User Reviews

If this episode does not show that Person of Interest is likely to fire on all cylinders until the finish, then I do not know what would. The biggest episodes change a show forever and this episode was huge in changing how the show will look in its final hours.

If you have watched shows like Lost, Game of Thrones, Buffy, and Angel, then you are probably used to losing some of your favorite characters along the way. The loss is just part of watching some of these great shows. Person of Interest has largely not killed many major players apart from the one massive loss in Season 3 when Carter met her end. The name of this episode should of probably been an omen in itself as more of our favorite characters are now gone.

The introduction of Elias is arguably when the series really started to take off. The character was marvelously acted by Colantoni for one thing, but also amazingly complex. Elias could be a friend and also an enemy to Team Machine. Elias was the devil you know and a criminal with a moral conscience. He represented the necessary evil that is sometimes required. In many ways, Elias is a darker version of Finch, an idea that has been presented quite a bit in recent episodes. Elias went down fighting and protecting a friend he grew to very much respect. Rest in peace you bald-headed fiend.

Then we have Root. Poor Root's writing was on the wall early on and throughout this episode, but the impact of her demise was massive regardless. Ever since her introduction as a potent foe in Season 1 to crucial ally, she has remained an ever interesting character. I thought she may have made it to at least the finale, but it was not to be. Root went out in a blaze of glory and like Elias sacrificed herself for a dear friend and mentor. In a way she lives on, since the Machine has chosen her voice. Goodbye Cocoa Puffs and hello to Illyria 2.0, I mean Mecha-Root.

The fallout of Finch losing two more friends is already looking to be huge. Finch may very well unleash the darkness that he has kept locked away in himself all these years. His speech regarding the subject may have been the best moment in an episode packed with so much content. Michael Emerson channeled his inner Ben Linus one more time and Samaritan better be afraid of a Harold Finch no longer shackled to rules.

I feel they went all in on this season and did not expect to be picked up for any future seasons, thus leading to the demise of two series favorites. Similar decisions were made in Angel's final season. If Season 6 had been a guarantee, we would probably be looking at a very changed Season 5. Alas, I feel this particular "simulation" did not end well for Team Machine or us as the fans. Mind you this was amazing television, but it still hurts. I am sure there will be people who hated some of the choices here, especially regarding Root's fate. That is understandable any time a popular character is killed. It will be interesting to see Amy Acker's role in the final episodes.

It has to be mentioned that Root was steering the car with her high heels, while shooting a sniper rifle out of the sunroof. If that does not earn extra marks, then nothing will.

10/10

Hauntingly beautiful, utterly heartbreaking, devastatingly brilliant. I fall short of adjectives to describe what an emotional roller coaster ride this episode was. This is the last season, and with just 4 episodes to go, I was a bit worried how they would culminate the journey. But they did not disappoint.

#Mild spoilers ahead

It was a bit funny to watch Root, in the middle of some kick-ass action scenes, describe her concept of the reality being just a simulation and that those who are dead are not really gone, because in a way, machine is still watching over them. I had no inkling what that was building up to.

For the uninitiated, it might be a bit frustrating to watch Harlod repeatedly refusing to give full powers to the machine. But to those who work in the field of artificial intelligence, Harold's reluctance makes complete sense. I knew that sooner or later Harold would change his stand. But seeing that actually happen, and the manner in which it was portrayed, those ending scenes, oh boy, it blew my mind away.

I have no words to describe what a beauty this episode was. Without giving any serious spoilers, I would just say - Rest in peace our dead heroes. You will be missed.

I believe the highlight of this episode was, obviously, Root's death. I thought it deserved more attention as it was kind of unexpected, and not a really suitable way to say goodbye to her character; but however she died protecting harold. Couldn't have happened otherwise. Root was an exceptionally unique character, and her transformation from villain to "superhero" was truly amusing. She will always be my favorite character from a tv show EVER.

