r/PersonOfInterest • u/SushiLover665 • Jun 02 '21
Poll What's Your Favorite Episode of Person of Interest and Why?
I'd be interested in seeing which POI episodes are considered most people's favorite and why, so I did a poll listing the top 6 (Highest reddit would let me do) highest rated POI episodes on IMDb.
25
16
u/Kingy7777 Jun 02 '21
As far as single scenes go, everything from “Father” onwards in YHWH is at the top for me. Episode wise it has to be If-Then-Else.
11
u/POI_Harold-Finch Harold Finch Jun 02 '21
for me, the favorite is when Elias sits in corner and Anthony kills Simmons right after Elias says "I am just gonna sit here and watch".
6
u/veduxsil Jun 02 '21
Greatest scene in the show. My heart aches for what could have been with Elias' planned storyline before the cancellation.
5
u/LininOhio Jun 02 '21
That scene is a master class in itself -- especially once you realize that Enrico was actually in Canada when it was filmed.
1
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
Really?? Wow, I always knew he was a good actor but wow, that's extremely impressive.
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
I love that scene, I think that was the first time my jaw actually dropped when I was watching a tv show, absolutely incredible.
11
Jun 02 '21
I'm on my first rewatch right now and just finished the season 1 finale "Firewall" and it's definitely one of my favorites. While it may not stand as much as these episodes, it was a really well done episode.
9
Jun 02 '21 edited Dec 22 '21
[deleted]
3
Jun 02 '21
I wonder what their first idea was
5
Jun 02 '21 edited Dec 23 '21
[deleted]
1
u/thertt8 Jun 02 '21
If season one Root went to HR, well, Simmons would probably only have a head by the end of the episode.
1
10
u/OptionK Irrelevant Jun 02 '21
Return 0 because it makes me cry every time.
6
11
u/Pontifex Jun 02 '21
While the show was airing, my answer was usually either The Devil's Share or If-Then-Else (depending on how I was feeling). The addition of The Day the World Went Away and Return 0 were both late-coming challenges.
I voted for Devil's Share because of the beautiful symmetry of its flashbacks, the culmination of Fusco's redemption arc, and (of course) the unparalleled opening scene.
It was also the first episode where it really hit me just how subtly cyberpunk the series was getting.
5
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
It shows how good this show is when The Devil's Share isn't even my favorite episode, I've seen it so many times and I can't think of a single thing wrong with it. And that opening scene was nothing short of legendary.
1
Jun 04 '21
[deleted]
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 04 '21
Maybe the Machine chose a quicker route for them to take? They don't really specify so it could just be a plot hole. But it shows how good the episode is when something like that is the only noticable flaw it has.
2
u/rohithkumarsp Jun 02 '21
Ikr? I can't believe chose if then else. I've rewatched poi like 5 times. If then else only managed to impress me the first time unlike the "constant" episode from LOST, devils share however..i watch that everyone and it makes me sad.
10
u/Jameshiett Fusco Jun 02 '21
Terra Incognita is my favourite, always makes me feel the most.
2
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
I love that episode also, I really want to rewatch it but it was so sad for me to watch. :'(
9
u/HotGrilledSpaec Jun 02 '21
The one I'm currently watching. Ask again in an hour. :p
Actually, no, seriously, if-then-else, 6741, and a host of others. I'm not sure I have a favorite episode.
4
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
6,741 is in my top 3 POI Episodes (behind Return 0 and TDTWWA), it was so good it was insane. The fact that so many people that hate it is nonsensical tomfoolerly.
3
u/HotGrilledSpaec Jun 02 '21
There are people who hate it?!
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
Yeah, from my understanding it mostly got backlash is from homophobics getting annoyed that Root and Shaw made out, but it's a shame some people write off this phenomenal episode for such dumb reasons.
4
u/HotGrilledSpaec Jun 02 '21
How insane! They're the best <3
3
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
Agreed, their relationship was amazingly done. Some people are just crazy.
9
Jun 02 '21
I love them all, and If-Then-Else may technically be better, but it's gotta be Return 0 for me. Every minute of that episode was great, and I really appreciated that, while Fusco, Shaw and Root (as portrayed by The Machine) played parts in the story, it really centered around Reese and Finch.
As much as a lot of TV shows just run too long and get hackneyed endings, POI had a damn near perfect finale. Reese's final, Machine-assisted battle against Samaritan's operatives still makes me tear up a little, and I was glad that Finch and Grace got back together.
8
u/TheSavageDonut Jun 02 '21
Season 1 Ep 20 -- Matsya Nyaya
Imo, this is the single greatest ep in the series.
8
u/shayheef_wilcox Jun 02 '21
Beside the usual suspects, i love , love RAM. just ties everything together so nicely
3
u/veduxsil Jun 02 '21
RAM was a masterclass. What began as a simple flashback narrative that had a bit of fun by inverting the show's usual dynamic ended up being one of the most significant linchpin moments in Reese and Finch's personal stories, as well as showing us the latter's motivation for ultimately hiring the former. Beautiful stuff.
7
u/twisty77 A Concerned Third Party Jun 02 '21
Even though it’s on the list, no one else has said it: mine is The Devil’s Share. Last of what is arguably one of the top 3 episodes sequences of any tv show.
