My Top Twenty Person of Interest Episodes

My all-time favourite episode of the show. Taut, tense, thrilling, satisfying, it's the definitive episode of PoI in my personal opinion. A perfect end to a trilogy of episodes starting with "Endgame". The opening sequence was amazing, the writing, direction, performances (specifically Jim Caviezel's and Kevin Chapman's). Everything was on point.

This is by all accounts, the best episode, but not my top favourite. It damn near comes close, though. Just when you think the show can't surprise you anymore, it throws you in with a new fresh premise, with fantastic action and scenarios, and an intense ending to boot, this is perfection on TV.

The best finale to a program I've seen since Breaking Bad. It was emotional, it was action-packed, well-acted, it felt like the closing of a book. Even though it didn't finish certain plot threads (like Zoe, Claire, etc.) it still had a sense of finality and satisfaction and yet a sense of continuation in some regard.

The most subversive PoI episode in my opinion, not much action, it's entirely focused on character, specifically those of John Reese and Joss Carter, it works as intense character study as Reese tries to keep himself safe with Carter's help. Not to mention, Fusco saves a model from an Armenian gang, truly the greatest story never told.

This episode was the true indication that things were rapidly coming to an end, *beep* went down, characters died. It was spectacular. It also had one of the best car chases to ever grace a screen. Amy Acker was the best she's been in this episode.

An interesting and emotional episode that explores the character of John Reese, specifically exploring a dark part of his past. The episode also ventures into themes of domestic violence. With fantastic writing, direction and an excellent performance from Jim Caviezel, this one is a highlight within Season 1, when the show was still trying to find it's footing.

This episode is another expert thriller compacted into 40 or so minutes. Havoc wreaks within New York with our heroes' battle with HR, it's amazing, and the standout is Taraji P. Henson, who really brings the tension and amazement to this episode, along with Kevin Chapman and guest stars Clarke Peters and Robert John Burke. Truly amazing with a gut-punching ending.

Jonathan Nolan's only directed episode of his show was indeed fantastic, subverting the formula for the show once again, not focusing on the main characters but that of Sameen Shaw (played with perfection by Sarah Shahi), who indeed would become a main character within the show. It explores a different side to the mythology of the show, backed with an amazing character to lead us through. A masterclass.

The episode that takes us back to the beginning, showing a different to Finch, as well as a very different analog to John Reese, that of Mr. Dillinger, who was fantastic. It shows that Finch and Reese were actually close to meeting before they officially did. It's probably the best prequel episode I've seen.

Another amazing thriller, with Finch and Root at the forefront of the episode, with terrific action sequences showing The Machine as more of a character than it was prior.

Probably just a standard episode, and it is. But this episode holds a special place in my heart due to it's number, Logan Pierce (played with sleazy excellence by Jimmi Simpson). It provides a sense of humour with this character that plays off well against the stoic John Reese. Logan was a great character and I'm glad we got to see more of him later, even though it was just for one episode way after this one.

An action packed episode which primarily focuses on the war between Elias and Dominic. Elias has always been an interesting character, and it's with this episode that explores his friendship with his men, specifically his right-hand man, Scarface. It was excellent in action and thrills and character development for Elias.

It's all out war between the two AI gods, The Machine vs Samaritan. It is glorious, making our heroes feel more vulnerable than they have in a long time.

Person of Interest is a show that is able to go against my expectations, it truly is an unpredictable show, and it brought back a villain who wasn't even seen in the last episode he was heard in. The Voice was an excellent villain within this intriguing mystery of an episode, proving to be an excellent foil to Finch. The friendship between Reese and Fusco is also explored, showing they've come a long way since the Pilot.

We find John Reese captured by his old acquaintance, Kara Stanton. In this follow-up to Prisoner's Dilemma we find John at his most vulnerable thus far, getting the feeling he could truly explode at any moment. This episode also highlights the growing friendship formed by Reese and Finch and introduces the villain, John Greer, played with cold excellence.

An episode that gives a proper introduction to one of the best characters in the show, Root. It was spectacular, showing the dynamic of Root's manipulative personality, as well as having more amazing shootouts and action.

As Shaw gets some character development looking after a young, smart child, it sheds some light on her personality disorder and how she feels things, whilst that happens, Carter starts the seeding with her war with HR and it culminates in one of my favourite confrontations on the show, between John Reese and the despicable Patrick Simmons.

An episode which has Taraji P. Henson in expert form as Joss Carter going against Carl Elias, as he sets a plan of his in full motion. With nail-biting tension on par with Hitchcock, this episode is excellent.

For me, this was one of the more emotional episodes of the show, showing Reese dealing with loss, as he hangs on for dear life in an unknown land. An excellent episode with lots of emotion.

An episode that focuses more on Samaritan and Greer, flashing back to him as a young MI6 agent, giving us more info on his character. It also provides an excellent meeting between the two AIs, and symbolises an important moment for Root.