do you want more Taraji P. Henson or less? And what on earth was William Sadler doing there for 30 seconds?

Have at it.

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

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SaveFarris

You stole my question: surely William Sadler is more than Anonymous Gun Dealer #1. Right?!?

Finch's limp is quite distracting and needs a hell of a backstory to make it worth the while. And I'm sure the network execs in charge of planning sweeps aren't happy that they've written themselves in a box vis-a-vie body counts. Any mass casualty event is going to be spit out onto the "other list" while the one Finch has access to seems like it'll only be a victim or two a piece at most.

Still, In Nolan I Trust. (Even if it's the other one). I'm sticking around.
September 22, 2011 at 10:07PM EST Reply to Comment
- Dave I was fine with the limp until he started walking up the stairs. Then it was really obvious and unnatural; why didn't he just use the handrail?
  September 23, 2011 at 10:12AM EST
- Hwat Naa, anything under a thousand deaths doesn't go on the big list - budget cuts and all that.
  October 2, 2011 at 9:49PM EST
Jonathan

I thought it was pretty decent. Jim Caviezel isn't going to win an Emmy any time soon, but he hit that Jack Bauer kicking ass spot I've been missing since the 24 cancellation. I'll give it another go next week.
September 22, 2011 at 10:08PM EST Reply to Comment
Craig Ranapia

"Do you want more Taraji P. Henson or less?"

Any show that gets her the hell out of Bon Temps deserves our support.
September 22, 2011 at 10:16PM EST Reply to Comment
- True Blood is a summer show, I'd guess she can do both.
  September 25, 2011 at 12:27PM EST
debbie

I guess I'll give it another week, and I want it to be sucessful for Michael Emersons sake. But mostly it just makes me pine for Lost, or a show that grabs me the way Lost did. (Felt the same way watching Terry OQuinns guesting on hawaii 5-0 on monday)

All the Big Brother cameras and wire tapping creeps me out.

Even tho natalie Zea is the weakest link on Justified, it reminded me that I have at least one great show to look forward to....

Oh, and FRINGE tomorrow.

September 22, 2011 at 10:20PM EST Reply to Comment
- Only a woman would refer to Natalie Zea as weak in any respect ;)
  September 24, 2011 at 4:12PM EST
JD

Gonna stick around for a few episodes to see what's in the pocket. In Nolan we trust indeed.

I missed the first 5 seconds, but the other 10 secs John was with Jessica he was visibly more alive, even for a little bit.
September 22, 2011 at 10:24PM EST Reply to Comment
ML

I didn't like it much. I was expecting something more character driven and this was just another procedural show. There's enough of them on air and most of them are bad enough.
September 22, 2011 at 11:52PM EST Reply to Comment
The_NV

All the procedurals I watch have a pretty significant comedy element to them: NCIS, House, Psych, and Law & Orders SVU and the now-defunct Criminal Intent. I want to like this show because it's JJ Abrams and Michael Emerson, and I think the concept of the machine predicting who's in danger (or causing danger) is interesting, but this is definitely a show without a sense of humor, and I don't know how long I can hang on without one.
September 23, 2011 at 12:27AM EST Reply to Comment
fraying

I think you guys were way too hard on the former mister Jesus Christ. Sure, his performance was downplayed, but you can't just instantly come back from being a shattered, suicidal, homeless wreck in 5 minutes.

I with they'd started the series with something else - a normal, we're all working together story - and trusted the audience catch up. Then the backstories could have slipped in here and there throughout the season.

As it was, it felt like a kind of a backstory-heavy single plotline episode, which made the plotline feel thin and the backstory seem rushed.

I'll be watching the next ep, but it's not an instant favorite.

September 23, 2011 at 2:13AM EST Reply to Comment
Chris

It wasn't bad. Caviezel is Caviezel, that being said, he fills that role nicely. I'm more curious to see how he grows over the course of a season beyond a one dimensional tool for Emerson.

I think the more interesting dilemma this show has is what to do with Taraji Henson. At first, it seems as though she is going to be the liason into the NYPD, which she probably will be, but the episode took a much more interesting turn establishing the same sort of connection with Kevin Chapman. I love the dynamic of having the not only reluctant detective, but in essence a blackmailed cop who is now under the thumb of the protagonists. That seems like a much more interesting paradigm, and redundant with Henson's character. Perhaps they use Henson as the foil to the heroes who is trying to track them down in every episode ala' Lt. Gerard in "The Fugitive".
September 23, 2011 at 2:21AM EST Reply to Comment
Adam

I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.
September 23, 2011 at 5:13AM EST Reply to Comment
Adam

I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.
September 23, 2011 at 5:14AM EST Reply to Comment
cadfile

William Sadler's cameo reminded me of Michael Ironside's cameo in first episode of season 4 of Burn Notice - like maybe the producers called in a favor for a throw away roll or maybe Sadler needed to make his SAG insurance eligibility?