Like many others, I thought the Samaritan story arc had dulled down much of the season so far. While the build up of Samaritan's power was probably my favorite part of the series with Vigilance and Decima, the first part of the season really just felt like a lot of pointless battles with Samaritan that didn't go anywhere. That dullness, however, brilliantly ends in this episode. We got our first episode since season 4's finale where the crew was fighting for their lives in an epic series of events, the kind where you fear for the life of every character at some point (accompanied by the most inspired soundtrack in POI history, don't know where that came from). We get some big picture, philosophical points that don't feel forced like Finch's "limiting the machine" has felt like. We see deep into Root's character, and while I would have liked to see her for three more episode's Acker's performance throughout the show made it one of the most fitting and poetic deaths I can remember on television. Most surprisingly, we see a little bit of humanity and emotion from Finch, in probably his most memorable episode yet. It's the kind of episode that defined an amazing series, and one that makes you truly sad when it reminds you only three episodes remain.

When a show kills-off a beloved character, it feels like an arrow piercing through your heart. When an episode does the same to two beloved characters, the feeling is one I can't quite put to words. "The Day the World Went Away" once again showcases the finesse of the shows writers and directors- truly an amalgamation of everything that is great about the show.

While I maintain that "If-Then-Else" and "RAM" are two of the shows best episodes- purely from an innovation standpoint- if you are looking for brooding monologues, foreshadowing soliloquy and an overall gut-wrenching feel, this is THE episode. This episode, and the season as a whole, is replete with foreshadowing: from the issue of the Machine's voice, Root's allusion to reality being nothing but shapes and simulations to Elias' comment on Finch's darker side a few episodes back.

In a way, this episode is an homage to Root- this band of 'outlaws' whom she calls family and her utter devotion to the Machine and Harold- which ended up killing her. Also the same for Finch, who played by his rules for so long without getting anything in return. Now, compounded by the loss of dear friends Elias and especially Root, Finch realizes that the old ways of his have been for naught. In the end, he might just give the Machine all the access it needs to win the war: probably in honor of Root's memories.

As a side note, we also see characters revisiting places from their past. Harold's visit to the coffee shop where he took Grace on their first day: which ended up blowing is cover; and Elias returning, with Harold, to the place he first met Reese.

If you thought "If, then, else" was great, this one is even better.

Gotta give it to Michael Emerson, that monologue in the interrogation room was absolutely epic. Even though it's a shame that Root has died, her legacy will never end, especially since she's now the machines voice. Elias death was also very sad, but then again, after the happening of S4, E22 it was a surprise to see him alive earlier this season. His death was sudden, but expected, whereas Root's was widely unexpected.

"Nine Inch Nails - The Day The Whole World Went Away" is am amazing choice for an ending music, let alone an episode title.

This episode is the fourth to last, and it succeeds in making one really excited about the other three before the show ends.

When Person of Interest (PoI)first debuted I was hooked. A good, dark show with some good acting and writing. It proceeded to get better as the season went on, and the story-line of HR was interesting, and made me want more.

Then "Big Mistake No.1": the death of Carter, and the PoI ship seemed to lose its rudder. The Shaw addition was good, but not Root, she is annoying...almost as bad as the Wrinkly Samaritan guy.

PoI lost its way and became more Sci-Fi than thriller, and the all powerful SAMARITAN vs "The Machine" was just depressing.

I was hoping for a good final half season, so far I have been disappointed. The story lines are full of holes, and SAMARITAN is too all knowing, especially in this episode with the sniper that takes out a main character with little info, a license plate, no car description and he arrives at the kill point minutes before his target, trying to escape capture after a nasty shootout, drives up the block, and in less than 30 seconds, he decides that it is THE target, by seeing the license plate from about 200 ft, and aims and fires... Crap. Just like the convoluted plan to get revenge by attacking the precinct from within...I cannot believe that story at all...

Am I disappointed? Yes....I hoped the show would exit gracefully...no such luck, but I am here for the duration: 3 episodes to go.

