Bury the Lede (S2x05)
Airdate: 1 November 2012
Written by: David Slack Directed by: Jeffrey Hunt
Running Time: 44 minutes
The seasonal nature of US broadcast television often provides a fascinating lens through which to view specific episodes, as content frequently reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the dates on which they are originally aired. This phenomenon extends beyond simple holiday-themed storylines to encompass the broader political landscape, with election cycles often serving as the backdrop for high-stakes drama. Bury the Lede, the fifth episode of Season 2 of Person of Interest, aired just five days before the 2012 US presidential election, and this temporal proximity is not coincidental. The episode masterfully intertwines the themes of media manipulation and political corruption with the show’s core narrative of surveillance and protection, creating a narrative that feels deeply relevant to the real-world concerns of that moment.
The plot is set against the backdrop of a fictional New York mayoral election, a high-stakes contest where the margin of victory is razor-thin and the smallest detail can swing the polls. The campaign features two main candidates: Councilman Ed Griffin, (Richard V. Licata), and Assistant DA Landon Walker (Kevin Collins). The narrative tension is immediately established when a revelation regarding Griffin’s campaign funding irregularities is unearthed by Maxine Angelis (Gloria Votsis), a tenacious investigative reporter for the New York Journal. Griffin’s campaign manager, Alonzo Quinn (Clarke Peters), admits that Maxine has made life difficult for his boss but cryptically hints that he too has leverage over Walker. The Machine, ever vigilant, churns Maxine’s number, and sensing that she is a target, Reese and Finch intervene to protect her, setting in motion a complex chain of events.
Their task is complicated by the fact that Maxine has a history that has made her many enemies. Shortly before the election, the FBI, led by the dogged Agent Donnelly, launches a raid that results in the arrest of 75 corrupt NYPD officers. While this is a significant blow to HR, the mysterious leadership remains at large. This creates a personal crisis for Fusco, who is approached by his old associate from HR, Simmons. Simmering with resentment and threats of exposure, Simmons blackmails Fusco into gathering intelligence on the FBI's investigation. This forces Fusco to face his past, threatening to undermine his hard-won redemption and his custody of his son.
In the meantime, Maxine receives an anonymous tip suggesting that the real head of HR is Christopher Zambrano (John Ventimiglia), the son of a late Mafia don with ties to the organisation. Finch, ever the architect, devises an ingenious solution to protect Maxine without alerting her to Reese’s presence. He uncovers Maxine’s profile on a dating site and creates a sophisticated fake identity for Reese, who adopts the persona of “John Anderson.” This allows Reese to get close to Maxine under the guise of a romantic interest, a strategy that not only ensures her safety but also provides a much-needed emotional beat for the stoic soldier.
Maxine publishes an article accusing Zambrano of being the head of HR, a scoop that makes him a target for the criminal underworld. During one of their dates as “John Anderson,” Maxine receives devastating information that suggests Zambrano is innocent and has been framed. The frame-up appears to be orchestrated by someone seeking to silence him or confiscate a ledger containing incriminating information about his father’s dealings with HR. Rushing to warn Zambrano, Maxine arrives too late; he is killed, and his death becomes a collateral casualty of her reporting. Furthermore, her reputation as a journalist is severely tarnished, as her premature accusation resulted in the murder of an innocent man, casting doubt on her integrity and judgment.
The tragedy is compounded when Maxine is interrogated by Donnelly, who is visibly angered by the loss of Zambrano. The FBI agent, who had been pursuing the truth about HR, reveals that Zambrano was an honest man who genuinely wanted to cooperate. Reese and Finch realise with a grim understanding that the Machine churned Maxine’s number because she was a threat to Zambrano, albeit an unwitting one. They had failed to see the bigger picture: the real boss of HR had eliminated Zambrano and used Maxine as a tool to remove a loose end.
