Arguably the Most Gripping, Original, and Multifarious Series on Television...
10
In today's era of prominent technological reliance and perpetual choices for one to quell his or her boredom, there is only one television series which I never miss on its regularly-scheduled broadcast time, and that is Person of Interest. As a college kid with a part-time job and a semi-active social life, it sometimes feels as if there isn't enough time to manage the miscellaneous tasks of a single day, and yet, I can always find enough opportunities to watch, discuss, and/or recommend Person of Interest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, there is the increasingly-popular decision of DVR'ing a personal favorite show and watching it at another time; there are also the alternatives of waiting for DVDs/Blu-ray to be released, or streaming shows online, but I rapidly found myself adhering to a weekly "tradition" of Person of Interest after watching the pilot, wherein the latest episode would actually dictate every other activity or obligation to which I've associated myself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For starters, there is the general premise of the series, which in itself, is highly meritorious given the predictable and disappointingly-mundane quality of its competition, even across the broader spectrum of networks on television. While the "police procedural" type of series has practically been bludgeoned to death over the years with cliched story-lines, one-dimensional characters and run-of-the-mill narratives, POI substantially deviates from the pack by establishing an unparalleled system of addressing - and handling - issues pertaining to crime, trust, achievement and one's own purpose in life.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I won't even bother listing Jonathan Nolan's admirable accomplishments as a way of boosting Person of Interest's merits, because the series does a phenomenal job of standing on its own - with two strongly-rooted legs. There are numerous positive attributes to Person of Interest, all of which complement each other: the acting proficiency, the chemistry between distinctive personalities, the relatable characteristics of its players, and not the least of which, the thematic significance of every new development.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cast of Person of Interest is fresh, robust, and ripe with flair. From the heartbroken, stoical, and aggressive John Reese, to the meticulous, intellectual, and atoning Harold Finch, the primary duo never misses a beat. Individually, however, each man consistently supplements the other to tremendous effect, unsurprisingly influencing everyone else on set, simultaneously. Throughout many decades of riveting television, there have been remarkable pairings such as Abbott & Costello, Mulder & Scully, Flintstone & Rubble, and Seinfeld & Costanza. Well, I'd say it's about time to make some room for the newest lovable twosome: Reese and Finch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, the government possesses an extraordinary piece of technology capable of observing ordinary humans in their everyday lives, bestowed upon it by a quirky and lonesome brilliance named Harold Finch. Because of an unshakable, amalgamated sensation of guilt and responsibility, Mr. Finch feels the need to expiate for consequential negligence over the years. Although, being ever-so physically helpless on his own, Mr. Finch enlists the contribution of an ex-CIA agent (Mr. Reese) with an anguishing past, the latter currently wasting away through life as he searches (albeit, indirectly) for an objective to pursue.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Being a man of comparative life-experiences, Mr. Finch decides to constitute a mutual (yet, friendly) relationship with Mr. Reese, and provide him with the occasion to philosophically and literally redeem himself, resulting in the two mordant and mysterious mortals forging an efficient alliance which quickly develops into an imperative bond for the greater good of society.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joining the momentous adventures of Mr. Reese and Mr. Finch (in one way or another) are the tenacious and sympathetic Detective Carter, and the comical - yet amiable - Detective Fusco. When a future, yet unknown violent incident is in the works, Reese, Finch and their authoritative allies hastily function as a well-oiled machine (no pun intended) to thwart the efforts of a relentless perpetrator - or shield the imperiled innocent men and women whose lives are placed into jeopardy by said culprits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's correct, ladies and gentlemen: these altruistic folks attempt to preclude boundless dangerous events from occurring in the first place, instead of spending an hour's worth of television trying to catch the offender(s) responsible for whatever corpse appears. Rounding out the captivating cast of characters include (recurring) nefarious mob bosses, dubious government agents, an unrelenting and minacious hacker, and a reckless - but steadfast - vengeful former CIA agent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To summarize the excellence of this treasure, Person of Interest is an astonishing concoction of suspense, wit, intrigue, action and humor, clutching the viewer and never letting go; only reaffirming the grasp even mightier than previously. Grade-A performances from the actors and interminable twists during each and every ounce of growth solidifies this spectacle into a near-masterpiece.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever think you're being watched?