Karma (Person of Interest)
A psychiatrist's vigilante justice tests the team's moral boundaries.
"Karma" is the 17th episode of Person of Interest’s fourth season, and the 85th episode overall. Hillary Benefiel and Sabir Pirzada wrote it, with co-executive producer Chris Fisher directing. It first aired on March 10, 2015, on CBS in the U.S. and CTV in Canada. The plot centers on the team looking into a psychiatrist who, after his wife was murdered, turns vigilante and sets up his patients’ tormentors to take the fall for crimes. Flashbacks show Finch wrestling with his own decision to kill someone. The episode’s title references the spiritual idea of cause and effect, where a person’s actions shape their future. Although Amy Acker is credited, she does not appear. Nielsen Media Research reported that about 8.67 million households watched it live, earning a 1.5/5 ratings share among adults 18–49. Critics generally liked the episode, praising the moral questions it raised.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Person of Interest
- Season
- 4
- Episode
- 17
- Director
- Chris Fisher
- Writer
- Hillary Benefiel & Sabir Pirzada
- Photographer
- Peter Hlinomaz
- Editor
- Mark Conte & L.B. Brodie
- Production
- 3J5417
- Runtime
- 43 minutes
- Airdate
- 2015-03-10
- Guests
- Patrick Kennedy as Dr. Shane Edwards / Elizabeth Marvel as Alicia Corwin / Wrenn Schmidt as Dr. Iris Campbell / Daniel Sauli as Wyatt Morris / Marjan Neshat as Becca
- Prev
- Blunt
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode opens with flashbacks to 2010, after Ingram's death, where Finch uses a voice filter to threaten Alicia Corwin. The Machine reveals Finch's own number, and he plans to kill Corwin with a car bomb. However, Corwin's confession of guilt causes Finch to abandon the plan, and the payphone stops ringing, no longer deeming him a threat. In the present day, Reese and Finch investigate Dr. Shane Edwards, a psychiatrist whose wife was murdered eight years earlier. Edwards has been framing criminals who traumatized his clients and got away with their crimes. The team discovers that Wyatt Morris, the man who killed Edwards' wife, has been released on parole. Edwards' car explodes, and Morris flees. The team learns Edwards lied in his testimony and is buying a gun in Morris' name. Edwards plants evidence to incriminate Morris in a future crime. Morris confronts Edwards in a greenhouse, revealing his plan to commit suicide and frame Morris. Finch, drawing on his own experience with Corwin, convinces Edwards to abandon the plan. Reese later opens up about grief in a therapy session. The episode ends with Reese and Finch questioning whether Morris actually killed Edwards' wife, but Finch notes the truth will likely remain with the Machine.
Reader's Guide
The episode explores themes of grief, justice, and moral ambiguity, centering on a vigilante psychiatrist who frames criminals he believes escaped punishment. The flashback to Finch's own near-killing of Corwin provides a parallel moral dilemma, emphasizing that revenge does not bring closure. Critics praised the episode's focus on serious issues and its non-action-oriented approach. According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 8.67 million household viewers and gained a 1.5/5 ratings share among adults 18–49, a 10% decrease from the previous episode. With Live+7 DVR, viewership rose to 12.12 million with a 2.4 in the 18–49 demographics. Reviews were generally positive; Matt Fowler of IGN gave it an 8.2/10, noting the open-ended moral questions, while Alexa Planje of The A.V. Club gave it a "B," calling it competent but inessential. Notably, Amy Acker is credited but does not appear in the episode.
Did You Know?
- The episode was written by Hillary Benefiel and Sabir Pirzada and directed by co-executive producer Chris Fisher.
- The episode's title refers to the spiritual principle of karma, wherein intent and actions influence the future.
- The episode was seen by 8.67 million household viewers in its original American broadcast.
More in Person of Interest episodes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced