Person of Interest – “A More Perfect Union” is the calm before the storm

I could sit here and discuss at length what was structurally wrong about how the number number-of-the-week was presented in “A More Perfect Union”, but it’s clear almost from the start that such a thing is inconsequential. As someone who has sat down and deconstructed what makes a middle of the pack or even strong number-of-the-week episode of the show and was only a step from writing the teleplay of my own, I realize I need to put that aside, because this episode doesn’t really demand anything from the viewer but to enjoy its characters in sometimes completely humourous situations. This is a show going out on its own terms and it has decided to have some fun while they still can.

The two POIs are inconsequential. We barely learn anything about them except how they fit into the wider context of the wedding guests who are plotting and scheming in the background. The groom’s ex kissing him on his wedding day? Nothing but a bribe from the bride’s father. The bride getting cold feet? Easily rectified by a speech that it shouldn’t matter. The photo in question? We don’t even see it because there only needs to be a simple resolution to the case; it was the sister who doped the prize racing stallion, with the family photographer being the sole witness to the crime and the true victim.

Most of the setups worked mostly to work to build towards a joke or punchline. Reese arrives after police have been called to a bachelorette party. We know how this will end, but the joke works because of Reese’s discomfort, and the bridesmaid slobbering over him. Root decides to brute force her way into the wedding, passing as a caterer with the help of Bear carrying dead vermin around the kitchen. Finch’s cover is quickly turned against him; the estranged uncle he passes for is asked to sing to everyone. Meanwhile Root and Reese fight a bunch of hired guns while Finch sings Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. And then Root literally saves the day by riding in on horseback and dispatching the last set of bad guys. What about everyone’s insistence that Root doesn’t like weddings, and her insistence that she does? Golden.

“Tomorrow their world crashes. But we can give them tonight.”

Having much less fun are Fusco and Shaw, who are separated from the fun of a wedding reception. Fusco is still working on those missing persons while Bruce Moran continues trying to make headway into discovering what new player is keeping the criminal element down. Fusco arguably has some more comedic scenes with Bear as everyone’s favourite dog tows the detective along. It’s not long until Fusco finds all the missing people he’s been searching for, along with Bruce and the city contractor dead in a tunnel, scheduled for demolition at a bad time. The testament to Bruce’s timely and off-screen demise says a lot about how little worth he is to Samaritan, the unknown factor in the dark that he and Fusco cannot seem to grasp.

Meanwhile Shaw is given somewhat of a reprieve from her head torture by having Greer extol the virtues of Samaritan, what it is capable of, and how immeasurably more efficient it is at protecting people. Although it is pretty clear to everyone by now that Samaritan is more than willing to kill a few hundred to save millions if necessary, framing its actions in them most favourable light. It’s certainly not going to convince Shaw or any viewers at all, but I appreciate the change in perspective allowed for us to understand what Greer’s worldview is in a more nuanced light. To him, it’s not reprehensible because of how he little he thinks humanity can go about, fumbling in the dark, doing the best it can when there is a better alternative.