I love how this almost feels like a book club, and I'm so here for it. You convinced me to watch the show and I'm in the second half of season 2 and loving it. I'm relieved to find the characters grow to be far more interesting than they were in this first episode. (I'm also delighted Fusco is my favorite because I never would have called it)
I watched both this and the show you comment reminded me of my shock when I watched Glee at watching Quinn become my favorite on the show. I tend to as a adult that as a child struggled with issues of unpopularity and being a bit of a misfit and outcast sort of not like the popular crowd because they don't know what it's lile to not be one of them and lack perspective. and so cheerleaders are frequently super popular and so it's just like ewww.. and yet Of all the characters who had over its lifespan the biggest growth it was her. low floor, high ceiling. on POI? I don't have a favorite. There's too many good options.
So excited for this! POI is such an underappreciated gem. I'll admit I started watching it only because I came across some Shoot gifs on Tumblr, but it turned out to be one of my all time favourites. The deeply flawed/tortured characters you can't help rooting for, the consistently rising stakes, the crushing moral conundrums, the inescapable clutches of malignantly corrupted structures of power, the awareness of the tangled webs of cause and effect (and all the shades of gray between black and white) and the disconnect between intention and impact, but most of all, the deep, deep humanity of this show make it SO damn good. I loved your analysis of the pilot. Can't wait to broaden my perspective and learn to appreciate this show in a whole new way with you :)
I am psyched you are doing this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your videos so far, and I'm rrly glad to see one of my favorite UA-camrs giving this show the coverage and the respect it deserves. I will be here for all of these.
I've been looking for something like this about POI for a long long time. Person of Interest is *drastically* underrated. From the core concept, to the theme's, the art style, the character development... It's something special, up there with buffy and star trek and stargate in terms of just pure talent poured into it. It deserves so much better than to be an under the radar cult hit. There's so much of this world that could be explored, dove into, expanded on without even *touching* the core cast and while its perfect as is from start to finish, I just... I want so much more from it. Cant wait to follow along with you.
Love it. Can't wait to see the rest of your commentary. After your 'Person of Interest is Worth Your Time' video I went back and binged the whole series.
You know, I think you have one thing backwards. You talk about Finch offering Reese a purpose, and that this purpose is to be real and to be healthy which should come from being connected to others in the world. This really pinged me because it reminded me of a recent book I read, Michael Tomasello's "The Evolution of Agency" which has really crystallized how I think about human agency. The book explores "agency" or systems set up to achieve goals among animals, and suggests that one unique feature that separates humans from their closest relatives (and maybe all other life forms) is that we're both agents ourselves, and capable of functioning as part of a collective agent. I.e. we have individual goals, but also have innate behaviors and abilities that enable and drive us to cooperate with others to achieve collective goals. Anyway, this made me see the notion of "purpose" in a different light. I'd always found it a bit of a paradoxical notion because tools have purpose and don't humans hate being a cog in the machine? "Function" and "Purpose" seem like they have the same meaning but one word sounds dehumanizing when applies to humans while the other seems desireable. But that idea that we evolved collective agency says that both are true. We are individuals with value unto ourselves, but we *also* are wired to function as part of a collective of individuals that has its own goals, and it makes sense to think of that as "purpose". We don't want to be dehumanized into pure function, but we also don't want to be pure individuals that are out only for ourselves... we need both personal agency and purpose (a role within a larger agency) to be satisfied. So that line really hit me - is it that Finch is offering Reese the purpose of being real and healthy and this requires connecting to others, or is it that Finch offers Reese the purpose of *a collective goal* (here, helping people in collaboration with Finch), and working towards this goal requires connecting with the world, and both of these things result in Reese becoming real and healthy because a fundamental psychic need is finally being met?
*oh hell yeah I’ve been so ready for this* I’ve been waiting for this baby, I’m so hyped bc while I’m a fan of mystery/crime shows , but I’m really picky about what procedurals I latch onto. Bones has enough humor to balance out the more serious stuff, but I’m so excited bc how you’ve explained it makes it feel right up my alley.
I watched your videos about She-ra and then suddenly saw a POI vid in suggestions I didn't believe my eyes, that's my favourite show ever! I just had to subscribe XD
I was wondering if you'd ever get around to this (I found you on the previous POI video a few weeks ago) and it looks like this will be a very fruitful subscription.
My favourite thing about this pilot is the bodyguards with Finch, I just find them hilarious, especially when you've seen the rest of the show and how unlikely Finch just having 2 random guys with him is.