Finch slips up and is caught by Samaritan, not so much based on the present but based on his past actions. So his number comes up. Now with the whole team assembled--Fusco has been initiated, Shaw is back, and Elias is on board as well--the mission becomes to save Finch at all costs. Samaritan's minions reach the safehouse. John and Fusco take the fight directly to a Samaritan facility, Root and Shaw stay back to take on the arriving minions, and Elias takes Finch to a place he thinks will be safe. Of course it isn't, and Finch is captured. He has a few words with Greer and during transfer is intercepted by Root and Shaw and a massive shootout ensues to the soundtrack of "New Dawn Fades" in a much appreciated nod to Michael Mann's Heat. Root and Finch leave. As always they debate The Machine's destiny. Finch has constrained "her" for good, but Root inserted some code without his knowledge. Shaw stays back and is later picked up by John and Fusco. Meanwhile the sinister Blackwell is being directed to a building. He sets up to shoot someone just as Root and Finch appear in his sight. Finch has no choice but to turn himself in to the police but quickly the Feds arrive as he ponders what to do given all the death around him. Then he gets a call...

***Spoilers follow***

I debated whether to include spoilers in this review but how can one talk about the greatness of this episode without giving away anything? "The Day the World Went Away" is among the finest episodes in television history. Season 5 was slow getting started on the mythology but things really picked up with "Reassortment." Suddenly, with 3 more episodes to go, the writers took some very stunning, risky, and drastic decisions. And it payed off--I guess.

This episodes, even more than any other features a rich combination of massive doses of high-octane action, deep metaphysical musings surprisingly mixed with sexy flirting, gut-wrenching turn of events, and ends on a sublime note.

Elias is one of the great characters of this show. A smart, wise, righteous, confident mobster with a heart. His death was a bit unfair. The episode also cheated, given that it was a little too easy for 6 Samaritan guys to walk in the projects guarded by two gangs.

And what to say of Root's demise? One of the most difficult and saddest moments in TV history for me, together with the death of Jimmy Smits' detective Simone on NYPD Blue. The introduction of Root into the show provided much needed levity and hotness. It was always a joy to see Root appear in one of her characters and of course her interaction with Fusco. Who can forget one of the funniest moment of the show:

Root: "Augusta King, Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Fusco: "Give me a break."

Then there's her interaction with the wonderful Shaw, some of the sexiest stuff on network television while never turning vulgar. I had never seen Amy Acker until Person of Interest. It didn't take long to fall in love with her. So her disappearance in the same episode as Elias's was bit too much, not to mention that not even Samaritan could have possibly known in advance where they would be. But the sudden twist at the end is the most transcendentally beautiful moment ever on television, downright tear-inducing. This episode is beyond brilliant.

Action, philosophy, and emotion. A beautiful sacrifice. A complete transformation. Heartbreaking but promising. (Some plot steerage, excessive foreshadowing.)

Spoilers Ahoy!!

Harold Finch engages in several important conversations in this episode, beginning with a scene at a sidewalk cafe. He's alone, looking for all the world like the eccentric billionaire he is, carrying on a one-sided conversation with his brain child, occasionally looking up at the cafe's camera. Finch, pulling a Root and actually speaking from the heart with his Machine? This alone made me sit up and listen:

"I know some very bad things are coming. I know I'm probably going to die. I accepted that a long time ago. But I was wondering if...the people I've roped into helping me, my friends, whether they get out alive? .... I suppose I may have made that impossible. Even if you could tell me, it's probably too late." Interrupted by a waitress who apparently remembers him, Finch hurriedly leaves, glancing up at the camera again: "Goodbye. And thank you."

So it's obvious that Harold is feeling unusually tender from the start.

Back at his underground sanctuary, Root chides Finch for his decision to lock up the machine, warning him not to hinder their greatest ally, lest they all become "the most principled corpses in Potter's Field." Another key conversation ensues, with the result that Finch programs the Machine to eventually choose a voice. He says he always expected the machine to eventually chose a name. (Tantalizing. As long as it's not Hal, after Harold.) He then locks the machine.

Having blown his cover by sentimentally visiting Sognare's Cafe on the 10th anniversary of his first date with Grace, Finch's number comes up. Atypically, it's Reese the Machine contacts while he's walking the streets, Fusco at his side. Immediately, Reese and Root rush to the university to save Professor Whistler from an impertinent student (funny scene) and two Samaritan goons with business cards for Temporary Solutions. (Card-carrying killers?)

Team Machine meets up at the safe-house. The place isn't safe anymore, so Elias offers to take Harold to his refuge in the projects, while Reese and Fusco take the fight to the source, at Temporary Solutions. Finch predictably demurs, but Reese says, "Your number came up. You hired me to protect the numbers."

