I rewatched the episodes leading up to this week. (I don't know if I'm ready for three episodes this week. I don't know if my heart can take it.)
I enjoyed 6471 more on a second viewing though I still have my reservations with it (namely the fact that the twist exists at all, not a fan of that story structure, and "you were my safe place" did not work for me... I saw that scene coming a mile away after the earlier bit with Root and Shaw in bed, cringed through it). For the most part, though, I am glad the show took the time to deal with these themes, and as far as "it was all a dream" variations go, this one was expertly executed. There's so much to appreciate on a second viewing, from the suddenly obvious absence of Fusco, the amazingly dry line readings from Emerson (his reaction to John's death made me burst out laughing), or just the way Reese and Finch always stand as perfectly still as possible in the background of every shot... but the best thing I caught on second viewing is how Shaw, upon waking back in the safety of Team Machine's protection... is on the goddamn subway. So many great background details like that, toying with reality and Shaw's subconscious and so on. (I think the one big detail that tipped me on first viewing was Root being the first person to appear in response to a number, and her apartment; it makes sense that the simulation is working Shaw like this to get information, but that's a significant break from the DNA of the show).
It also makes sense that they wanted this one to air as episode 4. Watching the first five episodes more or less back to back helps clarify what the writers are doing here, and certainly helped me appreciate 6741 more in context. The show is taking time (frustrating as it is for some viewers, myself included haha) to take stock of the characters, who they are, what they have gone through, and what they need to do to fight Samaritan. It's a great way to set up the final fight and give each character their proper due (I really can't tell who is going to die by the end, other than still thinking Reese will sacrifice himself, or is at least prepared for that). We got an episode dealing with Finch and Root and their past, forcing them to confront some hard truths in their fight against Samaritan. We got an episode about Reese and his hero complex, and while it treads familiar ground, it once again does the work of tying up loose ends (breaking things off with Iris) as Reese emotionally suits up for war (in a scene that blatantly echoes certain first season flashbacks). We also get the episode with Shaw, of course, which is basically a tribute to her strength and mettle but also a rare glimpse at her heart (despite the fan service element of this; I suspect this episode exists largely because Shaw and Root will not have a happy reunion, partly as Shaw will be incapable of expressing what we are able to see in this episode... but again, we will have to wait and see how this episode reverberates throughout the rest of the season).
ShotSeeker, though. Yeah, it really gets the plot moving. Yeah, it was tense and exciting. Yeah, it also had a plot twist and it was a pretty hype moment. But it's also the final piece of the puzzle here, so to speak, as far as giving characters their due. We need to take a moment to appreciate how much ass Fusco was kicking. This was like the Fusco Power Hour. We got to see him be an amazing cop. He saves the number's life at least twice. We got to see him go to bat for his friends, mobilizing the police department to help track down Reese. Fusco was on fire this episode. This isn't just a tribute to the journey Fusco has been on over five seasons, but a tribute to the memory of Joss Carter. It didn't really occur to me much before this episode, but Fusco has become Carter. Her voice of reason. Her moral compass. He's everything he promises he'd be when he arrests Simmons instead of killing him in The Devil's Share. He even gets his recognition from Team Machine at the end.
Unfortunately, he picked up one more thing from Carter: Her righteous tenacity. Fusco has caught a whiff of Samaritan and he's not backing down. There's something rotten in the state of Denmark and he isn't going to stop until he roots it out, even if that means taking things into his own hands (just as Carter did with HR). For the first time, I am genuinely worried about Fusco. After Reese, he's the character who seems most likely to be taken out in this war (even if only owing to his professional proximity to Reese/Riley). Root and Shaw will depend where that plot is even going (too early to tell) and Finch is just a giant question mark (but the one character I had always sort of pegged to survive all of this, even if he pays a hefty cost).
Either way, I have a feeling I'm going to need a lot of whisky to get through this season. I can't see this show ending any other way than heartbreak.
edit - damn that was a long post