@@5x5Takes Also thanks for making this! I'm glad there's finally something of high quality to watch/read about this show outside of the comments and reviews from the AVClub from when the show aired (yes I read all of those). I watched this show when it aired and outside of a subreddit and 2 friends I managed to introduce it to I haven't seen much discussion about it so I'm so glad this exists (and that it's actually really great).
I watched like 3 4 seasons back to back without stopping.. I was obsessed with this series. I am going to re-watch it soon. The only reason I've not rewatched it yet is I'm not afraid I'll do the same again watching it non stop 😂
If you thought clean shaven John in the hotel was a different character, than he succeeded in changing his appearance after showing up on the news, because that's likely why he shaved.
Thank you for these analyses! I just finished this TV show and craving for more information on it. For some reason I thought it's an old video, but then I noticed that you're still active. Im glad people still remember this show and know about it. It deserves so much more recognition. POI has predicted so much.
Thanks for doing this long haul project. I love this show and I can't wait to rewatch it all again through your guides. It's one of my top five shows of all time. I kind of lost track of it after watching the first season, but when I rediscovered it last year and watched the whole thing I kicked myself for stopping the first time. Yes, the first season isn't as good as the others but the threads and character moments really help lay the foundation for the show overall.
I'm about 1 minute in and I'm in! I used to watch this show with my dad, and it was so good! I'm excited to return to this incredible show and journey with you! :D
Ooo a deep dive into episodes of a show I love for some reason? Yes Please. I may be late but I'm here for it. Look forward to hear more of this show explained along with the characters.
i'm rewatching rn too so this is gonna be great. i think first season does a great job for setting the bigger plot. poi is can be slow paced but slow pace especially in first season is necessary so we can connect with our heros and we really did connect with them. great video btw
Your analysis is very insightful and makes me look back at what I noticed when watching the show. I'm here for your deep dive into every episode and the overarching themes. I stopped watching the show a little after a certain character's death in s3, I could not get over it, but I'm sad I did cause the show had yet to reveal its most interesting nature
AHHH. I subscribed, but YT apparently didn't care about that, I only found out these were in progress when it popped up the video for Ep 2. Which I'll get to momentarily! Oh, Joss Carter. I love her so much, she's such a delight. Right from the moment we meet her, she's clearly the not-broody-manpain element in the show and I kid you not, she helped keep me watching when I was unsure about all the... well, broody manpain. Also, I clearly need to track down box sets or whatever, because I love a good commentary track. (I may have watched every episode of Leverage with the commentary tracks on... twice. Ahem.)
I can't recall the last time I've commented on UA-cam, but I feel compelled to because I just discovered your channel, I LOVE POI, and I'm really taken by your analysis here. You've elaborated and expanded on observations that I've picked up, and many more that did not occur to me before, but I totally agree with from how you set it out (like the episode titles categorisation - wow!) Still, the reason I'm compelled to comment is because there's an angle that I'm certain was part of the design, but you may not be as familiar with the subject matter to pick up on: you've mentioned how POI takes up the trappings of familiar genres like crime procedurals, dark and broody edge lord white guy hero stories, to draw in audiences and then subvert those expectations. There's actually an additional genre that you haven't mentioned: superhero / pulp storytelling. POI was heavily marketed at first on Jonah Nolan's credentials as co-screenwriter of The Dark Knight, which is honestly why I tried a CBS procedural show to begin with. The film delivered a "realistic" / *relatable* adaptation of Batman on film, and even brought up the double-edged sword of surveillance technology in the third act. John's character in POI with raspy voice, tall dark brooding loner vibe...it was very clear to me that they lifted key elements of the Batman archetype to appeal to fans - I almost heard a "bat-" prefix every time they mentioned "man in a suit"! I could continue with the batman / comic parallels, but I think I've said too much already. Obviously, the show was very much its own distinct animal by the end, and that sisyphean nature of Team Machine's quest that you allude to was a big part of what spoke to me on a personal level. Again, thank you for making these - I'm glad you're out there missing POI with the talent and skills to do it justice and sing its praises! ❤
that’s such a good point, i love that! i’m definitely going to make more POI videos, just not necessarily with the one episode at a time format (i immediately realized how exhausting that would be)
I always felt, as with the show as a whole, the pilot sort of subverts negative tropes. Yes Pope is a black man linked to gangs and the ex-con is a black man with a shady past. Playing on negative tropes that lesser crime shows would use without a second thought, but both are revealed to be victims in this case (the sort of trope subversion this show makes a habit of) I always liked that the pilot showcased the cops as the bad guys, where the easy scape goat is the victim and while it had been a problem in real life forever, didn't get brought to more rampant media attention till long after this pilot aired.
