I think that they've done a good job layering it in piece by piece. I tried to describe the entire plot and relationships by the end of season 2 to someone and it took 15 minutes + it was super-confusing.

That's what I heard. Ack - not enough hours in the day!

I think there's going to be bias in any type of discussion in these subject matters (and hence in the series), but it's up to people to decide on their own based on their experience and / or moral belief. But being a catalyst to start these conversations is a good thing.

The third category is "just because I feel like it". You know - cause the Machine has to keep itself amused some how.

Is that the thing from Sleepy Hollow? Or National Treasure? Not well-versed in this area.

The Machine is definitely manipulating events using all of them (Reese, Finch, Root, and Shaw) and there's clearly a strategy in place. It remains to be seen if this is directly a result of Finch's original program, or if it's an evolution. I'm not particularly interested in seeing the Machine doing a "Breaking Bad"…

When Finch "gave" the Machine the ability to protect itself through the virus, I think it created a new directive which resulted in adopting Root as the analog interface. In some sense, it is interested in self-preservation - in that sense, a group like Vigilance would be a clear enemy to the Machine. What's ironic is…

Shaw is now effectively the dumping ground for all dry and witty remarks between Finch and Reese. Which is great because, otherwise, I feel that might have run out of witty banter this season.

I think that on some level, Finch doesn't want to engage with Root because he fears her to some degree (the kidnapping, drugging, torture, etc.) and there is a strong possibility that she's technically equal to him. She's also far more ruthless than he is. Last note: when they engage, Root typically does most of the…

I thought the fact that the Machine adopted Root as the analog interface made it clear that it had its own agenda, although I will be a bit disappointed if it's as simple as "defend itself against Vigilance, who will try to destroy the Machine because of privacy reasons". (sidenote: that argument is kind of idiotic…

I think they've picked a good time in the series to start broadening the idea of privacy rights and what happens if some group were to take a militant stance for it. The central premise of the show - that Finch and Reese use this information to help people - is purely fantastical because it established that Finch and…

That and he steadfastly refuses to work with Shaw after being used as a human shield - Shaw's first instinct.

Even when Fusco is on screen, I'm still saying "There's not enough Fusco."

She's definitely a psychopath. But a caring psychopath.
…OH MY GOD, THIS IS LIKE FRED / ILLYRIA ALL OVER AGAIN.

Finch and Reese would have to follow a PoI to Reiden Lake in order to confirm that.

Michael Emerson does a particularly wonderful job when he's facing off with Amy Acker or Enrico Colantoni. Cold and dispassionate - almost as if there's a much darker person hiding underneath the facade - a Ben, perhaps.

What's truly amazing is that how many great recurring characters they have written. Every call back is rewarding to the attentive viewer.

As much as I love Fringe, I prefer them as distinct universes. However, tongue in cheek references to Fringe on PoI would certainly be most welcomed! Also, John Noble appearing on PoI would be the end-all of all things great.

Thanks to CBS's decision to reschedule PoI for late Tuesdays, this has been the first week which I have been able to watch it live. Unfortunately, I've also missed the last two episodes but I couldn't resist watching it live - amazingly, it was all still pretty coherent. Since I haven't been able to comment on earlier…

Against SHIELD, the odds were pretty stacked. POI probably wouldn't have gotten picked even if it was still on Thursday. I'm bracing for a ratings hit on PoI thanks to 1) viewer fatigue on Tuesday after 2 hours of NCIS, 2) less viewers around at 10 pm, 3) the strong possibility that the Venn diagram of "NCIS LA…