I thought it was a good start and hope it improves.
I like the twist that we don't know if the client each week will be the good guy or the bad guy.
September 23, 2011 at 6:49AM EST Reply to Comment
Haik Mendelovich

I was seriously disappointed. Disappointed enough to use the last third of the show to rescan my TV's channels. Really.

And the music is awful.
September 23, 2011 at 7:40AM EST Reply to Comment
- Joanne Absolutely agree
  September 23, 2011 at 7:18PM EST
tag8833

I was entertained by the fact that most of the episode consisted of Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson narrating plot developments to each other interspersed with high energy violence.

It felt like a fake script offered up as part of a script writing class to illustrate common errors.

I won't be watching again, but I imagine I might mention it to some of the less TV savy people I know like the In-laws.
September 23, 2011 at 9:00AM EST Reply to Comment
tzzation

Boring AND weird. Man, that is a tough combo to accomplish.
September 23, 2011 at 11:30AM EST Reply to Comment
Tausif Khan

More Taraji P. Henson please. Since they mentioned Michael Emerson's Emmy nomination they could have mentioned Henson's Oscar and Emmy nominations as well.
September 23, 2011 at 12:14PM EST Reply to Comment
Tausif Khan

My response to the pilot is I thought Batman/Bruce Wayne told Lucius Fox to enter his name into his cell phone surveillance program.

Jim Cavizel is basically playing Batman in a suit. In fact this is literally the relationship of Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond.

I trust Jona Nolan because he wrote the short story that was the basis for the movie Memento and the rebooted Batman scripts. While I did not like his and his brother's perspective on world events in The Dark Knight I can see that it was well thought out.

I liked that there was that scene with Jim Caviezel recruiting the police officer because for me it shows that it won't be completely serialized.

I had a problem with Caviezel's character taking so easily to the surveillance program but hopefully the show will start to interrogate the goodness of Emerson's character and what Caviezel is doing.
September 23, 2011 at 12:28PM EST Reply to Comment
- Tausif Khan *an wrote the rebooted Batman scripts
  
  *won't be completely standalone and will have some serialization
  September 23, 2011 at 12:30PM EST
Archie

MORE MORE MORE Taraji!!!! Please!!!!
September 23, 2011 at 1:59PM EST Reply to Comment
Clay

It's an interesting premise with a lot of possible avenues and I'd basically watch Michael Emerson do nothing but limp for another episode. I think Caviezel's, "I took a xanax an hour ago" acting style kind of brings a weirdly intriguing tension to the role. Granted, it could get really boring after a few episodes but he certainly pulled off the actions stuff convincingly. I'll dvr this one until Alcatraz or Awake comes around.
September 23, 2011 at 2:47PM EST Reply to Comment
Boricua in Texas

I actually liked it. I think Caviezel is convincing playing someone who is sort of numb and not quite all there, as befits a traumatized, ex-CIA assassin.
September 23, 2011 at 3:23PM EST Reply to Comment
WyldeMan52

I honestly felt that Reese is sleepwalking through life because he doesn't quite feel alive right now. He's been so near death and on a mission to die over his guilt and grief. He was clearly more alive in the bedroom scenes with his past love. I think Caviezel is playing Reese this way intentionally, at least that's how I saw his performance.
September 23, 2011 at 8:45PM EST Reply to Comment
amelia

The show was exciting, dark, compelling and very well-produced, but the characters lacked any humor whatsoever. Granted, this is no comedy, but if we are to come to care about these characters, they need to be 3-dimensional. Little quirks; mild, offhand jokes add to our interest. We'll give it a few more tries and hope for the best...
September 24, 2011 at 10:15AM EST Reply to Comment
Lee

The numbers are bad!
September 24, 2011 at 9:18PM EST Reply to Comment
71dude

I couldn't make any sense out of that.
September 24, 2011 at 9:18PM EST Reply to Comment
edc8

Caviezel's slow burn is better than the amped insanity of say, sutherland.
September 25, 2011 at 8:27AM EST Reply to Comment
chris_brannigan

when I heard they were moving CSI from it's prime slot on Thursday night to give it to Person of Interest, a show starring Jesus and Ben Linus, produced by JJ Abrahms and written by Jonathan Nolan - I expected a hell of a good show. There were flashes of batman, there were flashes of momento, there were flashes of ben linus - but was it an amazing show? No, not really. I really hope this was just lots of exposition and it'll get better over the next few episodes. Think back to Batman begins and it was lots of exposition before the action started - I'd guess we're seeing the same thing. Fingers Crossed!
September 25, 2011 at 12:38PM EST Reply to Comment
AndrewVoyer

Im just happy Jesus avenged Louie CK and took out his bully from season 1
September 25, 2011 at 9:11PM EST Reply to Comment
Felixdacat

Just finished epsisode 2.
This is a good show. Hasn't gelled yet, but I like what I've seen so far.
Alan, please go back for more.
October 11, 2011 at 5:28PM EST Reply to Comment
Felixdacat

And now, I have added Person of Interest to my DVR. Best new show so far.
October 16, 2011 at 2:57PM EST Reply to Comment
MAC

Best drama of the season. We need a "24" replacement.
October 29, 2011 at 10:35AM EST Reply to Comment

'Person of Interest' - 'Pilot': Rage against the machine

Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Dave I was fine with the limp until he started walking up the stairs. Then it was really obvious and unnatural; why didn't he just use the handrail?