ahh dammit youtube didn't notify me of this so i just checked now if you made any of those videos after all, because i'm starting a rewatch today (will actually finish this time i think, because i'm watching with a friend who's never seen it soooo that's exciting). i love all the commentary here and what you mentioned. i definitely have always appreciated how the show tried to keep the technology pretty realistic throughout the entire show. i really love episode 1 now, because i love the show, but it was.. a little tough to get into it at first all those years ago so this is really cool for anyone trying to watch poi for the first time now
I miss this show so much, haven't seen your channel before but the moment I saw that it was a recent video about Person of Interest, I could not resist instantly clicking on it. THe show is so great and my only real criticism about it is how the final season was extremely rushed but well even rushed it was still good content.
while we're talking about similarities with angel... how do i get this to go into a read more i never make comments on youtube. i guess i will keep typing here anyways spoilers for the final seasons of both shows! if i had a nickel for each time amy acker played a woman in stem who ends up lending her likeness to a higher being i'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice right
That was great ! Making a video on each episode will be a long-run ! Just few questions : why making a guide spoiler-free ? What kind of people these PoI videos are target for ? Someone who didn't watch the show would naturally spoil himself by watching a full episode guide of PoI before watching the show. For me, I see this guide-episode for people who already watch and love the show. Mostly every viewers here belong to that category. Probably it's better to reduce the summary/reviews part and go straight on the episode-analysis I believe.
so that, eventually, if someone wants to “skip” parts of the first season, they could watch these. also, it’s easier on me because i don’t have the whole show fresh in my mind and having the entire series to reference or cite i’d inevitably miss something. i will make pure topic analysis videos for poi, do not fret. but the guides are what they are
In watched POI yeeeeeears ago when i was a teen but ive forgotten a lot of things about it. Looking forward to watching these guides both as a means to remember but also to understand the show better than i did when i first watched it.
I'm so glad to see this, I did a rewatch about a year ago when it was on Netflix. I also have HBO Max so I might watch the episodes with you. Are these going to come out once a week, or when you can get to it? Thanks for the great work.
So happy you started this! I binged through POI so I forgot a lot of the earlier individual stories. Some thoughts: - I got ads for VPNs and cybersecurity degree programs on this video. Hmm. - What's the deal with the pilot/extended episode? Is there a convenient place to view? (I don't have HBO Max so I can always employ the "creative" methods I used to watch the show in the first place...) - The show really does miss the swing on crime and race sometimes. The "old mob vs new gang" stuff in later seasons I wasn't a big fan of. - Looking forward to comparisons to Angel if you choose to bring them in again. "Nothing we do matters so all that matters is what we do" was probably my first introduction to philosophy. I'm looking forward to that being explored in this guide series. - I loved the breakdown of titles-- I always liked how they named episodes but hadn't thought of those major themes! Great topic of discussion for the episodes with a heavily thematic title. - The audio mixing seemed a little quiet to me, but not really different from your other videos. So maybe it's just an issue on my end. - I liked the use of audio clips from the show as well as visuals. It's kind of the difference between summary vs direct quotes in a paper. There's also a lot to be gleaned from some of the line reads, and I always like the reminder of some of the very electric performances on the show. So I hope you keep using plenty of them! Thanks again for introducing me to this show and I'm excited for upcoming episodes!
I started watching POI because of Michael Emmerson appearance in Evil show . I loved his acting just magnificent that drove me to watch POI. The pilot was good but when it was getting bit boring the whole AI concept brought my interest back ,as from CS and security background I could understand most of it. 😍
@@5x5Takes that's fair! Maybe season by season or arc by arc? Your reviews are amazing so forgive me if I come off as greedy! Your stuff is amazing. (Though please, don't take my enthusiasm as being pushy, do as you wish :) )
Great video. Really are not many video essays or reviews on this show at all. The extended pilot is much preferred to me because the cuts in some cases cause continuity issues. The conversation at the end makes no sense unless you see the extended version because Finch references a conversation that was cut in the TV edit. I also think the tropes bordering on cliches was done on purpose. Give people what they expect from a canned police procedural "the black guy did it" and the damsel in distress being the pretty blonde to turn it on it's head later. I think it was a good way to get the message across "this is not Law & Order with AI." And I am not sure if the Jesus comment was meant to be rhetorical but Jim played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ and apparently was ribbed about it by the rest of the cast. lol
It’s also telling how the episode subverts expectations yet again by turning the biases of western tropes on their head. Big bad guy is a low-income black man and the victim is a white woman? Nope! Turns out the black man is the helpless victim and the white woman is the perpetrator. Many audience members would have had these subconscious biases instilled in them as a product of their environment, so it helps set up the twist. This isn’t the last time the show will play audience members’ subconscious biases against them (though at some points it becomes predictable in doing so-I’m not naming names, but let’s just say the name in question is used twice 😉). Anyways, it’s a good touch.
