Mission Creep

Ghosts was a decent second episode but it lacked what made the pilot so promising. Sadly this third installment was in the same vein but the elements that had convinced me to stick around so far were absent. The Machine ? It was missing in action when it's the one thing that differentiates Person of Interest from all the other cop shows. The episode begins, John Reese meets Mr. Finch, a new number is received and it's time for the new mission of the week. Such a by the book and endless format doesn't work for me. However the writers talent to serve us with well crafted stories is undeniable even if the way they end has become predictable. This one was moving and even intriguing at times even it wasn't original not really surprising. But some characters were inspiring and played by performers who should make you care for them. It's specially true for Jim Caviezel who carries the show on his strong shoulders. Moreover we learned more about his past and one the persons he left behind before going to war. Still the arc was far too anecdotic and I hate the fact that writers control the pace by leaving breadcrumbs behind them and hoping for some viewers to follow their trail passively. Worst I can't remember a single humoristic scene so I worry that the show could actually be taking itself way too seriously. I'm not asking to turn it into a one man show but the pilot proved that Reese can be hilarious, like Bruce Willis as John McClane for instance. Therefore it makes the series less entertaining. Even the good infographics linking the scenes and involving Mr. Finch from time to time can't push the barrier that prevents the individuals behind the show from taking things to a whole new level. And the déjà vu on-going investigation regarding Reese doesn't help ! To sum things up I understand how the formula can be appealing to some people but in the end Person of Interest is just an other cop show. It could have been more but its creator didn't take the risk and it's specially disappointing considering J. J. Abrams is one of its executive producers.