M.I.A. (Person of Interest)
Reese and Root search for Shaw in a Samaritan-run town.
"M.I.A." is the 13th episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Person of Interest, the 81st overall episode. Written by Lucas O'Connor and directed by Kevin Bray, it aired on CBS in the United States and on CTV in Canada on February 3, 2015. The episode is notable for resolving a major storyline regarding the fate of a key character and for its exploration of Samaritan's experiments on a small town.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Person of Interest
- Season
- 4
- Episode
- 13
- Director
- Kevin Bray
- Writer
- Lucas O'Connor
- Photographer
- Gonzalo Amat
- Editor
- Scott Powell
- Production
- 3J5413
- Runtime
- 43 minutes
- Airdate
- 2015-02-03
- Guests
- Maddie Corman as Leslie Thompson / Adria Arjona as Dani Silva / Mason Pettit as Albert Weiss / John Leonard Thompson as Dr. Victor Haskell / Brian Russell as Chief Wicker
- Prev
- Control-Alt-Delete
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In the episode, Reese and Root travel to Maple, New York, following a lead on Shaw's possible location. They kidnap Chief Wicker after he sexually harasses Root, but he reveals nothing. They later discover a truck with medical equipment, suggesting operatives tried to save Shaw from blood loss. The town's doctor explains he was anonymously consulted for a craniotomy but did not call police due to fear of Carrow, a powerful company controlled by Samaritan. Reese and Root kidnap Mayor Leslie Thompson, who reveals she follows email instructions under death threats and supposedly died in Pittsburgh before waking up with a pacemaker in Maple. Finch deduces Samaritan is using Maple as an "ant farm" to study human nature. They infiltrate Carrow, find neural implants on innocent people, and escape with Delia Jones. The Machine tells Root "Stop" when she demands information about Shaw. The episode ends with John Greer speaking to Shaw, who is alive in a hospital bed.
Reader's Guide
The episode received highly positive reviews, with critics praising the performances, particularly Amy Acker. According to Nielsen Media Research, it was seen by an estimated 9.28 million household viewers and gained a 1.4/5 ratings share among adults 18–49. This was a 9% decrease from the previous episode. With Live+7 DVR, viewership rose to 12.92 million with a 2.3 in the 18-49 demographics. Matt Fowler of IGN gave it an 8.8 out of 10, calling it a "chilling tale with a gripping end." Alexa Planje of The A.V. Club gave it an "A−" grade, noting Samaritan's ambitions remained large despite the small-town setting. The episode serves as a pivotal moment in the season, confirming Shaw's survival and advancing the conflict with Samaritan.
Did You Know?
- The title 'M.I.A.' refers to 'Missing in action,' a casualty classification for combatants reported missing during wartime or ceasefire.
- It aired on February 3, 2015, on CBS in the United States and CTV in Canada.
- The episode revealed that Shaw is alive, shown in a hospital bed with John Greer.
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