Very nice analysis; I found your references to absurdism which I wasn't really aware of, interesting and apt. I'd say that I wouldn't at all blame you if you decided to just pick a selection of highlighted episodes from each season to analyse instead of covering each one, but much respect for attempting it! I've subscribed and look forward to future uploads.
life is a bit in flux right now, but when that settles down, that’s the plan! at the very least want to hammer out the first season, then maybe do select episodes.
I thought you were gonna say "one of the tools I want to use is Mickey Mouse's clubhouse" or something with Mickey mouse lmao and then you finished the sentence 😂
This show went so under the radar. I cannot describe how happy I am to see this show getting the love it deserves
feeling is mutual
I love how this almost feels like a book club, and I'm so here for it. You convinced me to watch the show and I'm in the second half of season 2 and loving it. I'm relieved to find the characters grow to be far more interesting than they were in this first episode. (I'm also delighted Fusco is my favorite because I never would have called it)
they just get better and better. stoked for you
I watched both this and the show you comment reminded me of my shock when I watched Glee at watching Quinn become my favorite on the show. I tend to as a adult that as a child struggled with issues of unpopularity and being a bit of a misfit and outcast sort of not like the popular crowd because they don't know what it's lile to not be one of them and lack perspective. and so cheerleaders are frequently super popular and so it's just like ewww..
and yet Of all the characters who had over its lifespan the biggest growth it was her.
low floor, high ceiling.
on POI? I don't have a favorite. There's too many good options.
Detective Fusco 👍👍
"Pilots are such weird creatures" As an airline pilot, I can 100% confirm this statement
So excited for this! POI is such an underappreciated gem. I'll admit I started watching it only because I came across some Shoot gifs on Tumblr, but it turned out to be one of my all time favourites. The deeply flawed/tortured characters you can't help rooting for, the consistently rising stakes, the crushing moral conundrums, the inescapable clutches of malignantly corrupted structures of power, the awareness of the tangled webs of cause and effect (and all the shades of gray between black and white) and the disconnect between intention and impact, but most of all, the deep, deep humanity of this show make it SO damn good.
I loved your analysis of the pilot. Can't wait to broaden my perspective and learn to appreciate this show in a whole new way with you :)
I am psyched you are doing this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your videos so far, and I'm rrly glad to see one of my favorite UA-camrs giving this show the coverage and the respect it deserves. I will be here for all of these.
I've been looking for something like this about POI for a long long time.
Person of Interest is *drastically* underrated. From the core concept, to the theme's, the art style, the character development... It's something special, up there with buffy and star trek and stargate in terms of just pure talent poured into it. It deserves so much better than to be an under the radar cult hit. There's so much of this world that could be explored, dove into, expanded on without even *touching* the core cast and while its perfect as is from start to finish, I just... I want so much more from it.
Cant wait to follow along with you.
Love it. Can't wait to see the rest of your commentary. After your 'Person of Interest is Worth Your Time' video I went back and binged the whole series.
I loved this show and I’m so glad you did this video!
i am so excited for this series! PoI is one of my absolute favorite shows and it doesn't get as much love as it deserves
You know, I think you have one thing backwards. You talk about Finch offering Reese a purpose, and that this purpose is to be real and to be healthy which should come from being connected to others in the world.
This really pinged me because it reminded me of a recent book I read, Michael Tomasello's "The Evolution of Agency" which has really crystallized how I think about human agency. The book explores "agency" or systems set up to achieve goals among animals, and suggests that one unique feature that separates humans from their closest relatives (and maybe all other life forms) is that we're both agents ourselves, and capable of functioning as part of a collective agent. I.e. we have individual goals, but also have innate behaviors and abilities that enable and drive us to cooperate with others to achieve collective goals.
