Triggerman (S2x04)
Airdate: 25 October 2012
Written by: Erik Mountain Directed by: Jeremy Hunt
Running Time: 44 minutes
There exists a peculiar subset of Person of Interest episodes that, despite their high production values and slick execution, possess plots so simple and so generic that they leave the distinct impression that they could have been easily applied to standalone films without any specific genre or premise connection to the series at all. One such example can be found in Season 2 episode Triggerman, an outing that strips away the techno-thriller elements to present a straightforward, old-school gangster melodrama that feels more like a throwback to 1930s cinema than a modern installment of a sci-fi spy series.
The plot of *Triggerman? is built on a familiar foundation: Riley Cavanaugh (Jonathan Tucker), is an enforcer for Irish mob boss George Massey (Kevin Conway). Reese arrives in the restaurant to investigate a number churned by the Machine—specifically Riley Cavanaugh. He observes Massey intimidating restaurant owner Al (Sean Gormley) over unpaid protection money and notices the peculiar dynamic between Massey and the waitress Annie Delaney (Liza J. Bennett). Annie, it turns out, is a widow whose husband was allegedly killed by Russian mobsters, though she harbours a simmering resentment towards Massey himself. Massey, ever the capricious tyrant, orders Riley to murder Annie, a task Riley carries out reluctantly, accompanied by Massey’s son, Eddie (Matt McTighe).
The intervention of Reese shifts the trajectory of the drama, but not in the way one might expect. It is revealed that Massey, discovering the affair between Riley and Annie, has orchestrated a double-cross. He orders his own son, Eddie, to kill both Riley and Annie. In the ensuing confrontation, Riley kills Eddie in self-defence. Enraged by his son’s death, Massey places a bounty of $1 million on Riley and Annie, transforming their escape attempt into a city-wide manhunt. The urgency is palpable, as they are hunted by the very scum of the underworld that Riley usually lords over.
While Detective Carter and Szymanski formally investigate Eddie’s murder, Finch takes a more proactive, if somewhat desperate, approach. He visits Carl Elias, the archvillain currently incarcerated, and appeals to him for a favour. Elias, who still holds the leash on much of the city’s organised crime despite being behind bars, agrees to halt the bounty hunters as a gesture of gratitude for Reese’s previous assistance. In exchange, Finch agrees to visit Elias regularly and play chess, a transaction that highlights Elias’s isolation and his need for intellectual stimulation. This subplot adds a layer of complexity to the episode, bridging the gap between the standalone crime drama and the show’s broader narrative.
The climax takes place at a train station, where Ochoa, one of the criminal bounty hunters, employs a clever distraction to kidnap Annie. As Riley futilely pursues the kidnapper, he is confronted by Reese. In a moment of raw vulnerability, Riley confesses to Reese that he had killed Annie’s husband on Massey’s orders, admitting that while he knows it was wrong, he would do anything to save Annie. He reluctantly accepts Reese’s help. Reese and Riley infiltrate Massey’s nightclub for a final confrontation. A chaotic gunfight ensues, resulting in Massey’s death and Riley being wounded. In a classic tragic twist, Riley tells Reese to take Annie to safety and leaves to face Ochoa alone. When Reese returns, he finds Riley dead, executed by Ochoa.
Reese later delivers Annie to the train station and buys her a ticket to New Mexico. The episode closes with Finch playing chess with Elias, and Reese tracking down Ochoa. When Ochoa offers him the bounty, Reese cryptically replies that he is "not for the money," a line that suggests he intends to simply avenge Riley rather than profit from the situation.
Triggerman can be best described as a quintessential old school gangster melodrama. The title character, Riley Cavanaugh, undergoes the all-too-familiar tragic redemption arc where he pays for his sins by sacrificing his life for love. Tucker plays the role exceptionally well, imbuing Riley with a sense of fatalism and genuine emotion that anchors the episode. However, on the other hand, the supporting cast feels disappointingly one-dimensional. Conway’s portrayal of Massey is solid but relies heavily on the standard "evil mobster" tropes, lacking the nuance that makes the show’s villains truly compelling.
The primary problem with this plot is that it belongs to Person of Interest merely thanks to Reese and Finch being artificially inserted into it. Until the very end of the episode, they act as passive observers, essentially watching a crime drama unfold rather than driving the narrative. Furthermore, Reese’s decision to avenge Riley feels slightly out of character; he hasn't made any significant emotional connection with the gangster, making the sacrifice feel somewhat performed rather than earned. That said, his handling of Ochoa adds a welcome layer of ambiguity to his character, suggesting that he may not always follow the book when it comes to villains who fall into his custody.
On the other hand, the episode attempts to compensate for these structural issues with a couple of clever continuity references. The most obvious is the return of Carl Elias after his long absence, serving as a reminder of the show’s rich mythology. The other is a subtle nod to the show's terminology, when Finch refers to characters like Riley as "bad code," an oblique reference to the phrase Root used to describe bad people. It is a small but effective way of tying the generic plot back to the series' unique voice.
Ultimately, Triggerman is well-acted and well-directed, with strong performances from Jonathan Tucker and a gritty atmosphere that captures the noir aesthetic effectively. However, it is generally unremarkable and hardly among the most essential parts of the series. It serves as a competent standalone episode of gangster fiction, but it struggles to leave a lasting impact within the broader context of Person of Interest.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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