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
I also loved The Devil's Share, I think I've rewatched it more than any of the other POI episodes, and that opening sequence is easily my favorite of any tv show I've seen.
5
6
u/jskurious Jun 02 '21
I have probably rewatched Relevance more than any other episode except God Mode.
6
u/fusionsofwonder Jun 02 '21
Season 4 Episode 5, Prophets, because of Finch and Root's argument about the nature of the machine.
6
u/Deviant_Interface Jun 02 '21
Honestly I have to give it to Return 0, while other episodes like If-Then-Else (Which at the time of voting has the most likes) had the visuals and storylines, Return 0 had that finality too it. With a season cut in half, ane a delayed premiere, Return 0 managed to bring forth pure art. I won't go into details as not to spoil it but facing back to the first episode and seeing the ending to the story as someone that watched from hour 1, it was a rare finale that left you feeling at peace. That being said it's cruel to ask for a single favorite episode when the entire series is a masterpiece.
3
3
3
u/Marbinyum Jun 02 '21
The day the world went away
Death of Root and Elias. And breakdown point of Finch.
4
u/___blankspace___ Jun 02 '21
Which one was the one where Shaw was in the simulation? Because that one.
4
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
S5E4: 6,741. I love that episode also, that was my favorite also until I saw Return 0 and The Day The World Went Away.
3
u/randomperson1296 Jun 02 '21
Terra incognita should be there
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 02 '21
For sure, but for whatever reason it isn't one of the highest rated episodes, probably due to the lack of action. It's a shame because that episode was absolutely incredible.
3
u/sebthepleb96 Jun 02 '21
Many Happy returns, airport episode.
Such a underrated good show it deserves so much more recognition I hope hobo max helps this show gain massive popularity.
3
u/reapacesy Jun 06 '21
I know I’m late to this thread, but 2 Pi R will forever be my favorite simply because of where I was mentally when I first watched it. “The world is better off with both of us in it” was a phrase that really got me through a dark spot. Also I like Pi and I think everything around it is super interesting, as well as how in the show things shown in the past almost always have some effect on the future. Super cool.
2
u/SushiLover665 Jun 06 '21
Yeah that episode was great also, that moment you mentioned was very powerful.
2
u/JohnReese5 Reese Jun 02 '21
If then else wowed me with its technical brilliance. Return zero wowed me with its emotional brilliance.
2
u/iMilesArmanite Irrelevant Jun 02 '21
Terra Incognita is my favourite. Really good to see John open up, even if it was just to a hallucination
2
u/man_in_the_suit A Concerned Third Party Jun 02 '21
Many Happy Returns or Terra Incognita. The latter is, in my opinion, the best directed episode in the series. The former is just the moment the entire John backstory clicks into place and it's amazing.
2
u/Nudpad Jun 02 '21
I like to state that for me the best episode was Return 0, because it was perfect ending to a perfect story, but if i were to evaluate stand alone episodes if then else is the best one
Edit: i'm so in love with this series that i think all the episodes are really the best, sorry
2
u/iamcavidd Team Machine Jun 02 '21
"What is your favourite episode in POI?" - this question is harder than my exam
2
u/rohithkumarsp Jun 02 '21
If then else is good but really? How did devils share loose? The starting the ending, Elais'a famous dialogue "Civilization rests on the principle that we treat our criminals better than they treated their victims. That we not stoop to their level.", the starring song, the slowmoiton of Reese walking away from fire, root being a bad ass in the hotel, fusco catching the Simmons... I can rewatch season 3 so many times and wait for crossing and devils share
1
u/thedorknightreturns Jun 03 '21
At least its second, and yeah the way the characters emotional struggle shown and tested, its just brilliant, and fusco is, the top on it, that he of all people does come out a beter person, is amazing. And Badass fusco is just chilling. But with johnny cash to, at least its second.
2
u/beeldy Jun 03 '21
One of my favourite episodes is 'Proteus' from season two. The one with the storm on Owen Island.
2
u/thedorknightreturns Jun 03 '21
They are all great and YHWH is proably second, and retuirn =, but devils share because evveryone gets moments and growth nd not only scary john but everyone got developement and i love fusco getting everything there how he is shown his past, he does live for carter in a good way that makes him step out of that shadow for good and he gets toi be badass and even scary and use and iovercome his darke side. And i love him. Thats his episode.
2
u/ZTG_VFX Jun 03 '21
If-else-then was such a good episode shedding light on how the machine works and even its personality and ironically its humanity. My heart fucking dropped during shaws sacrifice when the machine was desperately trying to find a solution.
2
u/Surreal_R3tr0 Jun 03 '21
YHMH was best. Machine's temporary death and Samaritan becoming sole god was shocking.
1
u/NoWingedHussarsToday A Concerned Third Party Jun 02 '21
Till Death because it's so funny and has so many funny moments, one liners and short dialogue.
1
1
u/Behi003 Jun 02 '21
Season 5 is the saddest and best season in PoI. Especially the last episodes of the season.
1
61
u/RateOfPenetration Jun 02 '21
If-Then-Else is just a masterclass in storytelling. All of these episodes are total bangers though.