The machine feeding Finch numbers could have been a rarely discussed MacGuffin; instead, it’s become the fulcrum of the entire series, a mysterious intelligence with plans uncomfortably beyond the understanding of its creator. Between the slow reformation of Root from murderous evil genius to badass acolyte, and the computer’s own understanding of its core mission, the concurrent themes of protection, identity, and heroism underlay every scene. Each week, Mr. Finch explains to the viewer: “You are being watched.” And each week, Finch and the others do their best to earn the privilege of their perspective, while others seek to exploit it. A smart show that keeps getting smarter, Person Of Interest evolved from a procedural with a twist into something entirely itself: a well-paced, tightly constructed sci-fi thriller that continually questions its assumptions.

Person Of Interest turns conspiracy theory into art · The A.V. Club