Anyway, this made me see the notion of "purpose" in a different light. I'd always found it a bit of a paradoxical notion because tools have purpose and don't humans hate being a cog in the machine? "Function" and "Purpose" seem like they have the same meaning but one word sounds dehumanizing when applies to humans while the other seems desireable. But that idea that we evolved collective agency says that both are true. We are individuals with value unto ourselves, but we *also* are wired to function as part of a collective of individuals that has its own goals, and it makes sense to think of that as "purpose". We don't want to be dehumanized into pure function, but we also don't want to be pure individuals that are out only for ourselves... we need both personal agency and purpose (a role within a larger agency) to be satisfied.
So that line really hit me - is it that Finch is offering Reese the purpose of being real and healthy and this requires connecting to others, or is it that Finch offers Reese the purpose of *a collective goal* (here, helping people in collaboration with Finch), and working towards this goal requires connecting with the world, and both of these things result in Reese becoming real and healthy because a fundamental psychic need is finally being met?
That was amazing. Outstandingly done, and I'm really looking forward to this project.
Sarah Shahi becomes a very important component of this show, she is great, her POI-character is excellent, and the Shoot-duo is magnificent
*oh hell yeah I’ve been so ready for this* I’ve been waiting for this baby, I’m so hyped bc while I’m a fan of mystery/crime shows , but I’m really picky about what procedurals I latch onto. Bones has enough humor to balance out the more serious stuff, but I’m so excited bc how you’ve explained it makes it feel right up my alley.
poi is a procedural only in the first season, and even so, barely! by the start of s2 it's another show entirely. big existential sci fi thriller
I watched your videos about She-ra and then suddenly saw a POI vid in suggestions
I didn't believe my eyes, that's my favourite show ever! I just had to subscribe XD
I was wondering if you'd ever get around to this (I found you on the previous POI video a few weeks ago) and it looks like this will be a very fruitful subscription.
HA! yes, i was battling youtube as well as figuring out the formula for the guides. rest assured, these guides will be on regular rotation
Just finished a full rewatch a couple weeks ago and I’m so here for this! Great start, looking forward to the whole deep dive journey. Thank you!
My favourite thing about this pilot is the bodyguards with Finch, I just find them hilarious, especially when you've seen the rest of the show and how unlikely Finch just having 2 random guys with him is.
it’s pretty funny
@@5x5Takes Also thanks for making this! I'm glad there's finally something of high quality to watch/read about this show outside of the comments and reviews from the AVClub from when the show aired (yes I read all of those). I watched this show when it aired and outside of a subreddit and 2 friends I managed to introduce it to I haven't seen much discussion about it so I'm so glad this exists (and that it's actually really great).
God it been years since its finale I feel like I need to rewatch it
i mainly watch cartoons and anime but whenever you make a video about a show i don’t know, no matter what genre, i just have to watch it
delighted to hear it
I feel obligated to help encourage any newcomer to watch this show.
WATCH THIS SHOW IF YOU HAVNT ALREADY, ITS FUCKING AWESOME.
I watched like 3 4 seasons back to back without stopping.. I was obsessed with this series.
I am going to re-watch it soon. The only reason I've not rewatched it yet is I'm not afraid I'll do the same again watching it non stop 😂
Found your channel yesterday and I'm so excited for this!
3:35 Omg thank you! I thought i was the only one and felt sooo dumb.
Nicely done. I'm looking forward to more as I watch the show for the first time.
How can anyone say they disliked S01 when Baby Blue is in this season?
asdfgshaj i waited for this SO LONG. You're amazing!!!
Thank you for this, I've always loved Person of Interest and I'm glad someone is doing a deep dive on this show!
If you thought clean shaven John in the hotel was a different character, than he succeeded in changing his appearance after showing up on the news, because that's likely why he shaved.
Thank you for these analyses! I just finished this TV show and craving for more information on it. For some reason I thought it's an old video, but then I noticed that you're still active. Im glad people still remember this show and know about it. It deserves so much more recognition. POI has predicted so much.
Thanks for doing this long haul project. I love this show and I can't wait to rewatch it all again through your guides. It's one of my top five shows of all time. I kind of lost track of it after watching the first season, but when I rediscovered it last year and watched the whole thing I kicked myself for stopping the first time. Yes, the first season isn't as good as the others but the threads and character moments really help lay the foundation for the show overall.
I'm about 1 minute in and I'm in! I used to watch this show with my dad, and it was so good! I'm excited to return to this incredible show and journey with you! :D
Can you please continue making videos over this series please.
i’d love to
Good work. More please.
Ooo a deep dive into episodes of a show I love for some reason?
Yes Please.
I may be late but I'm here for it.
Look forward to hear more of this show explained along with the characters.