The tension reaches its breaking point during one of Reese’s dates with Maxine, where he notices her being targeted by two attackers. These individuals are later revealed to be disgraced FBI agents Craig Bogle (Rick Gifford) and Leonard Pitt (James D. Dever). Maxine also receives intelligence from Zoe Morgan suggesting that the call for her assassination originated from a disposable phone likely to be used by a political campaign. This points directly back to either Griffin or Walker as the puppet master behind the hit. Determined to clear her name and expose the truth, Maxine resolves to find the ledger that would exonerate Zambrano. She locates the ledger hidden within a carousel that Zambrano had built as a charity project. However, a trap is set, and she and Reese are ambushed at the carousel by Bogle and Pitt, who intend to stage a murder-suicide. The ambush is thwarted when Finch detects the threat remotely and alerts Fusco and Detective Carter to intervene. A physical confrontation ensues where Fusco, despite his reservations, proves his loyalty. The agents are subdued, and both Maxine and Reese are freed. Fusco manages to secure the ledger but takes a moment to remove the pages that incriminate him and Simmons, choosing to turn the evidence over to Carter as a gesture of redemption.
The resolution of the political arc is swift and decisive. The ledger confirms that Landon Walker is the head of HR, leading to his arrest by the FBI and securing victory for Griffin in the election. Fusco, having paid his debt to HR in his own way, hands the torn pages to Simmons, hoping to close the chapter on his blackmail. Maxine, now vindicated, ends her abortive relationship with “John Anderson.” In a poignant final moment, she dismisses the existence of the “Man in the Suit” as an urban legend, unaware that the very man she was dating was the source of her protection. The episode concludes with Simmons reporting back to the true power broker, who is revealed to be Quinn, cementing his position as the mastermind behind the city's corruption.
The script, written by David Slack, is a dense and intricate tapestry of various characters and intrigues that gives the impression it could have easily filled an entire season of a grittier, slower-burn drama like The Wire. Yet, the director, Jeffrey Hunt, deserves significant credit for managing to pack all this material into a single episode while delivering it in a way that remains comprehensive and engaging for the average viewer.
While some of the red herrings regarding the identity of the HR boss are admittedly obvious to those paying close attention, the twist in the end—where Quinn ominously repeats the words he had said to Maxine at the beginning—"the politicians come and go, but we'll be here forever"—is remarkably effective. It underscores the cyclical nature of power and corruption, reinforcing the show’s recurring theme that the true power lies not in the elected offices but in the shadowy organisations that manipulate them from the margins. The line is delivered with chilling authority by Clarke Peters, grounding the episode in a sense of permanence and dread.
The episode even manages to inject a modicum of humour through the stark contrast between Finch’s manufactured online personality and the real Reese. Watching the stoic, lethal Reese struggle to maintain a fake relationship, pretending to be a hopeless romantic nerd while suppressing his martial instincts, provides a refreshing break from the tension.
Fusco’s return to the dark side, albeit a reluctant and calculated one, further cements Person of Interest’s place in the morally shady category of television. It reminds the audience that even the heroes are not immune to the corrupting influence of the city they protect. The introduction of Quinn as a new archvillain, especially one played by Clarke Peters, is a refreshing addition to the series. Peters’ formidable performance, reminiscent of his legendary role as Lester Freamon in The Wire, lends a gravitas to the character that elevates the writing. He brings a quiet menace to Quinn, making him a formidable opponent who commands respect through his calm demeanour rather than overt aggression.
The only major flaw of the episode is the lack of chemistry between Gloria Votsis and Jim Caviezel. While the acting is competent, the spark that usually drives Reese’s romantic subplots is noticeably absent. However, this lack of chemistry works in the episode's favour for the ending, as it makes the abrupt conclusion of their "romance" feel believable and natural.
In the end, Bury the Lede turns out to be one of the better episodes of Person of Interest during its second season. It successfully blends high-octane action, political intrigue, and character development into a cohesive narrative. By anchoring its fantastical elements in the very real context of an election year, the episode resonates on a thematic level, offering a poignant commentary on the nature of power and the cost of seeking the truth. It shows the series’ ability to balance complexity with accessibility, delivering a thrilling and thought-provoking installment of television.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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