We got more clues about John Reese's past and, in what could have been a throw away episode about backstory, instead became riveting television with two major pay-offs coming at the end that probably took most viewers by surprise. This is one of those rare shows that delivers the goods to its dedicated viewers. Plot points going back to the pilot were given shout-outs, depth and resolution.
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In this episode we learned that back in the early days of the Machine (2010-2011), Finch didn't put the clues together of why certain numbers kept coming up. It was only later he realized that it was because the women were in abusive relationships and the danger they were in was from their partners/husbands. One of those numbers belonged to John Reese's childhood friend/true love, Jessica.
We saw at the end of the episode that Reese and Finch had a brief encounter (no, not that kind) at the hospital the day Reese found out that Jessica had died in a car accident. And we learned that Finch had been tracking Jessica, her husband Peter and Mr. Reese. But Reese was probably so shocked at the loss of Jessica that he probably didn't pay attention to the man in the wheelchair (Finch) that he bumped into. Was Finch in the hospital, in that wheelchair, because he was recovering from an earlier brutal encounter with Jessica's husband (and murderer), Peter? As Finch was in a wheelchair, when he recovers is this why he has his limp?
And now we know why Reese was such a mess when we first met him in the pilot and why he is slowly finding himself again working with Finch.
And we learn that Reese isn't the killing machine that Carter has been led to believe he is. He deposits the truly guilty who will likely go free in the justice system in a prison down in Mexico. It looks like Reese didn't kill Peter when he figured out that Peter had killed Jesscia but deposited him in that same federal prison where he's probably keeping company with Jennings (this week's modern day villian) and the date rapist from episode #3. Or did he really kill Peter? We still don't know but it raises an interesting aspect to Reese's story.
And Carter saw a side of Reese she's never seen before and seems to be moving, albeit slowly, closer to siding with Finch and Reese which would put her against CIA specialist (and former Reese boss) Snow and the FBI agent who bears a striking resemblance to Brent Spiner.
And, in the end, Finch and Reese, two broken men with trust issues, forged a stronger friendship.
And with Stanton's return last week, it lays the foundation for what will likely be an edge-of-our-seats season finale.
Can't wait. I love this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!