Like your deep dive a lot. Thank you. Loved the show. Did a re-watch recently.
i'm rewatching rn too so this is gonna be great. i think first season does a great job for setting the bigger plot. poi is can be slow paced but slow pace especially in first season is necessary so we can connect with our heros and we really did connect with them. great video btw
bingo
I'm so happy to see you talk about this!! I love this show sm and I can't wait to see what you have to say on it :)))
I saw it when it was on originally, then binged it again a couple of years ago. Now I am excited to hear your insights as i follow along with you..
Thank you so much for making this series!!
this is such a lovely analysis
person of interest guide ⁉️⁉️🥵
yee HAW
This was excellent analysis! Thank you . Can’t wait to see your take on If -Then-Else.
Your analysis is very insightful and makes me look back at what I noticed when watching the show. I'm here for your deep dive into every episode and the overarching themes. I stopped watching the show a little after a certain character's death in s3, I could not get over it, but I'm sad I did cause the show had yet to reveal its most interesting nature
I liked it better before it became about Shaw & Roots relationship. But it was still good, too good to stop watching.
Love it, looking forward to future episodes!!
More POI please! Great analysis of this series is something I've been starving for!
will do! i’m considering some top tens or some season reviews
Omg I love this show! I'm gonna rewatch it again for like the seventh time when I feel myself forgetting the plots again
I don't think I'll ever watch this show, but these analyses are so wonderful
AHHH. I subscribed, but YT apparently didn't care about that, I only found out these were in progress when it popped up the video for Ep 2. Which I'll get to momentarily!
Oh, Joss Carter. I love her so much, she's such a delight. Right from the moment we meet her, she's clearly the not-broody-manpain element in the show and I kid you not, she helped keep me watching when I was unsure about all the... well, broody manpain.
Also, I clearly need to track down box sets or whatever, because I love a good commentary track. (I may have watched every episode of Leverage with the commentary tracks on... twice. Ahem.)
YEE. HAW. i’m mid s2 on my rewatch
Thank you for making this I literally just finished the show but I still don’t care I’m watching this
i've been sending this to my friends to convince them to watch poi thank you
oh jeez lemme finish a few more guides
I can't recall the last time I've commented on UA-cam, but I feel compelled to because I just discovered your channel, I LOVE POI, and I'm really taken by your analysis here. You've elaborated and expanded on observations that I've picked up, and many more that did not occur to me before, but I totally agree with from how you set it out (like the episode titles categorisation - wow!)
Still, the reason I'm compelled to comment is because there's an angle that I'm certain was part of the design, but you may not be as familiar with the subject matter to pick up on: you've mentioned how POI takes up the trappings of familiar genres like crime procedurals, dark and broody edge lord white guy hero stories, to draw in audiences and then subvert those expectations. There's actually an additional genre that you haven't mentioned: superhero / pulp storytelling.
POI was heavily marketed at first on Jonah Nolan's credentials as co-screenwriter of The Dark Knight, which is honestly why I tried a CBS procedural show to begin with. The film delivered a "realistic" / *relatable* adaptation of Batman on film, and even brought up the double-edged sword of surveillance technology in the third act. John's character in POI with raspy voice, tall dark brooding loner vibe...it was very clear to me that they lifted key elements of the Batman archetype to appeal to fans - I almost heard a "bat-" prefix every time they mentioned "man in a suit"! I could continue with the batman / comic parallels, but I think I've said too much already.
Obviously, the show was very much its own distinct animal by the end, and that sisyphean nature of Team Machine's quest that you allude to was a big part of what spoke to me on a personal level. Again, thank you for making these - I'm glad you're out there missing POI with the talent and skills to do it justice and sing its praises! ❤
that’s such a good point, i love that! i’m definitely going to make more POI videos, just not necessarily with the one episode at a time format (i immediately realized how exhausting that would be)
In for the ride, about one of the best shows ever.
Excellent analysis and a beautiful introduction to the show! Hope more people will discover PoI
I always felt, as with the show as a whole, the pilot sort of subverts negative tropes. Yes Pope is a black man linked to gangs and the ex-con is a black man with a shady past. Playing on negative tropes that lesser crime shows would use without a second thought, but both are revealed to be victims in this case (the sort of trope subversion this show makes a habit of)
I always liked that the pilot showcased the cops as the bad guys, where the easy scape goat is the victim and while it had been a problem in real life forever, didn't get brought to more rampant media attention till long after this pilot aired.
agreed!
ahh dammit youtube didn't notify me of this so i just checked now if you made any of those videos after all, because i'm starting a rewatch today (will actually finish this time i think, because i'm watching with a friend who's never seen it soooo that's exciting). i love all the commentary here and what you mentioned. i definitely have always appreciated how the show tried to keep the technology pretty realistic throughout the entire show. i really love episode 1 now, because i love the show, but it was.. a little tough to get into it at first all those years ago so this is really cool for anyone trying to watch poi for the first time now
more on the way! just backed up with life stuff lately 💞
@@5x5Takes totally get it, i will turn on notifs this time tho so i don't miss when you upload!
