Person of Interest (TV Series)

If-Then-Else (2015)

Michael Emerson: Harold Finch

Photos 

Quotes 

• Harold Finch : On chess. "It's a useful mental exercise. Through the years, many thinkers have been fascinated by it. But I don't enjoy playing... Because it was a game that was born during a brutal age when life counted for little. Everyone believed that some people were worth more than others. Kings. Pawns. I don't think that anyone is worth more than anyone else... Chess is just a game. Real people are not pieces. You can't assign more value to some of them and not others. Not to me. Not to anyone. People are not a thing that you can sacrifice. The lesson is, if anyone who looks on to the world as if it is a game of chess, deserves to lose. "

• John Reese : [the Machine runs through a simplified mission simulation]  Cooly delivered sadistic warning.

  Lionel Fusco : Self-deprecating inquiry into the time necessary to infiltrate system.

  Root : Funny yet insightful retort.

  Harold Finch : Mildly agitated declaration of mission completion.

  Harold Finch : [Objective complete]  Gentle exhortation to further action.

  Root : [Root calls Shaw]  Overly affectionate greeting.

  Sameen Shaw : Greeting.

  Root : Transparent rationale for conversation.

  Sameen Shaw : Annoyed attempt to deflect subtext.

  Root : Overt come-on.

  Sameen Shaw : Mildly embarrassed defensiveness bordering on hostility.

  Root : Playfully witty sign-off.

• Harold Finch : [to The Machine in a flashback to 2003]  You asked me to teach you chess and I've done that. It's a useful mental exercise. Through the years many thinkers have been fascinated by it. But, I don't enjoy playing. Do you know why not?

  [Receives a 'No' reply on his cellphone] 

  Harold Finch : Because it was a game that was born during a brutal age when life counted for little and everyone believed that some people were worth more than others. Kings and pawns. I don't think that anyone is worth more than anyone else. I don't envy you the decisions you're going to have to make. And one day I'll be gone. And you'll have no one to talk to. But, if you remember nothing else, then please remember this. Chess is just a game. Real people aren't pieces. You can't assign more value to some of them than to others. Not to me. Not to anyone. People are not a thing that you can sacrifice. The lesson is... that anyone who looks on the world as if it was a game a chess deserves to lose.

• Harold Finch : [Running down the hall, he passes a framed drawing on the wall]  Look. It's an original Degas.

  Root : [Takes the drawing down and sets on the floor]  You'll thank me later.

  [Enemy operatives come toward them, firing weapons. Several bullets hit the wall where the drawing used to hang. She smiles at Finch] 

  Root : What good is saving the world, Harry, if we can't enjoy it?

• Harold Finch : [Running down the hall during The Machine's first simulation, he passes a framed drawing on the wall]  It's a Degas. Original. It's quite striking in person.

  [At Root's incredulity that he would pause during such a dangerous situation when time is running out] 

  Harold Finch : What's the point in saving the world if you can't enjoy it?

  [Enemy operatives come toward them, firing weapons. Several bullets hit the drawing, destroying it] 

  Harold Finch : Oh!

• John Reese : [the Machine has been running simulations to get the team out of danger, but is running out of time. The team is in the server room. The Machine display reads Simplify Simulation] 

  John Reese : [Into the ear of the man he is holding at gunpoint]  Coolly delivered sadistic warning.

  Lionel Fusco : [to Finch and Root]  Self-deprecating inquiry into the time necessary to infiltrate system.

  Root : Funny, yet insightful retort.

  Harold Finch : Mildly agitated declaration of mission completion.

  [the Machine displays Secondary Objective - Prevent Financial Crisis: Complete] 

  Harold Finch : General exhortation to further action.

  [Cut to the team in the mechanical room securing their exit by cutting a cable that locks the elevator] 

  Root : [to Shaw over comms, excitedly]  Overly affectionate greeting.

  Sameen Shaw : [Blandly]  Greeting.

  Root : Transparent rationale for conversation.

  Sameen Shaw : Annoyed attempt to deflect subject.

  Root : [Smiling widely]  Overt come-on.

  Sameen Shaw : Mildly embarrassed defensiveness, bordering on hostility.

  Root : Playfully witty sign-off.

• [repeated lines] 

  Harold Finch : We need a strategy.

  Root : [to The Machine]  A little help, please.

  [Reese, Finch, and Fusco look at Root] 

  John Reese : It's a hell of a time for your machine to go on the fritz, Harold.

  Harold Finch : Give it a second. It's got a lot on its mind.