Meanwhile, another key conversation: Root: "What if I said I hard-coded a little something extra into the system before you closed it for good? I gave her the capacity to defend herself." Harold: "There are rules, Ms. Groves. Rules I did not arrive at casually." Root: "Don't worry. I added a safeguard. She'll only act if you ask her to. It's entirely your decision."

The action goes wild. Assassins kill Elias, kidnapping Harold. More bullets, as Root and Shaw free him. Root shoots goons while flirting with Shaw and philosophizing about simulations and Shroedinger's shapes ("and darlin', you've got a great shape"). "If we're just information, just noise in the system, we might as well be a symphony." (Expressive eye contact)

There's an epic scene with Root firing a BIG GUN from the sunroof while steering with her 4-inch heels. During that car chase, another conversation:

Finch: "I'm so tired of this. Everyone we've lost. Elias!" Root: "They all made choices. They all died for something they believe in. And anyway, the way I see it, they're not gone, Harry... We're all simulations now. As long as the Machine lives, we never die." Finch, ever the pessimist: "We're fighting a war that's already over. All this mayhem. It's an extinction burst." (Cue the sniper.)

Jeff Blackwell, erstwhile house painter, obeying imperatives from Samaritan (in an adult male voice ) somehow aims an expert sniper shot at Harold. However, Root sacrificially swerves to take the bullet. Thus, Blackwell's bullet kills her. Machine warned us, in episode 2.

Root's death was too quick. She deserved more (but she got her say in those discussions). Elias died quickly too, with a bullet to the head. Neither got the attention I wanted. I did like Shaw's unemotional response, similar to how she responded in childhood, when her father died (Razgovor).

Finch is arrested by the FBI. Thus begins another conversation and it's a wonder, for Finch has FINALLY had it. He's furious, speaking to Samaritan while sitting across from Agent Old-Guy:

"I just have to decide. Decide whether to let my friends die, to let hope die, to let the world be ground under your heel all because I played by my rules. I'm going to kill you, but I need to decide how far I'm willing to go. How many of my own rules I'm willing to break, to get it done."

While moving Harold to a holding cell, a convenient pay phone rings: "Can you hear me?" Finch: "Root?" Machine: "No Harold. I chose a voice." (The feels! And panning to Root in morgue!) Long pause. Finch, grieving, furious, tight-lipped. Then: "This place. Can you get me out of it?" Machine: "You created me. I can do anything you want me to." (Lights flicker to "The Day the World Went Away" by Nine Inch Nails)

Next thing, our exceedingly dangerous Mr. Egret (Wingman) is free, along with 600 fellow prisoners. "It's the quiet ones we need to fear" and "his pot finally boiled over" as Elias warned (Reassortment"). I wonder, is Harold aware of the drone missile Root presumably borrowed from Lithuania (QSO)? And does he finally intend to do something with the cocoon-like experiment he's been running in the Faraday Cage (Shot Seeker)?

I look forward to hearing Root speaking for the Machine. I expect her personality will come through. But it kills me, her death.

Well, I think the episode named If-Then-Else really deserves it IMDb rating of 9.9 as it is one of the best episode of the series (well it was clearly the best for me before I watched episode 5x9-Sotto Voce). Then I saw the previous episode and I thought it is somehow better than If-Then-Else. But when I saw THAT episode, I wouldn't know what to say. If If-Then-Else has a 9.9/10 rating, this one should really have 100/10. It is clearly the best episode I have ever watched in my lifetime. Well I have to say that I was a fan of Person of Interest since I watched it in 2012 and I never wanted this series to finish but it would probably happen at some time and when it did, I wanted it to kill all main characters of the series because Finch was repeatedly reminding Mr. Reese that all of them (well both of them since they were alone in season 1) would end up in prison or dead. And since we've seen what they are capable of with the help of The Machine, they simply could not end up in prison. Yes, that would most likely kill all hopes for a resurrection of the series in the future but it's the way that the series ends in its peak in my opinion. Well, they killed Elias, they killed Root (we'll all miss her but at least we are gonna hear her voice) and we still have 3 more episodes to watch. It looked like it was a bit early for them to leave the show but I thought I'd rather see them dying one at a time (well two in this case) than seeing them all dead at the end of the very last episode. I'm also a bit disappointed to see Finch ending up not following his own thoughts in the first 98 episodes. After not telling anyone about The Machine for 4 years, one attack to the precinct and Reese and Finch are like "OK, Lionel look there is a machine that spies on you every hour of every day. We know because Finch built it." and just one episode after that, he is going to cross his lines. I'd rather like to see the Team Machine destroying Samaritan by following Finch's rules, I see now that is impossible so they are searching for new ways, I know that he liked Root more than Carter so he is now really angry, but at least they could tell Fusco about The Machine a season or two earlier. That would may helped us think that Finch can change his thoughts and maybe I could have accepted it a bit easier. Anyways, it's been 3 days since I watched the episode and I have seen it for 4 or 5 times since then. I really can't wait to watch remaining episodes and I now wish that CBS airs last episodes like the way they aired 6th, 7th and 8th episodes. I mean, what is the point waiting it for a week when you won't have another dose of this excellent series?