@@roza2633 STOKED
Love this, so glad I found it!
I miss this show so much, haven't seen your channel before but the moment I saw that it was a recent video about Person of Interest, I could not resist instantly clicking on it. THe show is so great and my only real criticism about it is how the final season was extremely rushed but well even rushed it was still good content.
a long term project of video essays on PoI episodes??? Sign me the fuck up!
signed!
I am so happy you're doing thisssss!!!!!! I am PSYCHED
STOKED that YOURE stoked
while we're talking about similarities with angel...
how do i get this to go into a read more i never make comments on youtube. i guess i will keep typing here anyways spoilers for the final seasons of both shows!
if i had a nickel for each time amy acker played a woman in stem who ends up lending her likeness to a higher being i'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice right
@@meaghaneliz god
well... i just bought all seasons to do a rewatch with you :)
oh! let’s go!
@@5x5Takes i loved the show when i first watched it... but... 9 years? and meanwhile my English is good enough not to watch it translated :D
john reese 🤝 angel
finding meaning in helping people
I really loves these videos!
Best tv show ever made.
Waiting for your season 1 4th episode breakdown !
"After a bit of a scuffle" lol 😂 He gave them a beating
That was great ! Making a video on each episode will be a long-run !
Just few questions : why making a guide spoiler-free ? What kind of people these PoI videos are target for ? Someone who didn't watch the show would naturally spoil himself by watching a full episode guide of PoI before watching the show.
For me, I see this guide-episode for people who already watch and love the show. Mostly every viewers here belong to that category. Probably it's better to reduce the summary/reviews part and go straight on the episode-analysis I believe.
so that, eventually, if someone wants to “skip” parts of the first season, they could watch these. also, it’s easier on me because i don’t have the whole show fresh in my mind and having the entire series to reference or cite i’d inevitably miss something. i will make pure topic analysis videos for poi, do not fret. but the guides are what they are
@@5x5Takes Okay, you know what you doing. Looking forward for all this ! Good luck !
In watched POI yeeeeeears ago when i was a teen but ive forgotten a lot of things about it. Looking forward to watching these guides both as a means to remember but also to understand the show better than i did when i first watched it.
I'm so glad to see this, I did a rewatch about a year ago when it was on Netflix. I also have HBO Max so I might watch the episodes with you. Are these going to come out once a week, or when you can get to it? Thanks for the great work.
once a week would be ideal, but definitely hard to do with how dense these get. i’ll do my best
So happy you started this! I binged through POI so I forgot a lot of the earlier individual stories.
Some thoughts:
- I got ads for VPNs and cybersecurity degree programs on this video. Hmm.
- What's the deal with the pilot/extended episode? Is there a convenient place to view? (I don't have HBO Max so I can always employ the "creative" methods I used to watch the show in the first place...)
- The show really does miss the swing on crime and race sometimes. The "old mob vs new gang" stuff in later seasons I wasn't a big fan of.
- Looking forward to comparisons to Angel if you choose to bring them in again. "Nothing we do matters so all that matters is what we do" was probably my first introduction to philosophy. I'm looking forward to that being explored in this guide series.
- I loved the breakdown of titles-- I always liked how they named episodes but hadn't thought of those major themes! Great topic of discussion for the episodes with a heavily thematic title.
- The audio mixing seemed a little quiet to me, but not really different from your other videos. So maybe it's just an issue on my end.
- I liked the use of audio clips from the show as well as visuals. It's kind of the difference between summary vs direct quotes in a paper. There's also a lot to be gleaned from some of the line reads, and I always like the reminder of some of the very electric performances on the show. So I hope you keep using plenty of them!
Thanks again for introducing me to this show and I'm excited for upcoming episodes!
You got me with M79.
thanks it was ~research~
@@5x5Takes you got a bright ~northern light~ on your shoulders.
I started watching POI because of Michael Emmerson appearance in Evil show . I loved his acting just magnificent that drove me to watch POI.
