Blue Code (S1x15)
Airdate: 16 February 2012
Written by: Denise Thé
Directed by: David Von Ancken
Running Time: 44 minutes
Often the best place to hide something important is in plain sight. This adage resonates profoundly with the 15th episode of Person of Interest, Blue Code, which manages to slip some of the most subversive content into the narrative of a mainstream US broadcast network series. At least, this is the impression one might get from watching the Season 1 entry. It operates on the premise that beneath the veneer of a procedural drama lies a harsh critique of institutional corruption and governmental overreach.
The narrative engine begins with the Machine churning out the number belonging to Michael Cahill (Michael Aronov). At first glance, Cahill appears to be an ordinary citizen, but he is revealed to be a professional criminal, a member of a well-organised crew of smugglers led by Vargas (Jose Zuniga). The dynamic shifts dramatically when Cahill is seen approaching the house belonging to NYPD officer Reese. Initially, Reese and Finch assume Cahill is a threat. However, the episode delivers a twist: Cahill is actually NYPD undercover officer Daniel Tully, who has been infiltrating Vargas' organisation for a long time.
With the knowledge that Tully's life is in danger due to his position within Vargas' crew, Reese infiltrates the gang to gather intelligence. Concurrently, Finch sends Fusco to steal top secret files about Tully's real identity from the Internal Affairs vault to ensure the operation's success. The plan goes awry when Fusco is caught by Internal Affairs detective Ian Davidson (Reg E. Cathey). Davidson is not merely a detective; he is part of HR, the network of corrupt NYPD detectives that has plagued the city's force for years. The episode portrays Davidson as a cold, calculating enforcer who captures Fusco and transports him to a forest to be killed. Just as Davidson is about to deliver the final blow, Reese intervenes, shooting Davidson dead in the last moment to rescue his ally.
In the episode's climax, Reese adopts a bold strategy: he pretends to be the undercover NYPD officer instead of Tully. With Carter's assistance, the gang is apprehended, and Vargas is killed by Reese. The mastermind behind the operation, L.O.S., is arrested, but he exits the scene with a smug expression, suggesting he would be back on the street in no time. The narrative takes a significant turn when it is revealed that L.O.S. is actually a CIA agent, and the drug smuggling operation was sanctioned by the Agency as a means to finance black ops. The operation had been supervised by Agent Mark Snow, who explains that the government lost the War on Drugs but can repurpose it to finance the War on Terror. Snow is displeased with L.O.S.'s conduct and ultimately has him killed to maintain control over the operation. In the aftermath, Tully is finally able to return to his family, having survived the ordeal.
The episode concludes with a poignant epilogue that focuses on Fusco. Having returned Davidson's body, Fusco is instructed to ask corrupt NYPD officer Patrick Simmons (Robert John Burke), to assist him in the matter of disposal. Fusco, who has genuinely wanted to leave his corrupt past behind, is unhappy about being drawn back into the fold. However, he listens to Reese's orders, understanding that this is the only way to remain on the path to redemption and infiltrate HR fully. This moment encapsulates the tragic complexity of Fusco's character, who finds himself forced into the same mud he had been trying to escape from. His journey is highlighted by a powerful moment where he realises he actually enjoyed being a good cop for once, only to be forced deeper into HR by John.
The narrative is further enriched by flashbacks that reveal bits of Reese's past in the CIA. These scenes depict Reese abducting, and presumably taking out, a corrupt official who was selling technology to the Chinese. The flashback takes place in 2008 in New York City, showing that the Agency was deeply involved in illegal and morally questionable activities long before the events of the series. Another poignant flashback shows Reese trying to get back at Jessica, only to be warned against it by Kara Stanton, who cautions him about the consequences of his actions. These segments add layers to Reese's backstory, painting him as a man haunted by his past and disillusioned with the government.
The concept of the CIA being involved in the drug trade, and consequently responsible for much of the problems in American society, is a conspiracy theory that isn't new. Thanks to the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s, this theory was given more basis in fact than many others. Yet, the script by Denise Thé makes this claim very explicit and very direct, showing that this sordid business goes beyond "a few rotten apples" and is actually systemic. By linking the drug trade to the financing of black ops and the War on Terror, the episode situates Person of Interest firmly within the realm of political thriller, suggesting that the government will use any means necessary to achieve its ends.
The episode itself is very neatly written and well-directed, offering a skilful combination of flashback exposition, a complicated conspiracy plot, and well-directed action scenes. One memorable sequence involves Reese having to escape from the trunk of a burning car, a stunt that showcases his physical prowess and adds to the episode's adrenaline-fueled atmosphere. The script manages to balance these elements without feeling rushed, a testament to the writing of Denise Thé. The episode also features an interesting twist at the end, which puts Detective Fusco in a potentially heart-breaking situation, being brought into the same mud he had been trying to escape from.
Together with a strong cast, which involves formidable character actor Reg E. Cathey—almost unrecognisable without facial hair—Blue Code represents the best episode of the series by that point. It excels in character development, particularly for Fusco, who had by this time developed into one of the more interesting characters on the show. The episode's ability to intertwine a high-stakes action plot with deep character moments and a broader political statement makes it a standout piece of television.
RATING: 7/10 (+++)
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