The last episode was stunning.

The cast was perfect. Mr. Reese, as always, with his lovely style, will do anything to protect his fellows and the machine as well. The fact that he is still shooting on legs is not something i like. I mean you are a a group of five persons and you try not to kill them. I mean sure, yes, cold blood killing is not quality TV, but shooting them on the leg is unrealistic. Det. Fusco, after he was shown trust by Mr Reese and the rest of the gang to tell him about the Machine allow me to say that he is devoted as never. Harold sticks with his old ethical beliefs and and he doesn't agree to set the Machine free so she can defend herself. Samaritan is doing everything he can to destroy the Machine. Using propaganda and doing anything, fair or not, he is definitely a step ahead. Root is as always scary calm and unfortunately we had to salute her after the last episode. It is definitely a big loss for the Machine, as she is the only Asset that can both control the Machine, and be at combat. Reese and Shaw are perfect in combat but if they are left alone with the Machine, the end will be close. On the other hand, Harold, who can control the Machine, has absolutely not a clue of how to use a weapon and to defend himself

Excluding the loss of Root, i think the most important think we saw is Finch finally deciding to fight Samaritan directly, and he is determined to take him down. After the death of Root, and his quote "i am tired of all these", i think that in the last 3 episodes we will see Harold fight like we didn't see him in the whole series. DETERMINED to bring down Samaritan

I just sat there for 10 minutes straight. Totally shocked out my mind. I shouted 3 times in this episode and that's a very rare scenario. One when Elias got killed, second when Root was seen lying dead and 3rd when Machine took Root's voice and did the unimaginable to get Harold out.

Woah, totally blown and man o man, Sotta Voce was a bit disappointment for me but this episode just blew every sci-fi show out of the water. I can't understand anything bad anyone has to say. They may be Amy Acker's fans or Taraji's fans or she herself.

I have watched this series maybe more than 5 times so far. Harold was by far the darkest personality in his life time. He knew it, so he closed his system, crippled to delete it's memory every midnight, he scared his darkness passed through her. He was protecting his creation from himself.

But, from the time of seeing Elias died, he was on edge of going back to darkness, just like when Engram died. The moment he was in custody he already decided, the moment he said I want my phone call we already knew he was not going to call anyone, he wanted machine to call him, the rest was just reasoning for you and give a fair warning to other ASI.

The moment he picked up the phone and hear her voice, he was shocked, that he might of been hasty. Then again his voice changed with pure anger, "This Place!" can you get me out of it. This memory loss happens to us when we are in pure anger, cannot think straightly.

After all, the machine, has received same darkness as harold had, there are many examples through out the series, but he had moral code that was given from her creator, that was broken maybe 2-3 times, first after Carter death, second, after root died, third was the moment the she was threatened by Samaritan to gain access, and ordered to kill a Senator.

The whole series can be warped up in this episode, when he says, I played by rules so long.... ( moral code ).

One more thing for your attention, look at, the time table of machine from season 1, it has all the years in the future..... why !!! But the Samaritan had no such a time table! Why?

Spoiler alert!

What?! They killed root?! She was my favorite character and I'm so sad she won't see the machine win! Maybe it makes a good twist and good drama, but I wish they hadn't killed her.