In Extremis (S2x20)
Airdate: 25 April 2013
Written by: Greg Plageman & Tony Camerino Directed by: Chris Fisher
Running Time: 44 minutes
Person of Interest episodes have historically grappled with a delicate duality in their formula, perpetually oscillating between standalone procedural "person of the week" storylines and the overarching serialized narrative that drives the series forward. The most effective episodes manage to find the proper balance by ensuring each standalone case feels like a natural extension of the broader arc, connected thematically to the central mystery rather than existing as isolated incidents. Season 2’s episode In Extremis is a prime example of this successful integration, proving that the show can effectively merge its two main ingredients without compromising either.
The central storyline introduces Richard Nelson (Dennis Boutsikaris), a highly respected heart surgeon and medical researcher whose number is churned by the Machine. His professional achievements stand in stark contrast to the messy reality of his private life, particularly his strained relationship with his daughter Molly (Allison Scagliotti), who has become a radical animal rights activist. Reese monitors Nelson at a high-society social event where he reunites with a former patient, Brandon Boyd (Matthew Humphreys), a hedge fund executive at VAC Capital. The episode masterfully builds tension as Nelson begins to exhibit violent symptoms, including severe nosebleeds and physical collapse. By the time Reese arrives to intervene, it is too late for the doctor. Finch determines that Nelson has been poisoned with polonium and possesses at most 24 hours to live. Reese convinces the dying man to help him catch his murderer. The investigation leads to Boyd and eventually to his boss, Vincent Cochrane (Scott Jaeck). Confronted in a mountain lodge, Cochrane arrogantly admits the killing, explaining he had to silence Nelson during an SEC investigation into insider trading and a failed drug test. In a moment of dark irony, Nelson reveals that Cochrane too has only 24 hours, implying he was poisoned by Reese impersonating a waiter, before leaving to die.
Simultaneously, a parallel storyline unfolds via flashbacks, detailing how Detective Fusco became ensnared with HR through his friendship with its member Detective Stills. Realising Fusco might turn on them, HR decides to eliminate him by using incarcerated former policeman Louis Azzarello (Louis Vanaria) to testify in an Internal Affairs investigation. The key piece of evidence is the site where the body of Detective Stills, whom Fusco buried after Reese killed him years prior, is hidden. Fusco appears to be in dire straits and tentatively confesses his past misdeeds to Carter, who is currently in no forgiving mood following the funeral of Cal Beecher. When Internal Affairs arrives at the grave site, they find it empty. This twist is revealed to be the result of Finch leveraging Elias to move the body, thereby helping to clear Fusco—at least temporarily.
The episode culminates in a grim conclusion for Harold Finch. After realising the Machine failed to warn him about Szymanski, Beecher, and now Nelson on time, Finch comes to the disturbing realisation that the system has been corrupted and partially rendered ineffective by a virus.
The storyline centred on Nelson is certainly interesting, though it suffers from a lack of originality. The scriptwriters, Greg Plageman and Tony Camerino, have obviously drawn inspiration from the infamous 2006 polonium poisoning of former Russian intelligence operative Maksim Litvinenko, as well as the plot of the film noir classic D.O.A.. While the character of Nelson is somewhat one-dimensional, he is played with considerable depth by the renowned stage veteran Dennis Boutsikaris. What is unusual for the series is that Reese, after a long absence from such actions, seemingly chooses to exact justice by killing Cochrane in a rather cruel manner, arriving at the conclusion that this level of retribution was fitting for someone who poisoned another.
The storyline dealing with Fusco further illustrates the world of Person of Interest as a vast gray area, depicting the actual evolution of a detective who wanted to do the right thing into a criminal, alongside his desperate attempts to clear his name and atone for his sins. However, this storyline would have operated with greater impact if the audience was less aware that Fusco would inevitably survive his ordeal due to the established series format, thereby reserving any genuine "wham" moments for the upcoming season finale.
Despite these minor structural issues, Chris Fisher directs the episode in a competent manner, managing to strike a proper balance between the two distinct storylines. The direction even allows for some ironic juxtaposition, such as the scene where Nelson quotes Plato at the party, which is thematically mirrored later when Alonzo Quinn quotes the same philosopher during Beecher’s eulogy, even though Quinn was the one who ordered Beecher’s death.
Ultimately, "In Extremis" is a solid episode that is, in fact, slightly better than many of its predecessors in Season 2.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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