The pilot was good but when it was getting bit boring the whole AI concept brought my interest back ,as from CS and security background I could understand most of it. 😍
The omnipotency of the machine is communicated even further after Root is introduced because she literally treats the machine as her god.
I purchased all five seasons of the show because it is my favorite cyberpunk show ever.
i can't even express the jealousy i felt when you mention you've got extended cuts AND commentary
god when did i turn into a Jerry Smith?
I'm wanting more reviews of this!
This show is amazing and slept on!
(But i understand if thats not your direction)
I'm gonna make more POI videos! just not necessarily in the 'one episode at a time' format
@@5x5Takes that's fair!
Maybe season by season or arc by arc? Your reviews are amazing so forgive me if I come off as greedy! Your stuff is amazing.
(Though please, don't take my enthusiasm as being pushy, do as you wish :) )
Very well done. Kinda reminds me structure-wise of SFDebris
Great video. Really are not many video essays or reviews on this show at all. The extended pilot is much preferred to me because the cuts in some cases cause continuity issues. The conversation at the end makes no sense unless you see the extended version because Finch references a conversation that was cut in the TV edit.
I also think the tropes bordering on cliches was done on purpose. Give people what they expect from a canned police procedural "the black guy did it" and the damsel in distress being the pretty blonde to turn it on it's head later. I think it was a good way to get the message across "this is not Law & Order with AI."
And I am not sure if the Jesus comment was meant to be rhetorical but Jim played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ and apparently was ribbed about it by the rest of the cast. lol
I'm dying you used Caitlin's video of the dead girlfriends video
Not the only guy who shows up in Hamilton *wheezes
Oh wow, I've never seen this show but I found this video so fun to watch
oh that’s a high compliment
About the only show gone from TV that I miss.
it would be great if you talk about foreshadowings of the episode you guideline in previous episodes like a flashback
It’s also telling how the episode subverts expectations yet again by turning the biases of western tropes on their head. Big bad guy is a low-income black man and the victim is a white woman? Nope! Turns out the black man is the helpless victim and the white woman is the perpetrator. Many audience members would have had these subconscious biases instilled in them as a product of their environment, so it helps set up the twist. This isn’t the last time the show will play audience members’ subconscious biases against them (though at some points it becomes predictable in doing so-I’m not naming names, but let’s just say the name in question is used twice 😉). Anyways, it’s a good touch.
Hopefully POI gets a mofo reboot FAST! this was my fav show during hs!
yesssss
Shout-out to the absurdist team!
Very nice analysis; I found your references to absurdism which I wasn't really aware of, interesting and apt. I'd say that I wouldn't at all blame you if you decided to just pick a selection of highlighted episodes from each season to analyse instead of covering each one, but much respect for attempting it! I've subscribed and look forward to future uploads.
life is a bit in flux right now, but when that settles down, that’s the plan! at the very least want to hammer out the first season, then maybe do select episodes.
@@5x5Takes ah nice sounds like a plan! Look forward to it.
FYI: The movie that John was watching in the hotel was NOT "Seven Samurai."
poi wiki failed me
I thought you were gonna say "one of the tools I want to use is Mickey Mouse's clubhouse" or something with Mickey mouse lmao and then you finished the sentence 😂
Bring back Persons of Interest as AI and AGI can attract more viewers
Well you've got a new sub defo thanks
2:23 Y'know he played Jesus in The Passion of The Christ, right? He was even struck by lightning while filming the cruxification scene.
that was the joke, yes.
@@5x5Takes Ah, I should have known.
Did he look like Jesus? Why yes Jim did play Jesus in the passion of the christ!
‘twas the joke
You really even used a clip of his role from passion of Christ 😂
Just to make sure it is out there.
I recomend to you the show:
Infinity Train
Not enoff people know about it and it makes me sad.
"With a beard he looked like Jesus" -- Did you do that on purpose?? hahah. Jim Caviezel played Jesus in Passion of the Christ.
yes that is the joke
Broody man?
When you talked about the Jesus beard... Actually Jim Caviezel (John Reese) acted as Jesus Christ in a movie if i am not wrong.
‘twas the joke
@@5x5Takes i know it was a joke but i am quite sure he acted in a movie as Jesus. I think it was made by Mel Gibson.
yes that was the joke, the joke was that he played jesus.
I love you
Really like these videos, and *loved* POI, but loving Caveziel is a bit much. He's a Q-anon nutter after all.
yes, well as you see, this video was posted before that came out, and from my tone the “love you” was a light quip.