Hwat Naa, anything under a thousand deaths doesn't go on the big list - budget cuts and all that.

Jonathan I thought it was pretty decent. Jim Caviezel isn't going to win an Emmy any time soon, but he hit that Jack Bauer kicking ass spot I've been missing since the 24 cancellation. I'll give it another go next week.

Craig Ranapia "Do you want more Taraji P. Henson or less?"Any show that gets her the hell out of Bon Temps deserves our support.

True Blood is a summer show, I'd guess she can do both.

Only a woman would refer to Natalie Zea as weak in any respect ;)

JD Gonna stick around for a few episodes to see what's in the pocket. In Nolan we trust indeed.I missed the first 5 seconds, but the other 10 secs John was with Jessica he was visibly more alive, even for a little bit.

ML I didn't like it much. I was expecting something more character driven and this was just another procedural show. There's enough of them on air and most of them are bad enough.

Adam I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.

Adam I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.

Haik Mendelovich I was seriously disappointed. Disappointed enough to use the last third of the show to rescan my TV's channels. Really.And the music is awful.

Joanne Absolutely agree

tzzation Boring AND weird. Man, that is a tough combo to accomplish.

Tausif Khan More Taraji P. Henson please. Since they mentioned Michael Emerson's Emmy nomination they could have mentioned Henson's Oscar and Emmy nominations as well.

Tausif Khan *an wrote the rebooted Batman scripts*won't be completely standalone and will have some serialization

Archie MORE MORE MORE Taraji!!!! Please!!!!

Boricua in Texas I actually liked it. I think Caviezel is convincing playing someone who is sort of numb and not quite all there, as befits a traumatized, ex-CIA assassin.

Lee The numbers are bad!

71dude I couldn't make any sense out of that.

edc8 Caviezel's slow burn is better than the amped insanity of say, sutherland.

AndrewVoyer Im just happy Jesus avenged Louie CK and took out his bully from season 1

Felixdacat Just finished epsisode 2. This is a good show. Hasn't gelled yet, but I like what I've seen so far. Alan, please go back for more.

Felixdacat And now, I have added Person of Interest to my DVR. Best new show so far.

MAC Best drama of the season. We need a "24" replacement.

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Jonathan

I thought it was pretty decent. Jim Caviezel isn't going to win an Emmy any time soon, but he hit that Jack Bauer kicking ass spot I've been missing since the 24 cancellation. I'll give it another go next week.

Craig Ranapia

"Do you want more Taraji P. Henson or less?"

Any show that gets her the hell out of Bon Temps deserves our support.

JD

Gonna stick around for a few episodes to see what's in the pocket. In Nolan we trust indeed.

I missed the first 5 seconds, but the other 10 secs John was with Jessica he was visibly more alive, even for a little bit.

ML

I didn't like it much. I was expecting something more character driven and this was just another procedural show. There's enough of them on air and most of them are bad enough.

Adam

I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.

Adam

I liked it - certainly enough to watch it again next week.

Haik Mendelovich

I was seriously disappointed. Disappointed enough to use the last third of the show to rescan my TV's channels. Really.

And the music is awful.

tzzation

Boring AND weird. Man, that is a tough combo to accomplish.

Tausif Khan

More Taraji P. Henson please. Since they mentioned Michael Emerson's Emmy nomination they could have mentioned Henson's Oscar and Emmy nominations as well.

Tausif Khan an wrote the rebooted Batman scripts

won't be completely standalone and will have some serialization

Archie

MORE MORE MORE Taraji!!!! Please!!!!

Boricua in Texas

I actually liked it. I think Caviezel is convincing playing someone who is sort of numb and not quite all there, as befits a traumatized, ex-CIA assassin.

Lee

The numbers are bad!

71dude

I couldn't make any sense out of that.

edc8

Caviezel's slow burn is better than the amped insanity of say, sutherland.

AndrewVoyer

Im just happy Jesus avenged Louie CK and took out his bully from season 1

Felixdacat

Just finished epsisode 2.
This is a good show. Hasn't gelled yet, but I like what I've seen so far.
Alan, please go back for more.

Felixdacat

And now, I have added Person of Interest to my DVR. Best new show so far.

MAC

Best drama of the season. We need a "24" replacement.

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